This question is broad, but I will see if anyone here can help me...

Can anyone suggest a nice and quaint and semi-romantic cafe centrally accessible by tube in London? Something that is comfortable and inviting and pleasant for two friends to relax in?

I am looking for a nice cafe that serves a good cup of tea and is not too loud or too crowded to spend some time with a friend in. Something relaxing and where we can sit for a few hours and not be shooed away. Also, if they offer organic tea or organic treats that would be a definate bonus.

&quot;<i>where we can sit for a few hours and not be shooed away</i>&quot;

Few places will appreciate you taking up a table for a few hours. Sure there are some places that might not mind - but London isn't like many southern European countries where one can lounge at a cafe for hours on end.

Why not consider a picnic in one of the many parks?

There is a cafe in Covent Garden, close to the Opera House...a french name I believe and my mind is totally blank. You can have tea and cakes and sit for a long time, as long as you are eating and drinking you should be ok.
I hope someone can remember the name for me

&quot;where we can sit for a few hours and not be shooed away&quot;

Janisj has a point.

One place that meets a lot of your brief - you can sit for hours, the tea and cakes are OK, it's an extraordinarily interesting building and it's VERY central - is the first floor cafe of the Royal Institute of British Architects (66 Portland Place: www.riba.org: Oxford Circus tube). Just walk in: it's open to all.

As an American living in London, I find that waitstaff here are extremely patient (or indifferent) with people sitting in a restaurant for a long time. Maybe not as patient as in southern Europe, but much more so than America.

There is a place called Fait Maison, on Stratford Road, just near the Marloes (or Marlows?) road, nearest High Street Kensington tube stop. Food is lovely, though expensive. There is a teashop in Chelsea called Baker and Spice, I've not been but have heard good things. Not sure the address but they have a web site.

I'd suggest a hotel as one can sit in their lobby bar/caf&eacute; for hours on end, and the food/drinks are usually served in a pleasant manner (I am referring to deluxe properties of course).

The Carlton Tower off of Sloane St. offers a reasonably priced caf&eacute; with comfortable seating. However, I'd suggest The Foyer at Claridge's, it's a fantastic room with wonderful service.