Pret A Manger

You'll find yourself here because you work nearby or you're cutting through Hardman Square heading towards Spinningfields Market. It's the kind of place where you grab a flat white and a falafel wrap without ceremony, queue moves quick, and everything's ready when you need it. The coffee's consistently decent (not pretentious, just solid), and they've actually kept their sandwiches fresh-tasting—no mean feat for a chain. It's functional, friendly, and does exactly what it says on the tin.