What’s the vibe? Amiable retro caff decked with boxes of the day’s fresh produce and dedicated to the famous Italian snack.

When to go Quick to eat and packing plenty of stodge, these balls could well be ideal pre-gig fodder. Check out what’s on at the Forum.

What to eat The namesake deep-fried risotto balls, served plain, with salad, in tortilla wraps or accompanied by a hot stew.

How much? From £4.50 for five risotto balls (eating in) to around £8 for the original salad boxes and daily stews.

What’s the vibe? A bricks-and-mortar spin-off from the legendary Cheese Truck, peddling its lacto wares in a bar-like space beneath a burlesque club in Camden.

When to go A hangover cure and a handy Camden Market pitstop. Otherwise, book in for a regular Thursday-evening fondue bonanza.

What to eat Oozing cheese sandwiches and messy riffs on raclette, but don’t miss the real food porn – a flavour-bomb sundae involving blue cheese lusciously laced with quince, honey and shards of honeycomb.

How much? Grilled sandwiches from £6.50, bigger plates such as cauliflower cheese from £7. The sundae weighs in at £5.50.

What’s the vibe? Corrugated iron and walls plastered with Bollywood posters and Indian newspapers lend a ‘Slumdog Millionaire’ aesthetic to this upbeat Punjabi pit-stop on Chapel Market.

When to go On the hoof – either for a wrap from the stall outside or a quick sit-down indoors. With insistent bhangra beats and unyielding seats, this is not a place to linger.

What to eat The kitchen majors in street-food snacks and slow-cooked curries.

How much? Dhaba snacks from £3, most curries around £9.

What’s the vibe? Belting breakfasts, brunches and lunches beneath high ceilings in Highbury Park.

When to go Brunch, lunch and monthly supperclubs. Check @frankscanteen on Twitter before heading over as the owner sometimes closes for catering gigs.

What to eat Behold! Tarka dhal with poached eggs, naan bread, chilli chutney, cheddar cheese and crispy onions.

How much? There’s plenty on offer for less than a tenner. The dhal combo is £9.90, decent poached eggs on sourdough toast is £6, with delectable sundries a couple of quid extra.

What’s the vibe? A London chippy serving raw salmon and sweetcorn ‘scraps’ with highballs on the side? Surely not! Yet this slightly bonkers mash-up of old-school fish-and-chip shop and Japanese tempura bar works a treat.

When to go Evenings only (Tue-Sat), when you fancy a chippy supper with a few hipster curveballs thrown in.

What to eat Pick from a pared-back line-up of battered fish, ceviche-style small plates, wacky snacks (prawn heads, anyone?) and mini doughnuts.

How much? Most plates (‘raw’, ‘fry’, ‘snacks’) range from £3-£7. Spend an extra three quid on a pickled onion shot.

What’s the vibe? Large, utilitarian – and a gobsmacking go-to for prodigious portions of excellent cooking in London’s main Turkish ’hood.

When to go When you’re really, really hungry.

What to eat Meze, grills and stews to share, with salad and bread on the house. Approach the mixed kebab with caution: it’s a beast.

How much? Meze hits from £4.50 (order plenty), pide from £9.50, grills from £12 – although they’re often big enough to feed two, particularly if you’ve polished off some starters.

What’s the vibe? A hearty, healthy double-floor café on Pancras Square in King’s Cross, plugging a ‘mindful eating’ philosophy.

When to go Daytimes – they’re open from 8am-5pm on weekdays (a decent drop-in for the calorie-conscious commuter, then) and 10am-4pm.

What to eat The nourishing, generously portioned salad ‘lunch boxes’. Do include the warm sweet potato, quinoa, kale and mushroom mix, topped with peanut-sauce-slathered tofu. Righteous stuff.

How much? £5.55 for a mixed salad bowl with no toppings; £6.95 for a bowl with chicken, egg or halloumi; £8.95 for one with salmon or tofu.