Once you've stumbled across it, you can hardly believe this place exists. A true Italian café,…read morecomplete with a sleekish sheen, smack on rough-around-the-edges Roman Road; it's almost mind-boggling. Yet, spectacularly, there it is, and it's the real deal. Expect friendly, familiar and helpful counter-service. Expect espresso, cappuccino, even flavoured lattes that are strong, authentic, and worth-sipping. And perhaps most marvelously, expect the best panini in the whole of London. That's a pretty lofty list of expectations to jot down, I realize, but oh, I am so not kidding on that last point. I dream of these panini: substantial, delectably filled, toasted to crispy perfection, and then wrapped up in white parchment like a wonderful present you can't wait to open. Make sure they make you one on the focaccia so that you can savor the depth of flavour and airy texture that the olive oil-laced bread imparts. I almost always go for the roasted vegetables and sun dried tomatoes combination - then ask them to add fresh mozzarella. Divine. I mean, where else in London can such edible excellence be had for less than four pounds?? Caveats: As I said, the place is authentically Italian, which tends to mean the service is slow (but worth it!). Also, I would avoid ordering ice blended coffees here; they usually come out extremely weak and watery - again, authentically Italian, Starbucks this is not. And don't forget (as I have) they're closed on Sunday... most, most unfortunately.

Chicchi is a fabulous Italian café at the middle intersection of Roman Road. Although a café it has…read morea cool, sophisticated feel to it and the menu selection is excellent. For sandwiches and toasties there is a great selection of breads and fillings. They also do a good range of hot meals like, lasagne and carbonara. For those feeling a little naughty the cakes are lovely with a few traditional Italian options to try. The price is very reasonable and they have a few computer terminals in the back for internet access. Chicchi is a great café and totally unexpected for the area.

Izgara is a really famous restaurant. They proudly display all their clipings in front of the…read morerestaurant. We lived in this neighbourhood for 6 months before coming here and let me tell you it was really good. I came in to this place in sporting attire and it is an upscale place and the servers still were extremely polite to me. I order a Mixed Meze dish of a few sides. It was the perfect size for me. The pilaki (beans in Olive oil) was really, really good, the Cacik was also great. Cacik is sort of the Turkish version of Tszaki sauce. At Izgara, they also do a nice Turkish Apple tea, a real favourite of mine. This is not an inexpensive place, more of a mid-range place and I recommend wearing at least smart casual although when I came in shorts this summer, I may have felt out of place (understatement) but I still had a nice meal.

Excellent Turkish restaurant. Great food, service, ambiance…read moreand reasonably priced too! In London for a few days to visit family and friends and was recommended to this restaurant. Would suggest you make a reservation as this place is apparently regularly packed. We only secured a table due to a last minute cancellation and definitely enjoyed our dining experience here.

I'm not a fan of pan-Asian restaurants but Momo was friendly and quirky. The laksa was yummy…read morealthough could have used slightly more kick and could have benefitted from a better bowl. Definitely a likeable local joint.

I just stumbled into this place on my last day in town. I wish I'd discovered it sooner... I…read morewould've gone back multiple times! This little mom 'n' pop restaurant serves Japanese (sushi and sashimi), Chinese (dumplings), and Malaysian cuisine (Laksa, etc.). I asked and the chef is apparently ethnically Chinese, but grew up partly in Japan and spent 15 years in the restaurant industry there. My server (the chef's sister-in-law and I'm guessing also a/the proprietor) spoke fluent Mandarin, and when I revealed that I spoke Mandarin as well, she immediately recommended the pork dumplings. (At first she had simply said that everything was good.) The pork dumplings were indeed good. Very similar to what I enjoyed in northern China. Just be aware, that while advertised as plain dumplings, they came out pan-fried on the bottom, like pot-stickers. I tried the salmon & tuna sashimi, which was very fresh, soft, and delicious. Finally, I tried the laksa with udon noodles. They warned me that it would be a little bit spicy. I said a little spicy to medium spicy is ok... It came out with almost no heat. I finished the whole bowl and my lips barely tingled. I'm from southern California, so maybe I'm used to spicier things and their spice levels have been adjusted for the local palate. I'd say this was the only somewhat disappointing dish I tried, but it was still good. Maybe next time I'd just ask for it hotter or with hot sauce on the side. And I got the goji berry tea, which was served with rock sugar. I didn't ask if other sweetener options were available, but if you require others you might want to come prepared. They do have some vegetarian options. I was tempted by one of their salads, but that will have to wait until my next visit. As other commenters have mentioned, the decor is kitschy and cozy, and I might even add entertaining. There was a knit art installation filling the entire main window. The proprietor was delightful. Eavesdropped kitchen banter was happy, adding to the cozy atmosphere. If I lived in Staines, I would come here all the time. [By the way, you might think the place is named after the book 'Momo' by Michael Ende (author of The Neverending Story), of which there are copies in several languages on one of their bookshelves. But I asked and it's not. It's just a word that's easy to remember and pronounce and has positive or neutral meanings in several Asian languages.]

Out door park dining great for people watching. Coffee gets a big tick and the breakfast/brunch…read moremenu has a range of pretty traditional items that change a little bit from weekend to weekend. Super laid back and relaxed! Menu is a little on the bready side but the bread is delicious (and loaves are available to be taken home). Generally on offer is the 'hollandaise collective', a big breakfast with at least two different meats, a veggie form of the big breaky and a couple of other bits and pieces. The one exception from the traditional offerings is the Sri Lankan breakfast (GF) with a boiled egg, a light curry and noodles. This is pretty good but it needs a spoon which you don't get and maybe something a bit more to it (maybe some veg rather than potato?). I'm glad i tried it though! There is also some sweet dessert items and pastries which apparently are pretty good and the pancakes come highly recommended. All pretty generous serving sizes and cost 5-10pounds. Sides are available of most things. Food and coffee are ordered inside as well as the locally made juices which are 'pre cupped' ready to be picked up out of the open fridge during your line up. If you are wanting something sweet to finish with best to grab it when you order your mains so you don't have to line up again. There is invariably a line up especially on a sunny day so if you don't like lining up on your own to go with a group so you have a line up buddy or order then find a table. I like to enjoy the people watch opportunity and man the table outside. I have only had good experiences with the staff they are pretty laid back so i see how people might see that as rude but maybe they get sick of people complaining about lines. So if you want to be waited on maybe this place is not for you. Probably my biggest low light is the toilets which are really public toilets but i guess it is park dining so i'll have to get over it!

Hidden away in the depths of Highgate Woods there is a small cottage style cafe complete with…read morepicket fence where people of all ages can regularly be seen lounging inside or out feasting on ice creams, muffins, coffee's and herbal tea's on a backdrop of thick woodland and a lucious green field out in front. A perfect Sunday afternoon escape from the busy roads surrounding the woods. If you're lucky enough to wander up at the right time you might stumble upon a live Jazz performance or a cricket match on the field out front. Extremely friendly staff spreading from the girl pouring the tea to the park keepertending to the tree's. A local treaure definately worth a visit if you are passing through.

This is one of the better cafes in the New Cross area. It offers a good selection of all day…read morebreakfasts, various made-to-order sandwiches/rolls and a good variety of home cooked meals. Together with reasonable prices especially for the portion size makes this place a hit with the locals. The staff are friendly and you can usually get a seat at one of the many tables. Unfortunately due to the layout of the cafe and where the food is cooked you'll likely leave with your hair and clothes smelling, but after a late night out and you're craving for that fry-up who cares!

A reasonable greasy spoon offering a range of breakfasts all day. I had a medium breakfast of bacon…read moresausage egg beans and bread with extra mushrooms for £4. It was ok. The sausage was poor quality and the mushrooms had been deep fried. The tea comes with the bag in it and the coffee is powdered and they serve it with a frothy head. The best I can say is it was ok. Very popular for the area I understand

superb good value, kosher friendly family menu, the cafe has disabled volunteers who are really…read morehelpful and kind. i strongly recommend this cafe and garden centre to those who want to have a fun day out, there are chickens, ducks, rabbits and guinea pigs in the garden to enjoy! see you there soon!

A cosy cafe that is unexceptional its food and drink but is really made by the friendly and local…read morefeel. The decor is quite plasticky, which might put some off. But it is in Eltham. Come here for a bit of lunch and you'll find something you fancy to eat, have some reasonably coffee and feel relaxed and looked after.

Great little cafe just off the high street serves a great breakfast and lovely bubble & squeek…read more Staff are friendly and polite. A wide range of meals on the menu. Very popular with locals

A nice place to have a sandwich and be fussed over by a man that answers every question in Italian…read moreas well as English, even if you don't speak Italian! They are family friendy and were happy for us to bring our pram in. They are also gay friendly as evidenced by the rainbow triangle on the door and the number of female couples enjoying the papers and a coffee

This family-run cafe/sandwich bar is a nice place to spend some time. It's light and airy, the…read moreItalian owners are very charming and helpful and the food is decent, if a little unimaginative. I sat down at the window, watched the world go by and enjoyed a chicken escalope ciabatta. However, this being a nice sandwich bar in Beckenham, they do know how to charge so it's pricey for what it is.