Aziza Cafe Bazaar, Glasgow

Step into Aziza Cafe-Bazaar to sample tastes of the Middle East in Glasgow's West End. Bohemian decor and textiles with easygoing rug-strewn sofas make it easy to forget the cold and the asphalt beyond the cafe's wide wooden door, which is welcomingly propped open daily from noon until 10pm.

Mezze are Middle Eastern tapas-style starters similar in range and tastes to Meditteranean and Greek starter plates. Home favourites include hummus, olives and falafel; be sure to try lesser-known variants such as Baba Gahanoush, made from aubergine puree with a full, smokey flavour. A mixed mezze (Medium £6.99) is great for sharing to give a comprehensive taster. Soups (£2.99) are hearty winter warmers: traditional Moroccan Harira, an exotic mix of pulses and spices, is a meal in itself.

Moroccan house specialities are flavour-infused tagine dishes, accompanied with bread and spicy harissa sauce. Lamb Tagine (£10.99) is tender and can be served with vegetables or as a sweeter dish with prunes and apricots. Other Middle Eastern specialities include cous cous dishes served with Tunisian stuffed peppers (£8.99(V)/£9.99) or Turkish spicy sausages (£9.99); the latter is a spicy meat feast tempered by mint yogurt and salad. Main courses are reasonably priced and generously portioned.

To ease full bellies, mint tea is recommended to follow; as is Turkish (apple) tea or premium-strength Turkish coffee, all on offer alongside a full Western coffee list. And if you have room for desert, baklava, an Arabic delicacy, is a suitable indulgence.

Aziza is a social cafe and bazaar that was established almost three years ago in smaller premises, with the weighty premise of acting as a means of integrating cultures and skills of immigrant communities. Since relocated to a larger site to house a range of cultural classes and products, and live belly-dancing on Saturdays, its expansion is testament to its popularity and success. Owner and founder Azmina assures a warm welcome and hearty fare: this is a cafe with a lot of heart.