Souk Medina

With its reasonably priced feast menu, shisha pipes & belly dancers, fans justifiably label Souk Medina a ‘crowd pleaser’ – in fact, big parties can be accommodated with ease in its sprawling subterranean alcoves tricked out Maghrebi-style with twinkling tea lights, low brass tables, ethnic trinkets & colourful cushions. The fun is fuelled by exotic-sounding cocktails (anyone for a juicy Marrakech or a thirsty camel?) & a roll call of north African culinary staples: hoummos & baba gannouj with pitta bread, falafel with tahini, spicy merguez sausages, slow-cooked tagines & fluffy couscous, followed by mint tea & sticky-sweet baklava. The cooking won’t win awards, but dishes normally taste as they should, & decent portions mean you’re unlikely to leave hungry. Related to Souk Bazaar at 27 Litchfield Street, WC2H 9NJ.