OkonomiHeads

At OkonomiHeads things are made easy for you. You won’t have to do small plate maths, decipher a wordy drinks list, or book ahead. From about 7pm after-workers and pairs of friends begin to trickle in, everyone is waved to a table of their choosing, and you immediately get the sense that things will be relaxed and uncomplicated. Diners take their cue from the gentle piano music and softly spoken waiter, and laid-back chats rarely rise above the tinkling keys drifting out of speakers. And despite being in a Haggerston basement, this Japanese spot has a light and bright feel with highlighter-yellow tables and a pink counter. Dishes can be hit and miss, but the okonomiyaki is excellent. Crispy layers of cabbage and tissue-paper bonito flakes melt on your tongue and are only improved with a squirt of wasabi mayo.

photo credit: OkonomiHeads