Sofi 2

Open 7 days a week, this cheery café next to Carfax Tower’s 99 steps offers low-​cost light bites. An early morning takeaway boost is a snip, for espresso costs £1.10 and croissant 60p. Scoops of spicy chicken tikka, thick slices of honey roast ham or Milano salami make robust baguettes. The eat-​in menu prices start at around £3 with jacket potato and soup on offer. Service is swift, with the usual tempting range of fizzy drinks, flapjacks and chocolate brownies in stock. English Breakfast is served in full, half, baguette or vegetarian fashion. Toasted paninis and hot ciabatta rolls also come with vegetarian toppings such as mozzarella and sun-​dried tomato. Take a break al fresco in the courtyard area of Carfax or choose a seat in the conservatory and watch the world go by.