Coffee & tea – All our local tips

Located in the heart of Soho on Frith Street, Bar Italia has become quite the Soho institution since it opened its doors in 1949. It serves great coffee and a range of simple, but authentic Italian food 24 hours a day, which is always a preferable option as opposed to the 03:00 visit to the kebab or fried chicken shop.

The interior walls are plastered with pictures of black and white Soho along with the occasional legend or two.

The food counter is well stocked with traditional Paninis made with ingredients such as coppa, mozzarella, basil and tomato. There is also a mouth watering cake display, complete with Italian dolce such as Sicilian favourite Cannoli (custard or sweet ricotta filled pastry). And the best way to enjoy your Cappuccino and Cannoli is alfresco.

If you manage to get yourself a seat at one of the little tables on the pavement sit back and enjoy the buzzing and animated atmosphere of Soho. And just when you think Bar Italia can’t get anymore Italian, it broadcasts football and has its own scooter club which meets every Sunday at 17:00!

Despite Soho’s transformation over the years, Bar Italia has maintained its simple old school Italian charm.

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Bar Italia | Coffee & tea, Relaxing, Snacks, Restaurants (Italian) | Cappuccino £ 2.50
22 Frith Street | Central | +442074374520
24 hours daily

Britain is best known as a nation of tea drinkers although there are a handful of people, like me, who prefers coffee. I prefer the strong ones like espresso. But sadly, this caffeine fix can only be quenched at the more commercialised ‘designer coffee’ brands. This is why finding good, quaint and independent cafes has become one mission for me.

At the corner of Balham High Road and Ramsden Road is a nice coffee shop called Bertie and Boo. The place is full of character as the quirky interiors bring you back to your school days with the multi-coloured wooden desks and chairs. Outside, you are invited to unwind on the red and blue fabric deck/beach chairs.

This local independent coffee shop lures you to indulge in cakes that are perhaps baked by mums who live in and around the area. They are also one of the good places where you can order yummy smoothies and unusual milkshakes – ever heard of a Maltesers milkshake?

Bertie and Boo is very child friendly. Children can be amuse themselves with toys, colouring books and the blue car while the mum and dad enjoys a cuppa.

Bertie and Boo (the coffee shop) is a place where people of all ages can enjoy and relax. You need not worry about your bank balances because the prices are very reasonable – as one would expected from a local, independent business. With or without children, this coffee shop is certainly a cool place to hang around.

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Bertie and Boo | Coffee & tea | Kids menu from £ 3.49
162 Balham High Road | South-West | +442087729987
Mon 07:30 – 18:00, Tue – Fri 07:30 – 20:00, Sat 09:00 – 20:00, Sun 09:00 – 18:00

Located on Clapham High Street, Breads Etcetera is the perfect place to go on a lazy weekend for breakfast or lunch.

Bread Etcetera originated from the same named bakery in Stockwell, however due to the success of their organic sourdough bread they opened the Clapham café in 2006 – allowing customers to sample all their artisan treats over a few hours. And trust me, the treats are plentiful.

This cosy little café is mostly famous for the DIY breakfast, where for £2.50 you can help yourself to an unlimited amount of sourdough bread, ranging from walnut to olive and herb bread and a delicious variety of jams and spreads.Each table is fitted out with its own toaster, which only adds to the charm of this place.

For those that want their breakfasts cooked for them, they serve a great selection of breakfasts and light lunches, sourcing their high quality produce from only a selected few suppliers.

The Cumberland Sausages are a must and the Triple Chocolate and Brazil Nut Brownies are definitely worth a mention too. Furthermore, the coffee is brilliant, which isn’t always the case in some of the more traditional London cafés.

The reputation of this quaint little eatery has spread so come the weekend there often is a line of hungry Clapham folk eagerly awaiting for the doors to open at 10:00. Fortunately, this place is open all day allowing you enough time to stroll down for brunch or lunch.

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Breads Etcetera | Coffee & tea, Relaxing, Snacks | DIY breakfast £ 2.50
127 Clapham High Street | South-East | +442077203601
Mon 10:00 – 14:00 (takeout only), Tue – Sat 10:00 – 19:00, Sun 10:00 – 16:00

During the day people bring their laptops or books and work, read and drink coffee sprawled over one of the many mismatched sofas or lounge chairs. At night tea candles are lit and hot drinks are swapped for alcoholic drinks as people unwind and meet friends in what was once the Old Truman Brewery in Brick Lane (check the Brick Lane article). Now that it’s wintertime, people who swamped to the outside picnic benches and the alleyway still venture out, but there is a much more cosy feel inside.

The boho and versatile venue opens at a very early 06:00 for breakfast and soups, jacket potatoes and sandwiches are on offer for lunch and dinner. Live music attracts a younger crowd with indie bands on Tuesday and jazz on Wednesday. Bands play in the smaller room at the back on Sunday and a dj spins tunes on Friday and Saturday.

Cocktails made with fresh fruit are available on the weekend and all year round you can grab a burger or corn on the cob from the grill stand outside. Tables and benches outside in front are great for people watching or smoking.

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Café 1001 | Bars, Coffee & tea, Music, Snacks, Restaurants (intern.)
1 Dray walk, 91 Brick Lane | East | +442072479679
Mon – Sat 06:00 – 00:00, Sun 06:00 – 23:30

Never again will you have to put up with a milky latte when you really wanted a cappuccino, or experience third-degree burns to your tongue when you take a sip from a takeaway cup.

Cosily housed in a refurbished spot in the railway arches of Hungerford Bridge, Cafe Vergnano 1882 is a comfortable mix of dark wood, deep red walls and creamy leather armchairs, perfect to sink into on a lazy Sunday, or before or after an evening performance at the Royal Festival Hall next-door.

The centrepiece of the entire restaurant will wink at you in the sunlight as you walk past the glass frontage; it’s the Elektra Q1C coffee machine, yeah!  A domed barrel of gleaming chrome with all manner of pipes feeding into it.  I swear it looks like something out of Roald Dahl’s Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, but whatever’s inside, be it an Oompa Loompa or just genius Italian engineering, it looks cool.  Toys for boys I guess!

Now I shouldn’t forget the the good stuff; a cappucino which is perfectly presented at the right temperature with the ‘1882′ insignia stencilled with chocolate in the froth, or try one of the several types of espresso that I was never previously aware of.  The food menu is extensive, and I couldn’t possibly do it justice here so either visit the website here, or just go have a great cup of coffee.

Oh, check out what they have to say about certain other coffee outlets here,

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Cafe Vergnano | Coffee & tea | (great) coffee from £ 1.70
Festival Terrace, Belvedere Road | Central | +442079219339
Mon – Fri 08:00 – 00:00, Sat 09:00 – 00:00, Sun 10:00 – 22:00

Located along ubér cool Upper St in Islington, the Gallipoli Bizarre restaurant is a combination of Lebanese, Turkish and Mediterranean cuisines, offering a huge variety of vegetarian and non-vegetarian dishes.

The restaurant is one of the ‘Gallipoli’ branded restaurants along Upper Street, and offers a reasonably priced menu with all the traditional favourites such as kebabs, tangines and cous-cous. The set menu is fantastic value at £16 per person, which includes a vegetarian starter followed by any main, dessert and a coffee.

The restaurant is split on two floors, however still manages to illuminate a very warm and inviting feel to its customers. Deep red fabrics line the chairs and sofas and beautiful coloured glass fittings hang from the ceiling, creating a cosy atmosphere.

However if word gets out it’s your birthday, be prepared to partake in some forced chair dancing whilst gyrating to excitable Turkish music. Fortunately, they sell a good selection of alcohol which in my experience, made the chair dancing exercise slightly less horrifying.

To complete your experience, take a seat outside and choose from a variety of fruit flavoured tobacco before lighting up a traditional shish pipe and watch the world go by.

It’s Gallipoli Bizarre’s authentic food and lively atmosphere that keeps the regulars coming back, always ensuring for a romantic night evening or great night with friends.

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Gallipoli Bizarre | Coffee & tea, Restaurants (Turkish/Lebanese) | Mains £ 9.00
107 Upper St | North-East | +442072265333
Mon – Fri 18:00 – 23:00, Sat – Sun 13:00 – 00:00

Gilgamesh was the son of the greatest King in biblical times, and is believed to have lived a heroic and adventurous life. To his tribute, the Gilgamesh restaurant encapsulates his greatness by creating a breathtaking visionary restaurant. The construction of the place alone appears to have been bigger than Ben Hur, as it hosts the worlds longest bar, which was hand carved in India, by an impressive 10,000 men! Needless to say, this venue is definitely worth the visit!

The food is Asian fusion, everything ranging from Dim Sum at lunch to a large selection of Sushi followed by a few Thai favourites. The prices are also varied, ranging from £8 for Scallop Sashimi, to £24.80 at the higher end of the scale for the Hoba Miso Chilean Seabass. Gilgamesh also caters for larger groups and offers the exclusive chef’s table for groups of 8-12 people, where you will be served a range of dishes from Grilled Wagyu with Spicy Ponzu and Truffles for £75 per head.

Gilgamesh also boasts a glass tea room which is lit with candles at night, in addition to a private bar, the Babylon Lounge Bar. Whilst the bar length is significantly smaller than its sister in the main restaurant, the sophistication in Babylon still continues. As where else can you sip your cocktail whilst dangling on a hanging sitting chair?

Gilgamesh’s grandeur is in keep with the biblical King’s reputation, therefore if you’re after a bit of magnificence you’ll really enjoy the Gilgamesh experience.

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Gilgamesh | Bars, Coffee & tea, Restaurants (Asian) | Dim Sum £ 8.00
The Stables Market Chalk Farm Road | North-West | +442074284922
12:00 – 15:00 & 18:00 – 00:00 daily

If visiting Queen’s Park and need a big breakfast to cure your hangover, Jack’s is the perfect spot. It’s a small café in the style of an American diner which serves all-day breakfasts, sandwiches, burgers, soups and salads. What makes Jack’s stand out from most cafes is the bottomless cups of coffee and tea; only a handful of places across London offer it.

Thick ice-cream milkshakes, pancakes made from imported batter mix and real maple syrup make it distinctively Yankee and it’s no wonder, as the owner’s wife is half American. At night candles are lit, alcohol is served and burgers, salads and daily specials are served. It has recently expanded to include a back room and will soon have a patio to be used when the weather gets warmer.

The prices are reasonable and the location, just down the road from Queen’s Park means you can walk off your fry-up in a picturesque setting.

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Jack’s | Coffee & tea, Snacks, Restaurants (Breakfast) | English breakfast £ 4.95
101 Salusbury Road | North-West | +442076248925
Mon – Fri 07:00 – late, Sat 08:00 – late, Sun 09:00 – late

With the steady invasion of coffee chains it can be a struggle to find independent coffee shops in London. However bypass all the usual suspects which line Portobello Road, then turn into Elgin Crescent where you’ll find Kitchen and Pantry. Furnished with big brown comfy sofas, wooden kitchen tables, and buzzing with chatter, the grinding of coffee and the hum of soft music, Kitchen and Pantry has a warm and vibrant feel.

On the weekend, there’s a mixture of 20-somethings lounging on the sofas, young families having a snack and people tapping away at their laptops. So if you’re flying solo, it’s a great place to do some work as there are many places to plug in your laptop and take advantage of the wireless and hot drink specials. And speaking of drinks, there’s a large selection of tea, coffee and fresh juices to accompany the tempting biscuits and cakes lining the large kitchen style counters.

If you’re after something more substantial than a chocolate brownie, there’s an all day breakfast menu and light snacks such as jacket potatoes, crepes, wraps, spaghetti bolognese and mushroom risotto which can all be ordered for around £5 or less.

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Kitchen and Pantry | Coffee & tea, Snacks | Drinks & snacks around £ 5.00
14 Elgin Crescent | West | +442077278888
Mon – Fri 07:00 – 21:00, Sat – Sun 08:00 – 20:00

Portobello Market started as a fresh-food market in the 19th Century, but expanded in the 1960s to include the renowned Saturday antiques market at the eastern end of the street, and an assortment of clothing and accessories stalls to the western end. It is of course more recently known for that Richard Curtis film, Notting Hill, and is also mentioned in many popular songs.Have a browse through the antiques, it’s more than the usual furniture and china. I found a guy selling items of old navigational and military navigation pieces, clocks from old Russian MiG and US jets.Walk down the length of the entire street to take in all the stalls; street food steams and bubbles in huge pots serving Ghanaian curry, Spanish paella, and grills of German chicken Schnitzel and sausages.I strongly recommend coming here to buy your fresh fruit and veg, the flavours are so much better.Tomatoes are deep red and juicy, unlike the fluffy, tasteless flesh of their irradiated cousins found in supermarkets. The fresh bread stall is a guilty pleasure, mostly for the mountains of sweet pastries. At about 16:30, the prices are reduced to clear and you can pick-up three doughnuts for a pound or two!So you have to pay a bit more than in the supermarket, but your money goes to a real small business and you’ll have experienced the theatre of street vendors, rather than the anonymous and sterile experience of a supermarket queue. Love it!

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Portobello Market | Art & culture, Coffee & tea, Shopping, Snacks
Portobello Road | West
Mon – Sat from approx 08:00 – 16:30

Located just up the road from the debauchery that is Camden, lies Primrose Hill, a quaint village like area that is known for its celebrity residents in addition to some of the best views of London.

The most picturesque way to get there is by walking along the canal from Camden, where you’ll pass house boats and buskers before popping out at the Primrose Hill exit. The streets are lined with beautiful mansions and perfect gardens, leaving you feeling like you’ve stumbled across a quintessentially English film set! This is quite fitting considering many English film stars have made this little area their home.

The high street (Regent’s Park Road) has a distinct village like feel to it, complete with a continental food store, cafes, specialty stores and restaurants. Come the weekend in summer, alfresco dinners and punters from the pub spill out onto the pavement, creating a lively yet relatively relaxed atmosphere.  However if a picnic in the park sounds more like your cup of tea, be sure to pass by Shepherd’s continental food store. Shepherd’s has tables set up outside selling delicious French pastries, bread and tasty Italian favourites.

From there, head up to the park, where you’ll be welcomed by fantastic views of the city in addition to the usual sites of a London park in summer; girls in bikini’s, ball games, picnics and people drinking cider in the sun. All in all, a very English way to spend an afternoon!

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Primrose Hill | Coffee & tea, Relaxing, Snacks, Restaurants (Various)
Primrose Hill | North-West
24 hours daily

Queen’s Park is a green haven in Northwest London. It has an area for children, miniature golf park, petting zoo, secluded flower garden and a lovely café. At this time of year, after a casual walk in the sunshine, there is nothing better than cooling down with an ice cream and the park café is just the spot.

Located next to the tennis courts in the centre of the park, the café overlooks the circular lawn where local football teams battle it out and kids escape their parent clutches.

The café serve soup, sandwiches, cakes and hot food. Now that it’s wintertime it’s great to pop in for a tea or hot chocolate to warm you up when strolling through the park. In the summer, part of building’s façade opens up to become an Italian ice cream shop and benches and tables are busy with families, couples and groups of friends. The opening hours vary with the season as the café shuts one hour before the park closes, which is when it gets dark.

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Queen’s Park Café | Coffee & tea, Snacks
Harvist Road | North-West | +442089606946
09:00 – 16:00 daily (winter hours)

It’s a constant dilemma. London has so many fantastic pubs and clubs, however often it’s so hard to find a funky bar where you can go dancing which doesn’t close when the clock strikes twelve. However the Ruby & Sequoia restaurant bar, which is located near the fabulous Portobello Road, offers just that.

The main bar is a great place to stand around with a cocktail and catch up with friends, whilst the small downstairs area plays a mixture of dance and funk, which incidentally will have you dancing until the wee hours of the night.

The only downside about this place is that it has recently turned into a members bar, which means non members need to call ahead to get their names at the door. However entry is still free.

The restaurant is also open for brunch and offers the perfect hangover cure for £10 – any main course, a Bloody Mary, the morning papers and of course coffee and juice. Therefore, with Portobello Road less than a one minute walk away, Ruby & Sequoia restaurant bar is a great place to either start or end a day out in the area.

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Ruby & Sequoia | Bars, Coffee & tea, Music, Snacks, Restaurants (European)
6-8 All Saints Road | West | +4402072436363
Mon – Thu 18:00 – 00:30, Fri 18:00 – 02:00, Sat 11:00 – 02:00, Sun 11:00 – 00:30

For the perfect combination of glamour and eccentricity, head to Sketch, off Regent St, Mayfair. Sketch is made up of a few bars and restaurants, one of which has a Michelin star, however the main attraction of Sketch is its quirky interior. Each room is unique, however the design is consistent; opulent, edgy and alluring.

For a traditional but chic English experience, the Parlour room does a great High Tea in the afternoon from 15:00 – 19:30. For £30, you get a sample of scrumptious cakes, traditional sandwiches, tea and a glass of champagne to wash it all down.

The Gallery, which has various cultural exhibitions by day, converts into a restaurant at night with a live DJ playing until 02:00. Whilst there, be sure to wander down to the East Bar at the back of the Gallery. This intimate bar is the perfect place to sip on a delicious Tai Tai or Lovely Bubbly cocktail.

Above the East Bar, two staircases lead up to a floor that has randomly scattered white cubicles which resemble a cross between giant eggshells and space ships: naturally, these are the toilets. Once you enter your spaceship cubicle you are greeted by some interesting sounds such as cows mooing, people laughing or X rated screams.

Needless to say, after being at Sketch for only a short while you’ll begin to feel as if you have stumbled across a secret and unusual little world – a world where you won’t want to leave!

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Sketch | Art & culture, Bars, Coffee & tea, Music, Restaurants (English)
9 Conduit Street | Central | +442076594500
Mon – Sat

At the top of China Town is London’s best cinema. The prices are less than the outrageously priced Hollywood junk shown in Leicester square and the venue is so welcoming people hang out here without even watching a film. The Soho Curzon is part of a chain of five similar cinemas, though my personal favourite is the Soho edition as it’s the most central and the layout is most inviting.

At street level a retro-styled café has over 20 different pastries and cakes and serves hot soup, coffees and organic wines. Downstairs a spacious bar is adorned with brown leather sofas you sink down into and tables where you can find people having pre-movie drinks, post-movie chats or just enjoying the artsy atmosphere.

The three cinemas in the basement show a selection of art house independent and less commercial titles. The Soho Curzon regularly hosts Q&A sessions with film directors and script writers along with special previews. Film festivals and a monthly quiz are also on the agenda.

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Soho Curzon | Art & culture, Bars, Cinemas, Coffee & tea, Snacks | Ticket £ 12.00
99 Shaftesbury Avenue | Central | +448717033988
Box office 11:00 – 21:00 daily | Bar 11:00 – 23:00 daily

Located not so far from the bustling Oxford Street is St Christopher’s Place. Its proximity to London’s most popular shopping street makes it easily accessible to tourists but there is always a fair amount of locals who frequent the place. Here you’ll find a collection of places to eat and drink like Carluccio’s (an Italian restaurant), Sofra (bit of Middle Eastern cuisine) and my favourite, Café Creperie (to satisfy my French cravings). There is also a traditional pub, Lamb & Flag, in one corner, if cosmopolitan dining is not your cup of tea. There are other places to eat, drink and shop all the way up to Wigmore Street.

From time to time, there are buskers who provide the musical entertainment. But there is always a party atmosphere with or without the music.

Alfresco is the main dining theme at St Christopher’s place. Even in winter, people would still sit outside as almost every place offer patio heating. However, I wouldn’t know how it’s like when it is raining — as it almost always does. But when the weather is good, it is a perfect place to catch up with old friends and meet new ones.

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St Christopher’s Place | Bars, Coffee & tea, Snacks, Restaurants (Various)
St Christopher’s Place | Central
Varying opening times

Walking into The Beehive is like crossing a time portal. The smell of good coffee beckons you and at the threshold, you are transported back to swinging 60s London. The Beehive offers the “Fantastic Four” in Greenwich – a cafe, record shop, vintage clothing shop and a collectibles shop.

Oli Vintage & Retro is a delight for both bargain hunters and vintage aficionados. Long, leather overcoats sell from £50 and the Twiggy dresses are tagged from £18. They also sell bags, gloves and jewelry to complete your look.

The Beehive also houses Calneva, which offers collectible items for hobbyists and homemakers. You can find quirky tools from the 50s/60s like a wind-up shaver and a manual ice crusher. Spice up your kitchen with tins having bold and retro designs. Calneva is also one of the few places where you could buy a good working brownie camera!

As you snoop about the shops, you’ll find yourself tapping your fingers or foot to funky music. This groove is provided by Casbah Records where they sell both vinyl and CDs. Genres span from rock n’ roll, soul and funk.

The perfect finish, of course, is a nice cup of Java coffee from the London Roasters Coffee. You can either sit quie

tly or have a nice chat with the friendly staff.

It is almost disappointing when you step outside to find that it is the year 2009. The Beehive indeed offers a nostalgic journey to the time when London was really swinging!

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The Beehive | Coffee & tea, Shopping
320-322 Creek Road | South-East | +442088581964
Tue – Fri 10:30 – 18:00, Sat – Sun 10:30 – 18:30

Somewhat hidden from the busy Balham High Road is The Fat Delicatessen. Perfect place to sit quietly with a good book and a nice macchiato. If you’re quite hungry, there is also a selection of snacks and small plates that would surely fill you up. It is also one of the few places that have Manchego cheese on its menu.

The place has a steady flow of people during the weekdays and it is quite easy to get a table. During the weekends, however, the place can be really buzzing.

You can also satisfy your shopping urges at The Fat Delicatessen as they offer various goods from Spain, Italy and France. Select from a variety olive oils, vinegars and other spices. They also have a nice selection of wines that are decently priced.

But perhaps the most popular among locals are the packed meals, which are carefully prepared from the deli menu and the charcuterie. Its proximity to Balham tube station makes it easy for picking up a ready meal on the way home. No fuss gourmet dining indeed!

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The Fat Delicatessen | Coffee & tea, Snacks | Bar snacks from £ 1.50
7 Chestnut Grove | South-West | +442086756174
Mon – Wed 08:00 – 20:00, Thu – Fri 08:00 – 22:00, Sat 09:00 – 22:00, Sun 11:00 – 18:00

Unless you stumble upon this by accident it’s easy to miss the Institute of Contemporary Arts (ICA), accessed by a simple doorway on The Mall amongst the rows and rows of white columns.  Established in 1947 by a collective of artists, poets and writers, it aims to further contemporary culture through a variety of artforms.  A special ‘ICA at 60′ season is celebrating their, not surprisingly, 60th year.

On a mission to break down the boundaries between artists and the public, the ICA offers endless art exhibitions of great creativity and fun; two small cinema screens that regularly show great documentaries and world cinema; talks and events on multitude of cultural and artistic subjects; DJs and live performance in the ICA Bar, which also serves some tasty snack food.

The ICA shop has a cool selection of irregular and kooky magazines, books, DVDs and those really nice Moleskin notebook things.

On a charge of extreme laziness I want to leave it to you to browse the website here, to really get a vision for what the ICA offers, I’ll let your taste will guide you; a mind-boggling amount of entertainment awaits, look at all the links to the website I’ve managed to dig up already! Check times for individual events, exhibitions and movies.

It’s so easy just to drop in on a weekend, without it feeling like an ordeal of endurance that visits to some of the larger museums can be sometimes.  If you live in London permanently, why not become a member, at £35 a year it’s reduces the ticket prices to some seriously low prices

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The ICA | Art & culture, Bars, Cinemas, Coffee & tea, Music, Snacks
12 Carlton House Terrace | Central | +442079303647
Mon – Wed 12:00 – 23:00, Thu – Sat 12:00 – 01:00, Sun 12:00 – 21:00

Forget all bad experiences you have had with nasty, greasy breakfasts, this place will set your universe the right way up.

A bit of a well-kept secret, Kitchen Table is tucked away from the bustle of West End Lane, frequented by locals, this child-friendly café has a real homely feel. In fact, proprietors Tom and Jenny want you to feel exactly that, right at home.

A large, solid pine table and benches run the length of one wall, and the kitchen being part of the café space makes it all feel quite cosy.  Flower vases lend the place a slightly rural feel, and an entire wall is decorated with pictures drawn in crayon (available on request) by customer’s children, instead of at your home…on the wall.

On offer are smooth cappuccinos, huge chocolate brownies, and the incredible breakfast of scrambled eggs on thick, brown toast, with sides of crispy bacon, roasted tomatoes, field mushrooms and a tangy dark green leaf salad. Alternatively there is homemade granola with Greek yoghurt or porridge with pistachios, raisins and honey.

If you’re still there a few hours later, why not stay for lunch?  Homemade soups, tartes served with salad and a variety of chunky sandwiches filled with tangy fillings of classic British cheese, ham, hummus, olives, herb-roasted chicken, tuna and salami to mention a few, then there’s afternoon tea and cake as well.

Note, cash payments only are accepted and naturally, children’s portions are available.

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The Kitchen Table | Coffee & tea, Restaurants (Breakfast) | Food from £ 2.50
37 Mill Lane | North-West | +442072099386
Mon – Fri 09:00 – 17:00, Sat 09:00 – 16:00

No building in history may have had as bad press as the Millennium Dome – sorry – the O2. But look at it without reeling at all those taxpayers’ pennies and you’ve got to admit – it’s a hell of a sight. London’s most maligned tourist site may be a white elephant, but it’s no lame duck nowadays thanks to the revamp O2 and pals have given it in the last few years.

Name a gastro-pub or popular restaurant chain and it’s here. Name a generic public entertainment facility and it’s here. What’s not to like? Well, everything I suppose – but there are some huge draws to the dome.

Firstly, at night it’s a great fit-inducing menagerie of LEDS, neon and modernism in extremis which at the very least is worth a short ‘ooh’ or ‘ahh’ to the beholder. Secondly, once inside the cavernous dutch cap (and trust me it is HUGE), you can spend a veritably wholesome evening at comparably little expensive when you look at central London’s myriad overpriced, underachieving tourist traps.

Thirdly and waywardly most importantly is its new-found status as London’s premier uber-gig venue. I recently went on a whim, without ticket to see Tennessee’s tremendous Kings of Leon. No chance? No way. £25 on the door – which, as any big gig lover will tell you – is a fair bit under the asking price. And oddly, for a place as big as this, the atmosphere was every bit as tremendous.

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The O2 | Bars, Cinemas, Coffee & tea, Music, Restaurants | Free
Peninsula Square | South-East
Mon – Sat till 23:00, Sun til 22:00

It’s four o’clock. Cue music. Cue Prince William stretching on the gardens of Kensington Palace after a hard afternoon of cutting the grass. The ladies-who-tea gather about admiring his royal physique as they sip their tea and bite into their cucumber sandwiches whilst letting out a lusty sigh. Mmmm… what time is it? It’s tea time at The Orangery!

Of course, the scenario above (Diet Coke-esque if you didn’t get it) is a total make-believe. Prince William does not cut the grass in the palace gardens. Nor does he hang about in quite a ‘public’ area. But what is accurate is that The Orangery is the perfect place for afternoon tea, which is traditionally around 4pm. This and the fact that ladies do swoon over Prince William.

Afternoon tea is not religiously practiced anymore but should you fancy having a go, then I suggest you head to The Orangery for a more authentic feel. It is located on the grounds of the Kensington Palace, Princess Diana’s former home, which also provides a royal ring to it.

They serve the traditional afternoon tea trimmings of sandwiches in those lovely tiered trays along with scones, clotted cream and jam. For the sweet toothed, prepare for an avalanche of cakes and tarts. And if you happen to have missed lunch, then you can also order some light pasta and salad dishes. There is no facility to book tables so you have to be there early enough for the tea experience although they do serve them from 3pm giving you more time to stalk, err, enjoy.

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The Orangery | Coffee & tea, Snacks | Cakes from £ 2.25
Kensington Palace, Gardens | West | +442073760239
10:00 – 17:00 daily

My friends and I affectionately call this our local, because while it isn’t around the corner from us, it’s certainly one of the nicest pubs in our area. Inside, a collection of wooden tables and and cushioned chairs are lit by mismatched chandeliers. Palm trees covered in fairy lights and massive mirrors in elaborate frames add to the red burgundy decor.

Traditional tasty pub food is served at reasonable prices and a carnival-like old fashioned popcorn machine provides a steady flow of free popcorn, placed strategically around the circular bar in large bowls for anyone to take.

My favourite part is the beer garden at the back. Half the space is covered and there is plenty of seating. The covered area has comfortable leather sofas you sink in to. Sitting outside in winter is fine too as there is a very efficient heating lamp system.

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The Regent | Bars, Coffee & tea, Snacks, Restaurants (Pub) | Glass of wine £ 3.25
5 Regent Street | North-West | +442089692184
Mon – Thu 12:00 – 23:00, Fri – Sat 12:00 – 01:00, Sun 12:00 – 10:30

The Tricycle has been running since 1980 and despite being in the northwest, far from the glamorous West End theatre hub, it has become one of London’s most adored and respected theatres. Ten years ago a one-screen cinema was added on and in 2001 the Creative Space was built for educational workshops.

The theatre’s directors try to present work which reflects the cultural diversity of its neighborhood Kilburn, a heavily immigrant area and has put on plays by Irish, African-Caribbean and Asian writers.

The venue also puts on events such as the Obama Inauguration Party, where they will screen the ceremony live in the cinema with American beer, pretzels and cheerleaders.

The cinema kiosk serves ice cream and candy and it has a bar/café which has a simple menu of pasta, sandwiches and jacket potatoes. There is a separate eating area which doubles as an exhibition space. On Mondays cinema tickets are only £5.

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The Tricycle | Art & culture, Bars, Cinemas, Coffee & tea, Snacks, Theaters
269 Kilburn High Road | North-West | +442073281000
Box office Mon – Sat 10:00 – 21:00, Sun 14:00 – 21:00
Café & bar Mon – Sun 12:00 – 23:00 (12:00 – 20:00 for food)

So named because it was previously a wet fish shop, (the term ‘wet’ refers to fish that have not been frozen since being caught) the old cream and emerald Art Deco tiles from this previous incarnation now form part of the tranquil, dark-wood ambiance.  I love the old Oriental sideboard with deep carvings of rural scenery, and the soft, glass wall-lights ease the strain of the day away.

The staff are quite unobtrusive and very courteous. I always feel like I’m in a Zen-forest oasis in here, half-expecting saffron-robed monks to walk through en-route to a temple.

I mostly drop in here for the excellent, smooth and quite punchy cappucinos, complete with barista art, created in the froth by a delicate method of pouring the milk into the coffee.

The raison-d’etre of the café is reassuringly called ‘modern comfort food’.  Brunch, wine and dine describes it adequately, as they cater for the late-rising population of West Hampstead with a range of pastries and hot food for the morning.  Nourishing sandwiches, soups, pasta and tapas are available from lunch throughout the afternoon, then come the evening the feasting begins on lamb shank, steak, fresh fish and pasta.

It’s best to check the menus on the Wet Fish Cafe website as they are updated constantly with regard to seasonal ingredients, something that makes this place quite special, and worth parting with a few more pounds than you usually might.

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The Wet Fish Cafe | Coffee & tea, Restaurants (European) | Main meal £ 12.00
242 West End Lane | North-West | +442074439222
Tue – Sun 09:45 – 23:00

The shelves at Trinity Stores offers the best of Britain’s food products. They are filled with seasonal items grown and package by different (and perhaps small) regional farms from up and down the country including freshly baked breads. This lovely delicatessen also stock some goods from Continental Europe like Italian pasta, Spanish olive oil and French pates. Food hampers are also available for those who want a bit of everything.

Trinity Stores is conveniently located by both the Balham Underground and National Rail Stations, which is perfect for a quick shop for something to cook for dinner on the way home.

They also offer good coffee to take away for your journey to work in the morning. If you are in no rush, then you can quietly enjoy your brew in the shop while sitting on brightly coloured plastic chairs and white tables. And as you relax, you can take your time reading through the numerous flyers posted on the noticeboard.

I also like the fact that they provide clean glasses on each table with a jug of tap water so you don’t need to ask them for it. Light snacks and sandwiches are also available at reasonable prices.

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Trinity Stores | Coffee & tea, Shopping, Snacks | Sandwiches from £ 5.45
5 & 6 Balham Station Road | South-West | +442086733773
Mon – Fri 09:00 – 20:00, Sat 09:30 – 17:30, Sun 10:00 – 17:00

If you are looking for something vegetarian or vegan or simply good food, Vita-organic is the place to go. It is a treasure amongst the overwhelming plethora of choice in Soho. It’s often easy to get drawn into a familiar chain or think you’ve spotted an appetising cheap eat only to find the food lacks taste and the service is non-existent.  Everything in Vita-Organic is, as you would imagine, organic and you can really taste it.

Food is ordered at the counter, but you don’t specify what you want, but rather how much. Portions come in scoops. You can order anywhere between 1 and 6 scoops on a plate and I would recommend three scoops for a filling meal. Even though it’s vegetarian, it’s very filling as many of the dishes use alternatives, such as coconut milk in place of cream.

Vita Organic opens its doors to allergy sufferers; many dishes are dairy or wheat free. Making the decision of which dishes make the cut on your plate can be difficult – the spread of food is vast, including stews, bakes, curries, stir-frys and salads. Save room for a fresh juice – the list is impressive.

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Vita Organic | Coffee & tea, Restaurants (Vegen) | First scoop £ 3.80
74 Wardour Street | Central | +4402077348986
Mon – Sat 12:00 – 22:00, Sun 12:00 – 21:00