London - big, exciting, expensive & modern. Even after the Brexit, the city is still a place for creativity, wealth and sightseeing. For me, London has always been a city of fashion, as Savile Row is located here and also the famous design school Central Saint .Martins College (Stella McCartney and Alexander McQueen are alumni here, for example). But London has much more to offer and I am always surprised to discover something new. At least the cuisine here knows no limits!
I have divided my tips according to city districts,
as one never really has so much time in London and wants to connect as much as possible.
I have divided my tips according to city districts,
as one never really has so much time in London and wants to connect as much as possible.
DISTRICT: SHOREDITCH & HOXTON
Shoreditch is young, hip and artistic. There are many vintage shops and small cafés. The best thing to do is to walk along "Brick Lane" street and "Red Church" street. There are also recommendable hotels here, e.g. "The Hoxton" in industrial chic, the "Nobu Hotel" in Japanese style or the "Courthouse" a former courthouse. Shoreditch borders on Hoxton, which is at least as hip.
ANDINA - the little sister of Ceviche | Peruvian for brunch or lunch
Ceviche and Pisco Sour is probably the best thing that anyone in London can do like the Ceviche Family. The Ceviche in Soho has two more offshoots: The Andina and the Ceviche in Shoreditch. Perfect for peruvian snacks and great drinks.
DISHOOM - modern Indian cuisine
or me, Indian is still one of the most underrated kitchens in the world. Especially if you live in Germany, because Indian is often stamped here with the same dishes: Butter Chicken and Chicken Masala. However, here in Dishoom, for example, there are incredibly good and creative dishes, many of them vegan by the way. What can I recommend to you here? Come here for brunch! By the way, the first Dishoom opened in 2010 in Covent Garden and has Londoners with creative but also classic Indian cuisine. Retrovibes and great cocktails convinced. Meanwhile there are three restaurants in London and it is always full. The Dishoom in Shoreditch is the best for me, because here the atmosphere & interior is simply brilliant! If you are a large group I recommend a reservation.
https://www.dishoom.com/reservations/
Shoreditch is young, hip and artistic. There are many vintage shops and small cafés. The best thing to do is to walk along "Brick Lane" street and "Red Church" street. There are also recommendable hotels here, e.g. "The Hoxton" in industrial chic, the "Nobu Hotel" in Japanese style or the "Courthouse" a former courthouse. Shoreditch borders on Hoxton, which is at least as hip.
ANDINA - the little sister of Ceviche | Peruvian for brunch or lunch
Ceviche and Pisco Sour is probably the best thing that anyone in London can do like the Ceviche Family. The Ceviche in Soho has two more offshoots: The Andina and the Ceviche in Shoreditch. Perfect for peruvian snacks and great drinks.
DISHOOM - modern Indian cuisine
or me, Indian is still one of the most underrated kitchens in the world. Especially if you live in Germany, because Indian is often stamped here with the same dishes: Butter Chicken and Chicken Masala. However, here in Dishoom, for example, there are incredibly good and creative dishes, many of them vegan by the way. What can I recommend to you here? Come here for brunch! By the way, the first Dishoom opened in 2010 in Covent Garden and has Londoners with creative but also classic Indian cuisine. Retrovibes and great cocktails convinced. Meanwhile there are three restaurants in London and it is always full. The Dishoom in Shoreditch is the best for me, because here the atmosphere & interior is simply brilliant! If you are a large group I recommend a reservation.
https://www.dishoom.com/reservations/
DISTRICT: COVENT GARDEN
26GRAINS - perfect for breakfast & brunch | small menu
The 26Grains is a charming little breakfast café. It is cooked and prepared directly in the café. While sipping your oat milk cappuccino you can watch the staff baking banana bread. The small menu is perfect for a small stop or breakfast. By the way, the sweet inner courtyard is especially pretty and perfect for the one or other photo ;) On the picture you can see avocado bread and green polenta with wild mushrooms and kale.
26GRAINS - perfect for breakfast & brunch | small menu
The 26Grains is a charming little breakfast café. It is cooked and prepared directly in the café. While sipping your oat milk cappuccino you can watch the staff baking banana bread. The small menu is perfect for a small stop or breakfast. By the way, the sweet inner courtyard is especially pretty and perfect for the one or other photo ;) On the picture you can see avocado bread and green polenta with wild mushrooms and kale.
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THE BARBARY - opposite 26grains | Israeli mezze and drinks at the bar
The Barbary belongs to the Palomar and is therefore also ideal for a drink with Hummus, Pita and Baba Ganoush at the bar. The small shop consists
quasi from a big bar and is absolutely recommendable for preheating or afterwork.
The Barbary belongs to the Palomar and is therefore also ideal for a drink with Hummus, Pita and Baba Ganoush at the bar. The small shop consists
quasi from a big bar and is absolutely recommendable for preheating or afterwork.
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GAIL'S BAKERY - Banana bread with spelt flour & sourdough bread
A great little bakery and café. The desserts are baked with spelt and wholemeal flour. If you discover a banana bread with pecan nuts you should try it, it tastes so delicious! Here you can also take the British scones with you. Oh yes, you can also get oat milk cappuccino here ;)! |
BETWEEN SOHO & COVENT GARDEN: CHINATOWN
There is definitely a lot to discover in Chinatown. We were immediately looking for Peking Duck, Dim Sum and Chinese desserts. FOUR SEASONS - great Peking duck For many an absolute must: Peking duck! Here you get it traditionally and very tasty. |
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GOLDEN PHOENIX - classic Dim Sum
At the Golden Phoenix you get a great card of Dim Sum, But be careful, this is not for vegetarians, because there is only one kind of "Veggie" Dim Sum, they are very tasty, but I would send you to another place like the restaurant "Dumpling Legends" - here the choice is a little bit bigger. Since Chinatown is not very big, you can also compare the two and then decide.
At the Golden Phoenix you get a great card of Dim Sum, But be careful, this is not for vegetarians, because there is only one kind of "Veggie" Dim Sum, they are very tasty, but I would send you to another place like the restaurant "Dumpling Legends" - here the choice is a little bit bigger. Since Chinatown is not very big, you can also compare the two and then decide.
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CHINATOWN BAKERY - Taiyaki
Here you can find the japanese pastry "Taiyaki". This is a Japanese pastry in the shape of a fish, which is baked on a frying plate with fish shapes. Traditionally it is filled with Anko, a sweet paste made of red beans, but nowadays vanilla cream as a filling is also very popular. By the way, the small Taiyaki are not filled, but you can also find slightly bigger fish in the nearby bakery "Bake", which are filled with bean paste, chocolate cream or Matcha.
Here you can find the japanese pastry "Taiyaki". This is a Japanese pastry in the shape of a fish, which is baked on a frying plate with fish shapes. Traditionally it is filled with Anko, a sweet paste made of red beans, but nowadays vanilla cream as a filling is also very popular. By the way, the small Taiyaki are not filled, but you can also find slightly bigger fish in the nearby bakery "Bake", which are filled with bean paste, chocolate cream or Matcha.
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MAMASONS - Philippine desserts
An absolute surprise is the "Bilog". A little sugar bomb, but still a must-try soul food! The doughnut-like pastry is filled with purple sweet potato ice cream and is cold inside and the dough still nice and warm. |
DISTRICT: SOHO
THE SOCIAL EATING HOUSE - modern & creative cuisine
The pleasant ambience and the creative, tasty dishes invite you to linger. Relaxed, but not quite cheap. Which is probably due to the Michelin star that the restaurant holds. The best thing is to reserve and check the menu beforehand https://www.socialeatinghouse.com/
CEVICHE - Peruvian | informal
Great ceviche and amazing Pisco Sour!
THE PALOMAR - unique Israeli | informal
The bar is where the people who come to the bar eat? Think so! Not here, because the place at the bar is definitely and quite rightly the favourite place. Charming bar lights illuminate the incredibly delicious food and let us become part of the kitchen. Watching the cooks creating, smelling the scent of the food and having the food served "directly" over the counter, just like mum.
THE SOCIAL EATING HOUSE - modern & creative cuisine
The pleasant ambience and the creative, tasty dishes invite you to linger. Relaxed, but not quite cheap. Which is probably due to the Michelin star that the restaurant holds. The best thing is to reserve and check the menu beforehand https://www.socialeatinghouse.com/
CEVICHE - Peruvian | informal
Great ceviche and amazing Pisco Sour!
THE PALOMAR - unique Israeli | informal
The bar is where the people who come to the bar eat? Think so! Not here, because the place at the bar is definitely and quite rightly the favourite place. Charming bar lights illuminate the incredibly delicious food and let us become part of the kitchen. Watching the cooks creating, smelling the scent of the food and having the food served "directly" over the counter, just like mum.
DISTRICT: MAYFAIR / ST.JAMES
The elegant quarter of Mayfair is characterised by British chic. Mayfair also has the famous shopping streets Bond Street and New Bond Street. Savile Row, where the history of tailor-made suits began and where the world's best tailors still sit today, is also located here. In fact Mayfair has been largely owned by the Grosvenor family for about 300 years, they are considered one of the richest families in England. Due to the upscale architecture, the land prices are enormous and almost exclusively famous or very rich people live here.
St. James borders on the Mayfair quarter. Here you will find a hotel in British chic. By the way, we were in the St.James Hotel, a sweet boutique hotel with a great London flair. The location is excellent and the beds very comfortable!
SCOTT'S - noble & chic, excellent fish
In Scotts you also meet one or the other celebrity for lunch. The fish restaurant is in the most exclusive location and offers great dishes with a touch of British flair. Unfortunately the restaurant is not for the small purse, so you should plan enough time, book in advance and really enjoy your lunch.
https://scotts-restaurant.com/
THE RITZ HOTEL - British & very noble
If you really want to drink tea in a classy way, throw yourself into chic clothes and visit the legendary luxury hotel Ritz-Carlton. With 60 pounds for the traditional afternoon tea definitely nothing for the small purse, but very close to the royal British London and an absolute experience.
As the hotel is very popular as also the tea time, you should book the experience in advance. Here is the link:
https://www.theritzlondon.com/dine-with-us/afternoon-tea/afternoon-tea-offers/traditional-afternoon-tea/
FORTNUM & MASON - British Afternoon Tea in the Tea Room
If you know the tea supplier of Queen Fortnum & Mason, you can immediately see where Tiffany's got the inspiration for the brand colour "light turquoise". The house extends over four floors. From perfumery to British men's fashion, you will find British originals here. On the fourth floor is the Tea Room. There you can enjoy your afternoon tea - of course THE ROYAL BLEND. But also those who don't want to drink anything here can stroll around and maybe take a tea home as a souvenir.
The elegant quarter of Mayfair is characterised by British chic. Mayfair also has the famous shopping streets Bond Street and New Bond Street. Savile Row, where the history of tailor-made suits began and where the world's best tailors still sit today, is also located here. In fact Mayfair has been largely owned by the Grosvenor family for about 300 years, they are considered one of the richest families in England. Due to the upscale architecture, the land prices are enormous and almost exclusively famous or very rich people live here.
St. James borders on the Mayfair quarter. Here you will find a hotel in British chic. By the way, we were in the St.James Hotel, a sweet boutique hotel with a great London flair. The location is excellent and the beds very comfortable!
SCOTT'S - noble & chic, excellent fish
In Scotts you also meet one or the other celebrity for lunch. The fish restaurant is in the most exclusive location and offers great dishes with a touch of British flair. Unfortunately the restaurant is not for the small purse, so you should plan enough time, book in advance and really enjoy your lunch.
https://scotts-restaurant.com/
THE RITZ HOTEL - British & very noble
If you really want to drink tea in a classy way, throw yourself into chic clothes and visit the legendary luxury hotel Ritz-Carlton. With 60 pounds for the traditional afternoon tea definitely nothing for the small purse, but very close to the royal British London and an absolute experience.
As the hotel is very popular as also the tea time, you should book the experience in advance. Here is the link:
https://www.theritzlondon.com/dine-with-us/afternoon-tea/afternoon-tea-offers/traditional-afternoon-tea/
FORTNUM & MASON - British Afternoon Tea in the Tea Room
If you know the tea supplier of Queen Fortnum & Mason, you can immediately see where Tiffany's got the inspiration for the brand colour "light turquoise". The house extends over four floors. From perfumery to British men's fashion, you will find British originals here. On the fourth floor is the Tea Room. There you can enjoy your afternoon tea - of course THE ROYAL BLEND. But also those who don't want to drink anything here can stroll around and maybe take a tea home as a souvenir.
DISTRICT: BELGRAVIA & WESTMINSTER
In the historic district and government quarter of Westminster you will find the sights of London: Big Ben (which is called Elizabeth Tower, by the way, because only the big bell in the tower is called Big Ben), the London Eye, Westminster Abbey, Trafalger Square, 10 Downing Street (official residence of the Prime Minister and with the White House one of the most important government houses in the world.) and last but not least Buckingham Palace. So you can run these hot spots in one day and stop at one of the other cafes.
PEGGY PORSCHEN - the pink Instagram Café
The pink café, decorated with many flowers, is an absolute Instagram highlight. However, if you hate photographing guests, you should give it a wide berth. But let's be honest, the elegant cakes, the interior and the many flowers invite you to take a picture.
https://www.peggyporschen.com
In the historic district and government quarter of Westminster you will find the sights of London: Big Ben (which is called Elizabeth Tower, by the way, because only the big bell in the tower is called Big Ben), the London Eye, Westminster Abbey, Trafalger Square, 10 Downing Street (official residence of the Prime Minister and with the White House one of the most important government houses in the world.) and last but not least Buckingham Palace. So you can run these hot spots in one day and stop at one of the other cafes.
PEGGY PORSCHEN - the pink Instagram Café
The pink café, decorated with many flowers, is an absolute Instagram highlight. However, if you hate photographing guests, you should give it a wide berth. But let's be honest, the elegant cakes, the interior and the many flowers invite you to take a picture.
https://www.peggyporschen.com
MARKETS
In London there are some great markets that offer very different things. I have written down the merits of the markets for you briefly.
In London there are some great markets that offer very different things. I have written down the merits of the markets for you briefly.
CAMDEN LOCK - Young & hip
Right at the docks you will find streetfood stalls and vintage.shops. With Berlin flair and fancy colourful houses it is really fun to stroll along here during the day. The market is located in Camden town and the easiest way to reach it is by subway (Northern Line: Camden town or chalk farm). Camden Lock is also known as the capital of Rock n' Roll, because many music legends wrote history here. |
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PORTOBELLO ROAD MARKET - Antiques in Notting Hill
Here you will find great little treasures. I just bought some old English silverware. And, as always, worth the trade. Although the market is open all week, I would recommend Friday & Saturday, because that's where you can find the most antiques. On the website http://www.portobelloroad.co.uk/the-market/ you can find the opening hours and specials of the market directly. |
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NICE TO KNOW
"HEALTHY" FAST FOOD FRANCHISE CHAINS
Healthy fast food is trendy and therefore there are some chains here that have a large assortment. These chains are
spread all over London and ideal when you need to move fast. PS: Unfortunately a lot of packaging waste...
PRET A MANGER
VEGGIE PRET - the vegetarian chain from PRET A MANGER
EAT
JOE & THE JUICE
LEON
COSTA & CAFFEE NERO and STARBUCKS for coffee
MEMBER CLUBS
You probably don't plan to join one of these London member clubs, but if the circumstances
or know a family member who knows someone... however these clubs have legendary bars!
ANNABEL'S
ART CLUB
SOHO HOUSE
"HEALTHY" FAST FOOD FRANCHISE CHAINS
Healthy fast food is trendy and therefore there are some chains here that have a large assortment. These chains are
spread all over London and ideal when you need to move fast. PS: Unfortunately a lot of packaging waste...
PRET A MANGER
VEGGIE PRET - the vegetarian chain from PRET A MANGER
EAT
JOE & THE JUICE
LEON
COSTA & CAFFEE NERO and STARBUCKS for coffee
MEMBER CLUBS
You probably don't plan to join one of these London member clubs, but if the circumstances
or know a family member who knows someone... however these clubs have legendary bars!
ANNABEL'S
ART CLUB
SOHO HOUSE