Fig & Walnut Mediterranean Kitchen

With a deep yellow façade and traditional Turkish sweets calling out tantalisingly to passers-by, Fig & Walnut Mediterranean Kitchen is a slice of warm Mediterranean hospitality in the heart of Bloomsbury.

The recently refurbished restaurant, spread across two dining areas with a connecting cocktail bar, is tastefully decorated in a dark-blue colour palette, offset by exposed brick walls and polished wooden furnishings. Dim lighting adds a touch of intimacy and mystique to the interior areas, while those who like to soak up the sun or do a bit of people-watching during their meal can sit at one of the pavement tables. There's plenty of space to accommodate larger groups inside as well.

The kitchen at the family-run Fig & Walnut is a tightly-run affair where food is cooked with passion. There's a varied assortment of authentic dishes to choose from on the menu, catering to different dietary preferences and providing a comprehensive overview of Mediterranean cuisine. You can start your day with a proper Turkish breakfast with homemade simit bread, preserves, and feta, or opt for a fry-up with spicy sucuk sausage.

Later in the day, you'll have platters heaving with expertly grilled meats, an assortment of hot and cold meze, oven-baked flatbreads, and other nourishing dishes ready to tempt you. Ask the bartender to whip you up a signature pomegranate margarita or a refreshing Persian fizz to go with your meal, order a bottle of fine wine for the table, and round things off with pistachio baklava or an indulgent kunefe dessert for a meal that satisfies the soul as well as the body.