Guidebook for London
Food Scene
Breakfast / brunch. Quiet and relaxed during the week. Brunch menu ends at 12pm.
www.browns-restaurants.co.uk
Browns Covent Garden
82-84 St Martin's LnBreakfast / brunch. Quiet and relaxed during the week. Brunch menu ends at 12pm.
www.browns-restaurants.co.uk
24hr menu. Especially great for their all-day breakfast. Lively and friendly. Gay friendly. WiFi.
www.balans.co.uk
39 locals raden deze aan
Balans Soho, No.34
34 Old Compton St24hr menu. Especially great for their all-day breakfast. Lively and friendly. Gay friendly. WiFi.
www.balans.co.uk
Nice rustic cafe feel. Excellent selection of cakes and pastries. Nice for breakfast / brunch too. Their service is friendly, but a little slow. WiFi.
www.foxcroftandginger.co.uk
8 locals raden deze aan
Foxcroft and Ginger
3 Berwick StNice rustic cafe feel. Excellent selection of cakes and pastries. Nice for breakfast / brunch too. Their service is friendly, but a little slow. WiFi.
www.foxcroftandginger.co.uk
Tea and scones in the Rose Room is a lovely experience. A harpist plays until 4pm.
www.sofitelstjames.com
Hotel Sofitel London St James
6 Waterloo PlTea and scones in the Rose Room is a lovely experience. A harpist plays until 4pm.
www.sofitelstjames.com
South-East Asian cuisine (Indian / Thai / Malaysian). Mid-range budget. Nice atmosphere at night. Nip next door to the W Hotel afterwards for a cocktail.
www.spicemarketlondon.co.uk
Spice And Rye
10 Wardour StSouth-East Asian cuisine (Indian / Thai / Malaysian). Mid-range budget. Nice atmosphere at night. Nip next door to the W Hotel afterwards for a cocktail.
www.spicemarketlondon.co.uk
Excellent Argentinian steak restaurant with a beautiful atmosphere. Mid-range budget. I recommend asking for a table upstairs.
www.gauchorestaurants.co.uk
19 locals raden deze aan
Gaucho Piccadilly
25 Swallow StExcellent Argentinian steak restaurant with a beautiful atmosphere. Mid-range budget. I recommend asking for a table upstairs.
www.gauchorestaurants.co.uk
Atmospheric Moroccan restaurant. They have a cafe/bar next door which is fun for a cocktail or mint tea. Also a small night club in the basement - great for the weekend.
www.momoresto.com
21 locals raden deze aan
Momo
25 Heddon StAtmospheric Moroccan restaurant. They have a cafe/bar next door which is fun for a cocktail or mint tea. Also a small night club in the basement - great for the weekend.
www.momoresto.com
Spanish restaurant, mid-range. Nice atmosphere, and just within walking distance.
www.elpirata.co.uk
El Pirata of Mayfair - Tapas Bar Español
5 - 6 Down StSpanish restaurant, mid-range. Nice atmosphere, and just within walking distance.
www.elpirata.co.uk
Spanish tapas bar. Choose your food at the bar and they charge you by counting the sticks at the end.
www.pix-bar.com
13 locals raden deze aan
Pix Pintxos
16 Bateman StSpanish tapas bar. Choose your food at the bar and they charge you by counting the sticks at the end.
www.pix-bar.com
Instead of sitting down to eat, grab something from the take-away section and sit by the lake and watch the birds.
www.innthepark.com
21 locals raden deze aan
Benugo
Horse Guards RoadInstead of sitting down to eat, grab something from the take-away section and sit by the lake and watch the birds.
www.innthepark.com
Sunday Roast. Traditional English pub that serves a great Sunday lunch.
www.thecrownandtwochairmenw1.co.uk
The Crown & Two Chairmen
31-32 Dean StSunday Roast. Traditional English pub that serves a great Sunday lunch.
www.thecrownandtwochairmenw1.co.uk
There are many Pizza Express restaurants in London, but this is the only one with its own jazz club. Enjoy a meal and a performance most nights. Book in advance at www.pizzaexpresslive.com
174 locals raden deze aan
Pizza Express
39 Abbey RdThere are many Pizza Express restaurants in London, but this is the only one with its own jazz club. Enjoy a meal and a performance most nights. Book in advance at www.pizzaexpresslive.com
Bar Bruno
101 Wardour StCheap English cafe, workmen's style. Useful for a cheap breakfast and cup of tea.
Monmouth coffee
36 Maltby StGreat coffee.
www.monmouthcoffee.co.uk
Thai Square Trafalgar Square
21-24 Cockspur StExcellent Thai food, right at our doorstep.
www.thaisq.com
American-style breakfast served before 11:30am.
www.garfunkels.co.uk
9 locals raden deze aan
Garfunkel's
128 Gloucester RdAmerican-style breakfast served before 11:30am.
www.garfunkels.co.uk
French style brasserie. Breakfast served till midday.
www.cote-restaurants.co.uk
12 locals raden deze aan
St Martins Lane Hotel
45 St Martin's LnFrench style brasserie. Breakfast served till midday.
www.cote-restaurants.co.uk
Excellent Indian food with a modern twist. Reservation recommended. www.dishoom.com
93 locals raden deze aan
Dishoom
12 Upper St Martin's LnExcellent Indian food with a modern twist. Reservation recommended. www.dishoom.com
Trendy restaurant and bar, open late. Check out the toilets!
www.sketch.uk.com
109 locals raden deze aan
sketch
9 Conduit StTrendy restaurant and bar, open late. Check out the toilets!
www.sketch.uk.com
Wok To Walk
4 Brewer StreetCheap stir-fry noodle bar.
www.woktowalk.com
French brasserie of mid-range quality - it's lovely to eat at a table on the balcony. Reservation recommended: 020 7379 0666
www.brasserieblanc.com
Brasserie Blanc - Covent Garden
30 Tavistock CourtFrench brasserie of mid-range quality - it's lovely to eat at a table on the balcony. Reservation recommended: 020 7379 0666
www.brasserieblanc.com
Drinks & Nightlife
W London
10 Wardour StGreat for cocktails, and a short walk home ;)
www.wlondon.co.uk
Ideal for a summer cocktail on the rooftop of the Me Hotel. Young and trendy clientele, it can be hard to get in.
30 locals raden deze aan
Radio Rooftop
336-337 StrandIdeal for a summer cocktail on the rooftop of the Me Hotel. Young and trendy clientele, it can be hard to get in.
Traditional English pub - very pretty interior. Great for an English pint.
7 locals raden deze aan
The Salisbury Pub
90 Saint Martin's LaneTraditional English pub - very pretty interior. Great for an English pint.
A discreet black door guarded by a doorman. Be nice and ask to pop up for a cocktail. Quirky and trendy atmosphere.
www.chinatownecc.com
45 locals raden deze aan
Experimental Cocktail Club Chinatown
13a Gerrard StA discreet black door guarded by a doorman. Be nice and ask to pop up for a cocktail. Quirky and trendy atmosphere.
www.chinatownecc.com
Cafe Boheme
13 Old Compton StLively French brasserie and bar.
www.cafeboheme.co.uk
Roof terrace is great for an afternoon/evening cocktail overlooking Trafalgar Square. £5 entrance per person, then take the lift up.
www.thetrafalgar.com
9 locals raden deze aan
The Trafalgar St. James London, Curio Collection by Hilton
2 Trafalgar SquareRoof terrace is great for an afternoon/evening cocktail overlooking Trafalgar Square. £5 entrance per person, then take the lift up.
www.thetrafalgar.com
Old, atmospheric wine cellar (1890). Buy a port wine and a cheese plate and sit in the candle-lit arches.
www.gordonswinebar.com
114 locals raden deze aan
Champagne Bar
87-135 Brompton RdOld, atmospheric wine cellar (1890). Buy a port wine and a cheese plate and sit in the candle-lit arches.
www.gordonswinebar.com
The original Hard Rock Café (opened in 1971). American style bar and diner. www.hardrock.com/cafes/london
15 locals raden deze aan
Hard Rock Cafe London Old Park Lane
1 PiccadillyThe original Hard Rock Café (opened in 1971). American style bar and diner. www.hardrock.com/cafes/london
Rooftop bar for the afternoon/evening, with two separate restaurants – Japanese and Spanish. www.aqua-london.com
W1B 3BR
Regent StreetRooftop bar for the afternoon/evening, with two separate restaurants – Japanese and Spanish. www.aqua-london.com
Sightseeing
Covent Garden
41 James StVibrant market. Lots of restaurants and shops.
The venerable alternative to Harrods. Mainly foods. Worth exploring.
www.fortnumandmason.com
193 locals raden deze aan
Fortnum & Mason
181 PiccadillyThe venerable alternative to Harrods. Mainly foods. Worth exploring.
www.fortnumandmason.com
The centre of theatre and film land. Mainly tourists, but worth a walk through.
319 locals raden deze aan
Leicester Square
The centre of theatre and film land. Mainly tourists, but worth a walk through.
Every morning the ceremony of Changing of the Guard takes place (11am Mon-Sat, 10am Sun). At any other time, walk through to Whitehall and have a photo with a guard (they're not allowed to move!).
120 locals raden deze aan
Horse Guards Parade
13 Macclesfield StEvery morning the ceremony of Changing of the Guard takes place (11am Mon-Sat, 10am Sun). At any other time, walk through to Whitehall and have a photo with a guard (they're not allowed to move!).
Home of the Queen. Watch the famous Changing of the Guard almost every day:
11:15 Guards, with bands, start arriving
11:30 Official start time
12:00 Guard change ceremony ends
1912 locals raden deze aan
Buckingham Palace
Home of the Queen. Watch the famous Changing of the Guard almost every day:
11:15 Guards, with bands, start arriving
11:30 Official start time
12:00 Guard change ceremony ends
Walk through the park, watch the birds on the lake, feed the squirrels. It's my back garden :)
250 locals raden deze aan
St. James's Park
Walk through the park, watch the birds on the lake, feed the squirrels. It's my back garden :)
The Houses of Parliament and Big Ben. Big Ben is actually the name of the clock tower bell, not the tower itself.
1337 locals raden deze aan
Big Ben
The Houses of Parliament and Big Ben. Big Ben is actually the name of the clock tower bell, not the tower itself.
Usually open to visitors Mon-Sat. On Sundays and religious holidays, the Abbey is open for worship only. All are welcome and it is free to attend services.
www.westminster-abbey.org
668 locals raden deze aan
Westminster Abbey
20 Deans YdUsually open to visitors Mon-Sat. On Sundays and religious holidays, the Abbey is open for worship only. All are welcome and it is free to attend services.
www.westminster-abbey.org
Gerrard St
Gerrard StreetFull of Chinese Restaurants.
Piccadilly Circus Station
Piccadilly CircusFamous London landmark.
Giant Ferris wheel on the South Bank. Book in advance at www.londoneye.com. Especially nice around sunset.
SE1 7PB
Giant Ferris wheel on the South Bank. Book in advance at www.londoneye.com. Especially nice around sunset.
Open since 1875, it's one of London's oldest department stores. Famous for its floral prints.
www.liberty.co.uk
193 locals raden deze aan
Liberty London
Regent StreetOpen since 1875, it's one of London's oldest department stores. Famous for its floral prints.
www.liberty.co.uk
Tourist information centre. Book London tours and discounted theatre tickets.
www.theoriginaltour.com/visitor-centre/original-london-visitor-centre.htm
28 locals raden deze aan
The Original London Visitor Centre
5-1 Coventry StreetTourist information centre. Book London tours and discounted theatre tickets.
www.theoriginaltour.com/visitor-centre/original-london-visitor-centre.htm
Ferry boat to Greenwich (Naval Museum and Royal Observatory). www.visitgreenwich.org.uk
14 locals raden deze aan
Embankment Pier station
Ferry boat to Greenwich (Naval Museum and Royal Observatory). www.visitgreenwich.org.uk
Arts & Culture
Nice gallery, and a nice cafe.
www.royalacademy.org.uk
161 locals raden deze aan
Koninklijke Academie van Beeldende Kunsten
PiccadillyNice gallery, and a nice cafe.
www.royalacademy.org.uk
Walk in off Trafalgar Square and be standing in front of a Van Gogh in less than a minute. And like most British art galleries, it's free!
www.nationalgallery.org.uk
796 locals raden deze aan
The National Gallery
Trafalgar SquareWalk in off Trafalgar Square and be standing in front of a Van Gogh in less than a minute. And like most British art galleries, it's free!
www.nationalgallery.org.uk
The separate portrait section of the National Gallery. Full of famous faces of kings and queens.
www.npg.org.uk
353 locals raden deze aan
National Portrait Gallery
Saint Martin's PlaceThe separate portrait section of the National Gallery. Full of famous faces of kings and queens.
www.npg.org.uk
Discount theatre ticket booth run by Society of London Theatre. Useful for last-minute theatre tickets.
www.tkts.co.uk/leicester-square
20 locals raden deze aan
TKTS
Leicester SquareDiscount theatre ticket booth run by Society of London Theatre. Useful for last-minute theatre tickets.
www.tkts.co.uk/leicester-square
Great atmosphere. You'll need to book in advance though. www.ronniescotts.co.uk
123 locals raden deze aan
Ronnie Scott's Jazz Club
47 Frith StGreat atmosphere. You'll need to book in advance though. www.ronniescotts.co.uk
Excellent theatre productions all-year round. Booking in advance recommended.
www.nationaltheatre.org.uk
218 locals raden deze aan
Nationaal Theater
Upper GroundExcellent theatre productions all-year round. Booking in advance recommended.
www.nationaltheatre.org.uk
Concert venue, home to the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra. Also free art events nearby. Book online www.southbankcentre.co.uk
130 locals raden deze aan
Royal Festival Hall
Belvedere RoadConcert venue, home to the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra. Also free art events nearby. Book online www.southbankcentre.co.uk
British Film Institute, cinema and cafe. Often playing interesting films, and the IMAX cinema is just around the corner. https://whatson.bfi.org.uk
109 locals raden deze aan
BFI Southbank
0 Belvedere RdBritish Film Institute, cinema and cafe. Often playing interesting films, and the IMAX cinema is just around the corner. https://whatson.bfi.org.uk
Quirky independent cinema, often playing cult classics.
www.princecharlescinema.com
23 locals raden deze aan
Prince Charles Cinema
7 Leicester PlQuirky independent cinema, often playing cult classics.
www.princecharlescinema.com
Discounted theatre tickets. Useful for same-day offers.
www.theoriginaltour.com/visitor-centre/theatre-tickets.htm
28 locals raden deze aan
The Original London Visitor Centre
5-1 Coventry StreetDiscounted theatre tickets. Useful for same-day offers.
www.theoriginaltour.com/visitor-centre/theatre-tickets.htm
Recreation of William Shakespeare's Globe Theatre. Daily tours and summer performances.
www.shakespearesglobe.com
449 locals raden deze aan
Shakespeare's Globe Theatre
21 New Globe WalkRecreation of William Shakespeare's Globe Theatre. Daily tours and summer performances.
www.shakespearesglobe.com
Excellent stand-up comedy. Best nights are Thurs-Sat. Arrive early for a good seat and grab a drink.
www.thecomedystore.co.uk
37 locals raden deze aan
The Comedy Store
1a Oxendon StExcellent stand-up comedy. Best nights are Thurs-Sat. Arrive early for a good seat and grab a drink.
www.thecomedystore.co.uk
Royal Opera House
Bow StreetHome to the best opera and ballet.
www.roh.org.uk
Fringe theatre and comedy performances. Lively bar next door. www.sohotheatre.com
52 locals raden deze aan
Soho Theatre Bar
Dean StreetFringe theatre and comedy performances. Lively bar next door. www.sohotheatre.com
Essentials
456-459 Strand
456-459 StrandGood for general groceries. Open 6am-midnight.
TESCO Express
275-277 Battersea Park RdSmall supermarket. Open 24hrs.
Better quality produce than the normal supermarkets.
www.wholefoodsmarket.com
782 locals raden deze aan
Whole Foods Market
63-97 Kensington High StBetter quality produce than the normal supermarkets.
www.wholefoodsmarket.com
Boots
127A Kensington High StChemist / pharmacy. Open 7 days.