Feeding the poet

You can find inspiration in the strangest of places. For poet

Silva's, 220 Shaftesbury Avenue WC2. Tel: 020 7240 0028. Tube: Leicester Square

A little Italian cafè where I enjoyed watching the World Cup. I was in there when Italy got knocked out and they were all: 'The referee, the referee!' while I was trying to rationalise, saying: 'Well, it's a fair booking,' but thinking they should shut up. It's a very nice family caff with specials every day.

Food For Thought, 31 Neal Street WC2. Tel: 020 7836 0239. Tube: Covent Garden

A good value veggie restaurant, though you have to get in and out pretty quick. I recommend the quiche and salad.

Lucknow Tandoori, 43 Newington Green Road N1. Tel: 020 7354 1078. Rail: Canonbury

I always like a curry and they do a nice vindaloo in here. I used to live nearby, but it's one of these places that even though you move away, you still go back. It's a pretty traditional, family-run Indian eaterie.

Strand Tandoori Restaurant, 45 Bedford Street WC2. Tel: 020 7240 1333. Tube: Charing Cross

Apparently, it used to be for people from the Indian Embassy. You get your authentic Indian vegetarian curry in here - and if that's what you're looking for, this is the best in London.

Neal's Yard Bakery, 6 Neal's Yard WC2. Tel: 020 7836 5199. Tube: Covent Garden

Right in the corner of Neal's Yard, it's a bakery downstairs that sells all sorts of pasties, which you take upstairs. It's very serene because it's basically a tea room. When we used to go busking, we'd count our money in there.

John Hegley appears in Whine Gums on BBC3, Sunday 10.30pm.