London Favorites

After spending a year in London for grad school…

Dining

Sketch - go for afternoon tea in the Gallery Room, book the earliest time slot available + get there 15 min early so you can get pics with the room empty! The caviar man is my fav :,) *** book 30 days in advance

Carlotta - picturesque Italian spot in my old neighborhood on Marylebone High Street (the cutest street to walk + shop) part of the Big Mamma food group *** book 30 days in advance

Go for Pre or Post dinner drinks at the Red Room at the Connaught (very picturesque)

Finish a day of shopping down Regents Street with drinks at Maison Assouline (get the espresso martini)

Late brunch at Roof Garden at Pantechnicon (adorable covered rooftop, ask to sit on the terrace if weather is good)

Daphnes - so cute + amazing food, request to sit outside, would recommend for an early dinner *** book 30 days in advance

Gold Notting Hill - one of my fav restaurants in London (tapas style, get the octopus carpaccio and the panzanella salad) *** book 30 days in advance

The Petersham - (owned by Petersham Nurseries near the Cotswolds) in Covent Garden, so cute *** book 30 days in advance

Louie London - contemporary french cuisine with a cajun flare, super cute bar on the top floor ‘The Alligator Bar & Terrace’ with live music (near Covent Garden, one of my fav areas)

NAC Mayfair - more quaint with amazing food — smaller menu, the vodka pasta and truffle burger are so good + they have one of the best bloody mary’s i’ve ever had)

Café Celia - new dishes each week, more of an authentic + intimate English dining experience (owned by Simone Rocha’s brother)

Ave Mario - (part of the Big Mamma group) must get the ice cream cake *** book 30 days in advance

La Bodega Negra - cute + vibey mexican restaurant

More Casual Eats

Seven Dials Market - food Market in Covent Garden area, lots of locals, fun to get a quick bite + beer in between shopping

Borough Market - huge food market below the river, sooo fun + authentic local vibe

BoxPark in Shoreditch - fun place to go with friends and eat _ drink before going out in East London

Jolene’s Red Church Street in Shoreditch - cute spot to grab a coffee and pastry

Xi Home Dumplings and Buns - another one of my favs in London… very under the radar + has the best dumplings i’ve ever had (get the pork and chive + soup dumplings, spicy dandan noodles, & spring onion pancakes to share)

Old Spitalfields in Shoreditch (Dumpling Shack is my fav)

Camden Food Market on sundays

Places to Walk Around + Shop

Marylebone High Street - near my old flat, very posh area with great shopping

Regent’s Street - a-typical tourist spot with lots of shopping (+ walk down Oxford Street to pop into Selfridges)

Liberty London - ^^ right off Regent’s Street, this is a MUST (oldest department store in London, so adorable + such good shopping — also love their fabrics so much)

^^^ Carnaby in Soho - this is where Liberty is located, a ton of great shops + eats

New Bond Street - centrally located off Regent’s Street, all of the iconic luxury stores are here — grab a Ralph’s Coffee at RL (located in Mayfair) pop into the Nanushka store front off New Bond, it’s a must

Regent’s Park - I spent so much time here when I lived in London, take a book + blanket and spend an afternoon reading (I always loved walking around the perimeter and looking at all the stunning homes that border the park)

Sign of the Times - best luxury/high street consignment stop in London imo (good prices, in Knightsbridge not too far from Buckingham Palace)

Covent Garden - another one of my fav areas, good shopping, near the West End (good spot to go to before seeing a show)

Harrod’s - if you’re in London, you can’t not go

Portobello Market in Notting Hill on Saturdays - so magical, all the English vibes + great thrifting/vintage

Columbia Flower market on Sunday mornings - (in Shoreditch area) I recommend grabbing a coffee at Jolene’s on Red Church St before, walking through the flower market, then heading to Brick Lane Vintage Market for thrifting after

Sunset picnic + wine on top of Primrose Hill - such a beautiful view of the city (located near top of Regent’s Park)

Walking around Kensington/Chelsea - stunning more residential areas walk around (go to the Museum of Design if you’re in this area)

Places To See + Do (Historic/Touristy)

Buckingham Palace (the private tour)

Tour of Westminster

Stroll through Hyde Park (or a picnic)

Saatchi Gallery (in a really cute area, not too far from Hyde Park + Buckingham)

Tate Modern

River cruise to Kew Garden

See a Broadway show in the West End (highly recommend seeing Tina if it’s still showing)

Electric Cinema in Notting Hill for a movie night

Places To Stay

The NoMad in Covent Garden (my fav place to stay)

The Connaught (fun to be in the Mayfair area)