John Lewis & Partners

You know that feeling when shopping fatigue hits and you need somewhere dependable to regroup? Head up to the café floor above the John Lewis bustle and you'll find exactly what you're after. The space feels properly civilised – white tablecloths, decent crockery, and staff who actually seem to care about getting your order right. The afternoon tea here is genuinely good value at around £15, with proper scones that arrive warm and jam that tastes homemade. Their jacket potatoes are enormous and come loaded with generous fillings, while the soup changes daily and usually hits the spot. It's the sort of place your mum would approve of – no pretensions, just solid British café food done well. The coffee's better than you'd expect from a department store too.