Shepherd Market has its fair share of Lebanese eateries, but this traditional outfit scores with its authentic flavours, reasonable prices and accommodating staff who are equally helpful to tourists and workers from the nearby Saudi Embassy. Mirrors, flowers and linen-clothed tables create a civilised mood, and the extensive menu covers all the staples – from tabbouleh, fattoush and falafel to meaty kebabs and grills of every description. It’s also worth looking out for more unusual items such as manakeish bizzatar (a Lebanese ‘pizza’ baked with thyme and olive oil), samakecharra (sea bass with hot spicy sauce) and modardara (green lentils cooked with rice and topped with fried onions). Sweets are from the trolley, and a handful of Lebanese wines fly the flag on the short international wine list.