If you’re like me, the thought of being recognized as a tourist invokes an instinctual cringe. The art of travel is one I believe is never perfected, but should be practiced as much as humanly (and financially) possible. While site seeing is necessary when visiting a new place, the search for local hotspots and hidden gems is where genuine exploration lies. In other words, where true adventure is and where selfie sticks are not.
After spending the summer in London, I had the great pleasure of such true adventure and wanted to share with you all my favorite spots to eat, drink, shop, visit, and view beautiful London town.
EAT
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My preferred mode of travel is by eating my way through the country. The traditions surrounding food and customs involved in a meal are so location specific and can tell you a lot about a culture. London is similar to New York City in that you really have access to any kind of global grub, and thank god because traditional British food honestly sucks. Willing to go toe-to-toe with any Brit in defense of the Wisconsin fish fry vs English Fish and Chips.
Favorite spots:
(1) Dishoom, King’s Cross: A multi-location joint with genuine Indian food and a hell of an ambiance! The outdoor seating in Shoreditch is gorgeous, but the Dishoom King’s Cross is right around the corner from Central Saint Martins and Granary Square boasting a more vibrant, midtown feel. Please whatever you do, order the black dal, I still crave it to this day!! (Make sure to order extra naan)
(2) Banh Bao Brothers, South Bank: Off the Waterloo station and through the amazing Graffiti Tunnel, stop in at this insanely cool Vietnamese joint you would miss if you weren’t looking for it. Definitely try an order of banh baos, they aren’t their namesake for nothing!
(3) Breakfast Club, Shoreditch: Diner vibe with a surprisingly sophisticated menu, serving one of the best benedicts I’ve ever had. Do order the bucket of mimosas if you’re the type of traveler I hope you are.
(4) Halloumi Fries by Oli Baba’s, Camden Market: On the banks of the Camden loch, directly across from the willow tree is the food stall of this Wisconsin girl’s dreams. Halloumi fries with pomegranate seeds, honey, and a special sauce you’ll have to take my word for!
(5) Borough Market, Southwark: One of the oldest wholesale food and retail markets in London just around the corner from Shakespeare’s Globe, the Tower Bridge, and the Tate Modern Museum. Fresh vegetables, pots of risotto bigger than a truck tire, baked goods, oils, spices, cheese, chocolate, and enough to thoroughly graze your way from start to finish!
SHOP
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As one of the fashion capitals of the world, the shopping in London is fabulous and as eclectic as its wonderful patrons. The shopping experience in London is very specific to each neighborhood, so knowing what you’re looking for will help with where to start. As a general guide:
- Oxford Street = Flagship stores, high street retailers, and designer outlets (Selfridges, Topshop, Primark, Zara, Mango)
- Mayfair & Bond Street = Designer boutiques
- Carnaby = Independent boutiques and heritage brands
- Notting Hill = Amazing vintage finds and Portobello Market
- Camden = Alternative clothing and Camden Market
Favorite spots:
(1) Glassworks, Shoreditch: This youthful and incredibly chic boutique right across from Box Park has all the charm and affordable pieces you’re looking for.
(2) Harrods, Knightsbridge: As one of the longest standing British department stores, this landmark is one you cannot miss.
(3) 282 Portobello, Notting Hill: An impeccably curated vintage shop along Portobello Market territory. Chock full of vintage designer pieces to make your heart sing!
(4) Crisis, Finsbury park: A little out of the way of central London, but just around the corner from my flat, Crisis became my obsession. Consignment gems, coffee shop, and with a mission to aid urban homelessness in London through employment training and donations. My favorite piece I uncovered was a blood orange pleated midi skirt sans label.
(5) Beyond Retro, Dalston: A deco building warehousing enough vintage clothes to take up your entire afternoon! While this spot is out in the second zone, it’ll give you an excuse to check out Dalston, one of the up-and-coming neighborhoods in London so far unscathed of impending gentrification.
VISIT
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Even after spending an entire summer in London, I still feel cheated out of all the places I still have yet to see. From bank-side outdoor movies, endless museums, chic markets, and rooftop hangouts, the question soon turns to, ‘what aren’t we doing today?!’.
Favorite spots:
(1) Design Museum, Kensington: From industrial, product, interior, to fashion design, this museum boasts incredible regular installations and rotating exhibitions.
(2) Graffiti Tunnel, Waterloo: Right off the Waterloo tube station, take a walk through one of the biggest collaborative art pieces in the world on your way to South Bank.
(3) Peggy Porschen, Victoria: Stop in for a spot of tea and saucer of cake surely out of a fairytale. There’s likely a bit of a wait, but worth it I promise.
(4) Roof East, Stratford: Drinks, corn hole, batting cages, and regular rooftop movies oh my! My friends and I saw Stand By Me that night as the sun set on London during England’s win against Columbia in the World Cup, definitely a night will never forget.
(5) Pop, Brixton: Local, independent businesses offering everything from F&B, retail, design, and a hotspot full of locals.
(6) Boxpark, Hoxton: Repurposed shipping containers staked together to build an adult mega fort! With pop-up shops on the first floor and food booths on the second, it’s an incredibly creative space with something for everyone.
DRINK
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One of the most charming happenings in London is immediately after punch-out o’clock all the pubs overflow into the street for an after-work pint. The drinking culture is quite casual with a scene for everyone. Whether you fancy a chic, bustling bar with aesthetically pleasing cocktails or tiny, ancient pubs that all sort of have that smell, this city never disappoints.
Favorite spots:
(1) Last Days of Shoreditch, Shoreditch: Bless the adults who stayed kids and created this place! This multi-level block party includes food stalls, a bar with only a slide as an exit, karaoke, a rooftop garden, and massive projector. An amazing afternoon hang.
(2) The Prince, Kensington: Taken over four buildings, The Prince is 1 block, 3 bars, music, 3 restaurants, and enclosed woodland garden. A good spot to set up camp at one of their massive picnic tables.
(3) Barrio, Shoreditch: Good place for live latin music and dancing with a back patio and a very happy happy hour!
(4) Hawker House, Surrey Quayes: A split-level warehouse space that houses a cluster of food stalls and bars. London is big on these open, market style hang outs, which makes bar hopping that much easier! A cool residential neighborhood to check out as well.
(5) Cahoots, Mayfair: Staged like the London tube, time travel back to post-war 1940s to experience dazzling cocktails and the sounds of the time! Seriously such an amazing spot.
(6) Ballie Ballerson, Shoreditch: It’s a bar. It’s a ball pit. Please go.
VIEWS
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From sunrise to sunset, the London skyline will take your breath away. When traveling I find it always makes me appreciate the entirety of the environment by getting it into one frame. My advice would be to choose one of these places at the very beginning when everything is new and exciting and your hunger for exploration is strongest. Then, choose another at the end for a moment of reflection on the jolly good times!
Favorite spots:
(1) Franks Cafe, Packham: Thanks to local friends, this spot became known to me at the tail end of my trip. Up an entirely pink stairwell, this rooftop spot has one of the best views of London and certainly some of the best buffalo wings!
(2) The Bussey Building, Peckham: A former cricket bat factory, the Bussey Building was saved from demolition and is now a multi-level space pushing boundaries of creativity in film, music, art theatre, and experiential dining. On the outskirts of London, the skyline is framed perfectly.
(3) Sky Garden: Definitely snag a reservation for a night at the sky garden on top of the ‘walkie talkie’ building, overlooking the River Thames in all her glory. London’s tallest public garden, the view is awe-inspiring and an incredible book end to a trip.
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