The lure of London was vivid and irresistible to me as a teenage northerner. I came here to go to University, and Eight years, a degree and five houses later and I'm still here, still in South london, still in love with this city.
I have always wanted to move to the country to live the good life, and this move is not in the far off future so whilst we're here we've made a conscious decision to make the most of it. Whether its dinner with my mister, drinks with friends after work or me and my notebooks on a solo date, I try to visit a new place in london every week. I haven't even scratched the surface.
(Autumn 2012 update: This is in need of an update! soon, soon)
These are just some of my favourite places.
Central-ish London
South-ish
North-ish
East-ish
West-ish
Central-ish London
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SouthBank/ Embankment
Gordons wine bar, near Embankment is one of my favourite London haunts. Shabby on the outside, with grates over the windows and peeling paint on the walls, it’s easy to walk past Gordons without giving it so much as a glance. Downstairs however, you’ll find candle lit tables nestled under cave-like vaults, and a fantastic wine list. They also serve some food too, including a fresh bread and cheese plate (Oh that cheese plate! So many happy, drunken memories!) The walls are lined with ancient looking photo’s and there is also a large outdoors seating area.
Le Pain Quitidian, café on the Southbank (the other side of the river) A chain, but an ok chain. Good for brunch, or for evening drinks.
Strolling along the Southbank with coffee in hand is surely one of life's greatest pleasures? After feasting on the LePain fresh morning bread basket, I can highly recommend strolling along the Southbank to the Tate Modern further down the river. Lovely.
Tate Modern, a huge contemporary Art Gallery perched on the Thames in an old power station. Its permanent exhibitions are free (Thanks, Labour) so the Tate Modern has been a favourite spot since I moved to London as skint student years ago. Their members bar on the 7th bar is also gorgeous with incredible views over the river and delicious food.
Climbing Monument. A few quid and a few hundred spiraled steps to breathtaking views across London. Blogged
here.
Proud Cabaret, wonderful speakeasy styled vintage supper club. We came here as part of Ray's epic hen do and all loved it. Blogged
here.
I spend a lot of time in London's Parks, and cant speak highly enough of them. Regents Park, St James' park and Hyde park are next door to each other in central London and all deserve a visit. Regents Park is perhaps the prettiest with its bandstand and boating lake, but all of them are charming.
Inn The Park in St James Park is another faveouite spot. Half canteen and half restaurant, you can choose your dining experience according to how flush you are feeling. Food is always delicious and it is situated right by the lake in the park in a very picturesque location.
Notes Music and Coffee. A lovely music-y café near Charing Cross, serving Square Mile coffee and gorgeous pastries. Or perhaps you'd prefer their stewed rhubarb topped porridge? They also open super early which is perfect for pre-work coffee with a lovely friend.
The Trafalgar Hotel roof garden. Cosy roof terrace, with panoramic views over Trafalgar square, serving fantastic cocktails. One of my favourite places. £5 to get in unless its Monday, when its free. I like Monday cocktails. Blogged
here.
Portrait Gallery restaurant and café. Fancy, light airy dining room, situated at the top of the Portrait Gallery, with lovely views over London. Lovely scones baked on the premises are part of a reasonably priced afternoon tea.
Tate Britain, British Art from 1500 to the present, including the annual Turner Prize. Blogged
here.
The Regency Cafe, Westminster. A proper London Caf serving fried breakfasts, jacket potatoes and pie. The food is brilliant, high quality, no fuss grub. Staff bellow (and I mean bellow) orders from the kitchen and there is always a queue.
Princess Louise pub. Beautiful mirrored Art Neaveu pub with booths surrounding the bar. A truly original, decadent drinking experience. Its also a Sam Smiths which means proper beer and cheap prices. Winner.
British Museum; Enormous collection of artefacts from all continents, some thousands of years old. Come to enjoy the results of some rather audacious British thieving. Blogged here.
Soho
The Secret Tea Room; Vintage Tea Room situated above a pub in Soho. I blogged about my solo date at the Secret Tea Room
here.
Experimental Cocktail Club. The Jamaican Pogo was simply the best cocktail I’ve ever tasted. Entrance through a secret door adds a wee sense of delicious rebellion. Blogged
here.
Rosa’s, for a lovely plate of Thai and a pot of Jasmine tea. Y to the um. Blogged
here.
Bob Bob Ricard. Opulent Russian restaurant, beautifully decorated. One of my bestsest most favourite places. Blogged
here.
Polpo is a Venetian style bacaro, that serves cicheti and small plates (Or sniblets, as I call them) . Its very popular but the hype is justified, I think. Gorgeous breads and plates priced between £1 and £15 (its adds up quickly though) Avoid the queue's by arriving early- 6.30ish (this way I never queue)
Yalla Yalla, is my most recent and most exciting find. Hidden down an alley way in Soho, Yalla Yalla serves 'Beirut street food' either to go or to sit in. Its pretty reasonably priced and simply mouthwateringly delicious. The Fattoush salad is divine.
Wahacca, Mexican street food to die for, run by one of the winners of Masterchef. A chain but a good one. Their Tostada's and Quesalada's are delicious, and their non alcoholic citrus fizz is moorish (a preggo life saver- feels sufficiently cocktail-ish).
Andrew Edmunds, Lexington st, is a Soho stalwart offering fairly traditional yet delicious modern European grub. Jars of wildflowers and flickering candles sit atop rickety scrubbed wooden tables. I took my Dad here and he couldn't believe how brilliant and reasonable the varied wine list was. Service is relaxed; scruffy even, but friendly.
Cote, another chain, but another good one. Cote serves really good value French Bistro food. Their pre-theatre menu is bargainous. Think Moule Frite's, Steak and fish pie. Good to take fussy eaters too. (Update: I'm finding the chain element a bit annoying- they are springing up everywhere which makes me less inclined to dine there)
I find Soho surprisingly lacking in good pubs (any tips?). I like The Sun and 13 Cantons' cosy interior, and drinks are ok. They don't do real ale so its a no-no in my misters book, but ok for me. I used to frequent the John Snow too but I haven't been since the staff kicked out a gay couple for kissing.
Mildreds, an amazing Vegetarian restaurant serving delicious, unusual, vegetarian food from around the world. One of my favourite London restaurants.
South-ish London
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Borough Market, by London Bridge is a huge covered food market. Enjoy Ostrich burgers, rare cheese, pomegranate vinegar and cured meats. Its a foodie's dream.
Bermondsey High Street, near London Bridge, is a lovely street tucked behind the station with some great pubs (The Woolpack) and bars, and restaurants. I havent eaten at anywhere bad down here, so the whole street is worth a gander.
Wapping Project, in Wapping. Amazing old warehouse that’s been lovingly transformed into a lovely restaurant. Blogged
here.
Deptford/ Greenwich Markets. Brilliant London markets well worth a visit. Deptford Market is skuzzier but cheaper than Greenwich, whilst Greenwich is simply gorgeous. The park, the covered market, the Thames, the naval college, the pubs and café’s…. just lovely.
I blogged about Greenwich’s Fan Museum
here.
Dulwich Forest. Small, sweet forest up the road in Dulwich. Dulwich Village has lovely café’s, pubs and gift shops. Blogged
here.
Brixton Village; My new favourite find, an antique covered market containing a cornucopia of local, handmade and vintage delights! Blogged
here.
Nunhead Cemetary; Since I discovered Nunhead Cemetary a couple of months ago Ive visited at least once a week. Now a nature reserve, it is beautiful and wild with countless pretty paths.
Brockley, my beloved hood.
Browns of Brockley= simply the best coffee in London. No, really. Owned by a lovely friend, it is situated right by the station, is always full, always friendly, and always serves impeccable coffee; no watery weak buckets of coffee here.
The Broca Food Market. I am so glad that this shop exists. It sells loads of local produce at cheap prices, and also runs a vegetable box delivery scheme. Blogged
here.
The Toads Mouth Too is a lovely cafe with a gorgeous garden, right by Brockley station. Many a hangover has been cured with the Full English Toad here. This has now closed.
Mr Lawrence's Wine bar up the rd is a brilliant wine bar with a large selection of lovely wines and ales.
The Rivoli Ballroom; Original 1950's ball room, bedecked with glittering chandeliers, red velvet walls, chinese lanterns, etched glass..... My mister and I sort of learned how to Jive here recently (hilarious, sweaty, mostly unsuccessful but brilliant fun) Blogged
here
North-ish London
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Pollocks Toy Museum. Wonderful tiny eccentric Toy shop and museum just off Tottenham Court rd.
The Peoples Supermarket, a supermarket run 'by the people for the people'. A cool concept, but I found it a little pricey, and prefer my local Broca Food market instead!
Drink Shop Do. A wonderous café combining a sweet shop, a bar, afternoon tea, a lovely shop and classes too. Blogged
here.
West-ish LondonBack to the top
The Kensington Orangery. Situated amongst manicured gardens in Hyde park, the Orangery offers the perfect spot for (surprisingly reasonably priced) afternoon tea. Blogged
here.
The Natural History Museum, needs no further introduction. If you haven’t been, then, err, go. Blogged, briefly,
here.
The Natural History Museum is also next too the V&A and the Science museum, all of which are situated in wonderful buildings, offering mostly free, fascinating exhibits. (I reserve a special place in my heart for the V&A though)
Saatchi Museum. New-ish modern art gallery with a rotating exhibition of relatively unknown but brilliant contemporary artists. Blogged here
Richmond Park, One of London's four Royal parks, Richmond Park is the largest open space in the capital city, covering almost 1,000 hectares of natural habitats. We enjoyed a lovely picnic and some good dog watching here. Blogged
here.
Petersham Nurseries Café, Richmond; sprawling greenhouses, a shop, and a very pretty cafe with dirt floors and chipped painted chairs. Blogged
here. We came here after our picnic, and I fell in love.
Athenaeum Tea Room; My favourite spot for afternoon tea in London. Pink, decadently girly, with a sweets and crumpets course.
East-ish London
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Colombia Rd, a flower lovers heaven. Pretty street taken up with a flower market every Sunday, complete with teashops, vintage shops and lovely nik-nak shops. Blogged
here.
If spending the morning wondering around the flower market, visiting the teashop, popping into the Rob Ryan shop and the other lovely nik-nak shops doesn't make you fall in love with London, I'm not sure what will.
The Cake Hole, a café cum vintage homewares shop; the bestest possible combination, don't you think? Blogged briefly
here.
Hackney City Farm, a small sweet city farm in East London. My baby brother approved, although he was a little disappointed that there were no cows. Blogged
here.
Pizza East. The best Pizza in the world? Perhaps. The restaurant is set in an old warehouse, filled with old wood, tarnished metal and flickering candles. Lovely, and only a stones throw away from Shoreditch High st tube. My mister and I enjoyed a giggly, slightly woozy date here with mouthwateringly delicious pizza's.Blogged
here.
V&A Museum of Childhood; situated in Bethnal Green in a gorgeous old building, it houses the Victoria and Albert Museum's collection of childhood-related objects and artefacts, spanning the 1600s to the present day. Blogged
here.
See also links to my vintage and ethical shopping page for tons of nice places to shop in London too.
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