Ishtar

Turkish spot Ishtar is great for meals that fall on the more casual end of the special occasion spectrum. Reclining in the leather, sea green banquettes with a plate of delicate, thin-doughed manti in front of you is also a particularly fancy and enjoyable way to avoid the office at lunchtime. The food at this Marylebone spot is on the pricier side, but doesn’t disappoint. Expect to annoy yourself by describing a hockey puck-sized falafel as ‘moist’, perfectly charred tavuk sheesh as ‘juicy’, and icli kofte as—worst of all—’succulent’. Come for reliably tasty lunches that need to be more elevated than the nearby Bill’s, and dinners that feel suitably special without requiring a tie and weeks of pre-planning.

photo credit: Koray Firat

photo credit: Koray Firat

photo credit: Koray Firat

photo credit: Koray Firat