York, Mediterranean Restaurant Guide

“A gem of a restaurant” serving “delicious North African cuisine” from Algerian-born Tarek Abdeladim, who started out with a stall in Shambles Market before graduating to this two-storey venue. Reporters name-check various “brilliant” dishes this year, including “a great coconut dahl” and “raspberry cheesecake with a sprinkling of the most tasty raspberry powder (I had to restrain myself from licking the plate!)”.

Zoe & Tim Sinclair have long since turned what was a self-proclaimed “side hustle” into a five-strong tapas chain – the first link of which is this “friendly” two-floor venue, est. 2010 in a Georgian house, and oft-commented upon in our annual diners’ poll. Alongside “excellent tapas” and “succulent” mains (fish, paella), there’s a “superb drinks list which includes a fleet of sherries available by the glass”.