Anwars opened as long ago as 1962 and although I haven’t been going there that long it has been (and still is) one of my favourite places for lunch when in London.

Seating about 40 in cafe style with Formica topped tables, complete with water jugs, and a good selection from which to to choose at the self service counter. No menu as such but all dishes available are marked up on a board, and it’s all good, robustly spiced Pakistani food. Just take a tray, make your selection, pay and sit down to enjoy.

I have only ever been at lunch time, when they have reasonably priced lunch time set meals (Meat or Chicken Curry, Vegetable Curry, Nan or Puri and tea) or slightly less for the veggie version without the meat curry, as well as plenty of other varieties at similarly reasonable prices. It’s all authentic stuff with loads of flavour and I find it difficult not to over order! It also does a good lunch time take away trade where the Kebab Roll (two spicy kebabs wrapped in nan bread with onion and chutneys) is a very popular (and delicious) take-out.

I did get a bit of a fright in October 1998 when I thought they had gone upmarket - the old wooden chairs had been replaced with a new, slightly padded variety - but fortunately that was the only thing that had changed. It remains one of my favourite, no frills places for lunch in London. The only problem is that it is very close to the Indian YMCA where the canteen is also good, making decisions sometimes difficult.

Malcolm Wilkins - October 2006