Here are our top 5 recommended cafés in London.

Paul

A little taste of Paris in London – what a treat! Just when you are about to collapse from hours upon hours of power-shopping in Covent Garden, a café au lait and a tarte aux framboises (raspberry tart) in the London branch of this French bakery franchise can work wonders. Paul ‘invaded’ Covent Garden in 2000 and has since built up a fantastic reputation. Proceed through the store, smelling its wonderful freshly baked bread, toward the back room where you will find a cosy café. The red velour sofas are extremely comfortable but are unfortunately often occupied by chatting girls or office workers who tend to do business over coffee and cake. There’s no fancy cuisine here but a refreshingly good, solid coffee shop with value-for-money food. If you feel the urge for an intense cup of coffee, try Paul’s delicious mocha. You won’t regret it. You’ll also undoubtedly be unable to resist the colourful little macaroons filled with coffee, chocolate or pistachios. Flan Normand, an apple-tart with almonds, is also highly recommended.

29-30 Bedford Street,

London WC2E 9ED

Tel: 020 7836 3304

Station: Charing Cross or Covent Garden

Nordic Bakery

Nordic Bakery is known for its great coffee and open sandwiches. The owner of the bakery hails from Finland, and you can see the Finnish influence in the sauna-like wood panelling on the walls and in the Alvar Aalto-inspired furniture. The benchmark Hardens Restaurant Guide, which is based on customer reviews, declares The Nordic Bakery to be the best place in London for cake and coffee. Try the cinnamon cakes.

14a Golden Square, London W1F 9JG

Tel: 020 3230 1077

Station: Piccadilly Circus

Flat White

Flat White’s Australian and Kiwi owners take their coffee seriously. And, judging by the cult status bestowed upon their espresso-hits by local office workers, their passion and dedication to detail is paying off.  The café is right in the middle of Soho, just opposite a row of market stalls on Berwick Street. The no-frills look of the place is livened up a bit by works of art. But it’s the coffee not the decor that brings the punters here.

17 Berwick Street,

London W1F OPT

Tel: 020 7734 0370

Station: Tottenham Court Road or Oxford Circus

Ginger & White

You will never want for a coffee place in Soho, but Ginger & White is one of the best of the best. You will find it hidden away in a small alley at the end of Beak Street. Take a seat at one of the tables in the back room or along the window facing the front where you can quietly observe passersby while sipping a cup of mocha. Ginger & White is a good place to have lunch if you are only up for a light meal, but the main attraction here, aside from the coffee, is the terrific pastries. A slice of the almond and pistachio cake goes down like a dream come true. The mini chain has two other branches in Hampstead and Belsize Park.

1 Silver Place,

London W1F 0JW

Tel: 020 7734 5374

Station: Piccadilly Circus

Bea’s of Bloomsbury

The first thing you notice as you walk towards this unusual ‘coffee and cake’ place are the marvellously decorated three- to four-tiered wedding cakes on display in the front window. Once inside, you’re met by a magnificent tall glass cabinet packed full of brownies, over-sized meringues, biscuits and the shop’s famous cupcakes – it’s almost like a work of art. At the very back of the café you can see the bakers at work in the open kitchen. Everything is freshly made daily. Bea’s of Bloomsbury is particularly renowned for its elite afternoon tea served after 2:30 pm. Be sure to make a reservation, as Bea’s of Bloomsbury is immensely popular.

44 Theobald’s Road,

London WC1X 8NW

Tel: 020 7242 8330

Station: Holborn