Watford, Portuguese Restaurant Guide

2021 Review: “A little corner of authenticity in an ever-more-gentrified bit of London”, this Portuguese café in North Kensington’s Golborne Road has been famous for its pastéis de nata for more than 20 years – and, despite increased competition, fans swear they’re “still the best custard tarts in town”.

This “vibey” independent coffee shop off the Chiswick High Road roasts its coffee and bakes its pasteis de nata in-house. With its menu of simple bakes, sarnies and smoothies, it’s a natural choice for a quick bite of brunch. (From their website, you can also stock up on T shirts and baseball caps as they also run an apparel range under the Tamp brand).

“On the money in almost every sense”: innovative chef Nuno Medes opened this three-storey Fitzrovia haunt (in partnership with MJMK Restaurants) in 2022 and it continues to inspire fans with its “fabulous and interesting Portuguese cooking” – “a bit hit ’n’ miss, with some odd combinations, but the quality is undeniably good”. Ratings have slipped a bit, though, from its heady debut: service is not always super-organised and “the music needs to be a bit less loud!” (although apparently Nuno likes it that way). Top Menu Tip – “scallops with black pudding is especially good”.