Caffè Nero

You know the drill with Caffè Nero by now—they've nailed the formula of decent coffee that doesn't require a second mortgage. This particular branch sits right on Notting Hill Gate, which means you're getting your fix in the thick of things without the pretension. It's the kind of place where you can grab a cappuccino (around £3.50) and a cornetto before heading into the vintage shops or catching up with mates. The Notting Hill location does get rammed, especially weekends, but that's partly because it actually serves proper coffee, not the watered-down stuff you get elsewhere. Popular with the neighbourhood crowd—students, professionals, people who live round here and can't be bothered with the faff of independent cafés when they just want a reliable caffeine hit.