Follow the Roman Road into East London from Bethnal Green, past the Roman Road market and Bow Church village – you’ll soon find yourself confronted with a true avatar of the old Near East. At the head of this famous way, where it intersects with Parnell Road, sits Sultan Sofrasi, a favourite among Bow and Tower Hamlets locals when they have a hankering for authentic Turkish and Middle Eastern cuisine. Set in a humble brick terrace, the interior of Sultan Sofrasi is all charm. The centrepiece of the restaurant is undoubtedly the twinned charcoal grill and stone-bake oven, the latter turning out Sofrasi’s signature lavash ‘balloon’ breads and the traditional Turkish barbecue busy grilling smoky Adana kofte, lamb kulbasti and kaburga ribs, seafood, chicken and quail. Go for the Sultan Special or the Family Special for a proper Turkish feast.