Concrete Playground

Cafe Sopra, literally 'above' the original Frat Fresh in Waterloo, is another level of deliciously fresh delights. Take the stairs inside and to the right of this converted warehouse, and head upstairs to an airy room with marble columns and tall windows, where the sunlight casts delicate shadows across the tops of the wooden tables.

Chef Andy Bunn's policy is menu items that emphasise the best that Fratelli has to offer, focusing on fresh produce. The resulting dishes are light, fresh and exciting: a mix that is perhaps at its best in the morning hours. A highlight of the breakfast menu is the Pancakes with Lemon Curd and Strawberries: the 'pancakes' are closer to crepes, and there's a good balance of savory and sweet.

Should you find yourself there later, don't despair. Begin with the Buffalo Mozzarella with Vine-Ripened Truss Tomatoes, and follow up with Marinated Figs, Prosciutto Crudo and Goats' Cheese - or perhaps the Gnocchetti with Garlic, Chilli and Lemon Prawns. If you can squeeze it in, the Tiramisu is the perfect way to round off your meal. To be fair, there's few misses on this menu so if you're feeling adventurous, we recommend following your instincts.

There are three Sopra locations, each linked to a Fratelli store. Danks Street, however, comes highly recommended as the original and the only one that offers breakfast. Despite its monumental reputation, the first Sopra remains relaxed and humble, in terms of both atmosphere and food. Thankfully, it has resisted the temptation to grow too big for its boots, which is why it remains such a pleasurable place to visit.