You don’t have to be into food or cooking to enjoy this London institution, which is part café and part bookshop.
The array of books is amazing and covers almost every cuisine, food and style of cooking, from Colombian meals to the history of chocolate, and how to bake bread.
It’s easy to see why this place is loved by people who enjoy mucking around in the kitchen.
There’s also a ‘test kitchen’ where the shop’s chefs cook and sell delicious dishes (from snacks to meals) using recipes from one of the books in stock.
A cappuccino — one of the best you’ll have in London — and a slice of cake that’s been prepared in front of your eyes will set you back all of £4. The shop also runs reasonably-priced workshops. DANIEL LANDON
» 4 Blenheim Crescent, Notting Hill, W11 (020-7221 1992; www.booksforcooks.com).
Verdict: get cookin’
