Berenjak Soho

You're walking down Romilly Street past the usual Soho chaos, and suddenly you're sat in front of a plate of fluffy tahdig rice with meat that's been properly charred over flame. Berenjak does Persian food without the fussiness—think grilled lamb and chicken, saffron rice, and breads that actually taste like they mean something. It's not trying to be trendy or Instagram-bait; it's just solid, flavourful cooking at prices that won't leave you skint. The room itself is warm without being precious, the kind of place where you can actually have a conversation and eat proper food without pretending you're somewhere you're not.