Ginger & White

It may be barely bigger than a shoebox, but this cute kid-friendly café, stashed down a cobbled Hampstead alleyway, has buckets of personality. Its ever-chirpy staff are happy for little ones to run free, unleash their artistic streak in colouring books, or make as much mess as they want while dunking soldiers into soft-boiled eggs & munching on fish finger sandwiches in floury baps. The nursery favourites are popular with all generations, but weekend brunches offer more adult concoctions such as roasted chorizo, avocado, lime & rocket on toasted ciabatta; or smoked mackerel, fennel & Jersey royal salad; with pear & polenta cake for afters. It’s not just the no-nonsense food that warrants applause: the coffee is fit for connoisseurs & there are Chegworth Valley juices for the youngsters.