Marylebone, Sandwiches, Cakes, Etc Restaurant Guide

Lady Bamford’s quartet of deli-cafés are the London satellites of her organic Cotswolds estate, and – on the plus side – their careful design can give the impression that one has fallen into the pages of ‘Country Living’. Not helped by inconsistent standards over many years, though, they continue to generate mixed feedback in our annual diners’ poll. “A perfect location for a late breakfast” is at the positive end. Negatives include: “I had the impression some staff were in their first job” and “the food can be poor here: it comes from Daylesford Farm and in some cases should never have left it…”

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”.

“Excellent smørrebrød” (open sandwiches) are on display at this Fitzrovia café, “but a lot of people go for the Swedish meatballs” – “this is where I head when homesick”, says an expat reporter. “There also is a little shop downstairs selling Scandi goodies”.

2024 Review: “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.

“Superb coffee” is the name of the game at “one of the original Aussie coffee shops in London” – still providing “exemplary service and high standards” after 15 years under its Melburnian founder, Peter Dore-Smith, and now with two branches in Fitzrovia. There’s also a pretty extensive menu of snacks and light bites to get you through the day. Top Tip – “try the great peanut butter made in-house”.

Need a light lunch or coffee and bite in Covent Garden? – You can have one in an elegant, high ceilinged space and boost the life chances of someone with learning difficulties or autism when you visit Bianca Tavella’s excellent fixture, which every year gives 15 young people (aged 18-25 years) with special needs the opportunity for work experience.

2024 Review: Jet-set living for the price of a (admittedly relatively expensive) croissant and a coffee? That’s the promise of this new café within Claridge’s, serving up toasties, crepes and cakes in a new space with a small art gallery attached designed by John Pawson.