The Guardian - London: The real city guide

Hackney City Farm

It might be a bit much to expect farm to fork at a city farm, but with responsibly sourced, lovingly cooked food and a farmhouse setting, breakfast at Hackney City Farm isnt far off the mark. We love coming with friends, to enjoy a top quality full English, though its great for families too. The animals (and the farmyard smell) make you feel one step closer to the countryside. Follow breakfast with a visit to Broadway Market on Saturdays and, on Sundays, Columbia Road flower market is always colourful. 1a Goldsmiths Row, E2 (020-7729 6381). Brybish

Caf du Parc, Wimbledon

This small caf, next door to Wimbledon Park tube station, serves very cheap and excellent food for breakfast, and indeed for the rest of the day too. It is well away from the over-priced and over-crowded Wimbledon village area. Sample a breakfast for less than a fiver consisting of two scrambled eggs, sausage, tomato, mushroom, and two slices of toasts, or what about two scrambled eggs, soft cheese and smoked salmon all on two toasts and also less than a fiver? 122 Arthur Road, SW19 (020-8946 9014). Ppcoleman

The Deptford Project

Situated within an old train carriage this caf is truly individual. Its exterior is regularly updated with brilliant local graffiti art and theres a great outdoor terrace in the summer. Inside its bright and airy with interesting art hanging about. The menu is great value and everything is freshly made. Its got a buzzy atmosphere and friendly staff. Its run by a local art collective and in the community space surrounding the caf there are often special events and craft markets. Visit on a Saturday morning and combine your trip with a visit to the Deptford junk market. 123 Deptford High Street, London, SE8 4NSClosest tube: New Cross (Overground) Closest station: Deptford (National rail) Open every day 9-4. SophieMitchell

Southampton Arms

This is a truly brilliant little pub that almost fooled me into thinking I was sitting in my grandmas front room. Comfy seats, a warm fire and delicious ale (all from small, independent UK breweries) what more could I need? I arrived feeling delicate the afternoon after a big night out, and a couple of hours of its relaxed vibe and a few pints of yummy stuff sure did set me straight again, no problem. Food-wise, I was most impressed to hear they offer a veggie scotch egg with a lentil batter instead of pork, as well as other meaty stuff. This is the type of pub everyone wishes they had around the corner. 139 Highgate Road, London NW5 1LE, +44(0)20 7485 1511.Tube: Kentish Town or Tufnell Park (Northern line). EloiseHorsfield

Radio Days Vintage Clothing

If you wanted a time machine this is it. Like the name suggests, its more than just clothes, its a whole life. Packed with all sorts of collectible items . you could stock up on everything you might need to move back in time. From magazines through cups to clothing its all there. As well as being wonderfully laid out, the staff/owners are extremely friendly and interesting and the stock is nicely chosen. A nice place to visit its a real experience. 87 Lower Marsh, Waterloo, London SE1 7AB, 020 7928 0800.

Franco Manca pizzeria

In my humble opinion, Franco Manca serves the best pizza in London. Situated in a modest venue, on two sides of a corridor through Brixtons covered market - and next to the fragrant fish stall - Francos (as it used to be called when I first became a regular in the late 1980s) offers six pizzas, for extremely reasonable prices - even the most expensive costs less than 6. The newer name Francos Missing, is a reference to the previous owner.The sourdough base is prepared 20 hours ahead of baking and then fired in the 260C oven for 40 seconds so everything is fresh, crisp and piping hot.The only drawback is its open when the market is, so not in the evening. A huge queue forms on Saturday lunchtime, snaking right out of the building and into the market, however the staff are pretty efficient so you shouldnt have to wait too long. 4 Market Row, Brixton, London SW9 8LD+44(0)20 7738 3021. LucyM

Little Venice/Regents Park Canal

To really appreciate the city in style, either take a canal boat from Little Venice to Camden, or cycle from Maida Vale all the way to Kings Cross along the canals. Or go the slow way, by foot! You can stop off at any point to appreciate cafs, pubs, parks, city streets, London Zoo or Camden Market. Lush! Nice place to start the journey is from the top of Golbourne Road near Portobello, or get on from Westbourne Park Tube and then just keep going until you cant take it any more! nickgorb

The Last Tuesday Society

On an unassuming road in Hackney, tucked between hip coffee shops and scruffy auto repairs, you will find Viktor Wynds Little Shop of Horrors . Upon entering you will be greeted by a party of giant taxidermy antelope heads and African voodoo masks. Tomes of mythology and the occult line the bookshelves while armies of butterflies and beetles roam any leftover spaces on the walls. The resulting experience is a bit like falling down Alices rabbit hole and re-emerging in a world that is part 17th century curiosity cabinet, part 70s sci-fi movie gone wrong. As well as being touted as a museum of the weird and wonderful, the shop also holds regular art exhibitions. Framed works by the likes of Mervyn Peake and the Mexican surrealist Leonora Carrington have recently been displayed. There are also regular lectures (on subjects you never knew existed), workshops, puppet shows and films. The shop is part of the wider Last Tuesday Society, who are also known for holding some of the most decadent masked balls and afternoon tea dances in London. 11 Mare Street, London E8 4RP, +44 207 998 3617. Michaela Meadows

Sylvanian Families

Lets be honest... you thought they were pretty weird as a child. Small furry animals, dressed in clothes? But still, stumble on Sylvanian Families tucked away in residential Islington and youll start to develop a nostalgia you never knew you had. Selling solely the little critters and their paraphernalia, its a great opportunity to drag the kids away from the computer and show them exactly what fun Mum had when she was young. The bars of Stoke Newingtons fashionable Church Street are just minutes away to help take your mind off all those glass eyes and your misspent youth. 68 Mountgrove Road, London N5 2LT, 020 7226 1329. cburgess

London Cab Tours

London sightseeing in a black taxi . The guide is a licensed black cab driver and tour guide. He knows all of London and is able to take you off the beaten track too. A great idea for tourists and for seasoned Londoners I took my boyfriend as a birthday present. Just a wonderful afternoon out. nicemarmot79

The Penthouse

This very trendy bar is located on the seventh floor overlooking Leicester Square. Apart from it being a great bar, is has some of the best views across the square and across London for that matter. 1 Leicester Square, London, WC2H 7FB, +44(0)871 971 4626.

The Tattershall Castle

Docked on the River Thames by Victoria Embankment, this boat has been transformed into a lively bar . With views of the London eye, Big Ben and the River Thames, you really feel like you are drinking in the heart of London. On a summers day, sitting up on deck drinking is an excellent place to be while you watch the world go by. A must-see if you are out drinking in London. Victoria Embankment, Kings Reach, London, SW1A 2HR, +44 (0) 207 839 6548. jonhart9

The Barbican Cinema

The Barbican Cinema , hidden away in the depths of the Barbican complex, is a leading cinema exhibition centre with an international programme full of past classics, screen talks with film giants, lively film discussions, and contemporary festivals. While for years the Barbican art gallery and the concert hall have been lauded for providing world class artistic entertainment the cinema has remained largely underappreciated by those not in the know, despite the fact that it was the only cinema rivalling the BFI for high quality imaginative programming. With cuts afoot this cinema looks likely to lose what had make it special so I urge you to visit it soon while its programme still resembles what it once did and while it still has a claim to call itself Londons most diverse cinema. Silk Street, City of London, Greater London EC2Y 8DS, +44(0)20 7638 4141. SophieMitchell