Bon Papillon

Wholesome delicious meals in artistic surrounds

The 2017 edition of The List's Eating & Drinking Guide is out now – only £5.95 (+p&p).

Next to the phrase ‘hidden gem’ in the urban dictionary there may well be a picture of Bon Papillon, although going by the gaggle of happy customers munching their way through the door-stopper scones, it’s not that much of a secret. A bijou gallery, framers, and café serving a selection of soups, sandwiches, cakes and the aforementioned legendary scones, it’s as cosy a haunt as you could hope to find, where you can feast your eyes on the rotating roster of extraordinary work from local artists as you fill your tum with a hearty meal. The hot smoked salmon salad comes liberally dressed, with sun-dried tomatoes, olives and a thatch of fresh-baked bread in case you’ve a trucker's appetite, or check out the satisfying, garlicky grilled halloumi sandwich. You’ll likely be replete after all that, but for the insatiable libertine, the baking should not be missed. The ginger cake is fudgy, dense but not dry, drizzled in honey and served with rich buttercream and vibrant fresh fruit. And those plumptious scones are as buttery light as they are bountiful.

• High point: Co-owner Ingrid's artwork is as accomplished as Stuart's baking
• Low point: Such good food deserves a glass of wine as accompaniment
• Notable dish: Ginger ginger! cake