Updated June 2025

TREATS

• Aux Merveilleux de Fred:  Cramique and meringues straight from Paris.
• Cederic Grolet: Over the top expensive, but indulgent treats.
• Harrod’s:  Snacks on snacks on snacks….
• Laduree:  For when you can’t travel to Paris.
• Maitre Choux: Gorgeous eclairs both sweet and savory.
• Violet Bakery: California meets royal sweet treats and lunch.

TIPPLES

• American Bar at The Savoy:  Classic. Posh. Old school cocktails ($5000 Sazerac, anyone). I visit this spot every time I’m in London to feel like I’m in London.
• Aquashard London: Great views. A must do for a drink. Skip the food and go to Hutong instead.
• The Blind Pig:  Yet another bar disguised as an optometrist’s office
• The Cocktail Trading Co.: Small, busy craft cocktail bar in central Shoreditch complete with walk-up window and the best espresso martini I’ve ever had.
• Calloo Callay:  A surprise at every turn and award winning menu.
• Connaught’s Bar:  Martini trolley. Best bar in 2016. Sexy, large bar and snacks.
• Lyaness: Best bar in the world for every reason – vibe, drinks, menu, DJ, crowd, location… and on, and on, and on….
• 12th Knot: Rooftop at the Mondrian. Crowded, go early. Drinks OK, it’s all about the vibe and views. In same hotel as Dandelyan
• The Prince’s Head: The cozy Ted Lasso classic pub in Richmond.
• Radio Rooftop: Mediocre food, but fun atmosphere and incredible views on a sunny day.
• Sketch: An absolute experience. Just go and trust. A fun shopping break.
• Spitalfields Bar: Short rib nuggets (voted one of London’s top 100 bar snacks) in a speakeasy disguised as an optometrist’s office, that was really an old brothel. Yes and yes.

TASTE

• Adore San Remo: Small Italian restaurant in proximity to Covent Garden, without the chaos.
• Ave Mario: Quirky Italian spot serving classics in Covent Garden,
• The Barbary: Small U-shaped bar serving incredible north African sharing plates. Reservation’s a must.
• Bar Boulud London: Fantastic food and people watching in the Mandarin Oriental. Solid spot for a shopping lunch.
• Bob Bob Richard:  Champagne button at every table+no wifi=pricey, delicious date night. Get the beef wellington for two.
• Cecconi’s London: Classic Cecconi’s menu, where the pizza is star of the menu. Located in Redchurch Townhouse. 
• Coq d’Argent:  Romance in the finance district. Fun views.
• Cora Pearl: The best chips in London. Vintage ambiance with incredible British fare.
• Decimo: Mexican sharing plates with sweeping views of northeast London accessed via fun elevator.
• The Devonshire: Soho pub with an in house butcher- absolutely lives up to the hype.
• Diamond Jubilee Tea Salon:  Classic at Fortnum and Mason.
• Harry’s Dolce Vita: Quality Italian with great people watching. Don’t forget to try the toadstool dessert.
• Hawksmoor:  Incredible food. Upscale, but casual. Oyster and steak- centric. Delicious Sunday roast. Multiple locations and now in Edinburgh.
• Hutong:  High-end Northern Chinese at the Shard. Great views aka reserve far in advance.
• Il Pampero: Simple Italian with a modern presentation in the sexy The Hari hotel.
• Il Portico London: Family-owned Northern Italian, absolutely fresh and delicous. A Kensington gem.
• Margot: Upscale Italian with a thorough dachshund theme throughout.
• Mercer Roof Terrace: Sweeping views of London and modernized British fare.
• Napoli on the Road: Europe’s best pizza outside of Italy. What more could you want?
• Olea Social: Mediterranean small plates in a calming atmosphere on the edge of Covent Garden.
• Palomar: Delicious Israeli small plates. Good luck getting a table!
• Pizza East:  Pizza and snacks in an old school in trendy Shoreditch.
• Polpo/Polpetto:  Venetian small plates so you can try it all. Mostly for walk ins. Multiple locations.
• The River Cafe: London institution in a divine, though far flung, location for simple, but perfect Italian.

REST

• The Ampersand Hotel: Largely nice hotel that won’t break the bank in an excellent central South Kensington location.
• Apex Temple Court: No fuss, clean hotel centrally situated in the business district with great brekky.
• The Franklin:  Italian run boutique hotel. Small, sexy, fun.
• The Gantry: Stratford option housing an STK and a rooftop bar. An easy ride on the Elizabeth line.
• The Hari: Sexy hotel with a great restaurant. Stone’s throw from high end shops.
• The Kensington:  Classic townhouses turned boutique hotel in Kensignton. Top 10 hotels in the UK.
• The Laslett: Lovely boutique if you must be near Notting Hill’s somewhat grimy high street.
• Middle Eight: Sleek and sexy stay with a hidden music bar, not far from Covent Garden
• Redchurch Townhouse: Perfect rooms and a bed I wish to own, nestled among bustling Shoreditch.
• Sea Containers London:  Trendy, fun in Southbank. Home to 12th Knot and Lyaness. Formerly Mondrian London and just as wonderful.
• Sofitel Heathrow: For when you’re just stopping through and need an airport hotel.
• The Stratford: Five star hotel in London’s northeast corner. A stone’s throw from the Elizabeth Line.
• Vintry & Mercer: Gorgeously well-appointed rooms in a hide away location in the financial district.

VISIT

• Bourough Market:  Meandering indoor/outdoor market near Southbank. Fun place to eat in or takeaway.
• Box Park:  Shipping container community turned pop-up shops, restos, bar, and event space.
• Courtauld Gallery:  Impressionist museum closed perfect for 90 minutes.
• Churhill’s Imperial War Rooms:  Fascinating.  Even for non-history buffs
• Harrod’s:  Little bit of a lot of everything. Go for a stroll through the food halls and the jewelry. 
• Liberty London: Quintessentially London. Best room in the UK is just past the fresh flowers, on the right where the vintage jewels meet vintage bags.
• National Gallery:  London art institution.
• Newport Street Gallery:  Damien Hirst’s old studio. Modern exhibits and the Pharmacy themed resto.
• Serpentine Gallery:  Interesting installations in Hyde Park
• Sir John Soane Museum:  Townhouse chock full of art and a sarcophagus!
• Southbank:  Artsy area with theater, galleries, shops, and views.
• Tate/Tate Modern:  Institutions with interesting exhibits and lobby.
• The Shard:  A bit Vegas-y, but those views! Go early for a drink.

WHAT’S NEXT?

• Bar Duoro:  Portugese small plates near Borough Market
• Bar Termini:  Pre-dinner drinks and cheese. Time Out’s fav bar in London.
• Clos Maggiore:  Supposed most romantic resto in London.
• Design Museum:  Always interesting exhibits, but a bit far flung.
• Discount Suit Company:  Craft cocktails disguised as a suit factory
• Duck & Waffle:  Menu as named. Great views. Reserve early.
• Loconda Locatelli:  Michilen starred Italian.
• Luca Shoreditch:  Brit/Italian from dudes of Clove Club.
• Nightjar:  Speakeasy with live jazz. No cover on Monday.
• Padela:  London favorite near Borough Market. No reservations. 
• Southbank Hotel:  Boutique and new in great location.
• White Cube:  Gallery in Bermondsey