Esher, Sandwiches, Cakes, Etc Restaurant Guide

“Great coffee and extremely moreish light snacks” is the simple-but-winning formula at this ethical and sustainable Scandi-style roastery that started life in Richmond six years ago and now has outlets scattered across some of central London’s foodie enclaves.

“More than a café” – although it functions as a “great local coffee spot” – this Barnes institution is “a delightful sanctuary for tea lovers, with a superb variety of teas from around the globe”. “Treat yourself to their classic afternoon tea, complete with delicate sandwiches, scones and a selection of teas. It’s a quintessentially British experience” without the expense of a West End hotel (but you will still have to book).

“Wonderful breakfasts, tasty coffee and cakes… and with a proper vinyl music background – what’s not to love?”. This pitch-perfect “indie coffee shop” near Turnham Green church “also sells records” and morphs into a mini music venue in the evenings, with live gigs and a licensed bar.

This “vibey” independent coffee shop off the Chiswick High Road roasts its coffee and bakes its pasteis de nata in-house. With its menu of simple bakes, sarnies and smoothies, it’s a natural choice for a quick bite of brunch. (From their website, you can also stock up on T shirts and baseball caps as they also run an apparel range under the Tamp brand).

2023 Review: This “rather sweet little café” in Chiswick from transplanted South African Angie Steele provides “very friendly and quick service for a light menu” of healthy-ish treats from breakfast to 5pm.

Fans still cross the neighbouring postcodes to brunch at this Antipodean-inspired brunch favourite, in deepest Balham (which has been a trendy local hotspot for over 10 years now). Have your phone ready to look up all the never-before-seen Asian flourishes to the dishes. Top Menu Tip – fish sando.

2021 Review: With views of Cadogan Place Gardens, this new Caprice Holdings sibling adjacent to the Cadogan Hotel is in the same mould as Richard Caring’s now-defunct Mount Street Deli, and opened in mid-2019. Initially opening is till late-afternoon, but ultimately a wine bar style operation is planned in the evenings.

2021 Review: “A little corner of authenticity in an ever-more-gentrified bit of London”, this Portuguese café in North Kensington’s Golborne Road has been famous for its pastéis de nata for more than 20 years – and, despite increased competition, fans swear they’re “still the best custard tarts in town”.

2021 Review: “Perfect coffee every time” keeps caffeine fiends crawling back to this small and serious chain. “Baking from Fortitude Bakehouse is a good complement”.

2022 Review: Following closure of L’Atelier de Joel Robuchon and the death of the man himself, this Picadilly café is now one of two London ventures opened in late 2019 by the group he founded. It’s all very chic and continental, but you don’t come here for culinary adventure – but to buy or snack on everyday staples (lots of tempting patisserie and viennoiserie, lasagna, club sandwich, Caesar salad…).

2021 Review: For a posh bun, it’s hard to upstage this new Milanese import: a fashionista favourite for its superlative cakes and also serving some more substantial dishes (such as risotti) alongside cocktails and wine. Too limited feedback for a rating as yet, but all of it enthusiastic.

2023 Review: “Great coffee and an always-buzzy vibe” make it worth remembering this attractive, all-day Marylebone deli/café, which serves a mix of patisserie, cakes, soups, salads and sarnies from breakfast onwards.

2021 Review: “Perfect coffee every time” keeps caffeine fiends crawling back to this small and serious chain. “Baking from Fortitude Bakehouse is a good complement”.

Lady Bamford’s quartet of deli-cafés are the London satellites of her organic Cotswolds estate, and – on the plus side – their careful design can give the impression that one has fallen into the pages of ‘Country Living’. Not helped by inconsistent standards over many years, though, they continue to generate mixed feedback in our annual diners’ poll. “A perfect location for a late breakfast” is at the positive end. Negatives include: “I had the impression some staff were in their first job” and “the food can be poor here: it comes from Daylesford Farm and in some cases should never have left it…”

2022 Review: “Still turning out wonderful cinnamon buns and coffee” along with some “excellent Scandi sandwiches”, this Nordic fixture in Soho remains “well worth a visit”.

“Great coffee and extremely moreish light snacks” is the simple-but-winning formula at this ethical and sustainable Scandi-style roastery that started life in Richmond six years ago and now has outlets scattered across some of central London’s foodie enclaves.

This “small, often crowded” independent coffee shop by Soho’s Berwick Street market is a pilgrimage site for caffeine junkies, as the source of Antipodean ‘third wave’ coffee culture in Britain since its 2005 opening. And yes, “the coffee’s very good”.

“Excellent smørrebrød” (open sandwiches) are on display at this Fitzrovia café, “but a lot of people go for the Swedish meatballs” – “this is where I head when homesick”, says an expat reporter. “There also is a little shop downstairs selling Scandi goodies”.

“Superb coffee” is the name of the game at “one of the original Aussie coffee shops in London” – still providing “exemplary service and high standards” after 15 years under its Melburnian founder, Peter Dore-Smith, and now with two branches in Fitzrovia. There’s also a pretty extensive menu of snacks and light bites to get you through the day. Top Tip – “try the great peanut butter made in-house”.

“Superb coffee” is the name of the game at “one of the original Aussie coffee shops in London” – still providing “exemplary service and high standards” after 15 years under its Melburnian founder, Peter Dore-Smith, and now with two branches in Fitzrovia. There’s also a pretty extensive menu of snacks and light bites to get you through the day. Top Tip – “try the great peanut butter made in-house”.