COLICCI ( CHISWICK HOUSE AND GARDENS CAFE)

Colicci at Chiswick House and Gardens Cafe is like that friend who looks great on social media but disappoints in real life. Sure, the hygiene is top-notch and the cakes look inviting, but let's not pretend the food is anything to write home about. Hannah Wild and Pravin Mistry enjoyed their cakes, but Charlotte Avendano found the sandwiches to be painfully average and dry. The prices are higher than your average cafe, and while they boast a dog-friendly vibe, it’s hard to feel enthusiastic about the menu when fruit flies are auditioning for a role in your dessert.

If you’re in the area and looking for a place to sip a drink and enjoy the scenery, it could serve as a decent pit stop. But for a meal that leaves you satisfied, you might want to keep wandering — unless you’re okay with mediocre bites and the occasional uninvited guest.