Restaurants

If you’ve ever wondered what a £5 sausage roll tastes like, this is the place to find out (prices vary daily, but that’s what we paid). Likewise a £7.50 portion of fruit salad, a £7.25 croque monsieur, a £6.50 bowl of granola and yogurt, or a £5.25 sliver of cheesecake. Yes, Baker & Spice is fantastically expensive, but we’ve got to concede it also bakes exceedingly good cakes – and breads and pastries, and has a knockout selection of colourful salads at lunchtime. It’s as much bakery and traiteur as café. Bag a seat at the large shared table in the centre before perusing the chiller cabinet, which is stacked with enticing combinations of beetroot, mozzarella, roast aubergine, pine nuts, cherry tomato, wild rice and much more besides. Hot dishes might include two turkey meat fritters with a piquant dressing. The cakes (many are fruit- or chocolate-based) never fail to impress. This is a lovely place to sit and read the papers or chat with friends, but be warned that a simple lunch can easily top £15 per head.

Time Out Eating & Drinking Guide 2008