Bar Italia
22 Frith Street, Soho, W1D 4RF, Tel: 020 7437 4520,
Website: www.baritaliasoho.co.uk,
Tube: Leicester Square/ Piccadilly
Circus/Tottenham Court Road,
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Immortalised in the song of the same name by pop band Pulp, Bar Italia is a Soho institution having
been around since the 1949.
A real cubbyhole of a café, it remains chock full around the clock, staying open 24 hours a
day. Oh, and before we forget, it serves some of the best coffee in town too.
8 Market Place, Fitzrovia, W1W 8AG, Tel: 020 7636 2228,
Website: www.carluccios.com,
Tube: Oxford Circus,
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An Italian restaurant/café run by the flamboyant gastronome Antonio Carluccio. First-class
ingredients are matched by an extensive (and varied) menu, while portions are always generous.
Great service and modest prices, make this centrally located eatery a real gem. Highly
recommended.
53 Blandford Street, Marylebone, W1U 7HG, Tel: 020 7486 6608, Website: www.degustibus.co.uk, Tube: Bond Street,
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Belonging to the De Gustibus bakery, the café also serves as a sandwich bar and
delicatessen. As a supplier to London's leading hotels, sandwiches, pastries and desserts are, as
you would expect, a cut above the norm. Sandwich fillings are impressive too, with innovative
offerings to neatly compliment the café's more traditional combo's.
128 Brompton Road, Knightsbridge, SW3 1JD, Tel: 020 7589 1182, Website: www.gloriette.co.uk, Tube: Knightsbridge,
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Viennese pâtisserie specialising in all manner of delicious cakes and pastries, including
those for special occasions (as well as the ubiquitous Sacher torte). Sandwiches, pastas and other
snacks are also available for lunch.
10 Stoney St, Borough, SE1 9AD, Tel: 020 7407 5100,
Website: www.konditorandcook.co.uk,
Tube: London Bridge,
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A slick, modern café which is supplied by its own bakery (also of the same name). As well as
sandwiches, cakes and pastries, Konditor & Cook does a rather yummy line in salads and snacks.
What's more, in summer, mouth-watering ice creams are also sold here.
28 Greek Street, Soho, W1D 5DD, Tel: 020 7437 6007, Tube:
Leicester Square,
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While there's no doubting the heritage and quality of pastries sold here, Maison Bertaux is perhaps
only let down by its slightly tatty interior and occasionally brusque service. That said, the
café offers a mouth-watering selection of cakes and pastries matching the best that Paris
can offer (including their "to die for" open fruit flans and chocolate torte).
44 Old Compton Street, W1D 4TZ, Tel: 020 7437 3466,
Website: www.patisserie-valerie.co.uk,
Tube: Leicester Square,
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A much loved Soho institution set along busy Old Compton Street. Exquisite cakes and pastries are
supplemented by breakfast and lunch selections. And, although it's not the most spacious
café in town, there's a limited amount of seating outside.
18 Bute Street, SW7 3EX, Tel: 020 7584 5008, Tube: South Kensington,
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An excellent, albeit expensive French café that not only provides first-class cakes and
sandwiches, but rather good coffee too. Located close to South Kensington's museums, Raison
d'Être makes for a good sightseeing pit-stop. Made all the more lively by the area's Sloane
Rangers who, remarkably, spout more froth than the café's cappuccino maker.
London Sandwich Bars
Important note: when frequenting
outlets listed below, remember that two prices are quoted - one for 'take away/take out' and one
for 'eat in'. Invariably, it will cost you more to eat inside the bar or café. This is not a
case of companies trying to make a fast buck at the expense of customers - they are simply required
to add Government tax (value added tax more commonly known as VAT) to food and drinks consumed on
the premises. Sandwiches and items that can be eaten hot or cold will also cost more if heated up
on the premises. Addresses are not given below, simply because each chain has a number of outlets
throughout central London.
Benjy's
Website: www.benjys-sandwiches.com
A popular take away chain offering terrific value and a good selection of
sandwiches, rolls, 'homemade' cakes and drinks. Also offer items that can be heated up such as
Indian samosas.
Caffé Nero
Website: www.caffenero.com
With over 130 coffee bars in 38 towns across the UK, Caffé Nero offers
high quality, Italian blend coffees, along with a range of typical Italian foods such as gourmet sandwiches, soups, pasta, biscotti and cakes.
During 2003, Caffé Nero was also voted "winner of the best latte competition"
by the Observer newspaper.
Costa Coffee
Website: www.costa.co.uk
As well as actively pursuing an ethical coffee buying policy, this London based company serves up
some of the best tasting coffee in town. Outlets are found at most major train stations.
EAT
Website: www.eatcafe.co.uk
Their motto is "excellence and taste" and we've yet to be disappointed. Good choice of quality
sandwiches, ciabatta, salads, noodles and sushi. They also sell wedges of bread to go with salads -
a nice touch that more places should introduce. In addition, there's a good selection of natural
fruit drinks (including the yummy Tom & Tom Nantucket nectars) yoghurts, soft drinks, coffee
and cakes.
Pret A Manger
Website: www.pret.com
If you're "ready to eat", then Pret A Manger offers a good selection of tasty well-filled
sandwiches and baguettes. As well as a limited selection of savoury croissants, salads and sushi
(not the greatest to be had in London) gourmet potato/vegetable chips are also available. And, if
you fancy dessert, you can buy tasty muffins or slices of cake along with yoghurts and fruit
salads. To drink, there's coffee, natural fruit juices and branded soft drinks.
Pret A Manger's popularity in London is no surprise, given that the company
has probably done more than any other UK company to revolutionize the humble sandwich. Also known
for its good employment practices, and the fact that any unsold sandwiches are distributed to
London's homeless.
Products are freshly made on the premises.
Starbucks
Website: www.starbucks.com
With branches all over London, the Seattle based giant has played a major role in making coffee
popular again in the UK. Serves a wide selection of coffee, lattes, hot drinks and snacks.
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