London

This one was really hard for me to write. I lived in London for about 9 months in 2021, when it was still fairly shut down. London is such a gigantic city; there is no way you can get a perfect rec list without it being entirely overwhelming given the size, so I did the best I could, but it was the most intimidating one to write to be honest. It felt like it had to be one of my first blogs since I did live here, so here it is. I got some help on this one from one of my dearest friends, Molefi, who still lives there today and is one of my main travel companions, so huge shoutout to him. I plan to eventually do a guide by neighborhood, but that'll come later. Hope you enjoy and get some recs at least from this!

Restaurants

Must dos:

• Smoking Goat: This is my favorite restaurant in London. It’s technically thai, but not traditional in the way you think about it. The menu is constantly changing, but everything is phenomenal. They have the best chicken wings I’ve ever had in my life. 

• Dishoom: It really lives up to the hype. I’ve never had better Indian food. You must get the chicken ruby and the black daal. The biryani can be skipped in my opinion. The brunch here is also great, but I prefer to go for dinner. They don’t take reservations so put your name in early and grab a drink at the bar.

Sunday Roasts

• I’m not the biggest Sunday roast fan, I find them quite bland, but I still enjoy them every now and then with a pint more for the experience than the actual food. I think most are pretty similar to be honest. The chicken is almost always dry so get extra gravy. 

• A few roast recs: The Marksman, Pig and Butcher, The Harwood Arms, Grazing Goat, Fox and Pheasant, The Camberwell Arms

Fish & chips: 

• Honestly, it’s kind of hard to mess this dish up, but you have to try it once while you’re in London. The Lighterman was really close to my old apartment and has a really yummy one. You don’t need to travel far off your path to find a decent fish & chips. 

Markets: 

• A lot of eating in London seems to happen at pubs or in markets. I’ve included a section on markets below. 

Others:

• Asian: Din Thai Fung (it’s a classic for a reason), Bao Noodle Shop, Dim Sum Duck, Roti King, LAO DAO, Hoppers

• Modern European: Rochelle Canteen, Kudu, 64 Goodge Street, Jones & Sons

• Italian: Padella, Crisp Pizza w6, Lina Stores Soho

• Breakfast & Bakeries: TOAD Bakery, Sunday in Brooklyn - Modern American Restaurant Notting Hill, The Dusty Knuckle Bakery, Snackbar, Hash e8 

• Middle Eastern: Coal Office Restaurant

Bars

I feel like I need to give context for this section. I lived in London in 2021, the depths of the 2nd lockdown. It was so very strict, unfortunately for me. The second the city would open, I would be out and about, so I have some experience in the going out scene, but it wasn’t 9 months worth of experience.

• Speakeasies & Cocktail bars: TT Liquor, Nightjar, Seed Library, A Bar with Shapes for a Name, Three Sheets, Hacha Bar, Satan’s Whiskers, Bar Termini, Lyaness, Soma Soho, The Bar with No Name

• Wine bars: Bishops Vault, Renegade Urban Winery, The French House

• Pub scene: As you can imagine, there are pubs everywhere. They all serve a few beer options and have a similar vibe. There are a million in London, so just find a neighborhood you like, stroll around, and pop in to one with a crowd that you want to hangout with! 

• Archer Street: This was the most fun going out spot for me during my time in London. You should get tickets in advance and get there a bit on the earlier side so you can get in. You can reserve tables downstairs early then move upstairs later when the party starts. It’s basically a bunch of West End theatre people as bartenders who break into show tunes periodically. It’s super fun, always packed, and has a great crowd. 

• CRATE Brewery & Pizzeria: My dear friend Molefi loves this place too for a nice Sunday day. Outside drinking and good food. And it’s in London’s hippest neighborhood.

• Soho House, Shoreditch: I hate to be this person, but the Soho House in Shoreditch is super lively. There are multiple rooms so there is always a choose your vibe type of night and it’s always crowded. It feels like everyone in the city has a membership. I don’t think Soho Houses are fun for nightlife truly anywhere else, except London. It stays open until 3am while the rest of the city shuts down at 1am. 

• The Ship: Far away in south London, but lovely patio vibe on the river on a warm, sunny day. Great spot to post up and get spritzes. It will be very crowded if it’s nice out, though. 

• Printworks: If EDM is more your thing, there are shows at Printworks which is difficult to get to, but super fun. Although I heard they are closing down soon.
  

Things to do

As with most big cities I visit, my favorite thing to do is to walk around, stop in shops and for food & drinks, and London is definitely a city for spending the entire day wandering and walking like 10 miles. Between all the parks, different, sprawling neighborhoods, and pubs along the way, you won’t get bored. 

• Parks (I’ll be honest, I write all of these blogs fully myself, but I did turn to chatgpt for these descriptions because it felt like I wasn’t going to add anything else meaningful)

  • Hyde Park: It’s one of London's largest and most famous parks, offering expansive green spaces, a serene lake, and numerous cultural and recreational activities.

  • Regent’s Park: This one is a beautifully landscaped park featuring formal gardens, a boating lake, and the renowned ZSL London Zoo.

  • Hampstead Heath: Hampstead Heath is a vast, wild green space known for its panoramic views of London, natural ponds, and extensive walking trails.

  • London Fields: It is a lively urban park popular for its open spaces, sports facilities, and bustling weekend markets.

  • Victoria Park: Victoria Park, often called "Vicky Park," is a large and historic park with picturesque lakes, gardens, and a variety of cultural and community events.

• Go to markets! The last time I was in London in the fall, my friends and I spent an entire Sunday market hopping. There are so many to see. You’ll run into even more just walking through parks, vendors will set up with amazing produce and grab n go food options. 

  • Columbia Road Flower Market: Insanely crowded, but cool to walk through. The flowers and plants pop off here every Sunday.

  • Borough Market: This one is definitely the most popular and it’s for a reason. The food here is incredible; go with an empty stomach and try as much as possible. 

  • Camden Market: This may be a hot take, but I lived right next to this one and hated it. It’s super unhealthy food and crazy crowded. I just thought everything is overhyped for what it is. I’d much rather go to Borough to eat. 

  • Others to stroll around: Broadway Market, Victoria Park Market, Old Spitalfield Market (this one is meh), Portobello Road Market, Greenwich Market, Coal Drops Yard (an outdoor shopping center, not a market, but its cool), and I’m definitely missing a bunch here. 

• See a show at West End: It’s London’s version of Broadway. If you can see Six here, highly recommend. I’m not the biggest fan of musicals and it was spectacular. 

• Winter Wonderland: If you are visiting London over the holiday season, it’s worth checking out. Winter Wonderland is basically a carnival, but mostly for adults. There is a tent that feels like Oktoberfest and it’s great fun to go with a group or share a table with strangers and make some new friends. 

Areas

North

• Islington & Angel: This was where I aspired to live. It’s super central, has a ton of restaurants and pubs, gyms, grocery stores, etc. It would be my preferred neighborhood to live in given the location and everything going on in Islington. 

• Camden: When I lived in London, this is the neighborhood I lived in. I would say it is a skip honestly. It is so crowded, grungy, and a bit dirty. I didn’t really like living here too much. I enjoyed walking along the canal from my old apartment to Regent’s Park though. 

• Hampstead Heath: Sleepier area, but quant, nice, and has a stunning park. If you’re visiting for a weekend you probably won’t stay here, but would be a great place to rent an apartment for a month or longer. 

South

• I’ll be honest, I never spent much time in South London. It’s known for having a ton of fresh graduates in Clapham because it’s fun, and cheaper than north of the river. 

East

• Shoreditch: Although I would want to live in Islington because it’s a bit homier, Shoreditch is my favorite neighborhood to hang out in. There is so much going on, the best restaurants and bars, an interesting subculture.

• Dalston & Hackney: These areas are super up & coming, right next to Shoreditch, they are becoming cool and trendy like how Shoreditch used to be before it became mainstream. You’ll find trendy bars, an art scene, and unique restaurants here. Highly recommend walking around Hackney in particular. 

• Stratford: My dearest friend Molefi used to live here, so I stayed here with him. Sorry to him if you’re reading this (love u), but it is far as f**k. There is no need to go that far. 

• Whitechapel: This is basically all offices. No need to go if you’re not on a work trip.

West

• Nottinghill & Kensington: They are known for being affluent neighborhoods famed with stunning Victorian townhouses, upscale shops, and nice parks. Would definitely love to live here.

• Chelsea: This area is not like the one in NYC. It’s super upscale and known for its high-end boutiques, gourmet restaurants, and historic landmarks.

• Fulham: I really like this area even though it’s not super convenient to get to. It’s a leafy, affluent area known for its charming streets, riverside pubs, and neighborhood vibes. I love a Sunday roast here.

Central

• Marylebone: This neighborhood is the best; it has a super chic village vibe with fashionable boutiques, stylish restaurants, and the iconic Baker Street.

• Soho: Soho is the quintessential center of London, known for its vibrant nightlife, theaters, and large crowds. There is a lot to do here, but also a lot of tourists. 

Random tips

• It rains constantly, always have a backup plan for bad weather. Or just suck it up and buy an umbrella. 

• Tesco meal deals are incredible if you’re on a budget for lunch. it’s like $3 for a full lunch with a drink.

• If your destination is too far to walk, take the tube. The tube lines are fairly easy to follow on your own. They feel much cleaner and safer than the subways in nyc. Typically, your iphone will tell you enough info, but if you want exact timing, download City Mapper and it will tell you the most efficient train route with times.

Weekend trips

• Other parts of the UK are stunning and worth a night away from the city for. They are the quaint little towns you see in movies like The Holiday. I personally love the Cotswolds. There are so many cute areas and places you can stay, it’s an easy train ride, and it has a ton of charm. 

• Soho Farmhouse is incredible, but if you aren’t a member, there are a ton of other charming little B&Bs in the area. I’d recommend finding one that has the activities you are interested in offered there so it’s easier to coordinate. You ideally won’t want to stray far from where you are staying for a relaxing weekend. The hikes around the Cotswolds are great as well through the rolling hills.