The tahini-heavy fattoush salad at this Middle Eastern spot in Paddington tastes too good to actually be healthy. But we’re not going to ask any questions, because that’s not the only dish at Mihbaj that tastes even better than it sounds. The maqluba—a traditional Levantine dish of layered aubergines, tomato, tender lamb, nuts, and rice—is an excellent, wholesome, huge plate of food that you’ll almost definitely end up taking home in a takeaway box. It’s a small space with limited seating and a back garden with a single table for when the weather’s cooperating. There's a warm, independent coffee shop atmosphere, with the menu—and wait times—of a full-blown restaurant. But even though you could end up having to get your food to go, rest assured, it’s just as good out of a box as it is in their dining room.

photo credit: Aleksandra Boruch

photo credit: Aleksandra Boruch

photo credit: Aleksandra Boruch