"Merkato is an Ethiopian restaurant that’s a 15-minute stroll away from the mania of King’s Cross proper. Mesob baskets with injera and stews come quickly and are piled generously, and every table in the tight-knit, bric-a-brac-filled restaurant is happily tearing and scooping. Don’t be surprised to see a birthday celebration happening under the twinkly setting of fairy lights and umbrella chandeliers and, if you’re moving with a few friends, it’s one of the smartest group dinner options in the area." - heidi lauth beasley, jake missing, sinead cranna