Cracking greasy spoon that attracts a high celebrity quota, possibly because of its proximity to London's once-and-future-trendy Shoreditch/Hoxton/Dalston.

Thankfully though, this is unreconstructed full English territory - irony, Day Glo and creative use of hairspray are firmly off the menu, as are the words organic and sustainable.

It's not a depressing relic, however, and its airy and cheerful design has carved it out a niche as a film location. Crews are often spotted filming in there on a Sunday when it's closed and the most recent flick to feature its hallowed interior was Notes on a Scandal.

For an added sprinkling of stardust on your gammon steak, check out the gallery of Polaroids behind the counter showing the legions of soap stars, presenters, actors and reality TV protozoa who have enjoyed a sarnie and a mug of something hot over the years.

Shepherdess Cafe
221 City Road
London
EC1V 1JN
+44 (0) 20 7253 2463

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Have a taste of Greece in Bayswater. The cafe serves real Greek coffee, baklavas, tyropita and many other traditional Greek snacks.

31 Moscow Road Bayswater
London W2

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It's a cafe in the middle of Regent's Park's playing fields. So a good place to watch people wearing themselves out whilst you sip on hot chocolate. But also, it has changing rooms, lockers (£1 returnable) and showers (£1.50) which you can use after a run round the park. Plus a schedule of gym classes. Slightly chaotic but all the nicer for it.

Regent's Park

www.royalparks.org.uk/parks/regents_park/hub/thehub.cfm

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A wonderful, casual cafe with excellent food at reasonable prices. It is located in the crypt of St Martin-in-the-Fields Church in Trafalgar Square, access off Duncannon Street. Profits from the cafe stay at St Martin-in-the-Fields and help to support, among other things, it's care of the homeless and vulnerable.

St Martin-in-the-Fields, Trafalgar Square, London, England

www2.stmartin-in-the-fields.org/page/cafe/crypt/crypt.html

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Whether you’re after wild boar sausages (with sauerkraut, tomatoes and onion to dollop into the bap), fishfinger sandwiches (slabs of prime, fresh cod in breadcrumbs) or soup of the day ('Help yourself to bread'), this cafe offers a simple but mouthwatering selection of fare bought fresh from Borough Market. The open frontage allows the diner to watch the market hustle and bustle, while the patio heaters inside keep the elements at bay. The cosy setting of mixed chairs, shared tables and a sideboard of jams, pickles and bread throws the customer into a farmhouse kitchen. And they sell bread.

Borough Market, 8 Stoney Street, SE1

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Fantastic milkshake bar where staff will turn your favourite chocolate bar into a delicious milk shake while you wait. I particularly recommend the Fry's Peppermint Cream ones.

26 Greenwich Church Street, just outside the market

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This place is indispensable for brunches. It's usually pretty quiet on a Saturday/Sunday morning, which makes it very relaxing for the hungover. Try the peanut butter and banana malt and pancakes with bacon and maple syrup.

Eagle Bar and Diner, Rathbone Place, London W1
(off Oxford Street, near Tottenham Court Rd tube station)
www.eaglebardiner.com/

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The caffeine fueled all night heart of Soho. It's a small place inside with a giant clanking old till and great coffee, best consumed at the outside tables where the full colour of Soho can been seen passing by.

22 Frith Street, Soho, W1D 4RF, near junction with Old Compton; 020 7437 4520

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Wonderful for people watching. You pick up your food indoors and pay for it. You are given a number and a server brings it to your table ouside on the patio. There is some seating inside. Delicious lattes, pizza, salads, baked potatoes with toppings and more. Closed in winter.

Russell Square - just walk to the square from the Russell Square tube station. Across road from Russell Hotel

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The best of Soho - quaint but hip at the same time. The chipped crockery, the fading walls, the coolness that comes from being stylish without really trying - effortless. Exquisite cakes served up by the delicious Michelle, a true character who remembers her regulars and makes you feel part of the London scene no matter how long you've been away.

28 Greek Street, Soho

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Tucked under the Westway at the ordinary end of Portobello Road, this Lebanese cafe/bar is charming, unpretentious and impeccably run. Eat souvlaki from terracotta plates (supplied by the Spanish supermarket across the road) - then move on to cheap cocktails while listening to funky eastern beats. The exposed brickwork and low tables might come over all Hoxton, but the pretension factor is low - and so are the prices.

299 Portobello Road, London W10 5TD. Nearest station: Ladbroke Grove

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A beautiful Victorian garden in the middle of Streatham Common. Queen Victoria visited for the now gone spa waters (is there a way they can be brought back?). Tranquil even at the height of summer, an oasis in the middle of south London. Plus, there is a lovely old-fashioned cafe run by quirky Italian old women.

Streatham Common - the nearest train station is Streatham.

www.lambeth.gov.uk/AboutLambeth/TownCentresStreatham.htm

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OK, this place is full of Nathan Barleys and annoying haircuts, but for somewhere to sit and listen to (usually) decent music while eating cheap, massive slices of cake with your beer/coffee this can't really be beaten.

Cafe by day, club by night, there's a plethora of tables outside making for a very sociable vibe in summer. A good place to people-watch.

1 Dray Walk, London, E1 6QL (just off Brick Lane)

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A huge selection of bottled lager, great, unintrusive music and more table football than you could ever reasonably need. This is a refreshing, fun change from the usual London bars.

43 Exmouth Market, Clerkenwell,EC1R 4QL; Nearest tube: Farringdon or Angel; Bus: 19 or 38 from the West End; www.cafekick.co.uk

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The lido is Europe's third biggest pool - 92m x 32m - with newly refurbished kiddie pool, cafe and changing facilities. Open all year if you're a member of the south London swimming club, but only swimmable by mere mortals between May and September. Arrive early on a sunny weekend with a copy of the Guardian to read and you're in a small part of heaven.

Tooting Bec Road, London, SW16 1RU; tel: 020 8871 7198; www.wandsworth.gov.uk/Home/LeisureandTourism/Leisurecentres/TootingBecLido.htm

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The fact that this is the largest bookstore in Europe, providing a huge range of author events throughout the year, is only one element of its appeal. The cafe on the fifth floor, complete with stunning views to the south, is the perfect place to pass a couple of quiet hours flicking through the bestsellers.

203-206 Piccadilly; Nearest tube: Piccadilly

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The shops, street performers and cafes are always a treat for the eye, and within a few hundred yards there's also the newly refurbished Royal Opera House with its stunning glass facade, the lightweight but fun theatre museum and the peace and quiet of St Paul's church.

Tube: Covent Garden

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London's best coffee, using beans sourced and roasted by the cafe's own staff. They know everything there is to know about coffee. Fairly cramped confines if you're drinking in, and long queues on market days (Friday and Saturday) - at other times, laid-back and friendly staff. Note that they do not sell tea or hot chocolate, nor do they offer low-fat milk.

Stoney Street, alongside Borough Market.

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An unusual and lovely place - especially the musical instrument archive - with a great hands-on children's bit where kids can make a lot of sound! The cafe's great and there's a nice park as well.For those who think Waterloo is a trip into the deep south, this is a real adventure!

Forest Hill, SE22 Tel: 0208 699 1872

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A different venue to try just away from the Covent Garden throng where you can find drinks soft and hard and homemade snacks hot and cold. It’s the home of the Poetry Society and there’s a performance area downstairs (wheelchair access via lift), though most of the performing seems to take place in the evenings (open mic night Tuesdays).

22 Betterton Street, WC2
Tube: Covent Garden

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