Hiba

Hiba is a family-owned Palestinian and Lebanese restaurant that has been operating in SE1 since before Borough became a destination. The head chef is, according to the family, Grandmother herself — who cooks the most delicious dishes and manages to keep the rest of the kitchen under her sparkly gaze. The menu runs to over 80 items: cold mezze including a chickpea hummus made with Palestinian olive oil and described by Time Out as one of the best in London, moutabal made from charcoal-grilled aubergines blended with tahini and lemon, crispy falafel with an almost grassy interior, stuffed vine leaves cooked in lemon and olive oil. From the grill: lamb shish, kofta, chicken shish tawook and mixed shawarma grilling slowly on the spit. The kunafeh nabulsi — gooey cheese pastry soaked in rosewater syrup and ground pistachios — is a house speciality. An extraordinary vegetarian and vegan selection runs through most of the menu, and food writers have consistently praised the halloumi as some of the best-grilled in London. Halal throughout.

BYO wine for £2 per person. Open daily. Delivery covers SE1, SE11, SE17, EC and SW1 postcodes. Order at hibalebanese.co.uk.