5th View

Perched on top of Europe's largest bookshop, this bright and spacious café boasts sweeping views over rooftops, and a well-stocked bar. Among the regular seating arrangements, you'll find reading tables - a popular feature among bibliophiles.

The 5th Floor is as much a place to meet up with friends as it is to relish a good book. There's a smart tapas-like slant to evening snacks, while the simple lunch menu finds favour with shoppers who take their pick from sharing platters of antipasti and meze, a daily-changing soup, sandwiches and chips, plus poshed-up salads.

Our chargrilled chicken sandwich was average, but no more: the chicken breast let down by blandness, undistinguished tomato sauce, and a forest of rocket leaves. Equally dispiriting were the fat chips, which although crisp on the outside, yielded to powdery potato within.

Freshly squeezed juices and cocktails, from an impressive line-up, make more inspired choices. Tea time fare includes pricey wedges of victoria sponge, scones and pastry tarts; on our visit, they looked a bit drab. Service needs to be quicker off the mark too.