All things with a sense of style

Only by looking at the entrance of the small café at Baker Street it feels like this place is somewhat unreal: seems like it was drawn in the city landscape canvas or carefully cut out from an old-fashioned sepia photography and glued to the Chiltern street. When you turn out to be inside the place, the magic continues: as Lewis Caroll’s Alice, who went after the White Rabbit into the hole, you are invited to follow the stairs to the downstairs level. There, the cosy interior with vintage lamps, beautiful photographs on walls, and a cosy fireplace create the atmosphere of a warm countryside house.



The menu, which is happily affordable, represents a trendy combination of organic salads, hot dishes, and desserts, including soft and moist cardamon-buns (3£). Having its sister restaurant in Japan, Monocle also offers a variety of fusion Asian cuisine: try grilled-sandwich with deep-fried shrimps and chips on the side (7£) and a delicate green-tea cheesecake with white chocolate flakes (5.50£), – and you will be left craving for more.





Address: 18 Chiltern Street, W1U 7QA, London, UK
Opening Hours: Mon-Tue-Wed 07.00-19.00
Thu-Fri 07.00-20.00
Saturday 08.00-20.00
Sunday 08.00-19.00
Website: http://cafe.monocle.com/

BIRD is classic American diner with a “sweet” twist. This Shoreditch place is famous for its New York style doughnuts (2£ each). Flavours change daily, and include hits such as peanut butter, white chocolate, and berries. The texture is very smooth and not oily, the glazing is moderately sweet, just as it should be. If you are on a rush and eager to get your sugar fix ASAP, there is also a small side-window that allows you to take-away doughnuts in uncensored amounts (& without feeling guilty in front of the other customers who have chosen healthier options from the menu such as Salad (5£)). In the best traditions of the US diners from the movies, hot drinks include only cheap filtered coffee (2£) and Yorkshire tea (1£ with milk!) that are served by always-smiling waiters.





Address: 42/44 Kingsland Rd, E2 8DA, London, UK
Opening Hours: every day 11.00am – 11.00pm (donuts: every day - 11.00am until sold out) Website: http://birdrestaurants.com/

Rich and mature aroma of coffee that welcomes you right at the entrance of the café is always a good sign. Lantana Shoreditch, conveniently located right at the Old Street, seem to have to have this welcoming and hypnotizing scent, that will attract even coffee snobs. Being the second café of the owners of Lantana in Fitzrovia, Shoreditch branch is more spacious and has lots of outdoor tables in the patio. The menu has Australian coffee shop classics such as avocado toast with a poached egg, bacon and side salad (6.99£) and a decent flat-white (2.60£). For someone who prefers something more sweet, there is a wide range of freshly baked cakes as well as utterly delicious French toasts, served with grilled bananas, bacon, pecans, and a veil of maple syrup (10£). Some vegetarian options are also available. While Shoreditch is full of great coffee shops, Lantana stands out as a must-visit place.







Address: 1 Oliver’s Yard, 55 City Rd, EC1Y 1HQ, London, UK
Opening Hours: Monday – Tuesday 7.30am – 10pm; Wednesday – Friday 7.30am – 11pm; Saturday – Sunday 9am – 4pm
Website: http://lantanacafe.co.uk/

Independent coffee shop 'Bonjour Brioche' (formerly 'Cinnamon') is a real hidden gem in West London. Situated on Englands Lane close to Belsize park, this place is highly loved by locals thanks to a high quality food and friendly service. Bonjour Brioche offers its visitors a great variety of healthy and delicious options for breakfast, weekend brunch or a quick coffee fix. Family owned café serves Monmouth coffee and desserts prepared with organic ingredients (treat yourself for a gluten-free brownie or toasted banana loaf!). Besides traditional poached eggs on a sourdough toast (4.95£) and porridge (3.99£), you can find very unique Persian-inspired dishes such as Persian frittata Kuku Sabzi (2.95£) or Grilled Aubergine with lamb and yogurt sauce (4.75£). Freshly squeezed juices (3-4£) are made by demand, and with a little imagination you can also create an original juice mix by yourself. Whether you are going for a business meeting, romantic breakfast, or a casual cup of flat white with a friend, Bonjour Brioche with its minimalist design, wooden floors and tables, as well as cute ceramic dinnerware and vintage bottle-glasses, will satisfy your needs (Needless to say that this place is instagram-friendly).




Address: Bonjour Brioche 2A, England’s Lane NW3 4TG, London, UK
Opening Hours:
Mon – Fri: 7:30am – 5:30pm;
Sat – Sun: 8am – 5:30pm.
Website: http://bonjourbrioche.co.uk/