DOWNTOWN. Located at street level in the estimable L'Etoile restaurant building, this cafe has been a godsend according to those local folks who appreciate European-style bakeries and incredible pastries. House-baked goods include croissants, gougeres, cakes, breads, and pain au chocolat. Sweet and savory options are both available, and you'll also find gourmet sandwiches and soups. Ingredients for the cafe foods come from the Farmers' Market, and when it's open on Saturday mornings, space can get tight. Still, don't let that deter you from indulging in some of the city's best light fare.

WEST. Sleek, retro styling defines this appealing diner, which makes the most of its chrome and glass-block details. Serving food all day, the eatery offers classic diner fare, updated for modern tastes. Cheeseburgers and pulled pork sandwiches satisfy purists, as do meatloaf plates and chicken pot pie. Trendy folks revel in the Madras vegetables bowl or a dish piled high with Thai chicken and noodles. You'll also find fish-and-chips, roasted vegetable quesadillas, a bayou catfish sandwich, and plenty of fresh salads. Plus, baked goods, sundaes, shakes, and an array of pies and cheesecakes elicit grins of pleasure from local sweet tooths.

EAST. Quirky, fun, and individualistic, this one-of-a-kind cafe is the creative offspring of local culinary figure, Janie Capito. Eminently comfortable and perfect for a relaxing meal, Lazy Jane's offers both dining and lounge areas, set with sculpture and artistic touches. At breakfast, patrons can choose from coffee and baked goods (cakes, cookies, scones) or more substantial dishes that marry tradition with innovation (eggs, bacon, hash). Lunchtime offerings include fabulous sandwiches, soups, and salads.

DOWNTOWN. Homemade foods crafted with wonderful ingredients earn kudos at this terrific eatery, and the crowds that gather to sample Marigold's tasty fare are tangible confirmation of its quality. Sunny environs please folks who dig into blueberry pancakes, omelets, crab-and-asparagus frittatas, poached eggs with prosciutto, French toast, and gourmet egg sandwiches. Baked goods such as muffins, scones, cakes, and their much-touted chocolate-covered coconut macaroons are also decadent treats. Lunch is fantastic, too.

STATE STREET. Exhibiting the laid-back ambience and artistic penchant nurtured by the best coffeehouses, Michelangelo's greets patrons with a warm welcome and an invitation to sink back into a sofa and nurse a fragrant cuppa. The place is a fantastic State Street destination, and if you've got time to spare, it's ideal for just hanging out, reading, chatting, or the like. A menu of light fare heads off the munchies and promises an energy boost for the next stage of the day.