This cosy cafe, nestled on the brim of Clapham Common, combines shabby chic with greasy spoon in the best possible way. With one of the best cooked breakfasts around, Pavement Cafe is the perfect spot to escape the elements, hunker down and watch the world go by.

The Venue
Just a few steps from the tube, Pavement Cafe rubs shoulders with some interesting little shops selling all sorts of unusual gifts and homeware. Inside, little tables jostle for position in a warm, clean and endearingly cluttered space. Light pours in through the big front window, and photographs, art and a community notice board hang on the brightly painted walls. Follow the little winding staircase leading to the basement, and you’ll find a second room with more tables and big, glowing aquarium. This adds what so many basement eateries lack - an interesting alternative to natural light - and, of course, children adore it.

The Atmosphere
The restaurant has something for practically everyone and it’s definitely got a strong local following. Couples and young families mix with individuals snuggled down behind newspapers and friends having a good old catch-up. The sheer volume of customers at peak time is really the only downside. Pop in for brunch at the weekend and you’ll probably have to queue for a table. You might also get a bit worn down by all the customers edging round your table and the happy, hyper children wriggling about.

That said, even at its busiest, the staff keep things ticking over nicely and they don’t try and rush you out. You might have to wait 15 minutes for a cooked breakfast - and the waitress probably won’t have time to chat - but the orders are usually accurately taken and the food is definitely worth the wait.

The Food
The restaurant serves breakfast, lunch and teatime fare (it usually closes at 7pm). Breakfast prices range from £1 to around £7.50, and include wholesome muesli and porridge (at one end of the health spectrum) and an enormous all-day breakfast at the other. The quality of their cooked breakfasts - with juicy, aromatic sausages and succulent field mushrooms - really sets this eatery apart from the cafe crowd.

Pavement Cafe has pulled off the neat trick of appealing to the sophisticated without losing its traditional appeal. Lunchtime offerings, between around £3 and £7, include Covent Garden soup, organic venison burgers and quiche alongside club sandwiches and jacket potatoes. The light snacks available are also fresh and well-cooked. They include crispy French fries, waffles drizzled in syrup, toasted muffins and a selection of huge cake and pie slices for under £3.

The Drink
There are plenty of hot and cold drinks to choose from, and you can get a nice selection of teas (Assam, peppermint, green, blackcurrant and so on) for under £1 a cup. Thick, freshly-made smoothies are also on the menu, with combinations like apple, banana and cinnamon and strawberry and orange offsetting all that grease perfectly.

The Last Word
It’s easy to see why this little community cafe draws a crowd. It combines efficient service, a snug atmosphere and piles of good-quality, affordable food. You may have to fight your way past the crowds of regulars to get through the door - but providing you don’t mind a bit of elbow-to-elbow dining, it’s well worth it.

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