Tirana

You're walking down York Road past the usual high street suspects when you spot Tirana—and suddenly you're transported somewhere altogether different. This is proper Albanian cooking: the kind of place where the owner knows their regulars by name and the kitchen takes pride in doing things the right way. The menu reads like a love letter to the Balkans, with grilled meats that actually taste like they've been seasoned properly and traditional dishes that don't get dumbed down for a British audience. It's unpretentious in the best way possible.