London
London London London! There's something truly magical about this city. It stands as one of my all-time favorite destinations, rivaling the electrifying energy of New York City, with its own unique hustle and bustle. It really does have it all - literally walking through history on the streets, cute little phone booths (kinda gross though), and some of the world’s best restaurants. I’ve hit London in spring, summer, fall, and winter- and every time it’s had a whole new energy. Here’s the lowdown on my top picks for things to do, no matter the season.
What You’ll Find:
Quick Tips
Money - The local currency is the British Pound. Everywhere takes contactless payment, so no cash conversion is needed.
Electronics - The G type plug is the main outlet used in the UK, with 230V. This convertor is compatible with any country you visit.
Pornstar Martinis - All I drink whenever I’m in the UK. We don’t have these in the US, so if you haven’t had a chance to try, don’t miss out on this passion fruit cocktail.
Reservations - Make your reservations early!! Some restaurants and attractions take reservations up to one month in advance.
Safety - When in touristy areas, be cautious with your valuables as they could get snatched.
Air Conditioning - AC is not as common in London as it is in the states (unless you’re in a hotel). If this is something important to you, be sure to double check when booking your accommodation.
Neighborhoods in London
There’s definitely too many to list, but here are some of the popular areas in London:
West End - If you’re into Broadway and shows, this is where all the theaters are located. You’ll also find Piccadilly Circus here.
Shoreditch - I’d compare this to the Lower East Side of Manhattan- a hipster area with a ton of bars, restaurants, and vintage stores.
Notting Hill - If you’re a Julia Roberts fan then you know Notting Hill! Also, home of Portobello Market, vintage shops, and cafes. My favorite NYC french brunch restaurant, Buvette, also has a location in Notting Hill.
Kings Cross - Head here if you’re a Harry Potter fan to see Platform 9 3/4!
Mayfair - The more upscale area of London with high end restaurants and hotels.
The City of London - Referred to as “the city”, make sure to check out Tower Bridge, Tower of London ( a 1000 year old castle where you can see the crown jewels), and St. Paul’s Cathedral.
Shopping
I can’t travel anywhere without doing some shopping, so here are some places to check out when in London. Oxford Street is equivalent to New York’s 5th Avenue- so make sure to visit for a plethora of options. Note that you can no longer claim VAT taxes after traveling back from the UK, so you may want to save your designer purchases for the EU.
Department Stores - Selfridges and Harrods are two of the most famous upscale department stores in the UK.
House of CB - Founded by Conna Walker in London, House of CB has blown up in the US in recent years. You can find prices to be slightly cheaper when purchasing from England.
London based brands - These are some London based brands that you may find for a slightly better price than in the US - Vivienne Westwood, Barbour, Paul Smith, House of Sunny, and Reiss to name a few.
Accommodations
Expect the accommodations in London to be on the more expensive end. For hotels, I’ve stayed at the Sanderson London and The Langham in Central London and had a great experience at both. I’ve also stayed at a handful of Airbnb’s throughout Central London.
If it’s your first time in London, I’d recommend staying in Central London. The prices will probably be a bit higher than other parts of the city, but you’ll be closer to more of the tourist attractions and won’t need to spend extra time and money getting around.
Getting Around
There’s a variety of options you’ll have when trying to get around the city. Here are some things I’ve learned throughout my visits-
Google Maps - This will give you the best route for using public transport. I was also introduced to CityMapper, but Google Maps worked perfectly.
The Tube (slang for London Underground) - The equivalent (although much cleaner ) of NYC’s subways. This is one of the most efficient ways of getting around. You can tap in and out using contactless payment methods. Note: it only runs from 5am - midnight on the weekdays.
Other Trains - Other than the tube there is overground public transport such as The Overground and DLR, and they work the same way as the tube.
Buses - The red double decker buses are another option for transportation, and you can also tap into these. Sit in the first row of the second floor for the views!
Taxi’s - The famous black cabs of London! This would be a more expensive option, but you can hail these as they drive past.
Uber/Bolt - Both rideshare apps are safe options for getting around the city.
Activities
London is FULL of things to do and see!
London Eye - It wasn’t until my 3rd trip to London that I actually went on the London Eye. I wasn’t convinced it was worth the time until I actually went on it. Definitely a great experience with 360 views and it costs around 40 USD per person.
Tower Bridge - This is the gorgeous blue bridge in London that everyone confuses for the London Bridge :) Stunning architecture, and a necessary photo op! You can even book a cruise here to see it from the Thames.
Buckingham Palace - If you want to get a glimpse of the royal residence and watch the changing of the guards, this is a must see. You can also purchase tickets to go inside.
Parks - London is full of parks, and if the weather is nice, be prepared to see a bunch of people lounging on the grass. Some notable ones you should check out are Hyde Park, Regent’s Park, Hampstead Heath (a perfect place for views of London), and Kew Gardens (outside of London but accessible by train).
Museums/Gallery - There’s a ton more, but these are two that I checked out.
British Museum - The first national public museum in the world. Come here to see the Rosetta Stone.
Natural History Museum - One of the most famous museums in London.
National Gallery - Home to renaissance era paintings from the 13th century.
Tate Modern - A modern art museum that always has some new exhibits to check out.
Westminster Abbey/Big Ben - The famous royal church and clock in London! They’re right next to each other, and super close to the London Eye.
The Shard - You can get a ticket to the observatory platform in this famous building but be prepared for the crowds. A hack around this is to book one of the restaurants and get the view from a table.
Borough Market - One of the largest and oldest food markets in London! Hop around to different stands to try various cuisines.
Afternoon Tea - A tea-related ritual that comes with a tier of scones, cakes, and sandwiches alongside your tea of choice.
Mercato Mayfair - An Anglican church until 1974, the building was transformed into a food market in 2019. The stained glass, and gorgeous interior make this a must visit.
Ronnie Scott’s - A world famous jazz club that has been operating in Soho since 1959! We had such a fun night at the venue; reserve early!
West End Shows - West End is a district, west of the city of London which is packed with theaters, bars, and restaurants. Some popular shows to check out are Harry Potter, Lion King, Matilda, Wicked, and Mamma Mia.
Football - London is the home to a number of football clubs (Arsenal, Chelsea, Fulham, etc). Definitely check out a game if you’re able to.
Concerts - Being the major city that it is, London is a huge destination for some of the biggest artists. I’ve been able to see The Weeknd and Emotional Oranges on tour here, and tickets were a fraction of the price they were in the US!
Flight Club - Literally my favorite London activity. Its a bar with digital dart games, and it gets SO competitive. Weekends get packed, so make sure you reserve in advance.
Food
I’d probably overwhelm you if I listed every restaurant I’ve been to in London. Don’t believe the rumors that you won’t find good food in the UK. Below are a few of the many places I’ve tried, and if you’d like any more recs feel free to shoot me a message!
Sunday Roast - This is a traditional meal consisting of roasted meat, potatoes, Yorkshire pudding, and different sides. It’s delicious and available at many restaurants across the city. Some recommendations are Cora Pearl, The Harwood Arms, and Bib Gourmand.
Sketch - One of the most notable restaurants in London, known for its chic interior and picturesque restroom. For dinner, the food was on the more expensive side. Wasn’t a top meal for me, but definitely an experience.
Sushi Samba - There’s two locations in London for this one (and some all over the world), and you’ll want to go to the one in the Heron Tower for the views. They serve a fusion of Japanese, Peruvian, and Brazilian dishes. Loved the food here and actually came a second time. Make a reservation early! My favorite items were the miso black cod robata, el topo (sushi roll with mozzarella), and crispy taquitos.
Manteca - An Italian restaurant located in Shoreditch, come here for delicious Italian. Some of our favs were the puntarelle alla romana, house-made ricotta, and the pappardelle.
Circolo Popolare - Owned by the BigMamma Group, Circolo Poplare is known for its beautiful interior. Food was good, and make sure you reserve early! Fun fact- I missed Chrissy Teigen and John Legend by one day! My top items were the burrata pappa al pomodoro and mafaldine al tartufo.
La Bodega Negra - A speakeasy Mexican restaurant, come here for good food, cocktails, and vibes! Hibiscus margarita is a must try. For food, I loved the tuna tostada, crispy squid, and chicken tacos al pastor.
Aqua Shard - One of the many restaurants in The Shard. Incredible views, decent food, but on the more expensive end, but was a wonderful experience for a weekend brunch.
Ivy Asia - Delicious Asian restaurant. I went to the one in Chelsea, but I hear the vibes at the St. Paul’s location are even better. Our favorite items were the Ivy Roll, yellowtail sashimi, and the szechuan glazed chicken skewers.
Amazonico - This is a famous global restaurant, and you’re bound to run into a celebrity or influencer here (we saw a couple on our Friday night). Beautiful decor from the inside, but definitely overpriced. I probably wouldn’t come back, although it was a good experience.
Berenjak - A Persian restaurant on the Michelin Guide. Make sure you make a reservation early! It’s been a while since my visit, so I can’t remember exactly what we ordered, but the meat kebabs were a must order.
Roka - A sister restaurant to Zuma, Roka is a Japanese robatayaki restaurant. We did the tasting menu, and were left stuffed at the end. Food was delicious!
NAC Mayfair - One of my favorite lunch spots! Although you’ll probably get stuffed from the food, make sure you don’t miss out on the famous cookie dessert they serve. For lunch we ordered the rigatoni alla vodka, the kale & cabbage zaatar salad with salmon, and the truffled mac and cheese (all incredible).
Bob Bob Ricard - Known for its famous “Press for Champagne” button at the table, dine here for a memorable meal and experience. They serve vodka shots at -18°C ( that’s below 0°F) and you’ll taste no burn!
Cedric Grolet - The famous french pastry chef opened a bakery at the Berkeley hotel in London. He’s the sous chef at Le Meurice, the famous hotel in Paris, which has 2 Michelin stars!
Sexy Fish - A luxurious Mayfair Asian restaurant, Sexy Fish is one of my favorite spots. I’ve also been to the one in Miami, but the one in London has a whole different vibe and I absolutely loved it. Attire is smart, and an early reservation is a must. My favorite items were the crispy duck salad, tuna tataki, grilled sea bass, and chicken yakitori skewers. Also, don’t skip out on the insane cocktails!
Bars
So many I could list, but here are some notable ones:
Sky Garden - Also a restaurant, but we grabbed a drink here for the views. You can also book a slot and go for free if you can’t get a drinks reservation.
Pubs - Pubs are huge in London. Expect to see them packed with people coming out of work on the weekdays, and grabbing drinks on the weekends.
Red Room - Cocktail bar in The Connaught - good vibes and good drinks.
Tayēr + Elementary - One of my favorite bars, and ranked No. 8 on the world’s top cocktail bars in the world. They’re a super minimalistic bar, and all our drinks actually looked like water.
Swift - Another one of my favorite cocktail spots, and ranked No.20 on the world’s top cocktail bars in the world. Don’t miss out on their famous Irish Coffee.
Nightjar - A prohibition style speakeasy in Shoreditch that has live music while you sip on your unique and fun cocktails!
