Follow the smell of slowly cooking, deeply flavoured lamb shawarma in N4 and you’ll find Palmyra’s Kitchen, sandwiched in between the glassy development behind Finsbury Park. A Middle Eastern restaurant that serves dishes from Syria and Lebanon, this homely spot suits a Friday night meal or a low-key date night as much as it does inhaling a superb shawarma on a Tuesday lunchtime. Everything made here is flavour-first—the labneh has an officious fizz of garlic, the tabbouleh is fittingly 90% parsley, and the soujuk oozes cumin and pepper. As is often the case with an irresistible Middle Eastern spread, you’ll be tempted to order and order and order—but it’s worth knowing that Palmyra’s Kitchen’s charcoal grill will have you eating like a king or a queen for £20.

photo credit: Aleksandra Boruch

photo credit: Aleksandra Boruch

photo credit: Aleksandra Boruch

photo credit: Aleksandra Boruch