Laila's Bistro

Informal, friendly Old Town bistro with lots of dishes from the Mediterranean and the Levant.

The 2019 edition of The List's Eating & Drinking Guide is out now – only £5.95 (+p&p).

This chilled-out wee bistro with its olive-green walls, pretty lamps and outdoor seating on an iconic Old Town street is a bit of an oasis for tourists looking to take the weight off, but its congenial service and Med-inspired menu means Laila’s is more than just another tourist trap. Sister restaurant to Hanam’s, Pomegranate and Souq, the flexible menu means there’s something on offer for most occasions – toasted panini for a light lunch; a reliable (though not huge) choice of mezze for grazing with friends; and chargrills for that classic Mediterranean experience. There is a short selection of bistro-style dishes too, but best allow this wee place to play to its strengths and splash in the Med: try batata harra (cubes of potato fried with plenty of chilli) — unusual, crunchy and delicious, perhaps followed up with a prawn skewer or nicely charred lamb chops, and you won’t go far wrong.