LONDON
|
The city
| Restaurant time limits | Most restaurants have an explicit 2-hour dining time limit. Pretty cool when you're waiting for your table, so don't expect to sit at a restaurant all night |
| Bar reservationsbookings 🍸 | Most cocktail bars take reservationsbookings! And often, if they accept reservationsbookings, they're almost required if you don't want to wait on a list |
| Bar closing times | Pubs (public houses) open early and close early (11pm). Cocktail bars usually close around 12-1am. Clubs and members-only clubs close later, but require cover or a member to get in. |
| Day drinking | Day drinking is normal, even on weekdays. You'll find pubs packed with businesspeople starting around 2pm every day. Sometimes, people go out for a pint, then back to work. |
| M&S (Simply Food, Foodhall, etc) | There are Marks & Spencer food shops everywhere. My favoritefavourite thing there was the oven-ready gastropub steak pie. The steak is moist and the crust is somehow flaky and crispy. If you have access to an oven here, I'd highly, highly recommend this mini pie. |
| Public transit | Public transit is great! It's fast and generally reliable. I found that it was usually faster than taking a cab, and far cheaper. Also, for some strange reason, it always took me about 22 minutes to get anywhere in London proper.. |
| Contactless payments | Everywhere accepts contactless payment (including Apple Pay). Don't be a n00b and insert your chip card into the card reader. Simply tap your card or phone on the screen to pay. (Contactless is also processed in seconds, whereas chips take minutes and a signature or pin). Also, you don't even need an Oyster (public transit) card to get around. Underground stations and buses accept all contactless payments! |
| CityMapper 🗺️ | Use this app for (public) transit. It's more comprehensive and accurate than Google Maps in London |
| Don't rely on Yelp | Europe doesn't really use Yelp. Rely on Google maps for restaurant/shop locations, but double check their opening hours on each's official website |
| British food | Just don't eat it. People think all food in the UK sucks but it's only because they're eating flavorless fish & chips and meat pasties. Try to eat as much Indian and Mediterranean food here as you can! Chinese food is pretty decent here too. |
NeighborhoodsNeighbourhoods
| Soho 🎉 | Soho was my favoritefavourite neighborhoodsneighbourhoods for restaurants and bars. This area is very dense in both activities and people, so it can get overwhelming. But you'll always be able to find something to do in this area. (Bars in this area close late) |
| Covent Garden + Leicester Square | I like this area for the shopping (no department stores). It's packed with tourists though |
| Clerkenwell | I lived here for 6 weeks. There's lots of good food, but isn't very lively on the weekends |
| Spitalfields | This neighborhoodsneighbourhoods reminds me the most of the Mission District in San Francisco. Kind of bougie hipster, but has more flea markets and food stalls |
| Fitzrovia | My dream neighborhoodsneighbourhoods 😍The houses are beautiful and the residential side streets aren't too noisy. It's also close to Soho, near shopping on Oxford Street, and has many public transit options |
Bars
| The Lampery | Decent hotel bar (with a e s t h e t i c). We stayed here on our first weekend in London |
| Discount Suit Company 🍸 | v cool speakeasy. I loved all the drinks we had here. (They accept reservationsbookings) |
| The Zetter Townhouse | Trendy hotel + bar |
| Merchant House | Great menu concept -- you pick a liquor (based on flavor profile) and a style (spirited, tropiclal, rocks, etc). Some combinations are better than others, so ask for help! |
| Mr Fogg's Gin Parlour | All the Mr Fogg's locations are great! This one is particularly fun because it's more speakeasy-esque. Ask the bartender for a recommendation-- they've made me a few off-menu drinks I loved |
| Mr Fogg's House of Botanicals 🍹 | When you make a reservationbooking, ask to sit upstairs! Their menu is so ridiculous, but I'm not gonna spoil it here. (Upstairs is not open Monday or Tuesday) |
| Cocteleria (downstairs of Breddo's) | Gianluca is the best. Sit at the bar and talk to him, and maybe he'll make you an off-menu drink, or show you a new drink he's testing. |
| Cafe Boheme | Old boho bar, which is somehow always poppin. They're in the heart of Soho nightlife and open until god knows when |
| Vermuteria | Vermouth bar in Coal Drops Yard. It's nice to sit on the patio and enjoy the architecture, but otherwise, nothing special |
| The Mayor of Scaredy Cat Town | A London institution. The bar is hidden inside the restaurant (London loves American speakeasies lol) and they also serve food |
| Lyaness | AESTHETIC AF with creative/weird drinks. It's pricey but good for the view (indoors and outdoors) |
| Punch Room 🍸 | One of my favoritefavourite cocktail places, despite the weird, stuffy interior (the staff is really chill). Their classic Milk Punch takes days to make, and it pays off. They also have unlimited cacio e pepe popcorn. Make a reservationbooking and GO |
| The Gibson 🍹 | Another awesome place for cocktails. The bartenders obviously take pride in what they do, and it shows in the intricacy of each drink. Make a reservationbooking! |
| Cahoots | Another London instittution. This place is like the speakeasy-themed version of a Mr Fogg's |
| The Hope | Classic British pub. Everytime I walked by, it was filled with people having a pint outdoors, so I had to try it. They don't do special drinks or anything, but I guess it's a cool place to hang? |
| Ye Olde Watling | Apparently Watling Street is a favoritefavourite spot for after-work pints. People crowd the streets so cars can't drive through, and boo drivers when they attempt to. Every time a pint glass shatters, everyone cheers. I recommend going just once to see real London |
| Genuine Liquorette | Weird/fun/funky cocktails. The vibe is awesome and the drinks pack a punch. |
| City of London Distillery | If you like gin, you have come here. They've won countless awards for their gin, and offer a variety of drinks to showcase their liquor flavor profiles |
| Exmouth Market Grind | All the "Grind" locations are cute and trendy af |
Activities
| Flight Club 🎯 | Surprisingly fun "social darts". The dart boards are pretty high tech: you play virtual games (like Snakes and Ladders) by hitting certain parts of the board. Since the goal is to hit different areas of the board, you'll find that being particularly "good" at darts doesn't really help. The games are silly and everyone has a good time. |
| Jack the Ripper walking tour | I LOVED this tour. You learn a lot about the non-mainstream history of the serial killer. Our tour guide was so knowledgeable because she researches the murders full time |
| Red Brick Lane | Fun, more hipster-y, outdoor shopping walk in Spitalfields. There are hundreds of food, clothing, tchotchke, and miscellaneous stands. |
| Spitalfields Market | A lot like Covent Garden Market, but with more stall vendors. |
| Santander bikes 🚴♀️ | It's only £2 for 24 hours of unlimited bike use, including check ins and outs! Download the app first-- you can pay online and skip the line at each bike stand |
| SugarSin 🍬 | My favoritefavourite candy shop. Try the fruity gummies in the pick-and-mix! |
| Selfridges Foodhall | Most department stores have a food section, but Selfridges's is just so much bigger than the rest. You can buy groceries, liquor, gifts, and even fresh food. |
| Boxpark | Cool (yuppie) food yard / food truck park in a pile of shipping containers (lol). It's fun to hang out here because everyone can pick different things to eat and drink. It gets particularly packed on game days |
| Primrose Hill (+ Camden Town) | Primrose Hill is a beautiful park with a nice view of London. Camden High Street is chill too (reminded me of Brooklyn or Toronto), but Camden Market is the WORST. It's packed with tourists, which seems to taint an otherwise lovely neighborhoodneighbourhood |
| The Garden at 120 | New rooftop garden. You can grab a coffee up here and take in the view of the Thames and Gherkin |
| House of Minalima | A Harry Potter store/museum for super fans of the movies. This place was founded by the propsmasters for the movies, who spent hours hand making every prop in the movie. It's a treat to see how thorough the props are |
| House of Spells | A Harry Potter store for the casual fan. They have official merchandise and it's not nearly as crowded as the shop in Kings Cross |
| Borough Market | One of the classic London outdoor markets. There are dozens of food stands where you can buy ingredients, produce, or fresh food. It gets very crowded with tourists though |
| The Shard | Tip: It's free to go to the top if you're visiting the restaurants or bars |
DessertPudding
| Dum Dum Donutterie | Blech. Dry and flavorlessflavourless |
| Mamasons | dank ice cream donut sandwich |
| Cereal Killer Cafe | Fun novelty restaurant where everything is made with cereal |
| Crosstown | Good PB&J donut! Not good rose donut |
| Happy Lemon | it's a chain lol you like it or you don't |
| Milk Train 🍦 | Super Instagrammable soft serve that actually tastes good?? |
| Doughnut Time | I only had the Nutella donut and it was incredible. There's literally a 1/3 cup of Nutella stuffed inside.... |
Restaurants
ReservationsBookings recommended
| Dishoom 🐟 | Modern Indian food and one of my favoritefavourite restaurants in London. Go for breakfast or lunch, when they take reservationsbookings, or risk waiting 2 hours. I love love love the tandoori fish and black lentils. |
| XU Restaurant | Very tasty modern Chinese food. My favoritefavourite dish here is the Ibérico Char Siu and I love their oolong gin & tonic |
| Lyle's | Very "creative" seafood dishes. It was too weird for me, but everyone else seemed to like it |
| Monsieur le Duck | Average duck dishes |
| Kym's | Solid modern Chinese food. They also had fun cocktails, so if I ever went back, it would be for the drinks |
| Hide | Pretty good modern British food. Lunch prix fixe is around £38 |
| St John | St John is an institution. They were at the forefront of "nose to tail" eating and for good reason. Their bone marrow is dank and they have a strong, reasonably priced wine program |
| Trishna | Dope lamb chop. It was so tender and juicy that I had to check if it was actually a chop and not ground meat |
| The Ninth | 22 for 2 courses at lunch but pretty forgettable |
| Duck and Waffle | reservationsbookings are required; they don't leave any seats for walk ins. IMO the namesake dish is forgettable, but their "corn ribs" and fun and tasty |
| Ikoyi | Creative Asian-West African prix fixe. Around £35 for a set lunch menu |
| Benares | More modern Indian food. Early dinner prix fixe is £35 |
| City Social | Modern British food. £32 lunch prix fixe but not memorable |
Casual (reservationsbookings accepted, but not required)
| BAO 🍚🍗 | The bone marrow + egg yolk rice is life changing. Do you like fat and umami? EAT THIS. The fried chicken chop is also A++. I got both of these foods during every visit. Also, the oolong G&T and sweet potato cocktails are very good |
| Poppies | Popular fish & chips among tourists. But is it just me or are all fish and chips in London just not salty enough?? |
| Koya City | Yuck udon :( Soggy noodles + flavorless broth |
| The Modern Pantry | bougie but pricey brunch. Pretty ordinary |
| The Green | Chill British pub with decent pub food |
| Chick N' Sours | A fried chicken party! They have pretty good chicken and bright, tasty cocktails (esp the fishbowl) |
| Ask for Janice | IMO a very Brooklyn cafe |
| Honey & Smoke 🥙 | This was one of my favoritefavourite meals (modern Mediterranean). The mezze selection is broad and delicious, but the signature cheesecake is to die for. It's unlike any cheesecake I've ever had-- light but thick and on a crispy pastry base. I highly recommend trying this if you like cheesecake. |
| Pasta Nostra | Very popular pasta place in Old Street. I don't love Italian food though, so I can't recommend this place |
| Ramo Ramen | Filipino-Japanese fusion ramen?! Very weird but enjoyable. |
| Bravi Ragazzi 🍕 | Stellar Neapolitan pizza. The dough is so soft and chewy, and the kitchen chars it perfectly. My friend from Napoli is on a pizza search in London, and this is his favoritefavourite |
| Honey & Co | This is the original Honey & Smoke (see above). You can get the cheesecake here too! |
Fast casual
| Pigling Street 🐖 | Dank porchetta. If you see this place while shopping along Red Brick Lane, ask for a sample (but I'm sure you'll invest in a whole bowl) |
| Leon | "Health" fast food that actually tastes good! I really like their coconut (vegan) soft serve, which is somehow creamy. Also, after eating a full meal here, I don't feel like shit! |
| Nando's 🍗 | Fast grilled chicken that will make you feel like shit (in a good way). If you haven't heard of Nando's, you should check it out to learn how Londoners could love a chain restaurant |
| Coco Di Mama | My favoritefavourite chain for coffee and a light breakfast. Their flat white is reliably good, and they have great service (they give out coffee stamp cards like candy). I really like the blueberry overnight oats here! |
| Coqfighter | Pretty darn good fried wings. This is located in Boxpark, so grab some chicken and a drink and relax. (I don't like their sandwich, so buyer beware) |
| Pret A Manger (and Eat.) | Pret is by far the best place to take a break. It feels like there are 100s of locations throughout London, and they're all speedy. Bottled water is always £1, and the breakfast sandwiches are surprisingly good. |
| Woody Grill | Moist, juicy, and flavorful shawarma. If you mention this place to anyone familiar with Camden Town, they'll smile and agree how good it is. |
| McDonald's | Most locations are open after midnight. Lucky you! |
| Traditional Pure | Mediterranean food in the banking area that we only went to because we were desperate. |
| Good Friend Chicken | Taiwanese fried chicken cutlet. I've had better |
Coffee
| Curators Coffee | Very good flat white |
| Black Sheep Coffee | I really don't like this place... I've been to the Aldgate station location several times and the coffee always tastes over roasted |
| Department of Coffee and Social Affairs ☕ | Reliably good flat white (also very close to my apartment, so maybe that's why I liked it so much) |
| Association Coffee | Flat white wasn't creamy enough and their coffee usually tastes realllyyyy strong in general. But, carrot cake slice was moist and not too sweet! |
| Prufrock Coffee | Decent but not worth going out of your way for. This seems to be a local favoritefavourite |
| Rosslyn Coffee | Award winning coffee in a beautiful, minimal shop. The only bummer is that it's in the banking district and frequently packed with navy suits |
| Grind | Very trendy and Instagrammable. Does it even matter that they serve coffee?? |
| Costa | The Starbucks of London |
| Redemption Roasters | Their beans are roasted by inmates! Pretty cool idea. |
| Dose | Cozy neighborhoodneighbourhood coffee shop |
