Finding things to do in London can be big, ugly, muddle of chains and rip-offs. Avoid things to do pitfalls with this list of my favourite places in London for food, drink and relaxation.
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| An Authentic English Pub |
FOOD
(Since I am a vegetarian, I’ll start with a couple of great vegetarian choices)
EAT AND TWO VEG (Marylebone High Street, W1) is one of my favourites, its got booths, great vegetarian food like shepherd’s pie, veggie cheeseburgers, and even a Sunday roast of the day. We flesh-challenged so often miss out on the old faves like Yorkshire Pudding and gravy but, you won’t here. Yum. Great, but expensive desserts. And they serve alcohol, vegetarian does not equal puritanical.
VITAORGANIC (Wardour Street, Soho, W1) is a simple, cheapish, buffet of yummy veggie food so you can see what you’re getting when you choose. Not a place to linger over a meal so much but good food, that is quick and easy. Good juices, of course, with interesting teas.
BAR ITALIA (Frith Street, Soho, W1) is an Italian daytime and late night staple of London. Great pizzas, coffee, sport on the TV inside. The toilets are downstairs and you have to walk behind the bar to get there – a trap for new players.
FLAT WHITE (Berwick Street, Soho, W1) has good coffee and toasted foccacia with an assortment of favourites like Anzac biscuits. OK, so maybe they are Australian favourites and the place is run by an assortment of Aussies and Kiwis but they do know how to make coffee with a smile. The self-serve water jugs with slices of cucumber in them are a treat.
YO SUSHI (Lots of locations, even airports) is chain Japanese, but it has the excellent moving belt arrangement so you can see what you want and grab it. The dishes are colour-coded and they add up the total according to the detritus around you at the end. Be careful though ‘cos you can add up to more than you expected. Miso soup is bottomless though and cheap. Yo Sushi is a great place to sit at the bar for a quick grab and run or to settle into a booth for a more leisurely meal. There’s a hot food menu to order from as well.
NEWMAN ARMS (Rathbone Street, Fitzrovia, W1) is a old, little pub where George Orwell used to be regular. Upstairs from the Newman Arms, is the Pie Room, the real jewel of the place. The Pie Room possibly makes the best pies in London using organic and free-range ingredients whenever possible and there are yummy pies for vegetarians. With limited seating it is best to get there early or book a table.
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| Looking for a pint? |
DRINK
THE WARRINGTON HOTEL (Warrington Crescent, Maida Vale, W9) is a pub with atmosphere that comes from having been a brothel and it still looks like one. A pretty good Thai restaurant is upstairs.
BRADLEY’S SPANISH BAR, (Hanway Street, Fitzrovia, W1) on a small side street, Bradley’s is a small character-filled bar with an awesome jukebox.
ENDURANCE HOTEL (Berwick Street, Soho, W1) Yep, it’s opposite Flat White, you caught me. A good pub and in a quiet location so you’re less likely to get run over by a taxi as you stand outside pint in hand, as is the English custom.
THE WIBBLY WOBBLY (Greenland Dock, Surrey Quays, SE16) is a pub on a boat and is a favourite of friends of mine, but I haven’t been there yet. However, I trust my friends’ judgment, as it is impeccable. Did you get the part where it is on a boat? And the name, how could you not love a pub called The Wibbly Wobbly?
THE OLD SHIP (Upper Mall, Hammersmith, W6) a pub worth the journey and the first I was taken to when I arrived in London. With great views of the Thames, its riverside location and a chance to see the sunset over a pint, I can see why.
GORDON’S WINE BAR (Villiers Street, WC2N) is centrally located near Charing Cross Station and Embankment Tube. Gordon’s is located underground in vaulted cellars, Gordon’s is full of atmosphere. Open since 1890, Gordon’s claims to be the oldest wine bar in London and is a must for a drink. Less smoky, which is good for the lungs, but takes away from the atmosphere of the place.
CRAZY BEAR (Whitfield Street, Fitzrovia, W1) is the place to go to spend money on fab cocktails, eat delicious dim sum and enjoy lots of atmosphere, this is your place. Although after a few, the toilets are quite disorienting, “mirror, mirror on the floor…” –you’ll see what I mean.
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| Smoke a shisha |
RELAX
SPALONDON (York Hall Leisure Centre, Bethnal Green, E2) recently reopened following restoration of the original Victorian Turkish Bath steam rooms. A reasonably priced spa with a hammam, steam rooms, saunas, a plunge pool and a relaxation room. If you’ve got more cash you can book treatments. It’s run by the local council so for residents it’s really cheap. Health and relaxation for all – I love it.
BRITISH SCHOOL OF SHIATSU (Thanes Villas, N7) London is a crazy town and it’s important to remember to chill out and bring your heart rate down sometimes. This place offers cheap shiatsu massage several days and evenings every month in their student or graduate clinics. The graduates especially are really skilled and are there to get practical hours before starting their own practices.
SOMETHING DIFFERENT
SHISHA PIPES (Edgeware Road or on Paddington Street, W1) enjoy an herbal fruity smoke to while you drink mint tea and play backgammon. Due to recently introduced smoking bans, you now have to have shishas (or Egyptian Hookah) on the street or in gardens/courtyards, but it’s still possible to partake.
Enjoy.
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