Byzantium, Moscow Road (off Queensway / Bayswater tube)

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You could barely get any more Greek without visiting the country itself. Filled with Greeks, Greek food and coffee, it’s a genuine gem just back from the tourist bustle on Queensway. The coffee is Illy. I didn’t try the Greek coffee.  The atmosphere is Mediterranean. Fabulous.

Coffee ***
£1.70
Environment ***

I Tre Colori, Bowes Rd, Arnos Grove tube

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Commute disaster turned into a lucky break – a chance to discover this great little Italian cafe-cum-cornershop just next to Arnos Grove tube station.

Great little coffees, lots of Italian produce – from ice cream to pasta and panettone. There’s one table and a couple of bench seats inside and two more tables outside – and europop on the TV in the corner. Lovely!

Espresso ****
£1.40
Environment ***

Belleville boutique Arty and Cafe 77-79 Westbourne Grove, W2 (near Bayswater)

If you want a really pleasant, arty, bohemian environment that is half coffee-shop, half arts-and-crafts furniture store, then this is the place you’ve been looking for! However, if you just want a no-nonsense cheap espresso, then you’ll pay over the odds. The environment is unique and makes up for it, overall.

Espresso *** (French, long, decent flavour)
Cost £1.95 * (Ouch!)
Service **** nice
Environment **** arty!

Greek Farmer, 66 Westbourne Grove, W2 (near Bayswater, direction of Notting Hill)

Well, it can be a bit smokey from the grill, but good, honest food and prices that won’t break the bank. Nothing special in terms of location, especially given the high-class setting of Belleville across the road, but you get a nice little Illy espresso for £1.40 and a seat in the window looking onto Westbourne Grove. Considering the price, I’d rather sit here looking at Belleville, than sitting in Belleville paying to look at Greek Farmer. Plus, they gave me a free mini-croissant too! Can’t argue with that sort of value.

Coffee ***
£1.40
Environment **

Bathurst Deli, 3 Bathurst Street, W2 (nr Lancaster Gate)

Very nice, quite French but serves a great little espresso, as well as a good selection of food (hot and cold), and also licenced for alcoholic drinks. Four tables outside on the pavement, on a quiet road (there’s no through-road, so cars rarely pass), and a very West-London crowd. Highly recommended, especially given the location, and not too expensive either. Great place to pause if you’ve been wandering the northern slopes of Hyde Park.

Coffee ***
£1.40
Environment ****
Service ****