Soho Cedars

You're walking down D'Arblay Street on a Friday night and you catch the smell of charcoal and za'atar drifting from Soho Cedars. This is the kind of place that feels proper rooted in its neighbourhood, packed with a mix of locals, theatre-goers heading to nearby Shaftesbury Avenue, and people who've actually heard about it through word-of-mouth rather than Instagram. The room's got warmth—exposed brick, ambient lighting, Lebanese touches that don't feel forced. You'll be spoilt ordering their meze spreads; the hummus is silky, the kibbeh snaps between your teeth, and their chargrilled lamb actually tastes like something. It's lively without being loud, and the kind of spot where you can linger over drinks without feeling rushed.