Browns of Brockley

This is more of a commuter-friendly coffee bar than full-blown eaterie, but they do take their beans seriously: Square Mile pulled on a La Marzocco espresso machine with a guest filter coffee every week and ‘cupping’ classes to teach regulars how to better appreciate their brew. To accompany it are some surprisingly refined sweetmeats: greengage and lavender friands, apricot crumble, and some light and extremely addictive cinnamon doughnut muffins.

The lunchtime crowd are fed with salads and thinly cut sandwiches on sourdough, neatly filled with high-quality ingredients such as Wiltshire ham, pastrami or sauerkraut (plus an indulgent peanut butter, honey and banana for those who missed breakfast or miss their nanny). A light airy space, high wooden benches to sit at and welcoming service make Browns a popular local pit stop.