1 | Get a designer caffeine hit at Ralph's Coffee & Bar (above)

The New Year has begun in style with the opening of the Ralph Lauren's first UK café, which sits snugly next to its flagship Polo store on Regent Street. Both are rather shiny and new (the café opened this Thursday), and Ralph's Coffee & Bar is set to become your new coffee meeting spot given the beautiful oak paneling, golden table tops and comfortable leather upholstery. There are pastries and healthy yoghurt bowls to begin with, and then salads and open sandwiches to keep you going throughout the day – all until the sun creeps over the yard arm into cocktail hour. Then you can imagine you're in the famous New York original of this designer watering hole (The Polo Bar) by sipping on martinis or Old Fashioneds amid a plethora of charmingly lit pony paintings. Exceedingly refined.

10am-8pm Monday – Saturday; 12pm – 6pm Sundays173 Regent Street, London, W1B 5TQ; ralphlauren.com

2 | Go taco mad at Corazón

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Tacos are the thing right now. But we are most certainly not complaining, especially not with the opening of this homely Soho taqueria, ideal for after work dining. Out front is Laura Sheffield, a Texan with a serious love of Mexican food, so any questions: ask her. Both tostadas and tacos come in twos so the menu is made for sharing. Make sure to try the Guv'nor taco – fiery king prawns atop onions and garlic with a nice lot of butter and melted cheese; the Baja fish one is like an exotic fish and chips on a blue corn tortilla, and the Barbacoa is a rich little bundle of super slow-cooked lamb shoulder that's been rubbed in housemade adobo sauce to make the sides of your tongue salivate even when you're eating it. But hey, take your time – try a bit of everything whilst relaxing with a house Margherita and the pumpkin seed dip with crudités. And if you're craving something sweet, we wouldn't advise attempting one of the deserts alone… unless you're very brave.

29 Poland Street, London, W1F 8QR; corazonlondon.co.uk

3 | Embrace the cold at The Berkeley's Rooftop Winter Cinema

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If you're sick of people's whining about the cold and the snow and all the general winteriness, then throw yourself in at the deep end at The Berkeley hotel, and book in for a romantic date night huddled under blankets and hot lamps, with cushions, hot water bottles and every home comfort to hand. They're doing screenings of the classic film Some Like It Hot, which you can enjoy with hot chocolate, mince pies and a mulled wine in hand (they're not just for Christmas, you know). One option up will get you canapés and extra booze, too. And don't forget to sneak a peek at the view while you're up there.

Wilton Place, Knightsbridge, London, SW1X7RL; the-berkeley.co.uk

4 | Shun the avocados at Firedog

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The other thing you might be sick of is talk of the oh so healthy avocado. Now that we're into the constant conscience battering that is Dry January, or Veganuary, or whatever it is, you might be pleased to here that Fitzrovia's new Aegean restaurant, Firedog, has placed a blanket ban on avocado, despite having an all-day breakfast menu. That's right – not a mouthful or garnish of the pale green stuff to be had. In its place, there is plenty of perfectly healthy Mediterranean fair, like grilled halloumi or pan-fried sea bass with other nutritious ingredients such as fennel, pomegranate, chilli, cucumber and so on. Don't worry people: there was once a time when breakfast occurred without avocado.

92 Newman Street, London, W1T 3EZ; fdog.com

5 | Find comfort food at Shake Shack Canary Wharf

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And sometimes, you just need a burger. Particularly when still re-acclimatizing to working life, and without the steady stream of chocolate and sugar keeping you going. American burger chain Shake Shack has just opened up in Canary Wharf. In addition to the burger menu is a set of hot dogs and, of course, those famous crinkly fries. Wash it all down with a frozen custard shake and life will seem just about ok once again.

Park Pavilion, 40 Canada Square, London, E14 5FW; shakeshack.com