Elbow

The 2013 edition of The List's Eating & Drinking Guide is out now – only £5.95 (+p&p).

This review is taken from the current (2013) edition.

To the uninitiated, arriving at Elbow is a particular treat, not least for its eccentric layout, with a mezzanine reached by a rickety staircase and a ground level boasting leather booths fitted into various nooks and crannies. The décor, which includes a glitterball, fish tank and table-sized retro computer game, leans towards student chic, but in a good way, with high ceilings and large windows keeping the ground floor airy and light. The menu is enticing, especially for those seeking brunches and burgers, while the drinks range – from coffee to cocktails – reflects Elbow’s gradual progression from a laidback café vibe on weekdays to an altogether more lively and DJ-fuelled boozer of a Friday night.

• High point: Relaxed and impressively original
• Low point: The more exotic dishes are a bit hit and miss