Tiger Rock Restaurant North John Street

You'll smell the lemongrass and chilli before you even push through the door of this compact Thai spot that's been quietly building a reputation among city centre workers who know their pad thai from their pad see ew. The cramped tables and minimal decor might not win any design awards, but when your green curry arrives with enough heat to make you sweat and coconut rice that actually tastes like something, you'll understand why people queue. The menu sticks to the classics without trying to be clever about it – think proper som tam that'll strip the enamel off your teeth and massaman that's been bubbling away since breakfast. Staff know their stuff and won't bat an eyelid when you ask for 'Thai spicy', though they might check you're serious first.