Hatch 77 offers a cosy refuge just off Vauxhall Bridge Road. The self-proclaimed “community hub” serves up an eclectic menu, with options ranging from pancakes, classic English breakfasts and açai bowls to salads, burgers, pastas and even steak. Its drinks list is just as varied, spanning smoothies, milkshakes, juices, teas, wines and cocktails.

The café makes an ideal spot for a casual catch-up with a colleague - or even an MP - away from the bustle of Westminster. While it might not be the go-to spot for setting up your laptop, the free Wi-Fi is handy for quick Google searches to fuel conversation.

Tucked just off Trafalgar Square, 50 Kalò brings serious Neapolitan credentials to Central London. The name means ‘good dough’ in the Neapolitan dialect, and it lives up to it - consistently ranked as one of the best pizzerias in Europe and endorsed by the Italian ambassador as the top spot for pizza in London.

The vibe is comfortable and relaxed, making it a great place to grab lunch or dinner with a friend or colleague. For a true taste of Italy, pair your pizza with an exclusive Italian craft beer from Amarcord microbrewery, brewed to a recipe developed with master pizzaiolo Ciro Salvo himself.

Nestled in the Arches by Charing Cross, the Ship & Shovell proudly calls itself the ‘Pub of Two Halves’, with a walkway separating its two distinct bars. Formed by the merging of The Ship and The Shovell in the late 20th century, this unique establishment blends the bustle of a tourist hotspot with the timeless charm of a traditional British pub.

With old-fashioned beer barrels outside to rest your drink on, and both Charing Cross and Embankment stations just moments away, this 17th-century pub is the perfect spot to enjoy a pint before heading home.

Tucked halfway up Victoria Street, and close to St James’s Park and Westminster, this cosy spot provides a welcome escape from the bustle of tourists and office workers in the area. Inside, the authentic Italian atmosphere is immediate - no frills, no fuss, just honest food and a relaxed setting. It’s the perfect place for a laid-back lunch or an unhurried evening meal.

Expect all the classic Italian favourites, served with warmth and simplicity. And of course, no visit is complete without the customary tiramisu to round things off. With The Albert pub just across the road, the tiramisu doesn’t have to be the end of your night.

Just a few minutes’ walk from Victoria Station, Lime Orange is a hidden gem serving homemade Korean food in a relaxed, cosy setting. Known for its Bibimbaps and Bulgogis, this authentic Korean spot is perfect for a filling lunch if you find yourself in or around Victoria.

The food comes with its spicy gochujang sauce on the side, allowing you to customise the heat level. Service is quick, with friendly staff and warm hospitality. The place is small, so it’s not ideal for large groups - but for more intimate meetings or solo lunches and dinners, it’s a tasty and budget-friendly option.

Tucked away on a quiet side street next to Charing Cross, The Theodore Bullfrog is a traditional British pub offering a relaxed escape from the hustle and bustle of Central London. With a strong range of beers and craft ales, plus a great selection of crisps, it’s a laid-back and unpretentious spot for after-work drinks or a bite to eat with colleagues.

The food menu features British pub classics including fish and chips, burgers, and hearty sandwiches. Upstairs, a function room is available to hire for both formal and informal gatherings.

A Grade II listed pub situated just off Trafalgar Square, the Old Shades offers a characterful bar, a cosy dining area, and a range of British ales. The venue provides a welcome escape from the busy tourist streets, serving traditional food in a warm and friendly setting.

While its small exterior might make you hesitate to step inside, the pub is deceptively spacious, with ample seating in the back room. And if you’re unsure what to order from the wide selection of alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks, just check out the staff’s top picks—handily listed to help guide your choice.

The Horse & Guardsman is housed in a former bank and offers pub-goers a spacious, characterful setting to enjoy a pint or pitcher. A McMullen’s pub, its décor pays tribute to the Foot Guards and Mounted Guards, blending British military heritage with classic pub warmth.

The split-level layout provides a variety of seating options - from high stools and benches to plush, comfortable chairs - making it ideal for both casual drinks and relaxed meals. The menu features British pub favourites like handcrafted pies, chicken tikka masala, and the ever-popular fish and chips. Got a sweet tooth? Choose from indulgent desserts including cheesecake, sticky toffee pudding, apple pie, and rich chocolate brownies. With its unique atmosphere, historical setting, and nod to British tradition, the Horse & Guardsman is a perfect spot to unwind and soak up a bit of London’s cultural charm.

Just across the street from the Royal Horseguards, The Clarence offers both parliamentarians and tourists a quintessential British pub experience. With classic ales on tap and a few seasonal specials (who can resist a good spritz?), this historic venue is the perfect place to unwind with a pint.

Hungry? The Clarence is renowned for its fish and chips, serving over 500 portions every week. If that’s not your thing, the menu also features hearty pies, traditional ploughman’s lunches, and fresh salads. While you sip your drink, you can catch some of the latest sporting action on one of the TVs dotted around the pub.

On a rare sunny day in London, there’s something special about spending an evening at Gordon’s Wine Bar. Tucked just off Victoria Embankment Gardens, this 19th-century establishment is believed to be the oldest wine bar in the city and is steeped in history. With over 50 wines from around the world available by the glass - including Magnums, Sherries, Madeiras, sparkling, and dessert wines - Gordon’s offers a truly diverse selection. The food menu complements the wine list beautifully, featuring a variety of cheeses and an assortment of mezze and sharing boards.

If you’re lucky enough to grab a seat inside, you’ll be treated to the bar’s famous cellar - a vaulted space that feels like a scene from a novel. Not confident in your wine knowledge? No problem - the staff are incredibly knowledgeable and happy to recommend excellent pairings. On busy weekdays and weekends, you may encounter a short queue, but the bar also offers reservations for its exclusive “Cage” room.

Not sure this one needs much of a review - it’s a Starbucks. You know what you’re getting, and it does exactly what it says on the tin. Decent coffee, PSLs from September to November (if you know, you know), and the usual selection of pastries, toasties, and cakes for a quick bite on the go.

Conveniently located halfway up Victoria Street, it’s just far enough from the Parliament Square crowds to offer a semi-quiet breather between meetings or a spot to clear your inbox if you’ve got an hour to spare. There are a good few tables inside, and if this one doesn’t suit your fancy, there are two others just a stone’s throw away - one on Broadway and another on Palmer Street.

Halfway down Tothill Street and festooned with flowers, The Sanctuary House is a great little breakfast spot if you’re after a classic full English or eggs benedict to start your day. Come back at lunch for a hearty selection of pies, burgers, or fish and chips, and return later for a couple of cheeky pints before hopping on the tube home.

You can’t really go wrong - classic pub grub, a good amount of seating, and London Pride on tap. It’s a reliable, welcoming spot that delivers exactly what you’d hope for from a Fuller’s pub near Westminster.

One floor below Methodist Central Hall lies a sprawling café, tucked away from the tourist buzz around Westminster Abbey and Big Ben. Brightly lit, with free WiFi and decent coffee, it’s a great spot to clear your inbox or prep between meetings.

The food offering is modest but satisfying: sandwiches, cakes, and cookies for a quick bite, alongside old-school staples like jacket potatoes and quiche that lend the place a nostalgic work canteen vibe. Prices were very reasonable on our last visit, and the near-guaranteed seating and calm atmosphere make this café a (literally) hidden gem in Westminster.

The Blue Boar markets itself as ‘a real local in Westminster,’ though this gastropub is far from the traditional boozers found on Parliament Street. With a polished bar area, soft lighting, and comfortable seating including sofas and armchairs, it’s a must-visit if you’re after a calmer, more sophisticated setting for a classic pub meal near Westminster.

The menu features all the usual pub staples - scotch eggs, fish and chips, steak, burgers  alongside a few vegetarian and vegan options. While prices are slightly higher, they’re justified by the quality of both food and service. The drinks list is extensive, with wine, cocktails (and carafes), and even Jeremy Clarkson’s Hawkstone lager.

Though it attracts tourists, the space offers plenty of room between tables and a relaxed pace that keeps it from feeling too touristy. There are also plugs and space to pull out a laptop, making it a solid choice for a working lunch.

Craving English breakfast staples? Look no further than Crumpets, a cosy, tucked-away café just within sight of Buckingham Palace. As the name suggests, this spot specialises in warm, toasted crumpets with a choice of 12 toppings. Alongside this British classic, you’ll also find a full English and paninis.

Unlike your traditional English café, Crumpets offers a twist - specialising in Sri Lankan-inspired dishes that add a unique flavour to the usual café fare. With a few scattered tables, Crumpets is perfect for solo dining or a quick catch-up with a colleague. While you’re more likely to spot tourists than MPs, it’s a charming place to start your day.

Tucked between One Birdcage Walk, Central Hall Westminster, and the Queen Elizabeth II Centre, this charming pub is the perfect watering hole and purveyor of no-nonsense pub grub. It’s resisted the gastropub trend, maintaining a homely feel with traditional décor to match. Reflecting its unique proximity to Parliament, it even features a division bell.

You can’t go wrong with their fish and chips, sausages and mash, or steak and ale pie - and any pub with Singha on tap earns instant trust. Room on the ground floor is limited, so be sure to grab a table in one of the dining rooms upstairs or downstairs - if you can beat the tourists to one. According to local lore, it’s even hosted Bill Clinton and Angelina Jolie!

Built in 1694, Walkers of Whitehall is a unique pub located just off Whitehall. Formerly a bank, it now serves cocktails and food in the old vaults downstairs, while the upstairs operates as a classic British pub. Its location on a quiet side street makes it feel less touristy than many of its Westminster counterparts.

Though there’s no outdoor seating, the atmosphere is lively - especially at the end of the working day when civil servants spill into the street much like at the nearby Red Lion. If your group is looking for traditional pub in a slightly more relaxed setting, Walkers is a great choice.

Fun fact: Next door to the pub is one of the entrances to the secret government tunnels built during WWII.

This classic Westminster pub sits at the heart of Whitehall and is a known favourite among politicians. A Fuller’s location rich in history, its elaborate ceiling and portraits of political figures give it a distinctly traditional feel. Stepping inside feels like conference season all over again - everyone seems to work in Parliament and be ready to network.

Beyond the frequent MP spottings, the pub offers all the standard drinks and classic English mains. You might find a seat during the day, but be warned: once Parliament finishes for the day, you may need to stand outside with the crowd!

If you’ve ended up with a two-hour gap between meetings and don’t fancy traipsing back to the office, you really can’t go wrong by heading to the Royal Quarter. With plenty of space, coffee and free WiFi, grab a spot on a bar stool by the back window and whip out your laptop for a more productive afternoon than expected.

If you’re there over lunch, the ‘Mediterranean & European Cuisine’ on offer caters to just about every taste… and, to the delight of the Navigate team, there’s even that rare coup d’état: the all-day breakfast menu. Open ’til 2130, you can easily stick around for a while - though the Navigate team is yet to pull an all-dayer.

Tucked off a quiet Westminster street and directly opposite the Defra building, this small contemporary Italian restaurant serves lunch and dinner Monday to Friday, and dinner on Saturdays. Its full glass frontage opens up in warmer weather for a semi–al fresco experience, though there’s plenty of seating tucked away from the windows if you prefer a more private spot. Despite its size, the restaurant has an easy-going vibe - perfect for a relaxed catch-up over pasta and a glass of Pinot.

The standout here is the set lunch menu: £26.50 for two courses or £31.50 for three, with a cap of six guests per booking. The wine list is impressively broad, with options ranging from £10 per glass to nearly £1,000 per bottle, so there’s something for every taste and budget. The à la carte menu includes a variety of fish, meat, and pasta dishes, and it’s worth checking ahead if you have specific dietary requirements.

A few minutes’ walk from Vincent Square lies Rochester Café, a local café that offers all day breakfast, sandwiches, salads, desserts and pastries. This local shop is the perfect place if you don’t know your company’s preferences, as its lunch options include various sandwiches and salads, with its daily dishes including pasta, seasonal vegetables, rice, and meats. Meanwhile, its all day breakfast ranges from a full English to acai bowls.

Its drinks menu offers a range of coffees and teas, with options of soya, almond, and oak milk for an extra charge. It also offers a selection of pastries and cakes (I recommend going for the brownie). While the café lacks in outlets, the space is quiet enough to have a team meeting or send off some emails while on your lunch break.

Open Monday to Saturday, Bonne Bouche is a delightfully cosy café—perfect for catching up with a colleague over a cup of tea and a slice of cake. While it offers sandwiches and light lunch options, its real strength lies in its sweet treats. This German/Swiss-inspired patisserie serves up a tempting array of cakes, muffins, and cannoli, alongside other treats like mince pies and sausage rolls. And if you’re in the mood for something heartier, they even do a full English breakfast.

Though Bonne Bouche multiple locations across London, the Victoria branch is ideally situated between Victoria Station and Westminster Abbey - making it a convenient stop for anyone heading into Parliament.

Just off Victoria Street sits this independent, laid-back café with an impressive selection of baked goods, sandwiches, salads and more (highly recommended: the lemon and pistachio slice). It also serves great coffee - so if you’re a coffee lover, be sure to grab yourself a cup.

Off the beaten track just enough to avoid the crowds, this café offers a relaxed atmosphere -ideal for catching up with colleagues or solo working out of the office - with plenty of handy plug sockets dotted around. Be aware that it is only open on weekdays and it shuts at 4:30pm, so don’t get caught out on timings.

Tucked away just off St James’s Park, the Two Chairmen is a small but cosy pub packed with history. Believed to be the oldest public house in Westminster, dating back to 1729, it takes its name from the two men who carried sedan chairs for wealthy patrons visiting the cockfighting theatre next door - briefly occupied by HM Treasury until 1734. Fittingly, the pub remains a firm favourite among Treasury staffers and MPs, especially after major fiscal events.

Although it’s off the beaten track enough to avoid the tourist crowds, its limited capacity means booking is recommended if you’re after food. The menu features quintessential British pub fare, alongside veggie and vegan options like pulled mushroom chilli. Lighter bites include cheese toasties and steak sandwiches, and there’s even a separate gluten-free menu. And of course, a fully stocked bar!

Open from 8am, the Old Queen Street Café is a top breakfast spot—about as close to Parliament as you can realistically get. Since opening in 2022, it’s become a go-to for politicos, offering a stylish setting for early meetings over salmon and poached eggs. It also serves lunch and dinner, and you may well find yourself nudging past a Permanent Secretary or former Secretary of State catching up with a colleague or quietly plotting their next move.

Upstairs, the venue boasts impressive private dining and event spaces for up to 100 guests. It’s fast becoming a staple on the Westminster circuit and can get very busy - so be sure to book ahead to avoid disappointment. MPs would be taking a chance trying to make it back for the division bell, but it’s probably the closest you’ll get to a decent lunch in Westminster and still - just maybe - make it back through the lobbies in time.

If you like eggs - every way imaginable - you’ll like The Black Penny. Tucked behind the office blocks on the opposite side of York Road from Waterloo Station, this Southbank location is one of a few around London. It’s a great little spot for a pre-work breakfast meeting (assuming you like eggs), or a tasty lunch bite, with options like fresh salads, a salt beef bun, or - if you're feeling indulgent - a mixed meze board.

The place opens at 8am, fills up fast, and serves even faster. Coffee and breakfast (yes, eggs again) arrived before we’d barely started chatting. It was a Tuesday and a bit too early for a Mimosa, but if Parliament’s in recess and you’re feeling bold, the bar’s well-stocked enough to sink a small ship - or at least whip up a solid cocktail.

Less than a 10-minute walk from Westminster, Nostos is a small independent coffee shop offering a relaxing and cosy alternative to the chains typical of the area. With its neutral colour palette and calm atmosphere, it’s a welcoming refuge for colleagues to catch up over coffee - or for solo visitors to get some work done, thanks to available power plugs (note: there’s a no-laptop policy on weekends).

Nostos serves the usual café pastries including banana bread and croissants, but its real draw is its specialty coffee, with its beans available to purchase both in store and online. Seating includes a long communal table with chairs, bar-style seating around the perimeter, and outdoor seating for when the weather allows. With its quiet, communal vibe, it’s ideal for a quick meeting or to impress a coffee connoisseur with something a little more refined.

Tucked away just off Victoria Street, Chez Antoinette offers a range of dining options - from casual to formal - depending on the time of day. Offering both breakfast and all-day menus, the restaurant serves pastries, coffee, wine, and a variety of traditional French dishes - perfect for a quick coffee or a sit-down meal. With seating both indoors and outdoors (weather permitting), the tables are spaced far enough apart that even during peak times, you’ll be able to hear your company.

If you’re there for a three-course meal, the pacing allows time for one or two glasses of wine along the way. The menu includes sharing starters—such as two types of charcuterie boards—as well as individual options. The mains include gluten-free, vegetarian, and vegan options. Leave room for dessert—the star of the show! The menu features homemade tarte au citron meringue, crème brûlée, chocolate cake, ice creams, and dessert wines.

Situated in the redeveloped New Scotland Yard building, just across from St James’s Park station, Farmer J opened in June 2023 and is a welcome addition to the area. It’s ideal for a coffee and catch-up with a colleague, industry contact, or a quiet moment between meetings. Think: Gail’s meets Daylesford.

Expect quick service, decent coffee, and a solid breakfast offering including pots, toasts, and rolls. For lunch, there’s a cracking selection of freshly prepared salads, perfect for a healthy takeaway or eat-in option. Seating is decent for a café in this area, though demand spikes mid-morning, so it fills up quickly.

It could suit a casual meet-up with an MP looking to duck out of Westminster for a breather, though it may not appeal to the more traditional types who might raise an eyebrow at the upbeat music and exposed ceilings.

Nestled just off Piccadilly, Compane offers a convenient spot for those on the move to grab a quick coffee with a colleague before starting their day. While it may not be the ideal place to work remotely, it's perfect for a brief catch-up or a stop on the way to a function in central London.

Serving Allpress’ signature espresso, the coffee selections includes classics like the flat white and a variety of lattes, with dairy-free alternatives available - choose from almond, soy, or oat milk. With prices lower than Pret, it’s worth adding one of their daily pastries from St. John Bakery to your order. Options include filled doughnuts, croissants, and cinnamon buns. If you decide to linger, outdoor seating within the Princes Arcade offers a touch of privacy from the bustle of Piccadilly - aside from the occasional curious tourist who wanders in.

Hidden inside Westminster Chapel, New Acre Café is the place to head if you need somewhere to sit for a few uninterrupted hours near the bustling streets of Westminster, whether to work or simply enjoy some peace and quiet. Equipped with plug sockets at tables and bar-stool-style seating, bringing a work laptop here offers the privacy and calm needed for a productive session. Despite its location inside the Chapel - which might suggest a tourist trap - New Acre has managed to create a relaxed, quiet atmosphere.

The coffee is good (all the usual options available), with a range of dairy-free milks - oat, soy, and coconut. However, food options are limited, so it may be one to skip if you’ve got a sweet tooth or are craving something more substantial. Bonus points to the café for offering a small selection of board games and some children’s toys for customers to enjoy while passing the time.

Coffee, cookies, and cheese-and-Marmite croissants - Formative Coffee is a relaxed café, ideal for a one-to-one, but with varied table sizes in case the coffee’s good enough to bring a small convoy. With their own specialty coffee beans available however you take your brew, Formative does what it does well. While they go beyond the average coffee shop pastries and cakes, the food offerings don’t quite warrant a full lunchtime stop.

What it lacks in physical receipts and toilets, it makes up for with standard London café prices, a sense of relative privacy, and the chance (if you’re so inclined) to try a £10 espresso shot featured in the World Barista Championship.