Best Coffee Shops and Cafes in Claygate

"What: Sky Garden may be known for its lush greenery (the perfect backdrop for an impromptu photoshoot), but its sprawling views of the capital are also worth a mention. The Sky Pod bar, which isn’t separated from the rest of the space, allows guests to stand around admiring the views or pull up a chair to rest their legs. All the usual drinks can be found here (including a selection of signature cocktails), while the food menu features sharing platters of charcuterie, seafood or dessert."

"A magnificent three-floor space, Sky Garden hosts two of the most exclusive rooftop restaurants in London: Fenchurch Restaurant and Darwin Brasserie, and two exciting rooftop bars: Sky Pod Bar and City Garden. Sky Pod Rooftop Bar is open all day from early morning coffees, through to lunchtime bites and afternoon drinks, while at night it comes alive with music, lights and cocktails.skygarden.london"

"If you guys have been following this blog for a while you may have realised that I am borderline obsessed with Sky Garden. I think it’s not only one of the best views and best rooftop bars in London, but it’s also very Instagrammable. The combination of stunning views over the rooftops of London, with modern architecture and green plants is a winner for me."

"A zany premium parlour all about indulgence to the highest degree, Chin Chin Labs is home to liquid nitrogen ice cream. While this might sound like a worn gimmick, Chin Chin Labs were among the first to this trend - a method of freezing the ice cream’s custard base instantly to make for a smoother and more flavourful result. Offering trusty flavours like burnt butter caramel and mango lassi, for those feeling extra indulgent their brownie cookie sundae will more than satisfy a sweet tooth."

"Chin Chin pioneered the use of liquid nitrogen to make ice cream in a retail setting when it opened its first ice cream ‘lab’ in Camden Lock in 2010. Its founders were convinced that hand churning with liquid nitrogen was better than any other method, and they had stumbled on the future of ice cream. Nowadays, the company has grown to three locations and over 300 innovative flavours, from sweetcorn to wild blueberry to coffee and olive oil."

"The ice cream pioneers behind Chin Chin Labs have expanded its epicurean empire. The Chin Chin Club in Soho opens this month as a revolutionary cake and ice cream club. On the menu are deluxe sundaes, choux buns, and cookies with molten centres."

"The menu at this Soho dessert stop features a lot of the delicious treats mentioned on this blog, but most famous are their biskies – a biscuit/cookie/cake hybrid filled with tasty buttercream, jams and caramels. Flavours include passion fruit and salted caramel, apple crumble, chocolate lava and miso caramel. If you’re feeling extra naughty, order one of their indulgent freakshakes to go with it."

"Fun shop, fun website, inventive creations – two sisters established this Soho mecca and are always a step ahead of foodie trends. The sisters explain, “We are a bit health conscious and are not fans of overly fatty or sugar laden foods, so we always keep our fat and sugar content to “just as much as needed to make something delicious”."

"We make everything from scratch and where possible we use real British ingredients or source from British producers where we can’t.’. The sweet stuff: Cakes and (wince) ‘biskies’. The stuff looks next-level, though, and the mixed selection boxes would make anyone’s day."

"The overworked perfectionist behind this truly indie coffee shop offers proof you don’t need to have Antipodean ancestry to be an unflappably affable London barista. We’ll ignore the fact that British owner/operator Ben Townsend spent 8 years in Melbourne, acquiring Australian citizenship along the way. In his narrow shop, Ben fastidiously pulls every shot of Square Mile espresso as if it were lifesaving: Doctors at Great Ormond Street Hospital would be wise to prescribe 3 per day to their patients."

"They don’t mess about at The Espresso Room, MOB. This serious coffee shop chain has built a serious reputation of one of the most well-regarded specialty coffee shops in London thanks to their meticulous attention to detail and highly knowledgeable staff. Whether you’re after a long black or a matcha latte, you can rest assured that The Espresso Room will provide you with a definitive version of that drink. 71 Lincoln's Inn Fields, WC2A 3JH"

"Restaurants Coffeeshops Bloomsbury. Capacity doesn’t make it far into double digits at this small but perfectly formed shrine to straight caffeine. Choice may be limited too (artisan coffees from Caravan, teas, sandwiches, cakes and some brunch staples), but we love Bloomsbury’s Espresso Room, especially when we can sit outside in fine weather."

"17 Queen Street, Mayfair, London, W1J 5PH Why should you care?. Sibling duo Victoria and Grace Sheppard are behind new cafe/events space Queens of Mayfair. They're combining their experience in hospitality and interior design respectively for their artisan coffee shop."

"Though not traditional, Popolo is undoubtedly one of the most exciting Italian restaurants to come to London. Drawing inspiration from Middle Eastern and Moorish cuisine, Jon Lawson has created an array of fusion dishes which even the most die-hard Italian would be proud of. Following the trend for small ‘sharing plates’, the restaurant is best experienced sitting at the counter looking into the open kitchen and ordering just about everything from the menu – this is not an exaggeration, practically everything is a ‘hero dish’."

"Restaurants Contemporary European Shoreditch. What do you get if you cross the artisan credentials of the River Café with the creativity of Bocca di Lupo and the frontier-bending fusion of Morito?"

"Spanish , Pasta"

"Famed for its laid-back vibe, old-world grandeur and authentic Italian cuisine, it's no wonder Franco's has been a London hot spot since the Forties. The gospel of tasting rooms, nouveau burgers and artisanal mocktails is still preached all over town, but some of the capital's heritage restaurants continue to thrive without yielding to fickle trends. Franco's is a recently spruced-up pocket of old-world grandeur in St James's that packs itself out every lunch time, just as it has done since opening in the Forties."

"Having been open for more than 60 years, Franco’s is undoubtedly one of the most popular Italian restaurants in the city. Fresh seasonal produce is showcased in the tranquil surroundings and light ambience of its quiet neighbourhood, just a few minutes’ walk from Green Park. Enjoy specialities such as venison ravioli in rosemary sauce to start, and steamed sea bream or pan fried partridge as a main."

"Read the full review: Franco's61 Jermyn Street, St. James's, London, SW1Y 6LXOpen all day, Franco’s has had a place in Londoners' hearts for over 60 years. Grab an al fresco table if you can, while the considered Italian menu is versatile enough to work for both business breakfasts and late-night dates."

"Located just a stone’s throw away in Archway, 500 is a popular Italian restaurant that’s received rave reviews from critics. Enjoy great food and drinks, including an a la carte menu with dishes like Carpaccio tiepido di Manzo con nocciole (warm beef carpaccio, served with hazelnuts, grana Padano cheese and celery). Moreover, there’s plenty of Italian passion at 500, and it’s easy to see why local residents have taken such a liking to this little gem close to Islington."

"No one should leave Hampton Court Palace without losing themselves in the 800m-long yew maze, included in entry; those not visiting the palace can enter via the gardens."

"The Rock Garden at Kew Gardens is over an acre in size and is located between the Princess of Wales’s Conservatory and the entrance to the Kitchen Garden. Originally constructed in 1882, this spectacular garden transports you to life in the mountains, with cascading waterfalls, an Alpine House landscape and wild-collected plants displayed from six mountainous regions. Each mountainous region is allocated its own area in the Rock Garden: the European Alps and Pyrenees; the Central Asian steppe and Himalayan mountain streams and meadows; the North American high alpine, prairies and bogs; the Windswept Patagonia; the Mediterranean scrub and South African bergs and kloofs; and the southern Alps of Victoria, Australia and the peaks of New Zealand."

"As the restaurant shuts its doors, LPM London has reinstated its delivery service, offering a menu of classics inspired by the South of France. Highlights include the likes of Niçoise salad, tuna carpaccio; whole baked sea bream in papillote; and lamb cutlets. Desserts are also available alongside a selection of wines."

"Keep your Côte d'Azur holiday vibe going with a visit to the London cousin of La Petite Maison in Nice. The Beckhams, Stella and Paul McCartney and Amanda Holden have all been spotted enjoying the French Mediterranean cuisine and excellent wine list in this Mayfair bistro."