Best Coffee Shops and Cafes in River Brent

"The ferns, fig trees and purple African lilies that clamber up the final three storeys of the 'Walkie Talkie' skyscraper are mere wallflowers at this 155m-high rooftop garden – it's the rather extraordinary 360-degree views of London (the best in the City) that make this vast, airport-terminal-like space so popular (advance booking recommended). Located on the 35th floor of 20 Fenchurch St, the Sky Garden has front-row seats for the Shard and vistas that gallop for miles east and west."

"At the Sky Garden you’ll get panoramic views of the city and you can also stop for food and drink. You have to book a ticket in advance to visit but it’s free. Head to skygarden.london for more info."

"Must try: Griddled vegan cookie dough with burnt butter ice cream. Chin Chin is Europe’s very first liquid nitrogen ice-cream parlour and one of the best spots to discover some of the most unique and delicious desserts in London. Their exciting selection of ice cream flavours are frozen with liquid nitrogen in giant tanks, in a space that looks more like a mad scientists lab than a dessert parlour."

"Address: 49-50 Camden Lock, Camden Town, London NW1 8AF and 54 Greek Street, London W1D 3DS. Whether you're a science buff or not, you have to head here just for the experience - you get to watch as your dessert is frozen to order using liquid nitrogen. Toppings and sauces are kept in beakers to complete the science lab vibe, and flavours are outlandish - think pandan leaf and black sesame cake."

"A biscuit isn’t quite a dessert – unless it’s in the hands of Cutter & Squidge, that is. Enter the Biskie, the Soho bakery’s signature dessert which sees two discs of a cake-cookie hybrid sandwich an array of flavoured creamy fillings. The chocolate s’more version is filled with buttercream and a handmade marshmallow, while the blueberry cheesecake version layers jam, cheesecake cream and a wedge of digestive biscuit."

"The menu at this Soho dessert stop features a lot of the delicious treats mentioned on this blog, but most famous are their biskies – a biscuit/cookie/cake hybrid filled with tasty buttercream, jams and caramels. Flavours include passion fruit and salted caramel, apple crumble, chocolate lava and miso caramel. If you’re feeling extra naughty, order one of their indulgent freakshakes to go with it."

"Vanilla sponge with apple jam, cinnamon buttercream – custardy, sweet, perfectly spiced – crispy white chocolate pearls, biscuit crumbs and an apple crisp to finish. It has all the flavours of a traditional apple pie, but it’s lighter and wonderfully soft. 20 Brewer St, London W1F 0SJ. Currently online only."

"The Hoarder is a neighbourhood speciality coffee shop where you can get yourself a slamming cortado while you stock up on snacks, natural wine, and craft beer. Founders Michael Mulcahy and Jacob Pover have turned what could be yet another nondescript coffee shop in a nondescript location into a warm and inviting space; a spot where you’ll be desperate to become a regular feature and frequent for your daily caffeine fix. Don’t miss out on this one, MOB."

"Clapton , Hackney"

"For Those Cake Moments specialises in buttercream cakes that can be customised and personalised following the design that you have in mind. In the business for more than 5 years now, they have been delivering soft, delicious and tasty creations that everyone will enjoy. You can choose from different buttercream flavours like chocolate, cheese and vanilla."

"For Pearl and Groove founder Serena Whitefield, cake is much more than just a sweet treat: it’s a symbol of love, friendship and celebration. The bakery is 100 per cent gluten free, using mainly ground almonds as a substitute – but this certainly doesn’t compromise flavour; everything is perfectly moist and light. Bright and beautiful cakes include a yellow lemon and elderflower number, a beautiful carrot cake topped with flowers, and a colourful drip cake topped with macarons."

"The Bankside Gallery in London was opened in 1980 by Her Majesty, the Queen. The public gallery, located near the Thames, houses the Royal Watercolour Society and Royal Society of Painter Printmakers. The gallery displays rotating exhibits focused on modern watercolours and prints."

"Dee Rettali and Jorge Fernandez set at least some of the templates for London’s approach to coffee and baked goods at Fernandez and Wells. The emphasis here is on slow-fermented doughs with wild yeasts, and unlike many, excellent bakeries, that extends to sweet buns and even cakes affably named “Blocks,” rather than sticking to sourdough. There’s also something called a beef and onion roll, which is what would happen if a sausage roll went to the gym; stuffed with a huge hunk of stickily caramelised, slow-braised meat."

"Bakes, buns, bread, and coffee – that’s what you can get from Fortitude Bakehouse and, honestly, what more could you possibly ask for from life?. Fortitude’s sourdough loaves are complex creations, blessed with just the right amount of satisfying chew and tang; the sticky buns are wonderfully light and sweet; and the hefty slices of cake, which are also made from sourdough, sit somewhere in-between. Whatever carbohydrate you’re in the mood for, Fortitude Bakehouse is guaranteed to satisfy your desire."

"A small but perfectly formed bakery tucked away on a quiet mews. Fortitude’s speciality is sourdough cakes that are baked with alternate flours using a slow fermented baking process. Stop by for a morning bun, a cuppa tea and a look at all the other pastries and treats they have."