The scene Just a short walk from Regent Street, this veggie Swiss import operates a ‘pay by weight’ policy, so the bill you rack up will depend on how much grub you decide to pile on your plate.
While it’s essentially a fast food joint – albeit with homemade salads and seasonal, meat-free dishes as opposed to fried chicken or big burgers – the low-lit space creates a funky, warm ambience that’s a cut above the likes of Maccas.
There’s no hanging around until a waiter notices you, either – punters get stuck straight into the ‘food boat’ (a buffet to you and me), then head to the till for their meal to be weighed.
The grub Tibits is all about fresh ingredients and avoiding products from overseas wherever possible, and I’m impressed that each product has an information label so you know exactly what you’re getting.
There are Asian, Indian and Mediterranean influences in the food and, as I’ve arrived on an empty stomach, I end up filling my plate with an eclectic mix of cuisines. Curried vegetables, Asian vermicelli noodles, cous cous salad, vegetable stroganoff, bean and capsicum salad, olives, deep-fried chillis filled with cheese, falafel and aubergine are all tasty enough but, as I can only fit so much on my plate, I’m still hungry at the end of it.
So I finish on a dessert that’s akin to bread and butter pudding, only packed with fruit. It gives the impression of a rich, naughty treat, but with actual nutrients.
Behind the bar Cocktails are made with Tibits’ own freshly squeezed fruit juices (think blackcurrant caipirinhas and tutti frutti daiquiris), plus there’s a selection of organic beers and ciders from Brit brewers.
Bill please Tibits offers breakfast, lunch and dinner and also provides takeaways. Breakfast £1.70 per 100g; lunch £2.20 per 100g; dinner £2.50 per 100g. Cocktails from £8; beer from £3.60/ £4.20 per bottle/ pint; wine from £4.30/ £15.70 per glass/ bottle.
Verdict Stuff yourself but still feel healthy? It’s a winner.
12-14 Heddon Street, W1B 4DA
tibits.co.uk
Tube | Oxford Circus; Piccadilly Circus
