Sinéad Cranna

Myrtos is impressive—right from its South Kensington postcode and sleek terrace warmed by firelight, to its thick marble tables straight from an LA cosmetic surgeon’s office, and its sourdough loaves served with an artistic sheaf of barley. Just one sheaf—think art piece rather than full harvest. The overall effect is to make you mentally arrange plans to treat your parents here, and maybe browse for a Chanel cardigan on your train home from the Greek spot.

Don’t come to Levant, a Syrian cafe in Ealing, for food that wows. Come to be comforted.

The Ealing Grocer is a wholesome deli with a village-like feel.

No. Forty Nine is a St John’s Wood bakery, bistro, and wine bar.

Banook Bagels is an East Dulwich Road spot selling loose bagels and pots of cream cheese.

Expect classic French food and a sexy Mayfair dining room at modern French bistro, Chez Rose.

You’ll come to Canteen Cotswolds near Chipping Norton to say you’ve been, and find yourself returning for the glossy cacio e pepe.

Kensington's Olympia has a whole sprawl of rooftop restaurants, including Japanese spot Wolves Of Tokyo and champagne bar Lillie's.

Café Clement is an all-day restaurant inside the Strand’s St. Clement hotel, with a bistro-ish menu that includes things like sea bass carpaccio, steak haché, and a lemon meringue tart.

The Clubhouse, a bike shop-meets-cafe in Putney, is the place to caffeinate on sunny mornings.