London - Around Town : Soho and the West End (part 3) - Pubs and Cafés, Restaurants

Patisserie Valerie

A classic Soho café with a wide range of delicious cakes and pastries: the fresh croissants make it a good place for breakfast. Its Frenchness extends to the Toulouse-Lautrec style cartoons byTerroni.

• 44 Old Compton Street W1

Maison Bertaux

This little corner of Paris in the heart of Soho attracts a faithful clientele, who love its delicious coffee and heavenly cakes.

• 28 Greek Street W1

French House

A small, one-bar establishment where conversation flows freely among strangers, this Soho pub was once the haunt of the artist Francis Bacon (1909–92).

• 49 Dean Street W1

Bar Italia

Sit at the bar or out on the heated pavement and enjoy the best Italian coffee in London. A huge screen at the back of the bar shows Italian football matches. Open 24 hours.

• 22 Frith Street W1

Fernandez and Wells

This lovely coffee shop serves quality coffee along with delicious croissants, pastries and cakes. It is also open for breakfast when you can order grilled pancetta or black pudding with egg mayonnaise in a roll.

• 73 Beak Street W1

The Admiral Duncan

A small, lively bar in Old Compton Street – one of dozens in the area with a gay clientele.

• 54 Old Compton Street W1

Endurance

This is what gastropubs are all about – great food, plenty of atmosphere (especially on market day), and a decent pint.

• 90 Berwick Street W1

Beatroot

A small, bright vegetarian restaurant serving delicious salads and hot dishes, packed in boxes.

• 92 Berwick Street W1

The Cork and Bottle

A 1970s basement wine bar with vintage music, bistro food and a fine selection of wines (see Cork and Bottle).

• 44–6 Cranbourn Street WC2

The Dog and Duck

Small, friendly pub with Victorian tiled walls, classic pub food and British cask ales .

• 18 Bateman Street W1