Trip Duration: 10 days
Where did I stay: Hyde Park
When: May 2018
Flight: 60K points roundtrip on American Airlines JFK – LHR
Top things to do in London:
Go to Borough market. Go during the weekend to see the most vendors.
Eat at Padella. Best pasta ever and local recommended! Long wait but they have a queue app you can use or explore borough market after you put your name down. So worth it.
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. Get the egg hopper and bone marrow appetizer!
Eat at Dishoom. You’ve probably heard of this. This was the most recommended spot by all my friends. But this isn’t your traditional Indian restaurant – It’s Indian cuisine with Iranian influence, so make sure you try something different (fried okra, gunpowder potatoes). Make a rez!
Check out the bars and speakeasies. Try Cafe boheme (you have to try an espresso martini here!), Evans & Peele detective agency, Globe, Cocktail Trading Co and Calloh Callay.
Explore Shoreditch, Covent Garden and Seven Dials. Check out the Boxpark and explore the neighborhood. There are cute spots like Dark Sugars (get the classic hot chocolate) and Cereal Killer Cafe.
Have a Picnic in Hyde Park. Use the goods you bought at Borough market
Experience High tea. Doesn’t have to be a pricey one but find one that fits your budget. We did high tea at Mandalay, but have heard Sketch is also a good spot.
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!
Walk around Piccadilly Square. See a show!
Quick tips:
1. Apple Pay is used everywhere and is super easy and convenient
2. Take the Heathrow Express to get to the airport
3. Use the TUBE (subway system) – So clean and super easy to get around