Founded by the Romans and one of the world’s most talked-about cities, London is a dynamic and culturally rich city that is set out to appeal to all! Though, like with any great city, navigating London can be daunting and somewhat overwhelming. This article is our insider guide to London, with recommendations for restaurants, hotels, bars and activities to ensure that you make the most out of your visit.
The time zone in London is Greenwich Mean Time during the winter and British Summer Time during the rest of the year. In London, the summers are short, comfortable, and partly cloudy, and the winters are long, cold, windy, and mostly cloudy. Over the course of the year, the temperature in London varies from 4°C to 23°C. That said, the best time to visit London is during late spring, summer or early Autumn.
The home to internally renowned restaurants, London is hands down one of the best cities for gastronomy. However, with thousands of restaurants on offer, knowing and, by extension, finding the best restaurants in London is a challenging task!
As I am sure you know, it is easy to fall victim to bad restaurant experiences. And it is a shame that the shiny exteriors and lavish interiors that lure us in does not always extend to palettes served. So if you are in doubt and want to avoid disappointment, here is a humble list of the best restaurants in London.
Hutong | London Bridge
An award-winning restaurant serving northern Chinese cuisine, Hutong is, without a quiver of a doubt, one of the best restaurants in London.
Situated on level 33 of The Shard and inspired by its famous namesake restaurant in Hong Kong, the Hutong offers a contemporary twist on traditional northern Chinese classics.
Cornerstone | Hackney
Founded by Tom Brown, Cornerstone is a Michelin restaurant that specialises in fish and shellfish.
Its seasonal menu is packed with bold, creative, and environmentally conscious dishes that are bursting with unique and tasty flavours.
Cornerstone is the perfect spot for pescatarians or those that appreciate the delicacies of the sea.
Mari Vanna | Knightsbridge
An old fashion restaurant, Mai Vanna is extraordinary and arguably one of the best restaurants in London.
Celebrating Russian produce and culinary history, Mari Vanna serves an array of authentic Russian dishes. That said, their menu is extensive and is fabulously designed to cater to all palettes. What is more, their Beef Pirozhok, Adjarian Khachapuri and caviar is out of this world.
Yauatcha | Soho
With expertly crafted and succulent dim-sums, Yauatcha is a contemporary Chinese restaurant located in the bustling London district, Soho.
Offering a range of set menus that includes a variety of dim-sums, appetisers, woks and desserts, Yauatcha is a hot spot for foodies.
Taco Queen | Peckham
One of the best Mexican restaurants in London, Taco Queen, serves authentic and massively creative Tacos.
Its menu offers a creative blend of unique and punchy flavours. With vegetarian, vegan and gluten-free options, its menu has been curated to appeal to all.
Home to some of the world’s most luxurious hotels, and with accommodation to suit every budget, it’s unsurprising that London has a vast collection of hotels, hostels, and apartments on offer. And accordingly, you will be spoilt for choice and perhaps somewhat discombobulated trying to pick the right hotel. That said, our selection showcases only the best and truly affordable luxury hotels in London.
Artist Residence | Westminister
An award-winning vintage hotel, the Artist Residence London is an outstanding boutique hotel.
Featuring 10 individually designed and cosy guest rooms, fitted with a collection of rustic and tasteful vintage furnishings. Rooms at the Artist Residence London have been carefully curated to provide the perfect balance between luxury and comfort.
Redchurch Townhouse| Shoreditch
Redchurch Townhouse by Soho House is an exquisite 4-star boutique hotel.
Offering 37 nostalgically snazzy guest rooms, filled with retro interiors, vintage chandelier, rainfall showers and full array of luxury toiletries.
Redchurch Townhouse is the ideal stay from those that appreciate midd-century designs and fashion.
The Laslett | Notting Hill
Set across five Grade II listed Victorian mansions and located in the vibrant and bohemian neighbourhood, Notting Hill. The Laslett is a beautiful hotel that’s full of character and charm.
Features 51 authentic guest rooms and suites, with interior designs inspired by the local area and classic British styles. Rooms are unpretentious and offer the perfect blend between elegance and informal luxury.
The Ned | City of London
A magnificent 5-star Gatsby inspired hotel located in London’s financial district and an ode to the 1920s, The Ned is a superb hotel!
With 250 guest rooms, nine restaurants, 15 bars, two pools, a spa, a barbershop, a boxing gym as well as a Members’ Club, The Ned is a hotel that’s in a league of its own.
The Soho House | Soho
A bold 5-star hotel located in London’s infamous Soho District, The Soho Hotel is one of the best luxury hotels in London!
A vibrant and colourful hotel that offers an unconventional spin on traditionalism, The Soho Hotel is a popular hotel in the West End.
Nobu | Shoreditch
A 5-star luxury lifestyle hotel located in East London’s hipster district; Shoreditch. Nobu Hotel Shoreditch is an excellent hotel that offers a unique blend between luxury, culture and artistry.
A captivating hotel, featuring 148 thoughtfully designed guest rooms and suites, with design blends that encapsulate the raw creative energy of Shoreditch’s industrial heritage.
The cocktail capital of the world, London has a rich and ecstatic cocktail history. And although cocktails have long been considered to be an American invention. Its roots, in fact, stem far back to 18th century London! As history becomes the past and modern times gallop forward. It’s fair to say that London has birthed and is still home to some of the world’s greatest mixologists. And as a capital, London does not lack, and quite rightly so, in incredible cocktail bars.
Disrepute | Soho
A swanky unconventional members bar, Disrepute is a fabulous bar.
With two exceptional cocktail menus, Disrepute serves a range of remarkable cocktails.
Non-members are welcome. However, priority is given to members.
Lyaness | Waterloo
Ranked number 29 in the Worlds 50 best bars 200, Lyaness is a hidden gem.
Serving refined and sophisticated cocktails, the Lyaness bar is the perfect spot for a nightcap.
The Alchemist | Covent Garden
An unconventional, though well established and highly respected cocktail bar, The Alchemist is undoubtedly masters in the dark arts of molecular mixology.
Famous for serving spectacularly extravagant and deliciously theatrical cocktails, The Alchemist provides guests with a truly immersive and unique cocktail experience.
Oriole | Farringdon
A contemporary cocktail den with live Jazz music every night and an extensive menu that fuses old world and new world delights.
With cocktails meticulously designed to enchant, delight and trigger your senses, the Oriole cocktail bar is without a quiver to doubt one of the best bars in London.
Nightjar | Shorditch
A multi-award-winning speakeasy‑style subterranean cocktail bar with live jazz and blues, Nightjar is an incredible cocktail car.
Well known for serving complex and delicious cocktails and rare spirits inspired by the pre-prohibition, prohibition, and post-war era. The cocktails at Nightjar are one of a kind.
Trailer Happiness | Notting Hill
An incredibly intimate and fantastically quirky cocktail bar located in Notting Hill, the Trailer Happiness is hands down one of the best bars in West London.
Serving deliciously wonderful rum-infused tiki cocktails, along with a team of dedicated and enthusiastic mixologists, the Trailer Happiness is a fabulous spot for those seeking an exotic cocktail experience.
To say there is an unimaginable amount of things to do or see in London would be an understatement. And given that London is set out to appeal to all, you will find an array of fun, quirky as well as educational things to do. And in the end, deciding what to see and do all boils down to individual taste and preferences.
With the above in mind, this section focuses on the best museums and galleries in London. And although we have previously branded Amsterdam as the ‘city of Museums’, it could be argued that London is, in fact, the ‘museum capital of the world’. With over 190 museums and 1,500 permanent exhibition spaces, it should be of no surprise that London is home to some of the greatest and most extensive museums and galleries.
Science Museum | South Kensington
London’s Science Museum is a guaranteed eyebrow-raising, mind-expanding and exhilarating experience.
With award-winning exhibitions and an enduring record of scientific, technological and medical advancement from across the globe, the London Science Museum is incredible; and is suitable for both Adults and Children.
Imperial War Museum | Lambeth
Dedicated to conserving, displaying and interpreting stories of the most devastating conflict in human history, Imperial War Museum is the first museum in the world to house Second World War Galleries and The Holocaust Galleries under the same roof.
Imperial War Museum allows you to see the war through the eyes of the people who lived it. It is an emotive, heart wrenching, tear-jerking and wholly mind-blowingly educational experience.
Natural History Museum | South Kensington
Uncover the history of life on Earth, from the smallest insects to the largest mammals.
With over 80 million objects, the Natural History Museum is dedicated to answering key questions about the past, present and future of the solar system, the geology of our planet and life on Earth.
The National Gallery | Trafalgar Square
Representing artists of late medieval and Renaissance Italy to the French Impressionists, The National Gallery houses one of the greatest collections of paintings in the world.
With over 2,300 pieces, including many famous works, such as van Eyck’s Arnolfini Portrait, Velázquez’s Rokeby Venus, Turner’s Fighting Temeraire and Van Gogh’s Sunflowers. The National Gallery is an incredible art museum.
Tate Modern | Bankside
One of London’s most iconic art galleries, Tate Modern, holds the national collection of British art spanning from 1900 to the present day and is one of the largest museums of modern and contemporary art in the world.
Its collection includes major works by Dali, Picasso, Matisse, Rothko and Warhol. Guided tours run daily, and special exhibitions and events take place throughout the year.
Victoria and Albert Museum | South Kensington
The Victoria and Albert Museum in London is the world’s largest museum of applied arts, decorative arts, and design, housing a permanent collection of over 2.3 million objects that span over 5,000 years of human creativity.
The V&A Paintings collection includes British and European oil and watercolour paintings. Highlights include the Raphael Cartoons and major works by J. M. W. Turner and John Constable.
London is generally great for all forms of entertainment. From educational to fictional to downright fun. London is one of the greatest cities for fun and entertainment for families, couples and friends.
The Making of Harry Potter | Watford
The Making of Harry Potter is a walkthrough exhibition and studio tour and allows you to experience the magic of the Wizarding World of Harry Potter.
Explore iconic sets and discover what it took to bring the Harry Potter films to life at Warner Bros. Studio Tour. Sets on display include The Great Hall, The Forbidden Forest, Diagon Alley and the infamous Plation 9¾.
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The London Dungeon | Waterloo
The London Dungeon is a walk-through experience that recreates scenes from the capital’s most perilous past.
Take the medieval lift into the depths of the dungeon and begin your journey. Along the way, you’ll have a close shave with Fleet Street barber Sweeney Todd, investigate the mysterious identity of Jack the Ripper and discover the dreadful secrets of the torture chamber.
Shrek’s Adventure | Waterloo
It is a brilliantly bonkers, interactive and immersive walkthrough experience, where the whole family can journey through Far Far Away as the stars of the show.
See, hear, touch and smell the adventure by exploring 10 fairytale themed live shows, from a magical 4D flying bus experience, interacting with various famous characters including Princess Fiona and Donkey, to collecting the special ingredients that you will need in order to find Shrek and make it home safely
The Crystal Maze | Soho
The Crystal Maze Live Experience is 70 minutes of frantic, frenetic, silly team fun that’s open to everybody aged nine and over.
Your goal is to get as much time in The Crystal Dome and score as many points as you can. Venturing through four different zones, each zone will test your skills to solve mysteries and face mental and physical challenges.
The more challenges you complete successfully, the more Crystals you win, and the more time you’ll have for the final test in The Crystal Dome.
Sherlock Holmes | Shepherds Bush
Sherlock: The Official Live Game is a unique adventure combining an immersive experience, escape game, and fully themed bar.
The mission is to crack this brand-new Sherlock case before time runs out!
Play the detective as you travel through the iconic sets from the show. Work as a team to solve puzzles and clues with help from the TV show’s cast including, Benedict Cumberbatch, Andrew Scott, and Martin Freeman, in original content.
Otherworld | Hackney
A virtual reality theme park, Otherworld provides one of the best and most advanced VR free-roaming experiences.
With 16 unforgettable virtual reality experiences, Otherworld is incredibly fun and fully immersive.
Multi-sensory allow you to become fully immersed in your adventures. As your mind travels, your body will feel, hear and smell everything happening within the VR world; it is mind-blowing!
A city with a little bit of everything, London also caters for adrenaline junkies and thrill-seekers. From rib blasting to bungee jumping and go-karting, London invites and warmly welcomes all daredevils.
Tower Rib Blast | Tower Hill
The ultimate experience for sightseeing addicts and Adrenaline junkies, the Tower Rib Blast is one of London’s most invigorating and exciting high-speed experiences.
Hear and feel 740 horsepowers as you take in the incredible sights of Tower Bridge, City Hall, Canary Wharf and many more.
Bunjee Jump | North Greenwich
Bunjee jumping is an extreme sport and one that is popular amongst adrenaline junkies and thrill-seekers.
Bunjee Jump 160ft and experience the awesome rush of the freefall as you plummet towards the ground, all whilst you take in the most impeccable views the city has to offer.
Go Karting | Docklands
Feel the rush of speed and adrenaline as you race around one of the longest in-door go-karting tracks in the UK!
With 1050 metres of professionally designed race track, Capital Karts offers one of the best karting experiences in London.
With over 270 nationalities and 300 spoken languages, London is one of the most ethnically diverse cities in the world. London multiculturalism also extends to its neighbourhoods. That said, each London neighbourhood has a distinctive character, culture and charm.
Shoreditch | East London
Previously one of the most impoverished slums in London. Shoreditch is now one of the trendiest and most dynamic neighbourhoods in London.
From art galleries to fine dining to even some of the best bars and nightclubs in London, Shoreditch is the prince of London.
It is Best for Nightclubs, music, restaurants and food halls, galleries and vintage shopping.
Notting Hill | West London
Host to one of the best and most renowned carnivals in the world, Notting Hill is one of the most vibrant and colourful neighbourhoods in London.
Famed for Portobello Road Market and the antiques and vintage stores that line it, Notting Hill is also home to some of London’s most charming and beautiful residential streets.
It Is Best For: Notting Hill Carnival, Antiques, Vintages and Fine-dining restaurants.
Camden | North London
Also known as Camden Town, Camden has a notorious history. Well known for crime, drugs and almost all things illegal, Camden offers a safe glimpse into London life.
What is more, Camden is home to the infamous Camden Market and the famed venue Electric Ballroom.
Is It Best for: Live music and quirky market stalls.
Soho | Central London
With so much on offer, Soho is one of the most magical neighbourhoods in London.
Soho is incredibly lively and is the perfect spot for theatre, cinema and general nightlife. From restaurants to bars, to clubs and even casinos. Soho is also home to London’s China Town.
It Is Best For: Theater, Opera, cinema, shopping, restaurants, nightlife and galleries (National Gallery and National Portrait Gallery)
Brixton | South London
Well known for its central market and Afro-Caribbean heritage, Brixton is one of Londons most energetic neighbourhoods.
With loads of restaurants, bars, pubs and underground music venues, Brixton is the perfect neighbourhood for foodies and ravers.
It Is Best For: International restaurants, bars and nightlife.
South Bank | Central London
The hub for restaurants, theatre, and cultural attractions, visiting Southbank provides a great day with family or friends.
A place where locals and tourists are known to mingle, Southbank is great for street food and food markets. It is also here that you will find the iconic London Eye, London Dungeons and Shrek’s Adventure.
It Is Best For: Entertainment, strolls, food and wine.
Ranked as one of the most expensive cities to visit in the world, visiting London can become quite unaffordable if you do not plan wisely and spend efficiently. With the above in mind, here are a few cheeky ways to save money when visiting London.
Visitors Oyster Card | Travel
A Visitor Oyster card is a quick and easy way to pay for travel on public transport in London.
Unlike paper tickets, an oyster card offers price capping. What that means is that you can travel as much as you like, and your card will automatically cap at the best daily fare, allowing you to travel stress-free across the capital.
What is more, you can use your Vistors Oyster card to get to and from London Heathrow and London Gatwick airport.
Tastecard | Restaurants
Offering a 60-day free trial, it would be a huge mistake not to signup for a Tastecard.
Tastecard offers the perfect way to save whilst wining and dining in the capital. Tastecard offers 2 for 1 or 50% off food at 1000s of UK restaurants, 10% off delivery and collection, plus 50% of pizza deliveries and up to 33% off cinema tickets.
Dusk | Free drinks and Bars
The ultimate App that rewards you for going out, DUSK is a must-have app for drinking and general nightlife in London.
Receive free drinks and discounted prices at some of the trendiest bars in the city. In addition, the app provides a comprehensive list and directions to some of the best beer, wine and cocktail bars in London.