Tucked away in a quiet spot by the Barbican, this charming eatery creates a favourable first impression with its multitude of flowers and foliage outside, and the good vibes don’t end at the door. Order a pint of Shepherd Neame ale at the bar, or head downstairs to the sedate restaurant for lovely views of the Barbican lake and a compact menu specialising in accessible Anglo-European fare with a seasonal slant – think ham hock terrine with apple chutney or crayfish and avocado cocktail to start, followed by an Orkney fillet steak with triple-cooked chips and peppercorn sauce or sea bass fillets with sautéed new potatoes and broccoli. After that, a board of cheeses or strawberry and vanilla cheesecake should suffice. Plenty of thought has gone into the wine list, too, with some well-regarded producers on show.