Greater London, Sandwiches, Cakes, Etc Restaurant Guide

“Decent croissants and the best brews”, delivered by “unfailingly lovely service, however long the queues”, still win legions of fans for London’s original cool coffee shop group, even if it has real competition these days from more Antipodean-style challengers. “They’ve been my top choice for over 35 years, but I can no longer cope with the uncomfortable seating at the OG Covent Garden outlet, so SE1 it is”, which is “perfect to combine with a Borough Market visit”. There’s also a third branch at Bermondsey’s Spa Terminus.

“Cakes to die for!” say fans of this tiny Scandi café in a cute Covent Garden cut-through, with a handful of seats outside in summer. Top Menu Tip – Prinsesstårta (a Swedish cake, layering sponge, cream and marzipan).

“Viennese in style” – this “elegantly understated” sibling to The Wolseley sits on the easterly fringe of the West End, and is “very much a power location”: “the ambience is perfect for business meals – bustling but not too noisy – with well-spaced tables and comfortable seating”; and “obliging” service that’s “efficient and warm”. Its “Mittel European brasserie menu with schnitzel/goulash/wurst etc” is “nothing special, but it is consistent and very acceptable” and “with something amongst the selection of dishes that anyone and everyone can eat”. “Despite the loss of founders Corbin and King, it is mercifully unaltered under its new ownership” with ratings practically identical to last year’s. Top Tip – “fabulous for breakfast”, whether you are dealmaking or not.

2021 Review: “Good coffee… and the food’s OK too” – this Borough Market café remains one of the top caffeine hits in SE1. “It’s great for breakfast” too.

“Decent croissants and the best brews”, delivered by “unfailingly lovely service, however long the queues”, still win legions of fans for London’s original cool coffee shop group, even if it has real competition these days from more Antipodean-style challengers. “They’ve been my top choice for over 35 years, but I can no longer cope with the uncomfortable seating at the OG Covent Garden outlet, so SE1 it is”, which is “perfect to combine with a Borough Market visit”. There’s also a third branch at Bermondsey’s Spa Terminus.

“One of the few remaining eccentric Soho sites left” – this “long-established fixture” was founded in 1871 by an exile from Paris. “Individual, exceptional and entertaining”, “the food still makes it a destination” – “including wonderful cakes better than any chain”. It is, though, “very busy, clearly on the ’to-do’ list of many tourists”.

2021 Review: “Could this be the best coffee in London?” – this speciality chain has grown from this Leather Lane site to 15 around the capital in 10 years, and is, by all accounts, “exceptional” – “definitely worth going out of the way for a brew”. “Staff are friendly”, and sandwiches, salads and cakes are prepared fresh every day at a central in-house kitchen and bakery.

Caffeine aficionados beat a path to the Leather Lane premises of “one of the early champions of speciality coffee”, where they imbibe information from the “friendly and knowledgeable staff” along with their brews. It’s a “comfortable refurbished space”, and there are “great pastries” and breakfast/brunch options to munch on.

2021 Review: “A wonderful location off Bermondsey Street” – a “quirky”, ancient, tiny shelter originally built for watchmen guarding the graves of nearby St Mary Magdalene Church – helps win fans for this small coffee house (which has since spawned a couple of spin-offs at Tower Bridge and Fetter Lane). It wins many nominations for its “top coffee” too (supplied by Shoreditch roasters, Ozone) and “delicious food”. One quibble: service can be “so laid back, it’s almost horizontal”.

2022 Review: “Still turning out wonderful cinnamon buns and coffee” along with some “excellent Scandi sandwiches”, this Nordic fixture in Soho remains “well worth a visit”.

This “small, often crowded” independent coffee shop by Soho’s Berwick Street market is a pilgrimage site for caffeine junkies, as the source of Antipodean ‘third wave’ coffee culture in Britain since its 2005 opening. And yes, “the coffee’s very good”.

Decked out in cosy period style, this “slightly touristy”-looking Mayfair stalwart was rescued from administration in 2021 and is the surviving member of a now-defunct tearoom chain. Traditionally an afternoon tea place, there’s more of an emphasis these days on its menu of “well-presented brasserie classics”. At worst it’s a “safe bet” for “a good pre-theatre supper”, but some would argue that its “excellent offerings and well-spaced tables” means it can be more highly recommended. BREAKING NEWS. In September 2023, the restaurant closed as it was announced it will move to new premises in Soho, to open in late 2023.

2021 Review: “Perfect coffee every time” keeps caffeine fiends crawling back to this small and serious chain. “Baking from Fortitude Bakehouse is a good complement”.

2022 Review: Following closure of L’Atelier de Joel Robuchon and the death of the man himself, this Picadilly café is now one of two London ventures opened in late 2019 by the group he founded. It’s all very chic and continental, but you don’t come here for culinary adventure – but to buy or snack on everyday staples (lots of tempting patisserie and viennoiserie, lasagna, club sandwich, Caesar salad…).

“One of the original Aussie coffee shops”, founded in 2009 by Melburnian Peter Dore-Smith and now with two branches in Fitzrovia serving “fabulous artisanal brews”. They make a “perfect escape from the chain experience of nearby Oxford Street” with their “great service and vibe”, “fresh sandwiches” and “very good lunchtime salads”.

“Great coffee and extremely moreish light snacks” is the simple-but-winning formula at this ethical and sustainable Scandi-style roastery that started life in Richmond six years ago and now has outlets scattered across some of central London’s foodie enclaves.

“One of the original Aussie coffee shops”, founded in 2009 by Melburnian Peter Dore-Smith and now with two branches in Fitzrovia serving “fabulous artisanal brews”. They make a “perfect escape from the chain experience of nearby Oxford Street” with their “great service and vibe”, “fresh sandwiches” and “very good lunchtime salads”.

2021 Review: For a posh bun, it’s hard to upstage this new Milanese import: a fashionista favourite for its superlative cakes and also serving some more substantial dishes (such as risotti) alongside cocktails and wine. Too limited feedback for a rating as yet, but all of it enthusiastic.

2022 Review: “You will literally not get a better toasted cheese and onion sandwich in this world!” – so say fans of Bill Oglethorpe’s market stall, which is a mainstay of Borough Market. On Saturday mornings and lunchtime, you can also eat-in at their dairy in nearby Bermondsey.

2021 Review: “Perfect coffee every time” keeps caffeine fiends crawling back to this small and serious chain. “Baking from Fortitude Bakehouse is a good complement”.