I like nice restaurants, great views (I've heard the Sky Garden is a must?), beautiful architecture/buildings, etc.
I'm staying in Kensington. Going to check out all the museums there. Going to shop around Picadilly Circus (Regents St and Bond St). Visit Buckingham Palace, Big Ben, Westminster, Trafalgar Square, and Abbey Road Studios (I am a huge fan of The Beatles).
I'm staying in Kensington. Going to check out all the museums there. Going to shop around Picadilly Circus (Regents St and Bond St). Visit Buckingham Palace, Big Ben, Westminster, Trafalgar Square, and Abbey Road Studios (I am a huge fan of The Beatles).
By Wahabipapangus Go To PostGo to Brighton for a day and experience a nice English cityI was also going to suggest gay sex.
By Kawhic Go To PostWhat do you like to eat. I've been to pretty much every restaurant of note in london.You must be a rich fucker
By FortuneFaded Go To PostYou must be a rich fuckerHe never said he ate at them
By Kawhic Go To PostWhat do you like to eat. I've been to pretty much every restaurant of note in london.
My only limitation is all seafood, I have an allergy. I do love a place known for their steak. Likewise, Italian food is a plus. Thai and Indonesian (Hawker food) too. And Mediterranean. Ambience is really important for me, it's got to be very presentable. Not big on hole-in-the-walls, I've had enough of those living in NYC.
If you want to try Malaysian I've heard good things about Satay House. Tried Rasa Sayang at Chinatown too, thought it was alright.
By blackace Go To PostHe never said he ate at themlol
Restaurants
Kricket for Indian
Duck and Rice for Chinese
Padella for Italian
Santa Remedio for Mexican
Rovi and Coal Office for Middle Eastern / Israeli
Casa do Frango for Portuguese
Kricket for Indian
Duck and Rice for Chinese
Padella for Italian
Santa Remedio for Mexican
Rovi and Coal Office for Middle Eastern / Israeli
Casa do Frango for Portuguese
By AlphaSnacks Go To PostAlso, need coffee shops too!
39 Steps Coffee Haus in Soho is fantastic.
You can do quite a nice palace walk if the weather is nice. Start at Kensington Palace, walk through Kensington Gardens / Hyde Park, past the Albert Memorial and then the Wellington Arch, towards Buckingham Palace. Feel free to stop off at Serpentine Gallery along the way - it won't cost you a penny to get inside. Changing of the guard is always popular with tourists, and that (usually) happens at Buckingham Palace. From Buckingham Palace you should be able to see Big Ben, amble in that direction. Peer through the gates of Downing Street to see where this year's Prime Minister lives, have a look inside Westminster Abbey, take a breather in Victoria Tower gardens, then head up the London Eye to see the rest.
Lord's is also nice. If there's a match on while you're there, go and see it.
By AlphaSnacks Go To PostMy only limitation is all seafood, I have an allergy. I do love a place known for their steak. Likewise, Italian food is a plus. Thai and Indonesian (Hawker food) too. And Mediterranean. Ambience is really important for me, it's got to be very presentable. Not big on hole-in-the-walls, I've had enough of those living in NYC.Even though im a veggie now Gaucho is quite nice for that Argentinian steak (could be costly though), they have a few restaurants around the city.
By FortuneFaded Go To PostPrepare for a kidjr thesisprobably going to recommend the best place for cocaine
By Wahabipapangus Go To Postyou can ask freewheelin about the best place for public defecationit's Tottenham
If you love shopping, I recommend Jermyn Street and the wider St James’s area. Maybe the best men’s shopping area in the world.
By Shanks D Zoro Go To PostIf you love shopping, I recommend Jermyn Street and the wider St James’s area. Maybe the best men’s shopping area in the world.
What about Regent and Bond St? They look mega and have nothing but shops up and down.
Edit: Ahh, I see that they are all very very close. Yes, St. James/Piccadilly is on my map of things. :)
If you are going around Piccadilly Circus/Trafalgar Square/Leicester Square I would recommend Steak & Co for a steak. Flat Iron is popular and its pretty cheap because Steak is literally the only thing on the menu. Hawksmoor is also nice but a bit more pricey. Maybe a bit more "British" then the others if that is what you are after. There is one of those near Kensington as well.
If you want to go really fancy then check out the restaurants in the high end hotels around Mayfair.
Chinatown is nearby where there are loads of nice Chinese restaurants. There is a Japanese restaurant there called Ichibuns with Manga on the ceiling and Pachinko machines on the wall. I also like Benihana near Piccadilly Circus but its expensive and you also have those in America.
There are plenty of theatres and comedy clubs in that part of town and as for bars there is a decent rooftop bar with a view over Trafalgar Square but it gets busy so book ahead. Opium in Chinatown is good for cocktails and nibbles but its up like 4 flights of stairs. Mr Foggs Society of Exploration off the Strand is a fun bar that does exotic cocktails with a Victorian/Steam Punk theme. A few of these Phileas Fogg themed places have opened up recently, I heard the one in Mayfair is good but I haven't been to it or any of the others yet and they all look different.
I don't know Kensington that well but the Science Museum and Natural History Museums are free and well worth seeing. I would only go to the V&A if you want to see one of the Exhibitions that cost as the free stuff is just OK. Sticky Fingers is a decent restaurant owned by Bill Wyman from the Rolling Stones and I have also been to a nice Italian that was a favourite of Princess Di called Da Mario around there.
Plenty of high end restaurants in Kensington and Knightsbridge because its a fancy part of town. Heston Blumanthal has a restaurant round there which I want to go to but I haven't been cause I am not that rich.
If you want to go really fancy then check out the restaurants in the high end hotels around Mayfair.
Chinatown is nearby where there are loads of nice Chinese restaurants. There is a Japanese restaurant there called Ichibuns with Manga on the ceiling and Pachinko machines on the wall. I also like Benihana near Piccadilly Circus but its expensive and you also have those in America.
There are plenty of theatres and comedy clubs in that part of town and as for bars there is a decent rooftop bar with a view over Trafalgar Square but it gets busy so book ahead. Opium in Chinatown is good for cocktails and nibbles but its up like 4 flights of stairs. Mr Foggs Society of Exploration off the Strand is a fun bar that does exotic cocktails with a Victorian/Steam Punk theme. A few of these Phileas Fogg themed places have opened up recently, I heard the one in Mayfair is good but I haven't been to it or any of the others yet and they all look different.
I don't know Kensington that well but the Science Museum and Natural History Museums are free and well worth seeing. I would only go to the V&A if you want to see one of the Exhibitions that cost as the free stuff is just OK. Sticky Fingers is a decent restaurant owned by Bill Wyman from the Rolling Stones and I have also been to a nice Italian that was a favourite of Princess Di called Da Mario around there.
Plenty of high end restaurants in Kensington and Knightsbridge because its a fancy part of town. Heston Blumanthal has a restaurant round there which I want to go to but I haven't been cause I am not that rich.
don't eat in chinatowen, the chinese restaurants there are generally shite. You could go to XU which is close by if you want something Chinese
By Diego! Go To PostXU is in Chinatownnothing on Rupert St would really indicate china town the way that the rest of it is; a tourist would likely miss it unless specifically directed there and end up at some tourist trap
Fortunately, growing up in NYC, I've had my fair share of Chinese food to get the cravings out of my system. I prefer hawker food moreso, as a result.
In any case, thanks a ton, Diego. Great stuff there. I'll definitely find that rooftop at Trafalgar. A lot of the museums I have on my list, as I'll be staying within walking distance to them.
Any thoughts on Sky Garden? I hear you need a reserve way in advance?
In any case, thanks a ton, Diego. Great stuff there. I'll definitely find that rooftop at Trafalgar. A lot of the museums I have on my list, as I'll be staying within walking distance to them.
Any thoughts on Sky Garden? I hear you need a reserve way in advance?
By AlphaSnacks Go To PostFortunately, growing up in NYC, I've had my fair share of Chinese food to get the cravings out of my system. I prefer hawker food moreso, as a result.It's nice, but not an absolute must-see
In any case, thanks a ton, Diego. Great stuff there. I'll definitely find that rooftop at Trafalgar. A lot of the museums I have on my list, as I'll be staying within walking distance to them.
Any thoughts on Sky Garden? I hear you need a reserve way in advance?
By AlphaSnacks Go To PostWhat about Regent and Bond St? They look mega and have nothing but shops up and down.
Edit: Ahh, I see that they are all very very close. Yes, St. James/Piccadilly is on my map of things. :)
All depends on what you like, if you like bespoke and products going back hundreds of years thar St James's area is the way to go.
Prologue: London is the greatest City in the world for a variety of reasons but variety probably being the main reason (hahaha see what I did there). I'll try give you a high level over view of lots of different things to do see and do, if you want more detail around any of the sub headings I'll come back and expand.
My key for expensiveness*(excluding drinks)
£ - fast food £20 pounds an under per head
££ - £30/£40 - per head
£££ - 60/70 per head
££££ - just bring the black card
Food:
Berandi's ££ - Italian
Yauactha ££ - Dim sum
Goodmans £££ - Best Steak Chain in London - more gentleman/up market up
Hawksmoor £££ - was previously best steak chain in London
Beast - ££££ - if you wanna blow the budget go here, the most sensational crab meat you will ever taste. Ever.
Gaucho £££ - decent steak anything above this is world class
Cut @ 45 ££££ - Viva actually told me to go here a few year ago, or maybe 18 months cant remember, not as good as Beast imo but bloody brilliant
Barrafina ££ - Spanish - Close to being world class tapas, lovely atmosphere (no booking tho so you have to queue)
Tayyabs £ - Indian (Punjab) probably my fav curry house in London
Christophers ££/£££ - American Grill Fine Dining - not sure if brunch is your thing but OMG the french toast here just stupendous confectionery
Roka - £££ - Japanese - this place houses GOAT the dish (Black Cod) - wouldnt neccasarily it's the best but for a combiniation of price, atmosphere, its my personal fav
Novikov - ££££ - Japanese - I was really really fucked up last came here, but I remember the food was stupidly good.
Sushi Samba -£££- food isn't world class but the view is, better view than sky garden.
Umu - ££££ - some will tell you this is the best Japanese in London, I'm not angry at this opinion, but fuck the prices can get out of hand.
Marcus Wearing @ Berkleyy - ££££ - this place holds sentimental value so maybe a bit biased (I proposed at Chefs table here and Marcus is my fav chef) have you ever had a carrot seven ways?
Dinner By Heston -££££ Modern British- stupidly good,
Negril -£- Best Carribean in london maybe (thats not home cooked obv)
Hix - £££ - British - go here for a Sunday roast please
Tiffin box - £ - Indian - some of the best indian flavours I've ever tasted.
Wild Honey - £££ - Modern British - wanna taste some hyper interesting flavour combo's go here.
Naughty Piglets ££ - British fun chilled but good food
In terms of Fast Food, we get most of the best fast food places from you so there wont be too much new here tbh. Shake Shack, Five Guys, In and out (pop up) but if you want something quick on the go I'd highly recommend exploring the markets :
Borough
Spitalfields
Camden
Portotbello
All have great thing about them and while I wouldnt spend an entire day there all worth checking out for an hour or two.
Cocktail Bars (alot of the above places obviously have decent cocktail bars)
Madisons - overpriced, great view
The Ned - overpriced but nice atmosphere
Radio Rooftop - same
Punchrooms - by ffffffffffffffffffaaaaaarrrrr the best cocktail bar in london imo
Cocktail bar in Selfridges - it's nice
Areas' to explore
North London - nothing, there is absolutely nothing north of London worth visiting bar Arsenal football stadium. Well except Camden I guess, dont know how into music you are but Jazz Cafe is fucking amazing, was there last night actually, intimate venue, great acoustics. Worth a check out for sure.
West London - Notting Hill, Portobello market, Westfield Shopping Centre (nothing on American malls but pretty decent if you dont mind thousands of people), Oxford street and usual tourist spots if you're into that.
East London - Shore ditch, have a walk down Brick Lane, go the Hoxton sqaure (especially in the evening there is a great music scene, check out Troy Bar on a Tuesday 9:00pm for some of the best musicians you may ever hear)
South London - Brixton, Peckham/East Dulwich are the spots, great food usually always something happening in these spots (music wise).
My key for expensiveness*(excluding drinks)
£ - fast food £20 pounds an under per head
££ - £30/£40 - per head
£££ - 60/70 per head
££££ - just bring the black card
Food:
Berandi's ££ - Italian
Yauactha ££ - Dim sum
Goodmans £££ - Best Steak Chain in London - more gentleman/up market up
Hawksmoor £££ - was previously best steak chain in London
Beast - ££££ - if you wanna blow the budget go here, the most sensational crab meat you will ever taste. Ever.
Gaucho £££ - decent steak anything above this is world class
Cut @ 45 ££££ - Viva actually told me to go here a few year ago, or maybe 18 months cant remember, not as good as Beast imo but bloody brilliant
Barrafina ££ - Spanish - Close to being world class tapas, lovely atmosphere (no booking tho so you have to queue)
Tayyabs £ - Indian (Punjab) probably my fav curry house in London
Christophers ££/£££ - American Grill Fine Dining - not sure if brunch is your thing but OMG the french toast here just stupendous confectionery
Roka - £££ - Japanese - this place houses GOAT the dish (Black Cod) - wouldnt neccasarily it's the best but for a combiniation of price, atmosphere, its my personal fav
Novikov - ££££ - Japanese - I was really really fucked up last came here, but I remember the food was stupidly good.
Sushi Samba -£££- food isn't world class but the view is, better view than sky garden.
Umu - ££££ - some will tell you this is the best Japanese in London, I'm not angry at this opinion, but fuck the prices can get out of hand.
Marcus Wearing @ Berkleyy - ££££ - this place holds sentimental value so maybe a bit biased (I proposed at Chefs table here and Marcus is my fav chef) have you ever had a carrot seven ways?
Dinner By Heston -££££ Modern British- stupidly good,
Negril -£- Best Carribean in london maybe (thats not home cooked obv)
Hix - £££ - British - go here for a Sunday roast please
Tiffin box - £ - Indian - some of the best indian flavours I've ever tasted.
Wild Honey - £££ - Modern British - wanna taste some hyper interesting flavour combo's go here.
Naughty Piglets ££ - British fun chilled but good food
In terms of Fast Food, we get most of the best fast food places from you so there wont be too much new here tbh. Shake Shack, Five Guys, In and out (pop up) but if you want something quick on the go I'd highly recommend exploring the markets :
Borough
Spitalfields
Camden
Portotbello
All have great thing about them and while I wouldnt spend an entire day there all worth checking out for an hour or two.
Cocktail Bars (alot of the above places obviously have decent cocktail bars)
Madisons - overpriced, great view
The Ned - overpriced but nice atmosphere
Radio Rooftop - same
Punchrooms - by ffffffffffffffffffaaaaaarrrrr the best cocktail bar in london imo
Cocktail bar in Selfridges - it's nice
Areas' to explore
North London - nothing, there is absolutely nothing north of London worth visiting bar Arsenal football stadium. Well except Camden I guess, dont know how into music you are but Jazz Cafe is fucking amazing, was there last night actually, intimate venue, great acoustics. Worth a check out for sure.
West London - Notting Hill, Portobello market, Westfield Shopping Centre (nothing on American malls but pretty decent if you dont mind thousands of people), Oxford street and usual tourist spots if you're into that.
East London - Shore ditch, have a walk down Brick Lane, go the Hoxton sqaure (especially in the evening there is a great music scene, check out Troy Bar on a Tuesday 9:00pm for some of the best musicians you may ever hear)
South London - Brixton, Peckham/East Dulwich are the spots, great food usually always something happening in these spots (music wise).
By AlphaSnacks Go To PostWhat about Regent and Bond St? They look mega and have nothing but shops up and down.
Edit: Ahh, I see that they are all very very close. Yes, St. James/Piccadilly is on my map of things. :)
Will come back and do a shopping recommendation for you later
Tayyabs is a great shout Kid
Just don't go wearing any clothes that you want to be able to wear for the trip
Just don't go wearing any clothes that you want to be able to wear for the trip
By rerixo Go To Postdishoom >> your fav indian
Dishoom is good, not taramind good but good
By rerixo Go To Postdishoom >> your fav indianNah, not even close. Vastly overrated.
I would have said Gymkhana, but it might still be closed after the fire
By rerixo Go To Postdishoom >> your fav indianOverhyped shite is what it is.
Kidjr, that's a hell of a list. I'm definitely going to be referencing it while I'm there. Already wrote down Beast and Dinner By Heston as places to eat at. And then discovered Wafflemeister right next to Beast (I am obsessed with waffles, my daily breakfast for 6 years running).
A ton of helpful suggestions here in general. I appreciate them all. I'm such a huge Anglophile that this trip is something I've been looking forward to since I first picked up a toy Jag when I was 4, and then heard a Beatles record in high school. Growing up in NYC (now living in FL), our streets and architecture look nothing like from what I've seen of London on Google street view thus far. NYC buildings are so grey and dull and tattered. I'm really looking forward to this visit, it's also the first time I've been out of the country in nearly 15 years (last being to Israel).
A ton of helpful suggestions here in general. I appreciate them all. I'm such a huge Anglophile that this trip is something I've been looking forward to since I first picked up a toy Jag when I was 4, and then heard a Beatles record in high school. Growing up in NYC (now living in FL), our streets and architecture look nothing like from what I've seen of London on Google street view thus far. NYC buildings are so grey and dull and tattered. I'm really looking forward to this visit, it's also the first time I've been out of the country in nearly 15 years (last being to Israel).
By AlphaSnacks Go To PostKidjr, that's a hell of a list. I'm definitely going to be referencing it while I'm there. Already wrote down Beast and Dinner By Heston as places to eat at. And then discovered Wafflemeister right next to Beast (I am obsessed with waffles, my daily breakfast for 6 years running).Enjoy it, London is amazing. Americans are typically taken aback by its diversity which never makes the cut in most Hollywood films.
A ton of helpful suggestions here in general. I appreciate them all. I'm such a huge Anglophile that this trip is something I've been looking forward to since I first picked up a toy Jag when I was 4, and then heard a Beatles record in high school. Growing up in NYC (now living in FL), our streets and architecture look nothing like from what I've seen of London on Google street view thus far. NYC buildings are so grey and dull and tattered. I'm really looking forward to this visit, it's also the first time I've been out of the country in nearly 15 years (last being to Israel).
The dishoom argument is one that really rages through London, I'm not sure what ethnicity you guys are but I always feel uncomfortable telling someone from India that the dont know what good Indian food is but yeah I really think there is much better.
Alpha when are you over? I'll be back with more suggestions over the weekend.
Alpha when are you over? I'll be back with more suggestions over the weekend.
By Flutter Go To PostI was surprised at how easy it is to get halal food in London.
I'm not sure what you wont find easily accessible in London tbh
Wait I can answer that question, we dont do Mexican food well at all. Fuck me I'm dying for a good Mexican place in London man, such a missed opportunity
By Kidjr Go To PostWait I can answer that question, we dont do Mexican food well at all. Fuck me I'm dying for a good Mexican place in London man, such a missed opportunityCafe Sol in Greenwich if its still open, I haven't been like a decade.
By Bold 2 in One Go To PostCafe Sol in Greenwich if its still open, I haven't been like a decade.
Yoooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo memories man, I grew up in Deptford when I moved back to Jamaica so I went Greenwich when I wanted to feel fancy. There is a Cafe Sol in Clapham, but I want to try fish tacos