Cromwell Place Café

Cromwell Place Café is a serene spot to get some work done. The cafe is inside an exhibition space and gallery in South Kensington, and there’s a strong chance that the sound of soft strings from the classical jazz concert happening next door will drift into the room and impress everyone on your Zoom call. This is a cut above your local coffee shop. You’ll tap away underneath high, stuccoed ceilings, the cutlery for your lunchtime potato galette is plucked from beside a marble fireplace, and floor-to-ceiling curtains add a homely touch. If home is a west London townhouse and you’re a minor royal. The food is hit and miss—we've had crumbly pastry that disintegrates, but also soft, flavourful meatballs—so this spot is best used as a sophisticated place for meetings (nab the communal table with sculptural, Scandi-style chairs) or some solo laptop time.

photo credit: Sinéad Cranna