Mahala

You'll walk into Mahala and immediately get why this place has earned its reputation. It's the kind of restaurant where the kitchen clearly knows what it's doing—think sarmale, mici, and ciorbă that taste like they've been perfected over decades rather than focus-grouped in a lab. Church Street's got plenty of options these days, but Mahala stands out because it doesn't try too hard; the staff know their stuff, the portions are generous, and you're never paying London prices for what lands on your plate. Whether you're after a proper sit-down dinner or just want to crack into some excellent grilled meats with a cold beer, it delivers every time.