• Added: 3rd of September 2008
• Area: Brompton
• Category: Cafes and Coffee Shops

London SW1V 1QS
020 7931 9963

arcantara99 said
Caffe Nero
Another popular coffee chain, this is a nice branch as it's bright and airy and there's a sofa as well as the standard table and chairs by the windows which open completely so that the cafe becomes half inside and half outside. This is a good place to read the papers and take a break in a busy area. Caffe Nero is particularly good for its iced drinks and these are generally well-stocked here. This branch is often pretty busy with locals and office workers although service is pretty fast even when there's a queue. Staff behind the till are friendly.

• Added: 3rd of September 2008
• Area: Kensington
• Category: Cafes and Coffee Shops

London W8 6BA
020 7938 2335

arcantara99 said
Starbucks

This is a small branch of the highly popular worldwide coffee chain. Starbucks is still best for coffee – all types – and hot and cold drinks. Although this store does have a good range of food too – especially muffins and cakes. There are often tastings so you get to try drinks like their new smoothies here. There isn't much space at lunch times but it's generally quieter earlier in the morning or later in the afternoon. Staff are generally very friendly and even when there are queues service is generally fast. It is popular with tourists who are shopping along High Street Kensington or visiting nearby museums.

• Added: 3rd of September 2008
• Area: Holland Park
• Category: Cafes and Coffee Shops

London W11 3JS
020 7792 9040

arcantara99 said
Bagel Factory
The great thing about places like this is that you can have your bagel made with whatever fillings you like and tailored to your taste (with or without mayonnaise, ham and rocket or turkey and pickle). There tends to be a good range of bagels available too – wholemeal, plain, poppy seed etc. So there's a good choice. Unfortunately some of the fillings look like they could have been there for a while and the portions of fillings can be on the scant side (definitely more bread than meat). But it's all perfectly fine and tasty for a bagel fix. Coffee is reasonable too.

• Added: 3rd of September 2008
• Area: Marylebone
• Category: Restaurants

London W1U 1NE
020 7486 3196

arcantara99 said
Pizza Paradiso
This is in a nice location just off the bustle of St Christophers Place, and you can sit outside which is good when it's dry. It is a one of those standard Italian chains with a pretty wide menu of pastas, pizzas and salads though with more meat/fish main dishes than other chains. The pasta I last had didn't taste as fresh as it could have been though and the vegetables were tepid. But on an earlier occasion the same dish was better. It has a relatively large dessert menu of food with ice-cream. This branch is open until midnight which is always a bonus in the West End where so many other cafes and eateries seem to close too early.

• Added: 3rd of September 2008
• Area: Marylebone
• Category: Restaurants

London W1U 1AY
020 7935 5927

arcantara99 said
Carluccio's
This is a nice smart restaurant which is less expensive than it looks. It is in a great location as you can sit outside when it's dry in the square or go downstairs where it's more bar-like. It's popular with young professionals in the evening and ladies who lunch during the day. The pastas are particular good – really fresh and not overcooked. And there's a particularly good choice for vegetarians. Coffees and breakfast are great too. Everything tastes very fresh and Italian. The staff have always been friendly although the restaurant can get busy so it might not be one to one.

• Added: 3rd of September 2008
• Area: Cricklewood
• Category: Restaurants

London NW2 4QU
020 8459 2971

arcantara99 said
Sushi-Say
Probably one of the best sushi restaurants in town. You'd expect it to be somewhere more central as it's very unassuming and an unlikely find unless you know it's there. It's very popular though especially with Japanese people which is always a good sign of authentic Japanese food. Staff don't always speak perfect English so you might need to be patient. But they are generally polite and the food – which ranges from plainer sashimi dishes to ones in sauces and fried – is amazing. It's more pricey than chains like Yo! Sushi and you order from a menu rather than seeing your food first which makes it a bit more formal. There's a lovely seating area for groups of about five to ten people near the back where you take off your shoes and can all sit round a table together. Saki is a must.

• Added: 3rd of September 2008
• Area: Belsize Park
• Category: Restaurants

London NW3 6LU
020 7431 4499

arcantara99 said
Yo! Sushi
This is a good branch of a reliable chain. The O2 Centre is quite public in that you can see outside the restaurant all the time. It's convenient if you are going to the cinema upstairs. Most people sit in the main large circle around the chef. This is good as you can see that all the food is fresh. There are lots of different dishes – all quite simple and very tasty. And there are always staff walking around so you order things to be prepared for you straight away. Otherwise there's a conveyor belt which is well stocked in front of you with practically everything on the menu. It's restocked regularly. It is very reasonably priced.

• Added: 3rd of September 2008
• Area: Holland Park
• Category: Cafes and Coffee Shops

London W8 5NP

arcantara99 said
Crussh
This is a lovely cafe which although it's a chain makes a good alternative to ones that are better at coffee than food. Its food range is fantastic – especially its salads (chicken and cous cous, mackerel, noodles etc) and it always has several fresh soups on the go which change daily so you won't get bored. The hot drinks are pretty standard. The interior is bright and nicely decorated as its much smaller than it first looks. But it can be quite noisy if it's busy and there's music playing. The smoothies and juices are what really make Crussh stand out – yummy. Staff are extremely friendly and often remember you if you go in more than once.

• Added: 3rd of September 2008
• Area: Brompton
• Category: Restaurants

London SW1E 5LB
020 7233 7218

arcantara99 said
ASK
Ask is another of those reliable Italian chains. Its menu is more extensive than most – with excellent salads, pastas and pizzas (you don't often get a good choice of all three at other places). The pasta dishes are particularly good – with lots of vegetable choices or chicken or tuna or seafood. The service here has always been friendly and there's a nice upstairs too which is quieter during the week at lunchtimes. This gets popular in the evening as it's so close to the tube station especially with office workers. It's convenient for commuters. All the food has always tasted very fresh as well.

• Added: 3rd of September 2008
• Area: Soho
• Category: Restaurants

London W1D 4TR
020 7439 3309

arcantara99 said
Balans
This is a small branch of a popular trendy chain. It's best in the summer when you can sit outside at a table on the pavement as inside can be quite cramped and dark if you're right at the back. The atmosphere is very vibrant though as it's right in the heart of Soho. The portions are decent sizes and really tasty. The all-day breakfast (which you can have at two in the morning) is particularly good – from healthy options like yoghurt and muesli to everything fry-ups. And the cappuccinos are large and very frothy. At more reasonable hours dishes like beer battered haddock and upmarket sausage and mash might appeal more. Service has always been efficient when i've been there yet we've never been rushed out.