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Tucked away on an idyllic street in Islington, this pretty Georgian pub boasts a lot of outdoor space—a rarity in London. On summer evenings and weekends, the best spots in the house are in the front courtyard for beers and cocktails, and out back for classic pub fare in the wisteria covered courtyard. This being one of the most popular gastropubs in the area, dinner and Sunday roast reservations come in handy.

This is the kind of Hampstead Heath go-to where everyone, even the family dog, is welcome. The atmosphere is cozy and traditional with maroon leather seats, chalkboard menus, and lots of distressed wood. Don’t miss the bread basket, homemade ice cream, and ale (for grownups only).

The scrumptious, simple, yet interesting food (squid pancakes, for example) and hip yet relaxed Exmouth Market vibe make this one of our favorite places for brunch. It's also a great place to go for a coffee (which is roasted on-site) to linger over and enjoy with a book. This spot became so popular that they opened up a much bigger, industrial-inflected space at Kings Cross that serves the same great mix of small plates.

This relatively new and growing chain of modern Indian restaurants reveals a new dimension to a city already well-versed in the cuisine. Expertly decorated to resemble an old Iranian Bombay cafe, the vibe is casual and, as tradition dictates, ideal for both large groups and singles reading the paper and having a chai. The long menu of rotis, naans, grilled meats, and stews is spice-inflected but not necessarily curry heavy. There are three more locations in Shoreditch, Carnaby, and Covent Garden.

Hidden away on a quiet street in Islington, the Draper’s Arms attracts a faithful following who come for casual tipples and full meals. The British gastro-pub fare is wonderful as is the small selection of wines; and, this being England and all, the beer and ales selection is definitely on point. Old wooden tables, checkerboard floors, board games, and a wall full of classic orange-spined Penguin paperbacks drives the cozy vibe home.

From young families to twenty-somethings who've wandered a bit too far from Essex Road, everyone seems to enjoy this up market gastropub with great organic fare and drinks. It's a perfect location for a post-meal walk to Broadway Market via Regent's Canal.

In a city heaving with pubs, The Engineer—in pastel-pretty Primrose Hill—is top of the list. Open seven days a week for lunch and dinner, their traditional Sunday roast is a force to be reckoned with—perfect plates stacked high with roasted meat, buttery vegetables, towering Yorkshire puds, and port reduction jus. The space itself—named for famed English engineer Isambard Kingdom Brunel, builder of the Great Western Railway—is more stylish gastro-pub than dark watering-hole, with wood-paneled walls, mahogany tables, and cozy leather booths to sink into. Through the long London winter, the roaring fire, well-curated wine list, and comfy seating make lingering into the evening over drinks with friends all too easy. In the summer months, the outdoor patio is the spot to snag a table for an al-fresco afternoon of elevated British grub, booze, and pudding, walked off with a post-lunch amble through nearby, leafy Regent's Park.

The D&D group (of Terence Conran & company fame) has gone and created another classic a la Skylon, Bluebird, etc. This time it's in King's Cross which is going through a major regeneration. In what used to be the German Gymnasium—the first purpose-built gym in the UK from way back in the 1860's—they've set up an eponymous all-day restaurant that's perfectly placed to serve all the EuroStar travelers heading to Paris from St. Pancras across the street. Fittingly, it feels like a gateway to old Europe, where the Sekt and Champagne flow and Schnitzel and Sauerkraut is served in what feels like an elegant Viennese café (with a modern twist). The hulking space has been beautifully reinterpreted.

The white walls and vintage wooden tables with schoolhouse chairs create the perfect setting for those looking for a gastropub with a little something different.

This is pretty much the perfect pub. And in a city famous for its wateringholes, that’s some truly high praise. Long, wooden tables fill a huge, bright dining room, which is packed with locals (and their dogs) on evenings and weekends. The impeccable thin-crust pizza, made with quality ingredients like Parma ham and taleggio, is another huge draw.

Only in London would you have your fish and chips delivered. This clean, friendly and upscale locale makes an excellent fish & chips combo that proves you don't have to look and feel like you just came out of a nightclub to indulge in the national dish.

Hidden on a residential street in Canonbury, in an old garage with a beautiful old sign to prove it, Primeur feels eons away from London's bustle. On a warm day, the garage doors open and diners get to watch the evening light filter in while snacking on a fantastic Spanish cheese and sipping on one of the natural, mineral wines on their expertly chosen list. And then dive into the short but perfect menu, which changes daily, so much so that it arrives hastily handwritten. Share a few small plates of their ultra-seasonal fare and watch the world quietly go by outside the garage doors. For large groups, there's a private dining room downstairs in the wine cave.

Islington is a sort of de facto testing ground for restaurant concepts and only the best stand the test of time—the legendary Ottolenghi and Trullo, for example. And teensy Sunday, hidden away on a residential street with a beige, unassuming awning and low key decor, may just be the next big hit. Walk by any weekend morning only to find a line around the block, waiting patiently for some of the best breakfast London has to offer. Same goes for weekdays, when virtually every local freelancer in the know rocks up for breakfast, coffee, and lunch. The lure: a perfect breakfast, great coffee, and healthy, hearty lunch. Our picks: Buttermilk pancakes and their as of yet undefeated zucchini fritter, halloumi, and avocado pile served on yogurt spiced with dukkah. Enough said.

This Italian spot is great with a few friends because it means you get to share a bunch of the delicious, seasonal offerings. Their menu is constantly changing, so you can always expect to be pleasantly surprised. Downstairs, you'll find a slightly glitzier (though still very tasteful and understated) vibe and small plates that are a little fancier.

Head downstairs here and you'll find a more casual sitting room and bar serving cocktails in addition to the usual food and drink pub offerings. You can eat over a game of chess or Scrabble, too, which is a nice touch. Meanwhile, there's a more formal dining room upstairs.

The lab above the bar is where resident mixologist, Tony Conigliaro, concocts recipes for his unique and delicious cocktails. Despite being open seven days a week with live jazz every Sunday night, the vibe is relaxed and cool. Make sure to reserve beforehand, as it’s a small space, or try the offshoot at the Zetter Townhouse.

With locations all over the city and some of the freshest, most perfect bread we've tasted, you can pretty much count on Gail's for any dinner party. They have a constantly changing list of varieties as well as pastries, light salads, and prepared foods. The ingredients are all completely organic and chemical-free. Pit-stop on Friday or Saturday for a loaf of their unbeatable challah.

The Hummingbird Bakery landed in Notting Hill in early 2004 to become the home of quality American baking in London. This location is cute and convenient to walks in Regent's Park.

As its name suggests, this café and creperie is tiny, though that doesn't hold it back: For one, they work with sustainable, green coffee providers to bring new beans to customers every couple of weeks. For two, their pastries are house-made and include Brazilian pao de queijo cheese puffs and the most decadent fruit muffins ever. Most coffees are to-go, though in warmer weather there are a couple of seats available right outside the shop.

Located in St. John's Wood, Panzer's caters to its American expat neighborhood with hard-to-find US ingredients like Hershey's chocolate chips and Mexican corn tortillas. They also carry plenty of Italian specialty foods and their greengrocer is one of the best in London for unusual varieties of fruits and vegetables.

Pomona is the quintessential neighborhood grocery store. It's the kind of place where the shopkeepers can tell you rich stories about every single item in there. Despite this intimacy, the selection is surprisingly complete. With produce, dairy, meat, fish, and even a bakery, you can pretty much do all of your grocery shopping in this perfectly tiny spot.

Real Food Market launched their food festivals back in 2007, well before the organic and local food movement really took off in the UK. Though they still organize amazing festivals, they’ve expanded to two full-scale farmers markets with easy, accessible weekday hours. While you’ll find some produce here, the emphasis is really on prepared foods—in addition to ready-to-eat street food, you’ll also find cheese, jams, breads, smoked meats, and some of the city’s best pastries.

With its first parlour in Tufnell Park, ice cream innovator Ruby Violet has joined the ranks of major restaurants like Caravan and Dishoom and opened right in the middle of the action in up-and-coming Kings Cross. Now the droves of tourists, students, and area locals get to treat themselves to the incomparable concoctions—chocolate sorbet, licorice, and masala chai among them. Take it to go, or in the colder months, huddle in their gem box of a dining room behind the bar.

Highlights include veggies from Kent, a Greek stand with plump olives, the Wild Country Organics lettuce stand with a variety of all-organic greens like mustard, rocket, and others you've never heard of, plus a Celtic baker with a really nice variety of breads and baked goods.

John Lewis is great for home goods, kitchenware, clothing basics, and more. You'd be surprised at what you can find here. They deliver, and very quickly at that, making it so convenient you never even need to step foot in the store. Don't miss their home section for great, affordable, and durable English design.

People all around London flock to Primrose Hill for the breathtaking 360 degree view. On summer days the hill is covered in picnickers taking in the sun. On winter days, there's always a dog walker or two, and when it snows, this is a prime sledding park.

Straddling Westminster and Camden, Regent's Park features the largest grass area for sports in London, plus an open air theater, Regent's College, Regent's Canal, the London Zoo, restaurants, cafés, and so much more.

From the Reverb festival that brings modern excitement to classical music, to hosting the hip Camden Crawl festival every May, Camden's Roundhouse is a hub for London's music scene, with young people at its heart. Acting as a community center of sorts, the goal of here is to inspire young adults to become interested and trained in the arts. Check their website for listings and details of their current events: expect rock, jazz, classical, folk and everything in between.

This is the place where young couples go in Islington to furnish their East London homes with high-end, contemporary and modern classics created by the likes of Le Corbusier, Hans Wegner, Robin Day, and many, many more. The shop has recently expanded, but the floor is still just the tip of the iceberg. Make a point to inquire about their other stock.

After a long, dehydrating flight or an intense week at work or really any other time, come to think of it, there are few things we love more than a massage at Agua Spa in the Sea Containers hotel (formerly the Mondrian). Skin specialist Alexandra Soveral’s Signature Treatment is manna to your visage. A deep clean is followed by an intense lymphatic-drainage massage. Hot and cold stones are dipped in fragrant oils and rolled over the face, taking care of puffiness and smoothing out fatigue lines. Soveral’s organic, nontoxic products are made from botanicals grown on her family farm in Portugal—and they smell heavenly. Pick up a jar of Angel Balm, a miracle in a jar that you can cleanse with or smear on as a hydrating mask while up in the air or overnight in bed.

The trek out to Barnet to see reflexologist Chantal Freegard (she makes North London home visits upon request) is a worthwhile exercise for anyone dealing with stress, insomnia, back problems, and infertility. Some say the energy changes in a room the minute she walks in. Part of her success comes from her long-standing practice in reflexology, and part comes from her foray into crystal healing. At the end of each session, she incorporates sound therapy using vibrating crystals from her personal collection, which she chooses intuitively for each client.

Trained as a traditional obstetrician, Dr. Gowri became frustrated with conventional birth methods and has developed her own technique called "The Gentle Birth Method" which incorporates traditional Ayurveda among other modalities. She insists the entire process needn't be as painful and fraught with stress as it has become for many women. Her method is all-encompassing: Through a mix of private consultations and group sessions she helps women with infertility issues to become pregnant, and assists pregnant women through the process into birth and care-giving.

We were sad to see Triyoga's beautiful, Primrose Hill location go but are more than satisfied with its new airy, Camden replacement. Beyond the well-known yoga and Pilates classes—by far, some of the best the city has to offer—it's also worth checking out the infrared sauna sessions, craniosacral massage, intuitive readings, and nutritional, EFT, and CBT therapy (depending on what you're after).

This is one of Britain’s oldest independent theater groups—with cinemas in Hampstead, Belsize Park, Maida Vale, and more—and as such, they know how to entertain. Loved for their comfortable and stylish interiors—armchair or couch seating comes complete with footstool and a side table for that glass of wine and gourmet snack (no fake-buttered popcorn or boxed chocolate to be found).

Gill's classes run every holiday from 9am until 3pm, over the course of which they teach about five to six dishes. Gill demonstrates and then the kids learn to make everything from scratch. Many courses are themed around seasons and holidays like Valentine's, Halloween, and Christmas. She also runs children's birthday parties with international cuisine themes like American, Italian, and Japanese.

High up on Rosslyn Hill in Hampstead, this recently-expanded shop stocks an ample mix of conventional toys along with science and craft projects. Wrapping paper, party favors, and plenty of stickers are also available, making the birthday present-buying chore a bit easier. Anyone who has a child caught up in the Lego or Sylvanian Families mania will be well taken care of here. Their Schleich shelf, full of those classic and very realistic plastic animals, totally triggers nostalgia.

The animals at the London Zoo are well kept, so a visit here is always a happy one. Plus, a recent renovation converted many of the animals' enclosures, making them truer to how they live in nature. There are also a number of daily kids activities that are heavy on fun without skimping on education.

This colorful indoor climbing frame for 6-month to 11-year-olds is part of the Talacre Sports and Community Center, and just a short walk from the Kentish Town West station. If you want to bring your really little ones to play, a good time is between 9-10:30am on weekdays for the "Under 5 Only" session.

It's a steal to stay at this hotel—which is part of the Soho House family—especially in the charming and cleverly named "Broom Cupboard." Located in Soho, it can be a bit noisy, but the amenities basket is kitted out with earplugs and loads of their famous Cowshed products. The restaurant and bar have a bustling and inviting feel making it great for a pre-dinner drink.

On any given weekday, the lobby here is packed with freelancers perched on every couch and at every communal table in the sprawling, lo-fi industrial space. It makes sense that this would be one of the area's main hubs of activity: There's Wi-Fi on tap, a coffee and snack bar, cold-pressed juices out the door at the hotel's own juice and mylk bar, and a small but well-selected menu of breakfast and lunch items from the hotel restaurant. Meanwhile, upstairs, the rooms, designed by Barber & Osgerby's Universal Design Studio, are decked out in vintage furniture with a slightly industrial edge. Slightly spare, they're planned for travelers who plan to spend more time exploring the city than indoors.

The Shoreditch House has everything we've come to expect from Nick Jones' empire: modern yet comfortable interiors, 26 small but well-executed guest rooms, a killer gym (including the first Flywheel in Europe), and social spaces that transition seamlessly from work to play (in addition to the library and restaurant, there's a workspace with desks that become ping pong tables at night). The crown jewel of the Shoreditch location is the rooftop pool (unheard of in London), which is heated year-round and plays host to an animated bar scene in the evenings.

Artfully quirky (and British) design in each of the thirteen rooms, eco-friendly features (including the energy loop system and free bike rentals), plus a cozy bar that feels more like a living room, make this Georgian townhouse a unique choice for a London stay.

This is a full-on lifestyle store for the geometrically obsessed. There are handcrafted leather goods, hand-bound notebooks, colorful pillows, and throws, all within the very tasteful bounds of the owner's aesthetic. Expect to find many a British brand you haven't heard of yet.

Winter through summer, the dominating color for men and women in this avant-garde shop is black—all meditated on by forward-thinking designers like Rick Owens, Dries van Noten, Comme de Garçons, P.R. Patterson, and Thom Browne. There's that, and the beautifully pared down, sleek interiors to delight in here, making an artful backdrop to the hand-selected pieces on the rails. Currently housed in a studio a few steps away from their original locale, the revamp will no doubt be something quite spectacular.

This brand originally caught our eye with its wry animal print textiles and wallpapers for the home, all made traditionally in sumptuous fabrics, but with a slightly subversive edge. They've now taken their prints and turned them out in clothes, wrapping paper, and more which actually totally works.

London excels at creating retail spaces that are more experiential than commercial. Like the Shop at Bluebird and Dover Street Market, LN-CC is a destination as much for its overall look as its merchandise, encompassing a library, record store, gallery, and café. The likes of Marni, Yeezy, JW Anderson, Gucci, and Rick Owens, plus a futuristic shoe department that looks like a spaceship draws in visitors from all over the world to this Dalton emporium. The kicker: LN-CC is by appointment only—so make one.

Owner Sophie Merchant was, until recently, a well-kept industry secret, helping designers (of brands we couldn’t possibly out) build their vintage archives for runway inspiration. In 2007, she took her skills in-house and opened her own, appropiately named Merchant Archive. At the store in Notting Hill, you'll find her immaculate vintage trove from Chlo to Ossie Clark and more, along with her vintage-inspired line and picks from brands like Paper London, Robert Clergerie and Preen. She has some exquisite finds for wedding shoppers as well.

This art and design bookshop located on one of the coolest streets in Shoreditch stocks beautiful titles that run the gamut from photography, to food culture, to art, to design, to books for kids. The selection is curated with a great eye: You'll find excellent new tomes, along with great, slightly older finds. Quirky stationery and affordable screenprints are available, too.

Shop owner Pavel Klimzak left an interior design agency to start his store, and he brought many new brands previously undiscovered in the London market with him. Along with more prolific design labels like HAY and Muuto, Pavel is mixing in exclusives from lesser known but equally innovative studios like La Chance and Atipico. We're impressed.

SCP works with a closely curated group of designers to manufacture their furniture and home accessories in workshops around the world. Donna Wilson's playful knits get a lot of airtime here, as do designers like Lucy Kurrein, Michael Anastassiades and more. Owner Sheridan Coakley does a lot of travel and always brings back great finds with him. Aside from the high concept furniture, lighting and accessories, this shop is one of the best in town for gifts.

This clothing and lifestyle store has expanded into a new two-story space, which feels like it came straight out of Copenhagen. In this trendy part of town where stores come and go all too often, Goodhood's staying power is due to the owners being, since 2007, arbiters of East London style, constantly refreshing their mix of streetwear essentials from brands like Wood Wood, Nanushka, Peter Jensen, and MM6. Last year, they expanded their concept and went into furnishings, bringing Nordic brands like HAY and Muuto to East London. So popular is their aesthetic that they're now busy helping other companies find their voice through Goodhood's graphic and branding agency.

After cutting their teeth on the vineyards in Napa, Charlotte and Michael Sager-Wilde brought their love for great Californian wines back to London, where they’re something of a rarity. A meal at their first large restaurant venture, under converted railway arches in Bethnal Green, is pretty transporting (and a lot less than a ticket to Napa), pairing wonderful wines with an Italian-influenced seasonal menu of small plates. The terrace upstairs tucked into one of the railway arches, makes a great spot for a private meal; meanwhile, winos will love checking out the Sager-Wilde's collection in the room's glass cave.

This relatively new and growing chain of modern Indian restaurants reveals a new dimension to a city already well-versed in the cuisine. Expertly decorated to resemble an old Iranian Bombay cafe, the vibe is casual and, as tradition dictates, ideal for both large groups and singles reading the paper and having a chai. The long menu of rotis, naans, grilled meats, and stews is spice-inflected but not necessarily curry heavy.

The definition of hole-in-the wall, this completely undecorated storefront on Columbia Road serves up Lee's legendary seafood and a recent turn to Cumberland sausage rolls, which are heavenly. Lee also serves Monmouth coffee and hot chocolate. This is a great stop on market days; keep a lookout as it's easy to miss.

There's Taco Salad, Bircher Muesli, a Shrimp Katsu Sandwich, and some pretty unreal baked goods including the Cardamom bun, on this menu. It's basically the greatest hits of international café cuisine, all brought to you by the editors of Monocle magazine. The space is light and modern, with a cozy living room space that's perfect for meetings.

Like all good things in London, this burgeoning chainlet is growing fast. Once a beloved food truck with a cleverly built-in pizza oven, it now has not one but two (as of last week) bricks-and-mortar outposts. The thin-crust pizza at all their charmingly lo-fi locations is superb, as are the negronis and affogato. At the new spot off Carnaby, we’re looking forward to fried pizza courtesy of their first authentic Neapolitan fryer—the guys spent a couple of weeks in Naples recently to learn the art of frying pretty much everything. There's also a location in Exmouth Market.

This is a charming neighborhood restaurant housed in an old town hall turned hotel. The crowd is local, the decor is simple, and the food is great and well-priced. There are no reservations in the evenings so come early or book for lunch and have the set menu.

Readers of the Financial Times will be familiar with Honey & Co. chefs and owners Sarit Packer and Itamar Srulovich. Their Levantine, vegetable-forward recipes feature in the paper weekly, though nothing beats tasting the chefs’ dishes themselves. Self-described as a Middle Eastern–style diner, Fitzrovia’s Honey & Co. is warm and inviting, with Moroccan-tiled floors, shelves heaving with jars of preserved lemons, and seats for a mere twenty guests. Those seats fill up daily with hungry Londoners craving butternut squash falafel, marinated eggplant, and braised artichokes. The food is heavy on vegetables and brightened up with assertive sauces and spices, accompanied by homemade iced teas and really, really good coffee.

Brought to London by Mexico City's leading taqueria, this place delivers real Mexican street food to Villiers street, from quesadillas with cheese and Mexican cactus to shredded pork carnitas. It can get crowded, so be sure to make a reservation. If you happen to drop by, you can always order a margarita while you wait. There are two other outposts.

With a focus on the food of Jerusalem, the décor here is sleek and fun, as evidenced by the deep jewel toned leather banquettes. There's a long, bustling bar serving drinks and dinner to walk-ins from the short and shareable menu. Our picks: Delicious "Moroccan" oysters (a Jersey oyster with Moroccan-inspired sauce) and the insane stovetop or "Plancha" dishes, like a rich and creamy polenta with buttery layers of mushroom, asparagus, and parmesan.

Waits can be long to get in at this dimly-lit Soho hole in the wall, even late into the night. But the street food-inspired, Thai wood-ember barbecue snacks and small plates are supposedly worth it (specifically the whole chili crab and the chicken wings doused in fish sauce). The kitchen is helmed by Chef Seb Holmes, though we hear Andy Ricker of Pok Pok’s influence is pretty unmissable.

Though meat, and generous hunks of it at that, is the main attraction at this Middle-Eastern BBQ joint, the array of pickles and vegetarian side dishes are a major highlight here—the Moroccan Spiced Carrots and Blackened Eggplant are pretty great, just to name a couple. In fact, we'd build a meal out of side dishes alone here. We'd also recommend sharing plates with a group and coming ready for a night out as the cocktails, each with their own Middle Eastern twist, are lots of fun as is the music that ramps up as the night rolls on.

Baos are soft, doughy rice-and-milk buns, stuffed with any number of Taiwanese-style delicacies, like slow-cooked pork or daikon. And there are lines out the door for them at this sleek, wood-lined shoebox of a spot in Soho at any given time of day. (They also serve really good battered fries and chicken nuggets.) Like many good things in London, the founders first gained popularity for their Baos with a roving market stall that's still going in Hackney (where the lines are just as long). They're so popular that only a few months later, they opened another spot in Fitzrovia which is just as popular.

The décor, from artfully peeled paint to battered wood floors, is as spot-on as the no-fuss Venetian small plates here. The menu ranges from a simple bowl of olives to an intricate cuttlefish concoction. It can be a wait to get a seat at this locale, which is why the bar downstairs serving classic Italian cocktails is often our first port of call. The success of the first location prompted the opening of several more iterations across London.

Like all good ideas, the premise of this Hackney wine bar is wonderfully simple: Buy quality wines in bulk so customers can order by the glass or bottle at very reasonable prices. You'll find excellent and unusual varieties from every corner of the wine-producing world, including Napa, Sicily, and Languedoc, along with a short but equally generous snack menu. We recommend the grilled cheese sandwich, which is actually kind of perfect with a glass of red wine.

Chef Brad McDonald and his wife Molly moved into the Lockhart space recently, shaking up the quiet backstreets of Marylebone with their brand of down-home Missisippi cooking. On a hot day, Molly pours sweet iced tea while customers choose between the fried chicken, the muffuletta (the meatiest of sandwiches), and the best shrimp grits this side of the Thames. It's true Southern cooking so it's heavy, but under this chef's watch, not unnecessarily so. Whatever you do, order a side of cornbread, which comes slathered in butter and honey. Get there early on Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays, for Brad and Molly's delicious side-project, 1235 Donuts.

One of London's market stalls-turned-chainlet success stories, this one is expanding quickly with cool, industrial looking shops popping up all over the city. With 14 equally intense flavors including Creme Brulee and Belgian Chocolate Truffle, these sourdough doughnuts are pretty over the top, though worth the caloric overload. Word of advice: Stop by in the morning as the fresh ones are exponentially better.

The cold-pressed juices and smoothies sold at this beautiful South Ken shop are part of the ever-expanding juice and nut milk movement in London. We love their filling smoothies (the lightly sweetened mint chocolate chip is a favorite), which will tide you over for an entire morning. They've also teamed up with delivery service, Deliveroo, which is helpful if you opt into one of their cleanses.

In a matter of just a few years, Australian roasteries have taken over the London coffee scene. And for good reason: They brew strong, flavorful coffee that’s not burnt. While we can rattle off a whole list of other good Aussie cafes—including Workshop, which is expanding quickly—Kaffeine remains a firm favorite. Tucked away on a quiet street in Fitrovia, they serve a coffee so intense it’s almost sweet. If you’re an aficionado, you can opt for a flight, which includes a "cascara" palate cleanser. Their sandwiches, salads and baked goods, which include a coffee flavored cookie made for dipping, are the best grab-and-go in the area.

Claire Ptak, who started her career at Chez Panisse, relocated to London several years ago and opened an Americana-inspired bakery on Wilton Way—a particularly friendly, community oriented stretch in Hackney. We've been known to make the trek out to east London just for her irresistible Ginger Molasses cake.