Wood Street Bar & Restaurant

Located in a quiet spot by the Barbican, this charming eatery creates a favourable first impression with its multitude of flowers & foliage outside, & the good vibes don’t end at the door. Order some pork pies & ‘pigs in blankets’ to go with your pint of real ale, or head downstairs to the sedate restaurant for lovely views of the Barbican lake & a compact menu specialising in accessible Anglo-European fare with a seasonal slant – think prawn risotto with lobster sauce, parmesan & toast or whole roast grouse with braised leg, polenta & Scottish girolles. ‘Friendly service & good value’ are just what is needed, & if you’re en route to a Barbican production, the two-course early-evening menu (£15) is a godsend. There are also cheers for the ‘educated’ wine list.