Salt (CLOSED)

This is not meant as an insult, but Salt is a place that’s perhaps best enjoyed when you’re on your own. It isn’t just there aren’t many seats in the two small, narrow rooms (one on the street frontage and the other hidden at the back of the townhouse). It’s more that the place feels like an island of calm between Holborn and Covent Garden, and is perfect for a bit of solitude away from the tourist traps. It maintains the calm even at busy weekday lunchtimes; on Saturdays, it’s blissfully relaxed. Food has always played a starring role, with a short list of cooked dishes (the chickpea and chorizo stew is great) alongside quiches, salads and baked goods made on site. If you like your brownies sweet and dense, set your sat-nav now. Bread and pastry come from their own bakery in Hertfordshire. Coffee and tea are given near-equal billing. Salt is sweet. A firm favourite.