Trip Duration: 10 days both trips
Where did I stay: Hyde Park and Kensington
When: May 2018 and July 2024
Flight: 60K points on American Airlines JFK – LHR (2018), 40K points on Virgin Atlantic (2024)
Map of everything
Top things to do in London:
Go to Borough market. I know people say this is touristy but there is something so cute about Borough market. Go during the weekend to see the most vendors. Turnip recently went viral for their fresh strawberries drenched in milk chocolate – highly recommend! This is great place to grab items for a picnic. Didn’t get to try the mushroom risotta but that’s supposed to be popular
Eat at Hoppers. This one isn’t as well known as Dishoom, but just as good in my opinion. It’s Sri Lankan cuisine and very similar to the food you’d eat in South India. Try the hopper, kothu roti and bone marrow appetizer!
Eat at Dishoom for Breakfast AND dinner. I’ve been here 3 times and can’t wait to go back. But this isn’t your traditional Indian restaurant – It’s Indian cuisine with Zoroastrian influence, so make sure you try something different! My favorite items are the breakfast items (unlimited chai and bun maska!), daal makhani, fried okra, gunpowder potatoes and butter bhutta (corn). They don’t take a rez anymore but the line is usually pretty fast and they give you free chai while you wait. I also recommend trying different locations since the vibe/decor is interesting at each one. If you can’t wait then you can order their cookbook on Amazon.
Check out the bars and speakeasies. Bhandra Bhai (Try the Mango cocktail!), Cafe boheme (cool old time vibe), Evans & Peele detective agency, Globe, Cocktail Trading Co and Calloh Callay.
Explore Shoreditch. Shoreditch has a more brooklyn/Austin vibe. Check out Boxpark and explore the neighborhood. There are cute spots like Dark Sugars (get the classic hot chocolate) and Cereal Killer Cafe.
Explore Covent Garden and Neil’s yard at Seven Dials. Monty Python used to live in Neil’s yard – super cute hidden gem. Covent garden also has good shopping options (you’ll find Indian brand’s like Forest Essentials)
Have a Picnic in Hyde Park or Regents Park. Hyde park is not as cute as before, so check out Regents park for more manicured lawns and the rose garden! Regents Canal is also a nice walk and you can rent a little canoe!
Experience High tea. Doesn’t have to be a pricey one but find one that fits your budget. The first time I went we did high tea at Mandalay, ($80-100; very high end service you can choose multiple teas). For a more affordable and interactive high tea experience check out the Drawing room at the Ampersands – they have an interactive science tea for about $50! I though this was great and they have gluten free options. I’ve also heard good reviews for Sketch and the Ritz
Go on a Harry Potter Muggle tour. It’s a Harry Potter tour and London tour in one. You’ll start near Borough Market and can check out the Tower Bridge right before.
Visit Platform 9 3/4. Go before 9am or at the very end of the day for a shorter line. Hardly had to wait 5 min! Skip the store since it’s overpriced. Go to Primark for all the HP merchandise!
Visit Sky Garden. Tickets for this are FREE but you should reserve them a couple of weeks before you go. Great spot to relax and take in a view of the city
Walk across Tower Bridge. You can also walk inside the bridge but I believe you have to reserve tickets
Walk around Piccadilly Square. See a show or one of the many bollywood karoke performers lol
QUICK TIPS:
1. Stay in Zone 1 (bus and tube transport is cheaper in the city center). Both the Tube and bus are very easy to use and you get a nice view from the top level of the bus
2. Apple Pay is used everywhere and is super easy and convenient. You most likely won’t need cash
3. Airport Transport:
– Bolt or Uber if you have a bigger group
– If you are staying near the Picadilly tube line then you can easily take it to Heathrow (cheapest option)
– If you are staying near Paddington, then take the Heathrow Express ($25 one way)
4. London is very walkable and most main attractions are not too far from each other. Use CityMapper or download the offline google maps
5. Bring an umbrella and layers! Weather is unpredictable
FOOD OPTIONS: (More options are on the map above!)
-Italian Bear Chocolate – get the chocolate cake with triple chocolate drizzle!!! we almost went back here again
– Dishoom and Hoppers
-Roti King: Very good, quick and affordable Malaysian spot
– Padella: The ownership has changed so it wasn’t as good as I remember but still high quality pasta for a good price. Can be a long wait but they have a queue app you can use or explore borough market after you put your name down.
– Santa Maria Pizzeria (neopolitan style pizza)
– Dark Sugar hot chocolate
– Gymkhana (easier to get a lunch rez apparently! or try their stall at Harrod’s)
