WINNER

The Thali Cafe, Bristol

A Bristol institution, the Thali Cafe is 11 years old, and started out on the festival circuit. Its menus are seasonal and sustainable, while at lunchtime it's hard to beat their Tiffin club – £7.95 for two, complete with classic stainless steel Tiffin tins – for value as well as quality.

12 York Road, Montpelier, 0117 942 6687; 1 Regent Street, Clifton, 0117 974 3793; 64-66 Saint Mark's Road, Easton, 0117 951 4979 thethalicafe.co.uk

RUNNERS UP

LONDON

Handmade Food Blackheath

Part shop, part cafe, this lovely traiteur sells homemade salads and other goodies made by chefs you can see working in the semi-open kitchen. Many of the ingredients are from the south of England, 80% are from the UK.

40 Tranquil Vale, SE3 0BD, 0208 297 9966,handmadefood.com

Tsuru Sushi, Bishopsgate

Excellent sushi, made to recipes inherited from the Japanese chef's mother.

201 Bishopsgate, EC1 9AN, 020 7377 1166, tsuru-sushi.co.uk

Tortilla

On a mission to serve good Californian-Mexican food, this small chain is the place to go for affordable burritos or tacos to eat on the go.

Unit 11A, 106 Southwark Street SE1 0TA, 0207 620 0285; 13 Islington High Street, N1 9LQ, 0207 833 3103; 18 North Colonnade, E14 4EU, 0207 719 9160; 6 Market Place, W1W 8AH, 0207 637 2800; tortilla.co.uk

SOUTH

Tic Toc Cafe, Brighton

Bright and lively cafe deep in the Lanes, serving particularly great coffee, lunches and snacks. Popular, so can get really busy around mealtimes. 53 Meeting House Lane, Brighton BN1 1HB, 01273 770115, tictoc-cafe.co.uk

The Mill at Rode Frome, Somerset

Tricky to keep under the £15 a head limit, but pan-fried Cornish sardines then local ice cream should do it. On sunny days the terrace is a lovely spot.

Rode Hill, BA11 6AG, 01373 831100, themillatrode.co.uk

NORTH

Stewart and Co. Newcastle

Great value, including meats from their own butchery in Jesmond, served in a light, modern space in the City Library.

Charles Avison Building, 33 New Bridge Street West, NE1 8AX, 0191 277 1246 stewartandcofinefood.co.uk

Distrikt Leeds

Serving modern tapas plus foraged dishes (wild mushrooms, wood sorrel, sea purslane) this is a cafe by day and busy music venue by night.

distrikt, 7 Duncan Street, LS1 6DQ, 0113 243 3674, distrikt.co.uk

MIDLANDS

Homemade Nottingham

Child-friendly cafe that sources much of its produce from within three miles. The "mega fish finger sandwich" is quite the treat.

20 Pelham Street, NG1 2EG, 0115 924 3030, homemadecafe.com

Tamatanga, Nottingham

Canteen speedily serving Indian food on communal tables all day long. Eat before 6pm and you can get a curry or thali and drink for £6.

The Cornerhouse, Trinity Square, NG1 4DB, 0115 958 4848, tamatanga.com

WALES

Garlands Coffee House Cardiff

Simple food served in a fun setting – there are a few Welsh dishes, plus excellent breakfasts and pancakes.

4 Duke Street Arcade, CF10 1AZ, 029 2066 6914

SCOTLAND

Eat Deli Glasgow

A deli, cafe and patisserie shop, there's something to satisfy everyone – from bruschetta with artichoke, Stornaway black pudding on muffins or a baked potato.

16 Busby Road, Clarkston, G76 7BG, 0141 638 7123, eat-deli.co.uk

NORTHERN IRELAND

Barista Coffee House Belfast

You'll struggle to spend more then a tenner on food in this independent cafe, where full-on breakfasts come in at under a fiver.

257 Upper Newtownards Road, BT4 3JF, 028 9065 5332, baristacoffeehouse.co.uk