Manaqesh Palace

You'll find yourself on City Road in Cathays, walking past the usual parade of student haunts, and then you spot Manaqesh Palace. It's the sort of place that doesn't shout about itself—no Instagram aesthetic, just honest Lebanese cooking. The flatbreads are the draw here; they arrive warm and slightly charred, topped with za'atar, cheese, or meat depending on what you're after. Share the mezze if you're going with mates, pile your plate high, and watch how quickly it disappears. The room buzzes with a proper mix of regulars and curious newcomers, and the staff actually seem to give a toss about whether you're enjoying yourself. It's become something of a quiet institution on that stretch of City Road.