Bar Termini

Named after and inspired by the small bars found at main Italian railway stations, this tiny espresso and cocktail bar is one of London's smallest but has a huge reputation.

Twenty people are enough to fill this delightful little bar so if you intend to visit after 5pm you are advised to pre-book a 1 hour 30 minute slot at the bar's website.

A curvy white marble counter faces teal green banquettes on a chequered floor. It's a tiny space, and wonderfully homely as a result. By day, order a simple but perfectly executed espresso (the only drink you may gulp whilst standing here), an espresso al tavola, a cafe latte, or a bicherin (espresso, drinking chocolate and milk). To accompany your coffee by day are pastries baked at Shoreditch's renewed L'Anima.

By evening wash down Parmigiano-Reggiano and wafer-thin prosciutto from the hand turned Fazzini slicer with a selection of cocktails, pre-made to ensure flawless consistency and poured straight from beautifully labelled bottles directly into dainty little glasses. For an oaf like me they are little more than a gob-full but are delicately bracing.