London 2011-2012

WestEnd : London’s West End is renowned for its famous theaters, fashion stores and nightlife. The area’s vibrant coffee scene is continually moving forward, driven by new concepts and showbiz flair.

COSTA Coffee - Great Portland Street (Chain)(First open 2010)
4 Great Portland Street, WIW 8QJ
www.costa.co.uk

This brand new Costa Coffee store takes a large step away from the chain’s usual braking and decor. It has a modern, stylish design with grey, red and yellow colours dominating. The interior boasts a mixture of textures including painted brick, distressed wood, and a funky feature wall of brightly coloured flowers. seating is a combination of benches, communal and private tables, and a secluded nook in the corner. already a very popular choice just a stone;s throw from Oxford Circus. 

Food: Costa coffee sandwiches, cakes, muffins and cookies
Sister Coffee shop : Over 1000 shops in the UK 

Patisserie Valerie - Marylebone (First open 1993)
105 Marylebone High Street, W1U 4RS
www.patisserie-valerie.co.uk

This Patisserie Valerie store is something of a Marylebone institution. Inside, the focal point is the water colour murals adorning the walls, transporting you to the continental Europe of days gone by. There are plenty of delectable sweet treats for you to enjoy with an Illy coffee, or try something heartier from the all-day breakfast menu. 

Food: Famous for its French patisserie cakes, croissants and treats; also serve continental breakfast, brunch and specialty sandwiches 
Sister Coffee shop : 33 UK locations 

Starbucks - Conduit Street (First opened 2009)
2-3 Conduit Street, W1S 2BX
www.starbucks.co.uk

This Conduit Street concept store scales back the usual Starbucks branding in favour of more subtle approach. wooden, earthy tones dominate, replacing the standard dark green tones and helping to create a more relaxing environment. The basement is an open space with a lounge room feel; there are private areas for business meetings or simply to gossip and unwind.

Food: Signature Starbucks sandwiches, paninis, muffins and cakes.
Sister Coffee shop : Approximately 300 stores in London

Soho : Soho, London’s nightlife and entertainment hub, is buzzing with people day and night. The home of the first espresso bar to open in London, Soho has always been at the forefront of UK coffee culture and is now the epicentre of the “third wave” artisanal coffee scene. 

Flat White (2005)
17 Berwick Street, W1F 0PT

Flat White was opened in 2005 with the aim of introducing Antipodean Cafe’ scene to London, and is viewed as a pioneer of the third wave coffee movement. A mecca for Kiwis and Aussies longing for a touch of home - and for curious Londoners wondering what all the fuss is about - Flat White is grungy and unpretentious but always buzzing. come and experience it for yourself, but arrive early to secure a seat as space is very limited.

Food: Made-to-order salads, chunky sandwiches, caff-style all day menu
Sister coffee Shop : Milkbar

Milkbar (First opned 2008)
3 Bateman Street, W1D 4AG

Although comparisons to its sibling Flat White are inevitable, Milkbar is strong enough to stand on its own two feet. With exceptional coffee, an artsy, grungy feel and enough space for you to linger all day, Milkbar is the kind of hangout joint you wish was your local. Proudly Antipodean, Milkbar offers an all-day breakfast/ brunch menu and a space for rotating local art exhibitions.

Food: All day breakfast and brunch, fresh salads, sandwiches and sweet snacks

Princi (First opened 2008)
135 Wardour Street, W1F OUT
www.princi.co.uk

Sleek, Stylish Princi is the first London outlet of an established Italian bakery chain, brought to this city by Alan Yau of Wagamama fame. A buzzing, lively eatery, Princi fits in effortlessly to Soho and is jam-packed all hours of the day and night. One length of the venue is occupied by tantalizing displays of croissants, tarts, cakes, pizza and salads all freshly made on site. The elegant dining area consists of granite tables and a long metal bench against the beautiful water feature wall, and the large window frontage is great for people watching on the entertaining street.

Food: Pizzas baked in the stone oven, an endless array of pastries, plus a selection of salads and hot meals. 
Sister coffee shops : 4 Princi bakeries in Milan

Farringdon & Clerkenwell : Traditionally an area dominated by breweries, meatworks and the printing industry,Farringdon&Clerkenwell is now an interesing combination of commercial premises, residences and industry. The area’s rich Italian history is bound to influence its emerging boutique coffee and dining culture. 

Dose Expresso  (First opened 2009)
69 Long Lane, EC1A 9EJ
www.dose-espresso.com

Dose espresso is well recognised as a leader in coffee excellence and one of the main player in the artisanal coffee scene. James Phillips sets the standard here in his small but welcoming espresso bar, using a Square Mile seasonal roast and featuring a weekly guest espresso blend. Dose is well respected by many in the industry and it’s not hard to see why. 

Food : Small breakfast many, freshly prepared salads and sandwiches and an assortment of sweet treats.

Camden & Islington : Islington in London’s inner north is an area of tremendous diversity with a strong creative pulse. The neighbouring borough of Camden encompasses alternative Camden Town and upmarket Primrose Hill. There are enough coffee venues to keep even the fussiest caffeine addict happy in this region of London. 

Fleet River Bakery (First opened 2009 )
71 Lincoln’s Inn Fields, WC2A 3JF
www.fleetriverbakery.com

Fleet River Bakery is tucked in beside the north-west corner of Lincoln’s Inn Fields. Offering freshly baked sandwiches, quiches and other tasty treats alongside Monmouth Coffee, it is a lovely place to stop and unwind. The ground floor cafe’ quickly fills with Holbon office workers by lunchtime, while downstairs is more low key and provides a nice peaceful space a meeting or to read a book. Check out the great photos on display throughout the venue.

Food: Breakfast, fresh sandwiches and daily changing salads, quiches and baked treats all made on site.

Kingsington & Chelsea : This district is home to some of London’s wealthiest residents, world-renowned museums and of course chic department stroes Harrods and Harvey Nichols. Well-heeled locals mix with curious tourists in the area’s many cafes, restaurants and cocktail bars.

Laduree Harrods (First Opened 2005)
87/135 Brompton Road, SW1X 7XL
www.laduree.fr

If opulent indulgence is your thing, a visit to Laduree Harrods is a must. Occupying a ground floor site in one of the world’s most well-know department stores, Laduree is a visual delight. all manner of immaculately presented sweets and treats are on display to tempt your tastebuds. Have a seat in the indoor dining area, or if the skies are clear, take an outdoor table and soak up the atmosphere in style.

Food : Laduree are famous for their macaroons and other French patisserie specialities; a savoury menu is also on offer
Sister Coffee shops : 16 stores globally 

(Source : The London Coffee Guide 2011, the definitive guide to London's Top 100 coffee venue)

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The Original Maid of Honour
288 Kew Road, TW9 3DU
www.theoriginalmaidsofhonour.co.uk

Several stories circulate about the origins of Maids of Honour - a sort of pastry puff with a sweet cheese curd filling - but it is widely acknowledged that they were borne from the kitchens at Hampton Court during Henry VIII’s reign and became popular though his taste for them. By the mid-1700s, Richmond residents were mad about the tarts, which were being churned out by a bakery that went on to change hands, names and locations several times over the centuries. This partcular Maids of Honour was opened in 1887 by the Newens family and continues to bade the pastry tarts in its antiquated tearoom. In fact, it continues to bake many quintessentially English recipes from scones and sponges to meat pies and pasties.

Its old-fashioned surounds (and the slightly scatty service) will not be to everybody’s taste, but the sitting-room style tearoom and its adjacent bakery is like a portal to the past and the sponge-like scones tangibly homemade. Just be prepared for a lack of finesse in the afternoon an cream teas, as shop-bought jam and bagged tea in stainless steel pots fail to reflect the prices. Still, tourists tend to pack the cubby-like venue (likely as part of a visit to Kew Gardens across the road) and though it is not perfect, they are rewarded with a fantastically kitsch and authentic teatime.