Dialogue Cafe @ RDCS, UEL

The Dialogue Cafe tucked inside the Royal Docks Community School sits in one of East London's stranger corners - a working school space where you can actually grab coffee and eat without feeling like you're trespassing. It's more functional than fancy, the sort of place locals know about but tourists miss entirely.

What you're really doing here is stopping for a decent brew whilst exploring the Royal Docks area itself, which has changed dramatically over the last decade. The cafe serves students and visitors alike, so don't expect haute cuisine - think reliable sandwiches and hot drinks that won't break the bank. It's the kind of spot you'd pop into between wandering the waterfront and checking out what's happening at the various cultural spaces around the docks.

This works best for people who've come to the area deliberately rather than stumbled upon it. Families staying at nearby Abbey Wood Experience Freedom Glamping might swing by if they're doing a docks circuit, though honestly the walk from the glamping site would be a bit of a trek. Solo travellers and couples exploring East London's regenerated waterfront will find it useful as a rest stop - you're not paying premium prices for a mediocre view.

Check opening hours match school term times before you visit. It's free to wander in, though you'll obviously buy something if you stay. Allow 30 minutes maximum unless you're settling in with work or a book.