LONDON

London is the perfect place to constantly switch modes as you like. Going for historic and cultural sites from cathedrals to Shakespearean experiences is as easy as diving into busy shopping streets or getting lost in innovative high-rise architecture. Tastebuds, be prepared for some of the best European encounters with Chinese, Japanese, Oriental and Indian cuisine as well as amazing local interpretations and delicate seafood. Walking around the city never gets boring – here a park, there a bridge ... could we not live here for a bit?...

Stay:

  • Ruby Zoe Hotel. Set conveniently close to tube station Nottinghill Gate, this newer hotel by the Ruby chain offers bright clean rooms and an inviting bar. You can book it here.
  • Apex Temple Court. 4* hotel with nice design close to famous Fleet Street. You can book it here.
  • Nottingham Place. 4* hotel in Marylebone with small apartments around the streets. You can book it here.
  • The Hoxton. Cool hotel right at Holborn with busy lobby bar and cute breakfast bags. You can book it here. They also feature events, have a look here.
  • Arbor Hyde Park. 3* hotel with nicely designed rooms in a 19th century townhouse close to Paddington Station. The suites are spacey and the service attentive. You can book it here.
  • CitizenM Shoreditch. 2017 opened branch of the convenient trendy hotel. Great location. You can book it here.
  • Pullman St. Pancras. Business hotel close to King‘s Cross and St. Pancras International stations. You can book it here.

Eat:

 

Western

  • (Unfortunately closed) Don‘t miss a visit in the fancy Sketch Gallery. Their interior design itself is worth a visit but food and service are really good as well! It is a complex with many fancy rooms.
  • Dinner by Heston Blumenthal. Rated with 2 Michelin stars and set within the richness of the Mandarin Oriental hotel, this restaurant experience will take you on a time travel especially if you chose the "Maverick" card.
  • Nopi by Ottolenghi, a flavorful experience with creative Mediterranean dishes.
  • Enjoy Michelin-starred food by Gordon Ramsay at Maze Grill.
  • (Unfortunately closed) To experience Jamie Oliver‘s creations, try out his restaurant Fifteen with its industrial atmosphere.
  • Called the "new Jamie Oliver", Michelin starred Tom Aikens opened one of his restaurants in a Townhouse in Chelsea: Tom‘s Kitchen. It is unfortunately closed now while Tom opened Muse in 2020. 
  • Rochelle Canteen. Absolutely charming place set in the old Rochelle School. (if you have nice weather it is best) Food by Arnold&Henderson. 
  • Austrian specials are to be found at Fischer‘s in Marylebone. How about some fish "Brötchen" and "Schnitzels"?
  • If craving for burgers: Honest Burgers e.g. in Notting Hill
  • For something from the water go to North Sea Fish. You will not only find Fish & Chips – promise!
  • At Borough Market you will find food stalls and shops for everything, from crispy pies to great tea flavors like at Bird&Blend.
  • For some typical pub atmosphere head over to Ladbroke Arms in Kensington. 

Asian/Oriental

  • Roti King is the place to go for Malaysian and Singaporean street food.
  • Love more dim sum? Go for Yauatcha with its flashy interiors in Soho.
  • Don‘t miss high-class Cantonese cuisine at Hakkasan.
  • Looking for some Korean BBQ? Visit one of the two Kimchee restaurants – nice interiors included.
  • For contemporary Nikkei (Japanese - Peruvian) food check out Kurt Zdesar‘s Chotto Matte in Soho.
  • For Indian food, stroll along Brick Lane and pick one. Thrillist has made a ranking of "every curry house" here.
  • Get fantastic Turkish food at Pitted Olive. They serve handmade dishes at very reasonable prices.

Do & See:

 

Culture

Shopping

  • One of the most famous shopping streets of the world: Regent Street. 
  • Battersea Power Station. A whole new area for shopping, dining and events just across the river, with the landmark of Europe's oldest power station.
  • Do food shopping at Whole Foods Market.
  • Stroll through the beautiful old Liberty department store.
  • For fashion shopping do not miss Selfridges.
  • Walk through the famous and lively markets of Portobello, Petticoat Lane or Brick Lane.
  • Fancy shopping in Shoreditch at Boxpark pop-up mall.
  • At Covent Garden you can eat, see plays and shop till you drop.
  • Beautiful and tasty souvenirs can be found at Fortnum & Mason.
  • The Monocle Shop is a store with beautifully selected objects and belongs to the Monocle Magazine.
  • Trunk is a cosy place to do shopping for gentlemen‘s fashion in Marylebone.
  • You will find more souvenirs for Him at one of the Pink stores.
  • The School of Life was founded by author and philosopher Alain de Botton. Its headquarter is in London and has a cute little shop (unfortunately closed) and also a classroom for their courses.

Afternoon Tea & Caketime

  • In the Mirror Room of the Rosewood Hotel you will be served a delicious afternoon tea in a modern interior. They always work on innovative ideas. 
  • Classic luxurious afternoon tea can be found at the Dorchester Hotel right at Hyde Park.
  • Get great tea at Fortnum and Mason‘s Diamond Jubilee Tea Salon.
  • The Nobu Hotel London Portman Square offers a Japan-inspired high tea experience.
  • Fait Maison. Visit one of Om Waleed's tea rooms and delve into the oriental charm of her dishes and cake creations.
  • At L‘Eto you will find fine patisserie in an upscale interior, be prepared to queue.

Daytrips

  • From London there are a lot of buses taking you to the famous site of Stonehenge. Also popular day trips are for Windsor Castle or Bath.