The Saturday Times - Finest restaurants

Giles Coren of The Times recommends - Numidie

48 Westow Hill, SE19 (020-8766 6166)

Rather than trot the world for unrelated dishes, the chef here delves into the past of his native Algeria to offer up Numidian cuisine within a stone's throw of Crystal Palace. Exemplary couscous, great merguez frites and all the aubergines galettes you could want. And so far south you're practically in Africa already.

* Read Giles Coren's restaurant review in The Times Magazine every Saturday