[iainmerrick]

I'd put British cafes / coffee shops into, hmm, 4 categories:

- Old-fashioned tea shop with a coffee machine, as you describe. Go for filter coffee if they have it.

- Big chain with OK, very reliable coffee + light food: Starbucks, Costa, Nero etc.

- Hip place with plywood panelling and very good Australian-style coffee. Often very good Danish-style pastries too.

- Brunch-y food place, again I think this style comes via Australia (and the US). Often very good coffee too (but sometimes only OK).

I don't think we really have the "great coffee but bad food" places you describe. Generally if the coffee is good, the cookies/pastries/cakes/sandwiches or whatever they have will be decent too.