Of all meals, the Sunday roast is one that prompts the most discussion. Can you even call it a roast if there isn’t a Yorkshire pudding? Or is it all in the crispiness of the potatoes? It was not without trepidation, then, that we dared to suggest 17 of our favourites across the capital – and thankfully, it went down swimmingly. Our top spots for a roast dinner are filled by talked-about newcomers (The Baring), old favouites (Camberwell Arms) and those doing things differently (think Sunday lunches to share at Manteca) – but all are united, naturally, by beautiful interiors.

This East Sussex coastal town, a short walk from Hastings, was once nicknamed Bloomsbury-on-Sea. Why? Because it consists of terrace after terrace of stucco-fronted houses, built by the same architects that designed those surrounding Regent’s Park in London. But that doesn’t mean it’s stuck in a 19th-century time warp. Far from it: St Leonards-on-Sea has a youthful, creative spirit with beachfront restaurants, a bustling food market, a beloved independent cinema and a buzzing contemporary art scene, with galleries such as Big Yin showing work by underrepresented artists.

London’s pasta scene is rich with restaurants perfecting everything from silk handkerchiefs to thick ribbons of pappardelle smothered in beef ragù. Drooling yet? If not, our guide to the best pasta spots across the city will have you longing for a steaming bowl of the good stuff. Along with classic Italian stalwarts (think Lina Stores and the River Cafe), there is also a whole host of new kids on the block, such as Noci in Islington, which, like many others on our list, sells fresh pasta daily from a deli, should you wish to concoct your own carby feast at home.

The sandwich is so much more than two slices of bread and a filling. Instead, it’s all about delicious artisanal flours and experimental fillings – anyone for a merguez sausage sando with salty French fries and pickled onions? As a homage to the humble lunchtime staple, we highlighted our favourite sandwich spots in each corner of the capital – from deceptively simple cheese and pickle at St John in Farringdon (its founder, Fergus Henderson likens sandwich-making to jazz: “You must find your unique sound”) to pillowy sourdoughs at The Dusty Knuckle in Dalston, which are crammed with ever-changing delights, including roast chicken, or egg, chilli and cheese.

Of all of the UK’s rural towns, Bruton in Somerset has to be one of the most talked about in recent years. And, if we’re to take note of John Steinbeck (a rather unexpected one-time resident in 1959), it’s for good reason: “There’s goodness here… something that clears your eyes.” Today, it shines through not just in the charming warren of historic buildings, but also in a string of new restaurants and independent shops – as well as a world-renowned art gallery – that now fill the small market town. Hauser & Wirth is a must-visit (especially the impressive Piet Oudolf garden at the rear, which looks good year-round), and we recommend its own Roth Bar & Grill for sustenance – that’s if you haven’t got a table at Michelin-starred Osip on the high street.

Ah, what would life be without coffee, that wonderful caffeinated goodness that gets us going in the morning and perks up dull afternoons? But tracking down a good cup – whether that’s a frothy flat white or a potent filter – is a whole other exercise, testified by the popularity of this guide. Our most frequented haunts range from classics like Monmouth Coffee and Prufrock Coffee (with its excellent Square Mile Coffee Roasters beans) to local favourites including St David Coffee House in Forest Hill and Everyday Sunshine in Stoke Newington. What unites them all is a real commitment to carefully, sustainably sourced beans. Oh, and they all look rather lovely too, if you’re the type to sit in.

With its strong sense of community and roster of exciting small business, there is more than enough to tempt you to this corner of east London – and thanks to the Central line and overground, it’s easily accessed too. At its heart, there’s also both the Grade II*-listed Wanstead Park and Francis Road, which is home to a host of independent restaurants and coffee shops. And yet Leyton is still one of those rare pockets in London where old and new manage to coexist in blissful harmony, where traditional East End boozers meet sustainably minded grocers.

Connected by a two-mile walk across pebbled beaches, this pair of coastal towns in East Suffolk offer fresh air and culture in equal measure. Maggi Hambling’s The Scallop sculpture sets the tone for Aldeburgh, emerging proudly out of the shingle, suggesting there is more here than pastel-hued houses, seaside activities and fish restaurants (exceptional as they are). Art and music are at the very core of this stretch of coastline – there’s Benjamin Britten’s former home, an idyllic 17th-century farmhouse named The Red House, and Snape Maltings, a cultural hub with shops, galleries, a concert hall that plays host to the annual Aldeburgh Festival of Music and Arts, and an antique centre. Make sure to pay a visit to The Fishermen’s Sheds too, where you can pick up the catch of the day.

A visit to a good pub for a pint is always nice, but many of us are turning to the independent wine bars opening across the capital for an after-work beverage. Also ideal for both a pre-supper drink and whiling away an evening with friends, the 18 places in our list are all pleasantly low-key and thoughtfully designed. Many of our favourites – from P.Franco to Planque, Bar Crispin to Cave Cuvée – serve imaginative small plates with their bottles, but most importantly, all their wine menus have been carefully curated with care and expertise by London’s wave of exciting sommeliers, such as Honey Spencer and Sarah Wright at The Mulwray, and Alexandra Price at Bar Crispin. Bottoms up!

Taking its name from a beautiful glass landmark that is no longer there (the Crystal Palace housing the Great Exhibition in Hyde Park was rebuilt on Sydenham Hill and remained there until it burnt down in 1936), this hilly area of south-east London is cherished for its family-friendly feel, creative spirit and independent shops. There’s also the beloved Crystal Palace Park – look out for its resident dinosaurs, which have been there since the 19th century, as well as two structures nominated for the RIBA Stirling Prize. Head to the Triangle too, which consists of three streets that are crammed full of independents, coffee shops and restaurants.