Coco's Cantina

If there are no tables to be had at the hugely popular Coco’s Cantina (you can’t book), elbow your way to the bar – it’s big enough to eat perched on a bar stool and the service from affable bar manager Petaia Unoi is top notch, complete with knowledgeable wine recommendations. It’s also a good spot from which to survey the space: a bright mural fills one wall; exposed brick another; and there’s plenty of people-watching to be done. The gutsy, Italian-leaning menu is tweaked seasonally – the ravioli filling might be beetroot in autumn; Jerusalem artichoke in winter – while the hearty sizes of mains such as pork belly with cotechino sausage mean you could struggle to fit in the restaurant’s signature polenta fries. In the spirit of a true Italian cantina, Coco’s is more about honest flavours, rustic presentation and a fun atmosphere than refined dining. But no matter how busy it gets, the staff are always smiling and quick to help, the wine list is engaging and there’s a generosity of spirit that shines through the whole experience.