Best Coffee Shops and Cafes in St Paul's Cray

"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"

"Located on floor 36 of the iconic Walkie Talkie, the views from the Darwin Brasserie are pretty striking. Although Fenchurch Restaurant – one of Sky Garden’s other offerings – is higher, the Darwin Brasserie has better views thanks to its position further back from the Sky Garden’s atrium roof. A good option if you want to enjoy the sights without the flocks of camera totting tourists."

"Located in the iconic Walkie Talkie, Sky Garden has a foliage-filled viewing gallery on the 43rd floor. From here, visitors are surrounded by exquisite greenery while looking over panoramic views of London. Also seeBeer Tasting in London"

"From creating a nitro ice cream parlour in Camden to collaborating with Cadbury to create a Creme Egg Sundae, Chin Chin know how to make weird and wacky ice creams. But it’s their Soho joint that we love, where they mix luxe chocolate and caramel flavour ice-creams with cakes, cookies and ice-cream sandwiches. There’s always a bunch of toppings and sauces to pick from, and with a wide variety of vegan options as well, there’s something for everyone here."

"Must try: Griddled vegan cookie dough with burnt butter ice cream. Chin Chin is Europe’s very first liquid nitrogen ice-cream parlour and one of the best spots to discover some of the most unique and delicious desserts in London. Their exciting selection of ice cream flavours are frozen with liquid nitrogen in giant tanks, in a space that looks more like a mad scientists lab than a dessert parlour."

"A thick, brownie-like cookie with sweet-and-sticky dulce de leche, toasted hazelnuts and cranberries, it’s luxurious – full of Valhrona chocolate – and super indulgent. 54 Greek St, London W1D 3DS or 49-50 Camden Lock Pl, London NW1 8AF. Open for take-away in the weekends."

"This North London bakery describes itself as ‘a bit health conscious’: cakes contain low fat and sugar, but enough to ensure they taste delicious. Cutter & Squidge cakes make the perfect centrepiece for a big celebration too: the Macron Drip Cake, for instance, is a layered creation decorated with macarons, topped with chocolate shards and finished with 24 carat gold. Vegan cakes are also available, and everything can be personalised."

"A Biskie is a sandwiched dessert that’s essentially a cross between a cake and a cookie and is filled with cream or other ingredients. You can find Biskies only at Cutter and Squidge, a cute little bakery with locations in Soho and Bank. Their Salted Caramel Biskie is award winning and if you’re vegan or GF you’ll still find delicious options to choose from."

"It’s pretty, it’s pink and the cakes and treats are equally as gorgeous to eat as well as look at. Their famous for their ‘biskie’ creations which are a cross between a cake and a cookie sandwiched with cream or chocolate. If you prefer you can go for one of their perfectly presented cakes by the slice."

"Probably the most basic café on our list, Regency Cafe has featured in films such as Layer Cake and is famous for being a true London café. Built in 1946, this is a no-frills spot that serves a great English breakfast. You won’t find any avocados or specialty coffees here, and it’s hard luck if you’re vegan, but there’s usually a queue to order, since the food is so good."

"The Regency Café opened way back in 1946 and continues to serve proper British grub to this day. The interior is very unpretentious, with basic art deco features and pictures of Tottenham Hotspur players on the walls (sorry Arsenal). What it lacks in fanciful design it sure makes up for with the food."

"Hidden away at the very back of Kings Cross’ Granary Square development, past the Coal Drops Yard, Skip Garden, is a beautiful community garden created entirely of fruit, veg, flowers and plants growing in skips. It’s run by Global Generation, an educational charity that helps young people in the area; and this vegetarian café, located by the entrance, is part of the project. Although there’s some indoor seating, it’s best to visit in sunshine when lunch can be eaten on one of the many wooden tables outside, surrounded by greenery."

"They call it “an urban garden with a twist”; a blooming oasis full of wild flowers, herbs, vegetables, a tranquil orchard and even a small oak forest. Everything is made with recycled materials, and it’s run entirely by the hands of the community. The garden—which is currently hidden behind the British Library after a recent move—hosts a number of workshops and special events throughout the year."

"Bars and pubs Gastropubs Richmond. If you’ve never been to a German beer garden – and don’t fancy a trip to Munich – you could do worse than Stein’s, a live-wire outdoor restaurant promising ‘the Bavarian experience’ beside a stretch of the Thames towpath. Its huge riverside space can seat up to 300 alfresco diners at shared wooden tables, many of which offer some shelter from the elements."

"By day, Tea Darling, way out west in the wilds of Acton Town (actually a London suburb easily reached on the Piccadilly and the District Line), is a really old fashioned tea shop with vintage china and a good assortment of home made cakes and tea sandwiches, including gluten free and vegan variations. On selected evenings (check their website) they host jazz and comedy nights when you can stick to tea or coffee with cake or bring your own bottle (£5 corkage fee). If you arrive in your best 40s or 50s vintage outfit, all the better."

"1 West Road, Westcliff-on-Sea, Southend-on-Sea SS0 9AU EnglandSeafood, ItalianLunch, Dinner, Late Night, DrinksTakeout, Reservations, Seating, Highchairs Available, Wheelchair Accessible, Serves Alcohol, Full Bar, Free Wifi, Accepts Credit Cards, Table Service[email protected]+44 1702 341888http://www.ilpalazzo.co.uk"

"Bon Vivant, an unassuming French restaurant with classic Parisian outside seating and sumptuous interior design, is a lovely, low-key option in Bloomsbury. The staff hail from all over Europe and are led by a French manager, who ensures they all partake in French lessons after joining his team, so as to keep things feeling as authentic as possible. And it works, particularly alongside the oh-so-French menu, which sees classics given a modern update: think escargots (snails) doused in a buttery mix of garlic, so that the parsley and shallots drip down your chin and need mopping up with a warm slice of the restaurant’s homemade bread."

"Breakfast, lunch, and dinner are all on the cards at Bon Vivant, which also includes such delights as bavette steak and an Earl Grey crème brûlée. Yeah, we’re drooling too."

"A little bro to the creative complex of Netil House just down the road, this London Fields hub is a quirky gem, filled with an ever-changing rotation of rickety stands and more charming than the nearby Broadway and Schoolyard markets. There’s not much cover, but you can brave the hipsters and plonk down in the park on sunny days. Mon-Fri 9am-6pm, Sat-Sun 11am-6pm."

"This one takes the cake for being the best hidden gem on London’s street food scene. Netil Market is more of an ‘if you know, you know’ kind of place, with amazing designers selling and showcasing their work here, and of course, some awesome street food being rustled up in the teeny tiny kitchens. Head to South Hackney and discover Netil Market."

"A bustling hub with creative food, art and clothing, Netil Market has burst onto the scene in the past decade as one of the best food markets in London. Don’t miss Death by Pizza, serving up pizza that’s 100% vegan and 100% delicious. Who would have thought it possible?"

"The Cyclist is offering South Londoners the chance to top up their vitamin D levels with their outdoor seating. Head on over to the neighbourhood favourite in Balham for gastro grub and refreshing tipples this summer."

"La Gaffe is a small family-run hotel in Hampstead, their site dates back to 1743 and used to be a shepherds cottage!. The La Gaffe Restaurant opened in 1962, it originally started as a French Restaurant, then a Seafood Restaurant before finally becoming an Italian Restaurant offering a warm and welcoming Italian dining experience in Hampstead. They offer set menus and party menus so they are perfect if you are celebrating a birthday, graduation or any other celebration and need a big function room in Hampstead."

"Tucked away on a quiet Spitalfields backstreet that feels untouched by the last hundred years, there's much about Enoteca Super Tuscan that doesn't feel like modern London at all. In fact, of all the restaurants in this list this is the one that's most evocative of Italy itself. As you might guess from the name, wine is as important as food here, and there are some very impressive bottles from Tuscany and beyond on the list, along with more affordable options."