Whether you're a stressed Londoner or a foot-weary visitor, there's no better pick-me-up than a comforting cup of coffee. Rather than piling into the normal chains that dominate every high street, try some of these quintessential London cafes

Cafe in the Crypt, St Martin-in-the-Fields
Subterranean sipping to be had here - the crypt of this magnificent church has been turned into one of London's most atmospheric cafes. Tables are arranged around sweeping brickwork arches allowing you to enjoy the 18th-century stonework, brought to life by ultra-modern lighting. Tourists and locals alike enjoy coffee and tea, both £1.10, with cappuccino, latte and mocha at £1.35, as well as excellently simple food (e.g. beef and vegetable casserole at £6.75). Don't worry if you've forgotten your paper - you can read the memorial inscriptions that make up the floor.

Address: St-Martin-in-the-Fields, Trafalgar Square, WC2N (tel: 020 7766 1100)
Open: Mon - Weds 10am - 8pm, Thurs - Sat 10am - 11pm, Sun 12pm - 8pm
Nearest tube: Charing Cross

2. Court Cafe, Great Court, British Museum
The British Museum offers a blinding cup of coffee - literally. The Great Court is a hundred million pounds' worth of the most incredible white marble you'll ever see. On a summer's day you'll need sunglasses. The centrepiece to the museum, it was renovated in the late 1990s by architect Sir Norman Foster. Sit and marvel at the enormous interior, which contains the legendary round Reading Room. Gaze up at the sky through the stunning glass roof, made from over 3000 pieces of glass. They may all look the same triangular shape, but they're not: each one was individually crafted. Once you've recovered the power of speech, order a tea (£1.30), filter coffee (£1.65), or cappuccino (£1.85).

Address: British Museum, Great Russell St. WC1B (tel: 020 7323 8000)
Open: Sun - Weds 9am - 5.30pm, Thurs - Sat 9am - 9pm
Nearest tubes: Tottenham Court Road, Russell Square

3. Somerset House
You're spoilt for choice with this two-hundred-year-old building, which used to be the headquarters of the Navy (and is now occupied by the Inland Revenue - boo, hiss). Take your mocha (£1.45) or caramel latte (£1.50) from the Admiralty Deli and enjoy it out on the River Terrace, where you can watch the Millennium Wheel on the other side of the Thames. Or you could sip it in the Seaman's Hall, where sailors used to collect their pay. In summer you can relax in the Fountain Court where jets of water splash refreshingly. In winter this area turns into an ice rink - so you may have to forego your relaxing coffee for more invigorating fun.

Address: Somerset House, Strand, WC2R 1LA (tel: 020 7845 4600)
Open: 10am - 6pm
Nearest tube: Temple

4: Cafe Bagatelle, The Wallace Collection
Fancy a cuppa in the garden of an elegant London town house? It's yours for £1.95 a pot (£6.95 if you want afternoon tea - scones, clotted cream etc.). Hertford House is home to the Wallace Collection, an array of art, furniture and assorted treasures, collected mainly in the 19th century by the house's owners. It's free to get in, and the garden is now Cafe Bagatelle, where you can enjoy one of the most graceful coffee breaks in London. Don't worry if it's raining - the cafe's covered with a glass roof.

Address: The Wallace Collection, Hertford House, Manchester Square, W1 (tel: 020 7563 9500)
Open: Mon - Sat 10am - 5pm, Sun 12 - 5pm (last orders 4.30pm each day)
Nearest tube: Bond Street

5: Harvey Nichols Fifth Floor Cafe
Keep an eye out for celebs as you sit back with a filter coffee (£2) or a cappuccino (£2.75) in this chic hangout at the top of one of London's trendiest stores. If you want to combine your caffeine fix with retail therapy, make your way up to the cafe floor by floor. If you can't wait, or can't bear the thought of drooling over designer clothes you can't afford, use the express lift by the Sloane Street entrance.

Address: Harvey Nichols, 109-125 Knightsbridge, SW1 (tel 020 7823 1839)
Open: Cafe open: Mon - Sat 10am - 10.30pm, Sun 11am - 6pm
Nearest tube: Knightsbridge

If you must go to a chain, choose one of these two:

Costa, Cafe on the Square, Trafalgar Square Part of the newly pedestrianised Trafalgar Square, this Costa has outside tables where you can sip your latte as Nelson looks down on you from his column and you can soak up one of the most famous cityscapes in the world. But please don't feed the pigeons.

Open: 8am - 8pm daily
Nearest tube: Charing Cross

Caffe Nero, Jermyn Street
This is in the dinkiest little building, next to St James' Church, Piccadilly. A tiny staircase leads to the upper level, where you can look out of the windows at Jermyn Street's wonderful shops. If the weather's good, take your drink outside - the courtyard is a beautiful oasis next to bustling Piccadilly.

Address: 35 Jermyn Street, SW1 6DT
Open: Weekdays 7.30am - 7.30pm, Sat 9am - 7.30, Sun 9am - 6.30pm
Nearest Tube: Piccadilly Circus