Chuku’s

Launched in 2008 as a supper club run by two siblings, Chuku's deals in what we might call 'Nigerian tapas' in a Tottenham location a couple of minutes from Seven Sisters tube station. It's a sweet spot for brunch and the volume of endorsements from readers of Nigerian heritage is powerful testimony to the success of what it does: 'fantastic food, fantastic staff, great vibes in the restaurant'. Prices are reasonable enough, says another, 'that you can go quite frequently'. Who could wish for anything more?

What people love about the food, which is served in 'a pop of welcoming colour', is its combination of authenticity and innovation, balancing fortifying sustenance with the lively spice traditions of West Africa. There's fried plantain tossed in coconut and cinnamon, as well as a version of home-style 'party jollof' involving rice or quinoa steamed in a tomato and pepper stew and then smoked, while the egusi soup is made from ground melon seeds, partnered with spinach in coriander and fennel, more pepper and tomato, and soft yam dumplings.

The nourishing nature of much of the food is bolstered by its shameless deliciousness: how about chicken wings coated in salted caramel, and served with kuli kuli – a popular gingery peanut biscuit from the central regions of Nigeria. You'll wonder where that's been all your life. Banga prawns are fried, then combined with a palm fruit slaw that's full of herbal tang. Finish with yam brownies. Drinking is a matter of vivacious cocktails, palm wine or African beer.