Levantine

Arch 25, Old Union Yard Arches, 229 Union St, London SE1 0LR

With a menu billed as a modern twist on Israeli cooking, this Southwark spot aims to transport London diners to Tel Aviv. Chef Eran Tibi serves up a range of sharing plates in a lively atmosphere.

16 Neal's Yard, London WC2H 9DP

This is the sibling restaurant to the hugely popular The Palomar. It features food from the Barbary Coast of North Africa to Jerusalem and it's a solely counter dining restaurant, with the exception of the terrace. There's also The Barbary next door, a mini sister restaurant that's well worth a look too.

56-58 Marylebone Lane, London W1U 2NX

This is an Eastern Mediterranean kitchen on Marylebone Lane where the couple who run it have been inspired by their family heritage. Expect a modern menu, with inspirations from Eastern Med and the Middle East in a laid back setting.

34 Rupert St, London W1D 6DN

Hands down one of the best counter dining experience in town, albeit not the quietest one. Expect a Jerusalem-style menu here, with additional influences from Southern Spain and Italy, North Africa through to the Levant. You can grab a table at the back - but try for the full-on counter experience if you can.

27 Romilly St, Soho, London W1D 5AL

If you love nothing more than getting stuck into a kebab then prepare to have your horizons widened by Berenjak, which focuses on recreating proper Persian-style kebabs, stews, sides, with a Soho twist. It all comes from JKS, the same people who've had successes with Hoppers, Trishna, Bao, Brigadiers and more.

93 Stoke Newington Church St, London N16 0AS

This sees the former market stall go to the next level. They'll be serving bagels, stuffed pitas, fried chicken, short-rib pastrami and lots more. And expect a good brunch offering too, all with a Middle Eastern touch.

68–80 Hanbury Street London E1 5JL

Jago is the first restaurant from Louis Solley, who used to head up Ottolenghi in Notting Hill. He's now opening an all-day restaurant in Shoreditch with a focus on European and Ashkenazi inspired cuisine.

3 Rochester Walk, Borough Market, London SE1 9AF

Arabica started out at Borough Market, armed with little more than a cool box and began selling a small range of mezze from an 8ft trestle table. The vibe they're going for at their Borough restaurant is 1960s Beirut meets 21st century London.