Khamsa

You'll find yourself on Acre Lane in Brixton at a place that's clearly doing something right, judging by the queues and the ratings. Khamsa serves the kind of North African food that doesn't feel like it's been adapted for London tastes—think slow-cooked tagines with preserved lemon and olives, grilled lamb that's properly seasoned, and couscous that actually has texture. The room itself is warm and unpretentious, packed with locals who know what they're after. It's the sort of restaurant where you come hungry and leave satisfied, without the faffing about.