Third Floor Social

The folks at Third Floor Social don't really like labels, so don't call it a café, restaurant, or bar – the truth is it's all three, and they pull it off with aplomb. Perched on top of Design Orchard in the middle of bustling Somerset, this laid-back designer living room is a welcome retreat with fantastic food, caffeinated fixes, and drinks that lean boldly into culinary experimentation.

Run by the team behind No Sleep Club, the drink programme naturally steals the spotlight. The coffee menu is cheeky, with cuppas like the Aerocano (espresso aerated to drink like stout) and the Fridge Cigarette, a cold brew with Coke and vanilla cream. The cocktail list is even more playful, with savoury, umami tipples like the Fried Chicken Long Island (complete with real fried chicken skin and house cola) and a Blue Cheese & Olive martini made with blue cheese gin and tomato water. The Asian influences peek through in cocktails like the Tom Yum Sour, featuring a Thai herb distillate.

The dinner menu is no by the way, with comfort bites that effortlessly pluck from a range of Asian cuisines. Highlights include the crab paccheri tossed with corn and shiso, and a Wagyu flat iron served with a fiery gochuhang romesco. For dessert, don't miss the ube Basque cheesecake with coconut mascarpone or the playful banana tres leches.

To keep things fresh, Third Floor Social runs occasional kitchen takeovers worth keeping an eye out for – past collaborations have roped in Nadine Tay of Habibi-san and Aameer of fermentation food brand Semula. And to round out the cool-kid energy are regular mixtape sessions (Wednesdays) and weekend roasts.