When a restaurant just down the road is named ‘Britain’s best takeaway’ it feels like our duty to see if it lives up to that billing.

So it was with high expectations we headed incognito to Ambience in Leopold Road, Wimbledon, which received the aforementioned accolade from online takeaway service Hungry House.

Read more: 

Wimbledon takeaway wins title of best in Britain

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Specialising in Turkish and Lebanese cuisine, Ambience is a brisk 10 minute walk from the station in a small parade of independent shops.

With no obvious pub nearby it’s hard to imagine it hoovers up much of most takeaways’ usual crowd – the post-drink carb refuel – but then again this is not your rudimentary burger or chicken and chips-type joint, either.

Beyond its relatively uninspiring purple façade, Ambience opens up into a highly attractive restaurant.

With glossy slate floor tiling, exposed brickwork and wood ceiling beams aided by plentiful colourful mosaic-style ornate lampshades and ornate mirrors, this is a place you’ll want to stick around in.

Separated by a wall, the right hand side is set with tables – and a view into the flames and bustle of the open kitchen - for those with more time, while the right hand side has a TV showing the news, leather sofas and an inviting, well-stocked bar.

Being on a tight deadline, we called ahead and popped by to pick up the grub. The friendly chap on the phone could hardly have been more accommodating, especially as we called before the restaurant had actually opened for the day.

Perhaps it would help to put opening hours on the takeaway menu?

It’s not often that you find yourself wishing for a longer wait – especially with a train to catch – but we were quite comfortable propped up at the bar.

Browsing the menu, the Chicken Kofte wrap at £7.20 did not seem particularly impressive value, even if it said large.

But that is because we underestimated how large they meant.

Wrapped in foil, this was a hefty beast stuffed (though slightly unevenly, I was just eating salad at the end) with hunks of juicy flame grilled chicken kebab contained in a soft wrap.

Big, juicy and bags of flavour – it certainly was not bad value after all.

It made us slightly regret the gluttonous side order of paprika-dusted skin-on fries (£2.95) which were similarly super-sized.

There is no doubting that Ambience is mightily impressive. As it says on its menu, this is ‘the same quality food found in our restaurant in the comfort of your own home’.

Is it Britain’s best takeaway? Seems like a decent shout to us.