Bites

Chiang Mai Kitchen

Chiang Mai Kitchen

Down a narrow alleyway in the historic town centre, in an ancient oak-panelled building you'll find the best Thai food in Oxford. Conscientious and zesty cooking extends beyond the usual stir fries and chicken tricks and the salads, like laab from north east Thailand, and the tom yam soups come with a heat warning. Prices aren't rock bottom.

Kemp Hall Passage, 130A High Street, Oxford (01865 202233)

Paris

When chains are so dominant, places like Paris are welcome. Despite a French brasserie vibe, the menu's an idiosyncratic medley of French, English and everywhere else - thus confit of duck with soya and sesame noodles, and tandoori monkfish and sweet potato curry. Puds like brandy snap basket with crème brûlée ice cream round things off sweetly.

Calverley Bridge, Leeds (0113 258 1885)

Karachi

Bradford's first "Indian" restaurant? Having opened in 1963, quite possibly. Being named after the capital of Pakistan, it's not, strictly speaking Indian, though. Punjabi cooking then, pungent, meaty karahis, and no alcohol in a town centre, no-frills joint with some of the cheapest prices around.

15-17 Neal Street, Bradford, (01274 732015)

Lisboa Patisserie

The café where many of us first tasted pasteis de nata - those sweet little Portuguese custard tarts. This plain tiled floor café with a few tables and chairs overflows with aficionados (wrong language but never mind) of these sweet pastries and savoury croquettes. Strong coffee, low prices and a great buzz.

57 Golborne Road, London W10 (020-8968 5242)

Shanghai

The front room is in a lovely old Edwardian eel and pie shop, with fancy tiles and bench seating; standard-issue round-table Chinese restaurant at the back. Dim sum has built up a good reputation among Chinese and other locals. Plenty of steamed, fried and cheung fun choices, and even a dim sum happy hour every afternoon at £1.50 a throw.

41 Kingsland Road, London E8 (020-7254 2878)