BBQ X-Press Ocakbasi Restaurant

Head to Mare Street in Hackney and you'll find yourself in BBQ X-Press, a no-nonsense Turkish ocakbasi joint that does exactly what it says on the tin. The open grill is the star here—watch your lamb cutlets, chicken wings and kofte char over proper charcoal, the sort of cooking that demands respect and skill. It's unpretentious, genuinely good value for money, and the sort of place locals keep coming back to because the meat tastes like meat should taste. Service is friendly without being fussy, and the room buzzes with people actually enjoying their food rather than performing for Instagram.