London
They say that the places your ancestors lived can feel familiar, even if you haven’t spent much time there. That’s definitely the case for me with London. It makes me feel cozy and gives me a prolonged sense of deja vu, with each neighborhood offering a different set of charms. East London, much like East LA, was notoriously dicey and now is the trendiest place to be. Dalston and Islington felt like a small town just a stones throw away from the hubbub of London’s town center. Chelsea and Notting Hill feel like Beverly Hills - posh, lots to do, lots of people going to work.
The food is delectable (they do Indian food right!), the public transportation is easy (coming from an Angelino with no experience taking public transport, that says a lot), the shopping is fantastic, and there’s so much to do.
Londoners love to talk about the weather. If it’s sunny, they’ll mention it. And if it’s not, they’ll mention that, too. That’s probably the only thing stopping me from dropping everything and uprooting my whole life to London.
Below are my recommendations for where to stay, eat, shop and visit in London.
Where to Stay
Where to Eat
BREAKFAST & LUNCH
NOTES:
The Wolseley - Sip coffee with locals over their morning paper. Incredible a la carte eggs benedict. Such a classic British spot, we went back for afternoon tea service.
Honey & Co - Vibrant and colorful middle eastern delights.
The Ritz London - The ritziest place around. A very fun, posh experience but note that they take their dress code seriously!
DINNER
NOTES:
Ducksoup - Not-to-be-missed! Reservations recommended.
Trishna - I dream about this Indian food, but only one of you needs to order the prefix menu, as it is so much food.
Sessions Art Club - Dubbed one of the most romantic restaurants for a reason.
Dishoom - A London staple — there’s a few around the city and they’re all reliably good.
Padella - Delicious pasta in borough market. Digital queue available on their website.
Where to Drink
NOTES:
Bar Termini - A coffee shop meets bar.
Where to Go
NOTES:
Tower of London - Highly recommend a guided tour by the infamous beefeaters who live on the property! And the Crown Jewels are a must-see.
Hampstead Heath - On a sunny day, there’s no place I’d rather be.
Where to Shop
NOTES:
Howe and Rose Uniacke are just two of several design-lovers dream shops along Pimlico Road.
Liberty London - A beautiful department store dating back to 1875 famous for their own custom patterns and textiles.
Alex Eagle - From the furniture to the clothes, it’s all for sale!
Arket - I rarely leave empty handed because this brand does not ship to the U.S.A.
Brick Lane Market - Hidden downstairs in a basement beneath a food court, this off-the-beaten-path is a must-see destination for vintage lovers. It goes on and on and on…
Idea - An impressive collection of vintage books and vinyl. Worth having to ring the doorbell to be let in.
Dover Street Market - A multi-brand store for fashionistas and art-lovers alike. The installations and displays are always creatively changing.