It isn’t easy to find a decent cup of tea in Rome. Babington’s near the Spanish Steps is one option, but it’s touristy and overpriced. The British Corner, on the other hand, is a hidden gem in Pigneto. It’s a little corner of England in the most Roman of neighbourhoods – a haven of vintage furniture, porcelain cups, and, most importantly, really good tea. There’s a cardboard cut-out of the Queen in the corner, who seems to be giving her approval.

The British Corner offers a good range of loose leaf tea, which comes served in an old-fashioned teapot, with mismatched porcelain cups and saucers and delicate little spoons. The owners make regular trips to England to scour shops and markets for vintage teacups, some of which are for sale in the cafe. You can tell that the place is a real labour of love and celebration of anglophilia, and I appreciate the commitment to the theme. There are plenty of nice cafes and bars in Pigneto, but they’re often nice in a generic, interchangeable way, while The British Corner has a distinctive character of its own.

This cafe is your best bet in Rome for afternoon tea (and they do scones and various cakes too), but it’s also open in the evening, so you can pop in for an aperitivo or after-dinner glass of wine as well. Recommended for expats experiencing the occasional bout of homesickness, or anyone looking for a bar with a difference.