Title Image

London

Transportation and Accommodations

Getting There

Heathrow Airport

Option 1: Tube – Piccadilly line stops at all terminals and goes into Central London where passengers can switch to other Tube lines if the Piccadilly does not take them to their destination. It is the cheapest option and takes about an hour to get into Central London.

Option 2: Heathrow express – train from the airport to Paddington (about £25). The ride is about 15 minutes on a high speed train with wifi. If Paddington is not your final destination in London, switch to the tube to access other areas in the city.

Option 3: Car or Taxi – this is not necessarily faster than options 1 and 2 as there is quite a bit of traffic that you will hit in the city. This is definitely the most costly option as well, and likely takes an hour at minimum.

Gatwick Airport

There are direct trains to Gatwick airport every 10-15 min from the main stations including London Bridge, Victoria, City Thameslink, Blackfriars, Farringdon and St Pancras. They range from 30-60 min depending on the station you get on at and train you select. The journey costs about $15.

London City Airport

London City airport is located on the east side of the city. It can be accessed by the DLR train lines fairly easily or you can opt to take a cab into the city. This would be more suitable if you are staying on the East side of London, otherwise you will sit in a lot of traffic driving across London.

Luton Airport

There are direct trains from the main stations in London (London Bridge, Blackfriars, City Thameslink, Farringdon, and St Pancras) that go to Luton airport. There is a fast train to Luton Airport Parkway, taking 30-50 minutes depending on where you get on or a slower train that takes closer to 75 minutes. From the station, there are shuttles that take you to the terminals. Luton airport has a lot of budget airlines like Easyjet and Wizzair flying in and out.

Stansted Airport

Stansted can be accessed via bus or train from Central London. There are trains from Liverpool Street station, but buses tend to be more frequently used by travelers. Stansted also is known to have a lot of budget airline flights, specifically RyanAir.

Getting Around

Tube

The Tube is London’s metro system. It can get you close to just about anywhere in the city. Switches may be required but stations are well marked and one can easily switch from one line to another.

Purchase an Oyster card at any stop and put money on it (amount depends on the length of your stay). It is easy to add money onto it. One can also use their credit card directly from their phone to pay for rides.

Make sure to keep your Oyster card handy as you need it to get into the station, but also to get out of the station after you arrive at your destination (tap in / tap out)

Buses

The red double decker buses (not the ones designated for tours) operate on the Oyster Card as well. If the tube is inconvenient to use, buses provide an additional option of public transport in the city.

Accommodations

London is a huge city with all different types of neighborhoods. If you are visiting for a short period of time, I recommend staying Central and walkable from a Tube station.

Below I have listed out a variety of the neighborhoods in London:

Westminster 

Central London borough with some of the key tourist attractions including Big Ben, Parliament, Westminster Abbey, Buckingham Palace, St. James Park, and Trafalgar Square.

Mayfair

Upscale area in West London with many expensive shops, gourmet restaurants, and elegant housing. It is known to be one of the most expensive areas in London and provides exclusive shopping and luxury stores. Grovesnor Square, Bond Street and Burlington Arcade are all here.

Marylebone

Another classy area located near Mayfair with a less snobby stereotype. The area has luxury shopping and nice streets to wander through.

Covent Garden

This neighborhood is part of London’s greater West End area. Neil’s Yard, Covent Garden Market, and the Royal Opera House are all in this area.

Soho

A lively area in Central London, part of London’s greater West End area known to be the entertainment area and theater district. Soho has exotic nightlife and extensive shopping including Regent street, Oxford street, Liberty department store, and Carnaby street. Piccadilly Circus and Oxford Circus are both located in Soho along with Kingly Court in Carnaby.

Notting Hill

Neighborhood in West London known for its colorful houses throughout the area. Notting Hill is full of cute cafes and trendy restaurants. The high-end area has many nice restaurants and boutique stores. Notable attractions in the area include Portobello Market, Churchill Arms, and Westbourne Grove.

Kensington

Affluent area in West London with unique architecture. Nice area to stay in or stroll through. Harrods, Kensington Gardens, Kensington Palace and Hyde Park are a few key sites in the area.

Chelsea

Nice area in South West London, located just north of the Thames. Chelsea is a quaint and beautiful area with boutique shops, colorful apartments, and nice restaurants. Sloane Square, King’s Road, and Battersea Park are all found in Chelsea.

Southwark

Located just South of the river on the East side of London, Southwark is one of the oldest boroughs in London. Borough Market, Maltby Street Market, The Shard, Tower Bridge, Bermondsey street, and Bermondsey street beer mile are a few key attractions in the area.

South Bank

The South Bank is an area just South of the river. The London Eye, Tate Modern, Millennium Bridge, Shakespeare’s Globe, and the path along the south side of the Thames are key to this area.

The City

This is largely the financial district within downtown London. The nightlife is fairly scarce here as people go into the area for work and leave at night. A few top visited sites include Tower of London, the Sky Garden, St. Paul’s Cathedral, and the Monument. Tower Bridge stretches between The City and Southwark.

Shoreditch

This is an artsier area found in East London. It is known for a younger nightlife scene with many bars and clubs.

Camden Town

Camden is definitely different than many other neighborhoods in London. It is located North and has an edgier and eclectic vibe. The area has numerous markets, shops, pubs, and areas with live music. Camden Market, Regent’s Canal, Regent’s Park, and Primrose Hill are all within the area.

Kings Cross

Area in North London with one of the city’s main train stations. Nearly all tube lines run through King’s Cross and right across the way is St. Pancras International, another large train station.

Hampstead

Quaint and affluent residential area in North London, known for Hampstead Heath (park).

Knightsbridge

Upscale retail and residential district in London

Victoria

Exclusive community located in Central London

Hackney

Borough in East London with more focus on art and its edgier vibe, the area has a bit of quirkiness to it.

Greenwich 

Far South East Borough in London well known for Royal heritage and a view of London along with the Prime Meridian line.

Hotels
Hotel Xenia

Marriott property, part of the autograph collection, located in Kensington. The hotel is located 10 minutes from Earl’s Court and Gloucester Square tube stations. It is quite easy to get here from Heathrow airport. The hotel is cute and simple for a nice stay in London. The area is also very nice and a lovely place to stay. One aspect to note is that the rooms are very small.

The Dixon Tower Bridge

Marriott property, also part of the autograph collection. The hotel is located minutes from the Tower Bridge and an easy walk to the London Bridge tube station. This hotel has larger rooms and a fitness room. The hotel is very nice and somewhere I would easily stay again. It is very easy to get here from Gatwick airport or London City airport.

JW Marriott Grosvenor Square

Marriott property and luxury hotel located in Mayfair. This hotel is incredibly nice, and not inexpensive. Being in Mayfair, the location is great as the area is nice to walk around. The Marriott lounge and the fitness center here are both great additions to this property.

Residence Inn London Tower Bridge

This hotel is meant for longer staying guests as it includes amenities like washer and dryer in the basement and rooms have a mini kitchenette. Rooms also have pull out couches for guests when desired. This location is likely the most affordable of those noted here and is also in a nice location. It is easily accessible from Gatwick with its proximity to London Bridge station. Being on Bermondsey street means there are plenty of cafes, restaurants and bars within walking distance.

Great Northern Hotel

Another Marriott property, this hotel is located right next to King’s Cross and St. Pancras International train station. This hotel is more like one you stop in and stay one night for rather than multiple nights. The hotel is simple, but feels old. This hotel will be one of the cheaper options provided as well. If traveling to other areas in England, the proximity to the train station is not to be overlooked.

Things to do and see

Central London

Buckingham Palace

The focal point for the royal family. People gather everyday to come watch the changing of the guards at 11:30

Westminster Abbey

Famous church found in the City of Westminster in London

Big Ben & Palace of Westminster

Big Ben is the clocktower attached to the Palace of Westminster, also known as the House of Parliament where the House of Commons and House of Lords meet

Covent Garden

Area with British pubs, boutiques, theaters, shops, and restaurants. This is a nice area to stroll around. You will come across some of the many theaters not far from this area as well. In the center of Covent Garden is the well known Covent Garden food hall

Neal’s Yard

A tucked away courtyard found in Covent Garden. This easily missed spot is lined with cute restaurants and bakeries. The courtyard has a few colorful benches and surrounding building walls are also painted with bright colors. This little gem is nice to stumble upon, but the entrance makes it look like another alleyway so you keep an eye out. Enjoy a coffee or an afternoon wine tasting here

Piccadilly Circus

Large roundabout with big television screens on the buildings around it. Regent Street, a luxury shopping street, feeds right into Piccadilly Circus, which is always hustling and bustling with people. If you are not a fan of crowds, avoid walking through here on weekends.

London Eye

London’s famous and large ferris wheel. It is beautiful from a distance and also provides nice views onboard. Visitors can pay to ride the Eye by either buying tickets the day of the visit or purchasing tickets in advance. I would recommend booking tickets ahead of time and booking the full day option rather than the 15-minute time slot so you have flexibility especially since it is a marginal price difference.

Soho

Area in Central London known for entertainment, nightlife, and a good food scene.

Carnaby Street

Pedestrian only shopping street in Soho

Churchill War Rooms

Part of the Imperial War Museum, visitors can explore the historic War rooms

National Gallery

Art museum located in Trafalgar Square

Trafalgar Square

Large public square in Westminster

Leicester Square

Pedestrian square that is always busy – if you are not a fan of crowds, I would not venture over here. In the winter at Christmas time, there is a Christmas market set up here

Oxford Street and Regent Street

Famous shopping streets with luxurious brands and large retail stores. These streets are packed with people, especially at Christmas when they are lined with Christmas decorations. Regent Street feeds into Piccadilly Circus

Sketch Tea

Unique spot for afternoon tea. The interior design is set up by this trendy pink room with pictures covering the wall. The bathroom itself is unique, with an all white finish and colored glass panels covering the ceiling. Each stall is its own egg shaped vessel. Afternoon tea is not for the stingy; the base price for tea is around 58 pounds and includes unlimited tea, sandwiches, and small pastries. It also includes a tasting of caviar, a starter egg dish, a piece of cake, and a scone. We opted to pay the extra 15 pounds and get champagne. Although it was very expensive, Sketch puts a twist on the traditional English tea experience.

Fortnum & Mason

A more classy option for afternoon tea. This is a famous, upscale department store with extensive tea selection. They offer an enjoyable afternoon tea experience and one I would recommend for a more traditional option.

Ham Yard Hotel

Stylish and contemporary afternoon tea experience. The hotel is located minutes from Piccadilly Circus and has a variety of different rooms where guests are seated.

North London

Camden Market

Adjoining markets with extensive food stalls, bars, art shops, clothing stores, cafes, and more with hundreds of different vendors. As you weave through the adjoining markets, you get lost in the feelingly endless gathering of shops. The market is open everyday, and tends to be very busy on the weekends. Fridays are a great day to visit as most shops are open, but the crowds are much smaller. The Camden area has an edgier, unique character and provides a change from other commonly visited areas in London.

Regent’s Park

Large park in North London not far from Camden Market. You can walk along the canal from Camden Market to get to the park

Primrose Hill

Small park not far from Regent’s Park largely on a hill with a view of the city

Hampstead

Within the neighborhood of Hampstead, one can walk around and enjoy the peacefulness of the affluent residential area. A few streets that are cute to stroll down include Well Walk, Flash Walk, and Back Lane. Hampstead Heath is a large open space in Hampstead that has some nice view of London. The area is a bit hillier compared to the rest of the city and adds some terrain diversity.

Tottenham Hotspur Stadium

Brand new beautiful Premier League stadium for Tottenham Hotspurs. You cannot bring alcoholic drinks into stands, but there are plenty of places to grab a beer before the game within the stadium.

Little Venice

Off the beaten bath picturesque neighborhood with narrow canals

Abbey Road

The Beatles’ recording studio is here along with the famous crosswalk on their album cover

East London

Tower Bridge

Beautiful and famous bridge known as an icon for London

Tower of London

Historic castle where the crown jewels are kept and previously operated as a prison

Sky Garden

Top floor viewpoint in the Walkie Talkie building located in The City. It is free for visitors, but requires a ticket as the number of visitors is controlled. Tickets become available on the Monday three weeks ahead of desired ticket dates. The view from the top is beautiful and would recommend going up around sunset if possible to see the city during the day and enjoy a sunset. There are a few food and drink options at the Sky Garden including City Garden Bar, Sky Pod Bar, Fenchurch Restaurant, and Darwin Brasserie where you can make reservations in advance or drop in for a drink.

St. Paul’s Cathedral

Church located in The City where visitors can climb to the top for a view of London

Greenwich

An area on the South East side of London. You can visit the Royal Observatory where you can stand at the Prime Meridian line and also get a nice view of London. The O2 Entertainment venue and one end of London’s cable car starts in this area.

South London

Strolling along the river

Path running along the south side of the Thames river. Take a stroll along any piece of the path from the London Eye to the Tower Bridge

The Shard

One of London’s taller buildings with a bar and restaurant at the top providing a view of the Tower Bridge

Shakespeare’s Globe

Performing arts venue

Borough Market

Famous indoor and outdoor market hall with produce and food stalls to buy street food and snacks

Tate Modern Museum

Modern art museum with many free exhibits for the public to access

London Bridge

Good view of Tower Bridge from here

Bermondsey Beer Mile

A stretch of breweries in Southwark that runs for nearly two miles underneath a stretch of a railway arch. There are about 17 bars along the beer mile and the only time all breweries are open is on Saturday afternoon. If you decide to go out on a Saturday afternoon, you can start at the Maltby Street Market to get a snack to start. The first brewery you will actually come across after Maltby Street Market is Southwark Brewing. This feels a bit like a room in a frat house as there’s a smalI bar, ping pong tables, and a few benches. Next is The Barrel Project, which is one I would definitely recommend; this unique bar has barrels lined along the wall and a nice environment. Hawkes Cider falls next and provides a break from beer or option for those who do not like beer. This is a nice spot as well that I would go back to.

West London

South Kensington

Upscale residential area that is lovely to walk around and find a cafe

Notting Hill

Area with beautiful pastel colored houses and high-end residential area. Assortment of restaurants, boutique stores, cafes, and bars spread throughout the neighborhood. Some of the best streets to find the picturesque buildings include Portobello Road, Lancaster Road, Denbigh Terrace, and Westbourne Park Road. Nevertheless, if you get lost wandering around, you will stumble upon plenty of quaint roads with nice houses.

Portobello Road Market

Market located on Portobello Road in Notting Hill largely focused on antiques and collectibles among other items

Churchill Arms

Famous and cute pub beautifully covered in flowers in the summer and located close to the Notting Hill Gate tube stop

Kensington Palace

Royal residence in Kensington Gardens

Hype Park

Major Royal park and overall largest park in London. Around Christmas, Winter Wonderland is set up in the park to draw in people with holiday cheer

Royal Albert Hall

London’s iconic concert hall in South Kensington hosting all different types of performances including ballets, music concerts, film screenings, shows like cirque du soleil, and ceremonies.

Harrods

Large department store and luxury shopping location in Knightsbridge. The outside of the department store is nicely lit up around the holidays. Harrods offers another location to get afternoon tea.

Parent Trap House

Located near Harrods – 29 Egerton Terrace, Kensington, London, England, UK

Stamford Bridge

Chelsea football stadium

Other

West End Shows

London is well known for its extensive options on live performances. Shows have a broad range in price. A few notable shows include The Lion King, Mamma Mia, Matilda, Wicked, Phantom of the Opera, Les Miserables, Mary Poppins, The Book of Mormon, & Juliet, and Hamilton. Be sure to check out TodayTix for cheap, last minute ticket options.

Mixology Class

Learning to make different types of drinks can be a fun and different activity. Chapter 72, a coffeeshop serving cocktail drinks as well, is known for its Espresso Martini. The shop offers master classes for small groups that can be booked at your convenience. Visit their website for information on how to book. The class was about 30 pounds, and included two drinks as you first learned how to make a fun cocktail and then their Espresso Martini. The class lasts about 45 min – 1 hour and can highly recommend it as a fun activity. Chapter 72 is located in Southwark on Bermondsey street, about a 5 minute walk from the London Bridge station.

Day trips
Cambridge

University town located about an hour Northeast of London

Oxford

University town located about an hour Northwest of London

Bath

City about 1.5 – 2 hours East of London that is known for its Roman Baths

Brighton

Coastal town South of London that draws visitors in when the weather gets nicer as

Stonehenge

Historic monument outside of London where stones are assembled in a ring form

Cotswolds

Rolling hills in Central England encompassing quintessential English villages

White Cliffs of Dover

Cliffs hugging the Southeast coastline in Kent

Windsor

Market town home to Windsor Castle

Seven Sisters Cliffs

White cliffs located between Eastbourne and Seaford

Food and Drink Recommendations

Brunch

Farm Girl Cafe

Cute spot for brunch with two locations – Notting Hill and Soho. Notting Hill location always has a queue on the weekends, so plan ahead and arrive early or visit on a weekday to avoid waiting in line. Healthy food options and creative drinks with a quaint atmosphere. The restaurant is rather small, but you are not rushed while enjoying your meal.

Nearest tube station: Notting Hill Gate

Granger & Co

Larger restaurant on Westbourne Grove in Notting Hill, but with other locations in the city as well. Many good options for both breakfast or lunch, depending on what type of meal you are in the mood for. The drinks and cocktails are nice as well.

Nearest tube station: Notting Hill Gate

The Table Cafe

Restaurant located in Southwark that serves a more British style Brunch.

Nearest tube station: Blackfriars, Southwark, London Bridge or Borough

Markets

Camden Market

Located in Camden Town, this market feels larger than others as it includes numerous food stalls, art stands, and clothings shops. The market is open daily, but not all shops are guaranteed to be open. Your best bet is to go on Friday, Saturday or Sunday when most places are open. However, Friday will be much less busy than the weekend when people pour into the market so expect larger crowds on weekends.

Nearest tube station: Camden Town

Covent Garden Market

This is another well known market in London, and feels more like a food hall where there are lots of places to grab a snack to go or sit down and people watch. Cars cannot drive in the area around the hall so it is consistently filled with people walking around.

Nearest tube station: Covent Garden

Borough Market

Well known food and drinks market near London Bridge in Southwark. It is open daily with spots to buy produce along with places to get a snack and includes many restaurants within the market.

Nearest tube station: London Bridge

Maltby St Market

A market set up on Maltby Street in Southwark, open mainly on the weekends. The best time to visit is Saturday mornings and afternoons when all the stands are open and people are out and about. This little street market has all different types of food, stands to grab coffee or alcoholic drinks.

Nearest tube station: London Bridge

Mercato Metropolitano

Very large street food market with tons of different food stalls serving all different types of food located in Elephant & Castle. This is a great spot for dinner during the week as it is nice and lively and different food options for everyone. It is nice on the weekends as well, but a bit too busy, so recommend checking this out on a weeknight. The food stalls range from Italian to Vietnamese to Mexican to Pizza to Turkish to Barbecue. There are also different spots to get drinks whether you desire cocktails, wine, craft beer or a soft drink.

Nearest tube station: Borough, Elephant & Castle

Mercato Mayfair

Market hall located in Mayfair inside an old Church. The venue has four floors, with the basement being a spot to grab a  bottle of wine, cold beer or cocktail. It is a sister to Mercato Metropolitano, but offers a different vibe.

Nearest tube station: Bond Street

Spitalfields Market

Market with a wide variety of stands ranging from different street food vendors, art, jewelry and clothing. Open everyday of the week and located in East London, it is a good market to stroll through during the day.

Nearest tube station: Liverpool Street

Coal Drops Yard

Shopping complex near King’s Cross with lots of shops and restaurants

Nearest tube station: King’s Cross 

Kingly Court

Food hall located in Carnaby with three floors full of places with food and drink options. When out on the street, it is not obvious that the market is inside, but provides a nice spot to grab a snack.

Nearest tube station: Piccadilly Circus or Oxford Circus

Dinerama

Market located in Shoreditch that is open at night. This market is better at its drinks than its food, with more limited options on food than other markets. This makes it a better spot to grab a drink as there are about 10 different bars throughout the two floor venue serving different drinks from cocktails to wine to craft beer. Later in the night, they charge a cover on weekends and also gets busier and rowdier. For that reason, it can be a good spot to start your night.

Nearest tube station: Liverpool Street

Mare Street Market

Market up in Hackney with an interesting atmosphere. It makes for a good spot to grab a drink and quick bit. On the weekends at night, it gets pretty busy and when it’s nicer out, you can take advantage of the outdoor terrace.

Nearest tube station: Bethnal Green

Seven Dials Market

Market hall in Covent Garden with variety of food and drink options

Nearest tube station: Covent Garden

Dinner

Flour & Grape

Excellent Italian restaurant in Southwark, not far from the Tower Bridge. The pasta is homemade and can see them preparing the pasta in the window. They do not take reservations for dinner, but you can put your name in and they will text you when your table is ready. There is also a spot to grab drinks in the basement where you can get drinks and snacks while you wait. The pasta dishes are well portioned, and not too large. For one person, an appetizer and pasta dish is perfect for a meal. When with more people, it can be nice to try a few of their different pastas as they are all delicious. This is my favorite spot in London for Italian. The restaurant is located on Bermondsey street, which has a variety of other restaurants, cafes, and pubs.

Nearest tube station: London Bridge

Sticks n Sushi

Sushi restaurant with various locations around London including Covent Garden and Victoria. Frequented this Sushi restaurant and it never disappointed. I would recommend the platters as they have many different options and provide a good mix of different sushi or meat to try.

Coya

Peruvian restaurant in Mayfair. This is one of the best meals I had in London. We were lucky enough to be “upgraded” and seated in the member’s lounge. This was an area on the main floor reserved for a few select tables. Typically, guests part of the restaurant club are seated in the member’s lounge, but there was some extra space and meant we were seated in a room with live music. The interior of this area was beautifully and colorfully decorated. The food was incredible, and did not disappoint. The main seating area is also nice, but a much different vibe. I would still have enjoyed the main area, but was spoiled with the area we were seated in.

Nearest tube station: Green Park or Hyde Park Corner

Flat Iron

Steak restaurant with a very small menu. There are typically three main courses (Flat Iron steak which is only 10 pounds, another steak option and a burger or something similar). The menu includes side options and your steak comes with a small side salad. They serve popcorn with your drinks before your meal. The food is delicious and great quality for the price. There are multiple locations around the city with restaurants in London Bridge, Kings Cross, and Covent Garden to name a few.

Gold

Fabulous restaurant located in Notting Hill. It has a nice ambience and is fairly large without feeling like a big restaurant. If possible, sit at the counter where you have the opportunity to watch the cook’s work their magic. Every dish looked delicious, and the food we ordered exceeded our expectations. I highly recommend the artichokes, broccoli, and red chicken. The toast is also phenomenal and a must try.

Nearest tube station: Notting Hill Gate

Barrafina

Spanish tapas restaurant with a few locations throughout the city

Bob Bob Cite

French restaurant in The City of London. The restaurant is up a few floors and has a unique interior and delicious food. Most tables are blue booths and all tables have a “push for champagne” button. This restaurant is on the fancier side. This is a sister restaurant of Bob Bob Ricard located in Soho.

Nearest tube station: Bank or Monument

Goodman’s

Steakhouse in London with a few locations with many different cuts of steak. We are at the location in Mayfair

Dishoom

Famous Indian restaurant with multiple locations around London including Kensington, Shoreditch, Soho, and more. You cannot make reservations for groups less than six and there is nearly always a queue. If you go at night at prime dinner time, expect to wait a minimum of 45 minutes. Some locations have more space around the bar where you can get a drink while waiting for your table to be ready. The Indian food feels more like Indian fusion, but is delicious and would highly recommend trying at least once.

Jose

Tiny Spanish tapas restaurant on Bermondsey street in Southwark. The place is always packed and has delicious food. The menu changes and is found up on chalkboards at the restaurant. There are about 20 seats inside at barrel tables or bar seating along the windows with a few additional tables outside. Great spot for a bite with 1 or 2 other people!

Nearest tube station: London Bridge

Manteca

Italian restaurant with entirely homemade pasta. Pasta dishes are small and perfect to share with others to be able to taste different dishes. The food was phenomenal, but the service was sub par. Tables are incredibly close together and we felt rushed while dining here. The food all came out very quickly and after we were finished and still had wine left, the waiter initially asked us to move to the bar. We had only been seated for about 1 hour and were in no rush to leave. I would recommend this spot, but would try going during the week perhaps when it is less busy and would space out your food order. Restaurant is located in Soho and requires reservations.

Nearest tube station: Oxford Circus

Ceviche

Peruvian restaurant located in Soho and makes for a delicious meal. Good spot for a group that is looking to share dishes and well priced for the quality of the food.

Nearest tube station: Tottenham Court Road or Leicester Square

Mayfair 34

British fancy (and expensive) restaurant in Mayfair serving Steak and Fish. Go at Christmas time when the entire restaurant has ornaments covering the ceiling. It is festive and pretty during the holiday season. It is located right near Grosvenor Square.

Nearest tube station: Marble Arch 

Canada Water Cafe

Cafe by day, restaurant by night. Cute spot in Canada Water just off the Jubilee line at the Canada water stop. Great, casual spot for any time of the day with good food and cozy atmosphere.

Nearest tube station: Canada Water

Gaucho

Upscale Steak house where you can expect high quality meat, but quite expensive. Multiple locations around London including London Bridge and Picadilly. There are a few vegetarian options, but majority of the menu is meat.

Ember Yard

Tapas restaurant located in Soho. The food was great, but the service was a bit rushed. I would recommend spacing out your orders so the food does not all come at once as it did for us. It is part of the Salt Yard group, which includes four different tapas restaurants.

Nearest tube station: Oxford Circus or Tottenham Court Road

Circolo Popolare

Italian restaurant, well known for its pizza located in Fitzrovia. The restaurant is part of the Big Mamma group and has a very nice atmosphere inside (the main draw for me originally). They take limited reservations and do not tend to take reservations during peak times. You have to get there a bit early and put your name in the queue to get a table. I found the restaurant nice with a great interior, but did not think it quite lived up to the hype it receives.

Nearest tube station: Tottenham Court Road

Flesh and Buns

Nice Japanese restaurant with two locations (Soho or Covent Garden)

Shack Fuyu

Japanese restaurant located in Soho with lots of tasty options.

Nearest tube station: Leicester Square, Covent Garden, or Tottenham Court Road

Texas Joe’s

American Barbecue spot found in Southwark, not far from London Bridge station. The barbecue is very good!

Nearest tube station: London Bridge

Poppie’s Fish and Chips

Traditional British Fish and Chips restaurant with multiple locations around London

Constancia

Argentinian chophouse found in Bermondsey. It’s good food, and more casual than other steakhouses with good quality meat.

Nearest tube station: London Bridge

Santo Remedio

Mexican restaurant in Southwark near London Bridge station. The food is good and I can recommend the tacos. The tacos are quite small and two come per order, so one can easily have two orders of tacos.

Nearest tube station: London Bridge

Alounak

Lebanese restaurant in Kensington

Nearest tube station: Shepherd’s Bush

Loyal Tavern

British restaurant on Bermondsey street in Southwark open all day. Cute restaurant Inside but not my favorite food

Nearest tube station: London Bridge

Cafe Boheme

Nice French bistro in Soho

Nearest tube station: Leicester Square, Covent Garden, or Tottenham Court Road

Hakata Raman Bar

Raman spot on Bermondsey street in Southwark

Nearest tube station: London Bridge

By Chloe

Casual restaurant with healthy options like salads and bowls. Good spot for lunch or quick dinner. This was an easy takeaway spot for a healthy meal

Nearest tube station: London Bridge

Café Murano

Italian restaurant on Bermondsey street in Southwark

Nearest tube station: London Bridge

Pizarro

Spanish restaurant on Bermondsey in Southwark. Decent food but overpriced for the quality

Nearest tube station: London Bridge

Old Compton Brasserie

British restaurant in Soho

Nearest tube station: Leicester Square, Covent Garden, or Tottenham Court Road

Punjab

Indian restaurant located in Covent Garden

Nearest tube station: Covent Garden or Tottenham Court Road

Franco Manca

Pizza chain scattered throughout the city with sit down or takeaway

La Bodega Negra

Subpar Mexican restaurant in Soho, not far from Leicester Square

Nearest tube station: Leicester Square, Covent Garden, or Tottenham Court Road

Sushi Samba

Expensive Sushi restaurant with locations in Covent Garden and the City of London. Service was atrocious and waitstaff was rude and slow. They cap your dining experience and then hardly serve you even when the restaurant is busy. A friend of mine had wine spilled on him while dining and they handled the situation very poorly as well. I would not recommend this restaurant

Nearest tube station: Covent Garden

Chotto Matte

Japanese grill and sushi restaurant located in Soho. The atmosphere has a club/restaurant feel downstairs. Upstairs feels more like a restaurant, but tables are close together and service is terrible. The food is decent, but very expensive, and easily overpriced. I would not recommend this restaurant and would not go back.

Drinks and Nightlife

The Alchemist

Mixology cocktail bar where the drinks are creative and fun. A few drinks include “the color changing one,” “the flavor changing one,” “bubblebath,” “tea party,” and many more. It is a fun spot to grab a cocktail or two and there are a few locations throughout the city.

Mr. Foggs

Cocktail bars with a few different locations scattered throughout the city. Each is decorated differently and provides a unique and fun experience

Noble Rot

Wine Bar in Holborn with a restaurant in the back. The Wine bar area is fairly small, but nice if you can get a spot.

Nearest tube station: Holborn or Russell Square

Crown & Anchor

British Pub with a pretty exterior located in Covent Garden

Nearest tube station: Covent Garden 

The White Lion

British pub in Covent Garden. The pub is downstairs and upstairs they serve typical British food for dining.

Nearest tube station: Covent Garden 

Gordon’s Wine Bar

London’s oldest wine bar located in Charing Cross. The inside feels like a cave and there’s a bar to order your small or large bottles of wine from in addition to some snacks. They also have an outdoor terrace that is often open and provides a lot more seating and space to have a drink as there is limited seating inside the wine bar. A queue forms at busy times as they monitor the number of people allowed inside, but still feels quite tight. It is a cool and unique spot to check out for a drink. You can only make reservations in the “cage” for parties up to 10 people.

Nearest tube station: Embankment or Charing Cross 

Cahoots

Cocktail bar and speakeasy located in Soho that is made to feel like a tube station and tube car. You can make reservations for a spot here and enter on the side of Kingly Court where you go down the stairs to get into the speakeasy. The menu is a newspaper and is full of creative and fun drinks.

Nearest tube station: Piccadilly Circus or Oxford Circus

Aqua Shard

Bar at the top of the Shard with a view of Tower Bridge. Drinks are expensive, but you can go up for free so recommend going up for a drink to enjoy the view.

Nearest tube station: London Bridge

The Three Greyhounds

Typical British Pub found in Soho

Nearest tube station: Leicester Square, Covent Garden, or Tottenham Court Road

Casanova & Daughters

Little wine bar in Neil’s yard that sells Italian snacks. They offer wine tasting whenever open and have little snacks along with the wine.

Nearest tube station: Covent Garden or Tottenham Court Road

The Book Club

Bar in Shoreditch with different rooms with different vibes. There are cocktails upstairs with a DJ and casual seating. There’s ping pong in a room and the basement has more upbeat music.

Nearest tube station: Old Street

Whyte and Brown

Restaurant in Kingly Court in Soho. It is a good spot for an afternoon snack and drink as Kingly Court is nice and lively.

Nearest tube station: Piccadilly Circus or Oxford Circus

The Woolpack

Bar on Bermondsey street in Southwark. When the weather is nice, there’s a beer garden in the back with lights strung up.

Nearest tube station: London Bridge

Tattersalls Tavern

British pub in Knightsbridge

Nearest tube station: Knightsbridge

Farzi Cafe

Indian restaurant with a nice cocktail bar upstairs

Nearest tube station: Piccadilly Circus or Charing Cross 

Golden Bee

Cocktail bar in Shoreditch with an outdoor terrace upstairs

Nearest tube station: Old Street

Cafes and Quick Bites

Comptoir Bermondsey

My local cafe in London where I stopped daily for a coffee, croisant, panini or cookie depending on the time of day. The cafe is tiny, with room for just a few people inside at once, but is always busy with customers. The quaint coffee shop and bakery is delicious and consistently provided a nice snack. In the afternoon and at night, they transform the little cafe into a spot to grab a small snack and drink a glass of wine. I loved this little spot.

Nearest tube station: London Bridge

Crosstown Doughnuts

Doughnut shop with different types of unique, tasty doughnuts

Doughnut time

More unique doughnut flavors

Monmouth Coffee Company

Coffee shop in Covent Garden

Nearest tube station: Covent Garden

B. Street Deli

Spot on Bermondsey street in Southwark open all day serving different needs. The shop has freshly made salads and sandwiches that you can take to go or sit down and enjoy. They also have a delicious selection of baked goods and a stacked wine bar. You can get enjoy brunch in the morning or snacks like charcuterie and cheese with wine at night. I love this spot for all its purposes and found myself stopping in quite often.

Nearest tube station: London Bridge

Chapter 72

Coffee shop and casual cocktail bar. This place specializes in Espresso Martinis, using their coffee beans to make delicious martinis. It feels like a coffee shop all day, but serves alcoholic drinks after 11 am. They also offer Espresso Martini “master classes” for 30 pounds per person, where you learn to make and enjoy two different drinks – one being their Espresso Martini specialty.

Nearest tube station: London Bridge

Chloe’s Espresso

Little coffee shop in Chalk Farm. If you go to Piedmont Hill from the Chalk Farm tube station, you can walk by this cute coffee shop.

Nearest tube station: Chalk Farm

Treats

Creme

Cookie shop with fresh homemade cookies. They bake different cookies different days and they are thick, sconelike delights

Nearest tube station: Tottenham Court Road or Oxford Circus

Ben’s Cookies

Cookie shops around London with a variety of different flavors

Milk Train

Spot that puts a spin on desserts offering things like ice cream with cotton candy around it

Nearest tube station: Covent Garden

Lola’s Cupcakes

Cupcake shop in London located in Covent Garden, but with stands in many of the busy Tube stations

Bubblewrap

Offers freshly made waffles as large cones with gelato and a variety of sauce and topping choices

Nearest tube station: Piccadilly Circus or Leicester Square

Other Notes

Holidays in London

The city gets decorated around Christmas time, all throughout the city. Regent Street and Oxford Street are lined with a continuous beautiful display of lights. Covent Garden puts up a large tree outside. Hay’s Galleria and Camden Market also have Christmas trees up for the holiday season. Winter Wonderland is a giant fair assembled in Hyde Park with festive activities. The ceiling and walls in 34 Mayfair (restaurant) are covered with ornaments. Grovesnor Square has some lights up and Kew Gardens also goes all out (tickets sell out in advance).

Christmas Markets are scattered throughout the city as well. There is one in South Bank near the London Eye, another in Leicestar Square, and a line of Christmas shops along the river starting at the Tower Bridge and running past Hay’s Galleria.

Navigation

Transportation and Accommodations

Things to do and see

Food and Drinks

The owner of this website has made a committment to accessibility and inclusion, please report any problems that you encounter using the contact form on this website. This site uses the WP ADA Compliance Check plugin to enhance accessibility.