Restaurants, Round the world

Boteco’s brightly coloured and dishevelled appearance is entirely in keeping with the sort of place it is. Samba music plays and Brazilian staff dance and laugh behind the bar. And like Brazil, famed for its melting pot of races and nations, its…

This charming neighbourhood joint is the answer to the age-old couples' dilemma: what'll it be tonight, darling, Indian or Moroccan? If you can't decide, this is the only place offering two menus, from two separate kitchens, with choices from both so…

Despite being festooned with an abundance of fairy lights and flickering candles and boasting a burnished golden ceiling, the dining room of this converted church has an intimate, relaxed feel. Chef Jonathon Macfarlane (formerly Ubiquitous Chip) is a…

The happy bustle of the well-fed diners clustered into El Quijote’s snug interior tells you all you need to know about this unassuming Tollcross tapas bar. Spaniards Maria Giminez and head chef Oscar Mateos show off a different side to Spanish cuisine…

Leith’s Mongolian outpost welcomes a new owner with ambitions to add a little more polish to proceedings. Man v Food fans shouldn’t worry, however, as the all-you-can-eat barbecue feast remains centre stage and safari park exotic meats are still very…

Food is often an expression of culture and Glasgow’s only Afghan eatery is a fine example of this. Combining almost familiar Pakistani flavours with the richness of Persian influences, it’s certainly a crossroads of culinary routes. Though somewhat…

See Ashton Lane branch for review

As a result of ongoing building work, Athena has temporarily moved from its West End home to the City Centre, which has led to an increased popularity at lunchtime, such is the abundance of offices in their new environ, and the £5 express lunch deal is…

Proud to call itself Edinburgh’s first Lebanese restaurant, Beirut offers some of the best-value lunch deals in town. Its keen pricing and reasonable BYOB charges make it an attractive option for anyone looking for interesting food without breaking open…

Fancy food and beer in a bank vault? That's what the Belgo in London's Kingsway is offering as a converted former Lloyds bank, with the bank vault having been transformed into a Belgian beer cellar! Despite the building's history, the decor is…

From the owner and the staff, to the olive oil from the family vineyards, Elia’s unaffected charm lies in an unashamed celebration of family roots. Combining the unfussed approach of a traditional Greek taverna with Scottish produce to create an…

Complete with a continental bicycle above bread-laden shelves, Falko Konditormeister is a slice of lazy-afternoon coffee-drinking heaven. This corner of Germany in Bruntsfield is already a well-known hangout for cake connoisseurs and has numerous awards…

Hardened patriots might lament this venerable old boozer’s transformation from dingy haven to high-end Swedish ϋber-pub, but only the most misanthropic skinflint can really resent its success. Indeed, JP’s has an uncanny knack of catering to wildly…

The contemporary Thyme Restaurant offers guests a truly exceptional and unique dining experience. Set within the Waltham Abbey Marriott Hotel, close to Stansted Airport and a direct Central Line tube link into London, Thyme is an ideal restaurant for…

Visiting Brazilian Sensation is a unique and somewhat eccentric experience. For a start, it only opens in the evening if you make a reservation, so it really does feel like owner John Falconer and his Brazilian wife Lucia are expecting you. There’s a…

Beneath the magnificent curved glass roof of the world famous British Museum, Court Restaurant is set amidst the refined surroundings of academic Bloomsbury. Above the magnificent court, diners can enjoy a lofty view of the original Reading Room…

Situated on one of Bedford's most prestigious tree-lined avenues, De Pary's is a handsome Edwardian hotel once known as 'The Ritz of Bedford'. The hotel's informal restaurant serves something for everyone, with a menu of international standards from…

Since opening in 2004, this simple, straightforward Turkish restaurant has proved to be a popular addition to the Southside scene, thanks to its reasonably priced meals and a relaxed neighbourhood vibe. The Lalezar, a shared six-plate mixed mezze…

Scottish? American? Asian? Mediterranean? If you can’t decide what to eat, then International Starters could be the solution. The idea is to pick ‘starters’ from anywhere on a sprawling global menu covering many bases, ideal for trying different dishes…

The Meze Meze way of dining is focused on the concept of sharing good food and friendly service with family and friends in an unrushed, unhurried and laid-back environment. Situated in North Finchley, Meze Meze Restaurant invites you to enjoy a wide…