Things to do in London
-
A
Oxo Tower Restaurant & Brasserie
The iconic Oxo Tower’s conversion, with this restaurant on the 8th floor, helped spur much of the local dining renaissance. In the stunning glassed-in terrace you have a front-row seat for the best view in London, and you pay for this handsomely in the brasserie and stratospherically in the restaurant. Fish dishes – grilled sardines, squid with chorizo, sea bass with smoked aubergine purée – usually comprise half the fusion menu, but vegetarians and vegans will feel at home. Strong wine list.
reviewed
-
B
Polpo
Come early or late, or expect to queue: this hip Venetian place doesn't take bookings and it's often as packed as a rush-hour tube. The friendly young staff maintain the waiting list efficiently and help you negotiate the delicious tapas-style menu. Serendipitously, Venetian painter Canaletto once resided here.
reviewed
-
C
Present
Everything for the hip gentleman, including designer gear, shoes, books and bike accessories. You can also grab a great cup of coffee here.
reviewed
-
D
Princess Louise
This late-19th-century Victorian pub is spectacularly decorated with a riot of fine tiles, etched mirrors, plasterwork and a stunning central horseshoe bar. The old Victorian wood partitions give punters plenty of nooks and alcoves to hide in. Beers are Sam Smith’s only but cost just over £2 a pint, so it’s no wonder many elect to spend the whole evening here.
reviewed
-
E
Ray’s Jazz
Quiet and serene with friendly and helpful staff, this is one of the best jazz shops in London.
reviewed
-
Rigby & Peller
Mayfair; Knightsbridge; Chelsea; Westfield mall Get into some right royal knickers with a trip to the Queen's corsetière.
reviewed
-
-
Sacred
Ganton St; Covent Garden The spiritual paraphernalia and blatant Kiwiana don't seem to deter the smart Carnaby St set from lounging around this eclectic cafe. That's down to the excellent coffee and appealing counter food.
reviewed
-
F
Satay House
Authentic Malaysian cuisine, including some dishes that will blow your head off, have been served here for nearly 40 years. Book ahead for an upstairs table, although the communal tables in the basement can be fun. Sale Pl is one block along Sussex Gardens from Edgware Rd.
reviewed
-
G
Sea Life
One of the largest aquariums in Europe, Sea Life has all sorts of aquatic creatures organised into different zones (coral cave, rainforest, River Thames), culminating with the shark walkway. Check the website for shark-feeding times and book online for a 10% discount.
reviewed
Advertisement
-
H
Spaniard’s Inn
This marvellous tavern dates from 1585 and has more character than a West End musical. It was highwayman Dick Turpin’s hang-out between robbing escapades, but it’s also served as a watering hole for more savoury characters, such as Dickens, Shelley, Keats and Byron. There’s a big, blissful garden, and although it’s often full at the weekend, note that the food is overpriced and a little disappointing.
reviewed
-
I
Story Deli
This organic cafe, with mismatched cutlery poking out of jam jars, vintage mirrors leaning haphazardly against walls, high ceilings and solid wooden furniture (mismatched of course) is justifiably popular. The pizzas are thin and crispy, and you can rest assured that anything fishy has been sustainably caught.
reviewed
-
J
Tamarind
A mix of spicy Moghul classics and new creations have earned this northwest Indian restaurant a Michelin star. The set lunches are a good deal (two-/three-courses £17/19).
reviewed
-
K
Ten Bells
This landmark Victorian pub, with its large windows and beautiful tiles, is perfect for a pint after a wander round Spitalfields Market. It’s famous for being one of Jack the Ripper’s pick-up joints, although these days it attracts a rather more salubrious and trendy clientele.
reviewed
-
L
Thomas Cubitt
The bar below gets rammed to the impressively high rafters with the swanky Belgravia set, but don't let that put you off this excellent, elegant dining room. The culinary focus is thoroughly British and deftly executed. The downstairs menu is cheaper (£10 to £17).
reviewed
-
M
Topshop Oxford Circus
Billed as the 'world's largest fashion store', the Topshop branch on Oxford Circus is a constant frenzy of shoppers searching for the latest look at reasonable prices. It's been given a shot of cool by being home to a range by London's favourite local supermodel rock chick, Kate Moss. Topman is upstairs.
reviewed
-
Waterstones
Piccadilly Bloomsbury Beautiful branches of the chain. Check out the 5th View bar in the Piccadilly store.
reviewed
-
N
Westfield
A new concept for London, this giant mall has 265 stores, restaurants and cinemas.
reviewed
-
O
White Cube Gallery
Jay Jopling, dealer to the stars of the Brit Art firmament, made his reputation in the 1990s by exhibiting then-unknown artists such as Damien Hirst, Antony Gormley and Tracey Emin. This Hoxton Square cube is aptly named and, while the gallery is now part of Britain’s ‘new establishment’, it’s always worth a visit just to have a look at the latest shows. There’s another White Cube in St James’s.
reviewed
-
P
Windsor Castle
A wonderful, relatively out-of-the-way tavern between Notting Hill and Kensington High St, this place has history, nooks and charm on tap. It’s worth the search for its historic interior, roaring fire (in winter), delightful beer garden (in summer) and friendly regulars (most always).
reviewed
Advertisement
-
Q
Ye Olde Cheshire Cheese
The entrance to this historic pub is via a narrow alley off Fleet St. Over its long history locals have included Dr Johnson, Thackeray and Dickens. Despite (or possibly because of) this, the Cheshire feels today like a bit of a museum piece, and a fairly shabby one at that. Nevertheless it’s one of London’s most famous pubs and it’s well worth popping in for a pint.
reviewed
-
R
Ye Olde Watling
This small strip behind St Paul’s has an almost village-like feel to it, and the centre of the village is definitely Ye Olde Watling, an old timer with a gorgeous wooden bar that is always busy from 5pm. Food is served and a there’s a taste-before-you-try policy for the great selection of real ales.
reviewed
-
S
Zigfrid Von Underbelly
Furnished like an oversize lounge room (check out the disturbing family portrait over the fireplace), it's the kookiest of the Hoxton Sq venues.
reviewed
-
T
Abbey Road Studios
reviewed
-
U
Almeida
A plush venue that can be relied on to provide the city with an essential program of imaginative theatre, the Almeida, under its creative artistic director, Michael Attenborough, attracts directors such as Richard Eyre and Rufus Norris, and stages plays such as The Mercy Seat and the acclaimed Duet for One.
reviewed