Guide to the best cafés in Richmond

No trip to Richmond Park is complete without a stop at the cosy Petersham Nurseries café. Get ready for strolling in the park with seasonal lunch delicacies served in the garden, or rest your feet afterwards and indulge in well-deserved afternoon tea in the glasshouse. It's about as British as it gets, and it'll soon make you forget about the concrete jungle that is London.

The cosy, dimly-lit Kapucin is a friendly, relaxed café with a big front window that's just the thing for watching the world go by with a freshly baked pastry in hand. The café prides itself on its speciality coffee, sourced from some of the finest roasteries in Europe. It also serves affordable brunch and lunch favourites such as beans on toast, fry-ups and a locally renowned burger.

Buttering you up with budget-friendly baps, wraps and globally inspired brekkie fare, from the homegrown fry-up to the smash Aussie export, avo on toast, Butter Beans knows what it takes to start the day right. With the addition of freshly brewed coffee or tea, a smoothie and one of the treats baked instore, you'll be ready in no time. The counter of imported Australian and New Zealand treats is worth taking a look at as well, especially if you've got an expat from Down Under in your life.

If you're on the hunt for a more-than-decent cup of coffee, some of West London's most sought-after java can be found at this place. Artisan Coffee has an undeniable passion for the go-juice, providing barista training in order to ensure the hot drinks for the masses are done right. The small-batch speciality coffee at this spacious, quirky café is freshly roasted and carefully prepped in step with the upbeat playlist, with single origin filter and food available as well.

This bakery on Richmond Hill has been providing freshly baked goods, hot coffee and cosy comfort to the neighbourhood for more than ten years. In addition to the hot coffee, breads, pastries, cakes and other baked goodies, you can sit down with a nice sandwich, salad or some cereal and relax among the shelves packed with homeware items you can buy. The café is dog-friendly, and there are a few outdoor tables as well.

The main draw of the Tide Tables Café is undoubtedly its location on the Richmond riverside and the unparalleled views of the Thames that come with it. The fully vegetarian and vegan menu, however, very much holds its own, offering salads, pastries, tarts and more. Fresh juices, organic wines and beers are available as well, and you'll soon find time slipping away as you watch the world go by, tucked away in an arch beneath Richmond Bridge.

Tide Tables Café's sister Hollyhock Café offers the same sort of relaxed lounging about with views of the Thames, only a bit further upstream. You'll be surrounded by even more greenery here, as the café can be found in the Terrace Gardens, and there's plenty of space to throw a BYOB outdoors party. Like its sibling, Hollyhock Café offers a plant-based menu including soups, cakes, pastries and more.

Pen Ponds Café makes the list mainly on account of its location, with the takeaway kiosk a welcome sight for anyone in need of refreshment while enjoying the great Richmond Park outdoors. You can grab a cup of artisan coffee, a sausage bap or some ice cream for the kids, and enjoy it at one of the nearby park tables or anywhere else you fancy plonking down, really.

The Richmond spin-off of the omnipresent Ivy group is located near the river. It offers the same sort of laidback all-day dining patrons are used to from Richard Caring's other ventures, with a stylish Art Deco setting, brass bar and orange banquettes. The menu features Ivy staples such as veal sirloin, shepherd's pie and fish cakes, and also includes lighter fare such as sandwiches and salads.

This cosy spot in the heart of Richmond serves the Kiss the Hippo company's award-winning speciality coffee, prepared using innovative techniques and ethically sourced coffee. The London-based Kiss the Hippo is a pioneer of farm-to-table coffee and exports its wares around the world, as well as supporting various sustainability initiatives.

A successful Danish export, Ole & Steen has numerous branches around the capital, including this sleek outpost on the high street. The café specialises in a menu of light lunch fare and pastries, including open rye sandwiches, soups, croissants, blueberry swirls and all sorts of flavoured buns. Everything is reasonably priced and can be taken away or enjoyed at the window counter for a bit of people-watching.

A hidden gem near Richmond Station, The Alberts Deli is crammed full of tasty international goods, but also sports a kitchen serving up quick breakfast and lunch fare. You can stock up on groceries, wines, fresh breads, treats and other delicacies at this award-winning shop, then grab one of the affordable sandwiches or brunch dishes and enjoy them in the snug, dog-friendly café space.

Tucked down an alley off Richmond high street, this is the original branch of the rising Coffeeology group of speciality coffee joints, which are dedicated to providing patrons with a unique, artisanal experience. Their top-quality coffee blends and single origins are brewed using the best possible skills and techniques, and you can also grab home-baked cakes and fresh juices here.

Boasting splendid panoramic views of the surrounding area and the Thames Valley, Pembroke Lodge is a Grade II listed Georgian mansion that serves primarily as a beautiful wedding venue. It does, however, also house award-winning tea rooms. In the informal self-service Butler's Pantry, passers-by can pick up refreshments or a hot meal, to be enjoyed outdoors or in the restored interior, more or less any day of the year.