Terry's Cafe

The only caff in London with its own brand of tea, Terry’s was founded in 1982 by, er, Terry, who plied his trade as butcher in Smithfield Market. Needless to say, that’s where all the meat still comes from, although just about everything else is procured at nearby Borough Market. Inside, it’s wall-to-wall nostalgia with black-and-white photos galore, a big Union Jack hanging in the window and old sugar shakers on the check-clothed tables. Breakfast-fry-ups and sarnies are the business for East End workers, and there’s also an all-day ‘bistro’ menu of honest home cooking – think bangers and mash, burgers, ham, egg and chips, and daily specials (steak and kidney pud on Monday, say). Terry’s is also a diamond if you fancy ‘tea for two’ in the afternoon.