Guidebook for London
Drinks & Nightlife
The Local. Sit in the garden at the back with a drink. The food is good too. Sarge the bartender is a good bloke.
167 locals recommend
The Albion
10 Thornhill RdThe Local. Sit in the garden at the back with a drink. The food is good too. Sarge the bartender is a good bloke.
If you enjoy Tapas, can bear the price tag and find the restaurant this is the best. Sit on the bar and watch the experts at work.
Fino Restaurant
33 Charlotte StreetIf you enjoy Tapas, can bear the price tag and find the restaurant this is the best. Sit on the bar and watch the experts at work.
This is a hidden cocktail bar. It is tiny but a good one if you can find it. Local hidden gem.
89 locals recommend
69 Colebrooke Row
69 Colebrooke RowThis is a hidden cocktail bar. It is tiny but a good one if you can find it. Local hidden gem.
There are three bars there and a decent restaurant. Each with a different vibe so take your pick. The Sherry Bar - if you have a taste for it or wish to give it a go - is worth a go as well.
58 locals recommend
Camino
290 - 292 King's Cross BridgeThere are three bars there and a decent restaurant. Each with a different vibe so take your pick. The Sherry Bar - if you have a taste for it or wish to give it a go - is worth a go as well.
Authentic tapas bar, in the top 3 tapas places in London. Get a bar stool, try 16 Volt - the blended red.
21 locals recommend
Barrica Tapas Bar
62 Goodge StAuthentic tapas bar, in the top 3 tapas places in London. Get a bar stool, try 16 Volt - the blended red.
Tendido Cero has three restaurant - all spanish / tapas within 5 mins of each other. Each with a different vibe. Worth the detour.
33 locals recommend
Tendido Cero
174 Old Brompton RdTendido Cero has three restaurant - all spanish / tapas within 5 mins of each other. Each with a different vibe. Worth the detour.
The best cocktail bar in London. Make this the last place you go as it does not get better. Have a peek inside the American Bar as well - made famous by American sailors in WW2.
Beaufort Bar
StrandThe best cocktail bar in London. Make this the last place you go as it does not get better. Have a peek inside the American Bar as well - made famous by American sailors in WW2.
Authentically restored Victorian pub complete with booths and etched glass. Get a booth, visit the bathroom and have a pint of ale.
15 locals recommend
Princess Louise
208 High HolbornAuthentically restored Victorian pub complete with booths and etched glass. Get a booth, visit the bathroom and have a pint of ale.
Short walk down to this local pub and restaurant. Serves decent food, lagers & ale. Skip the walking up to the roof-garden and cozy up on a table downstairs or on the bar for a chinwag with the chatty bartenders.
17 locals recommend
The Driver
2-4 Wharfdale Rd.Short walk down to this local pub and restaurant. Serves decent food, lagers & ale. Skip the walking up to the roof-garden and cozy up on a table downstairs or on the bar for a chinwag with the chatty bartenders.
Fab restaurant and funky bar for a drink and on some evenings live music.
24 locals recommend
The Booking Office
Euston RoadFab restaurant and funky bar for a drink and on some evenings live music.
Evidently the longest Champagne bar in the world. Sip a bubbly, watch people get in and out of Eurostar right inside the historic King's Cross station.
114 locals recommend
Champagne Bar
87-135 Brompton RdEvidently the longest Champagne bar in the world. Sip a bubbly, watch people get in and out of Eurostar right inside the historic King's Cross station.
Basement bar. Stop by for a fab cocktail in a chic place. Restaurant upstairs -Roka - serves some of the better Japanese food in London. Sake based drinks recommended.
Shochu Lounge
37 Charlotte St.Basement bar. Stop by for a fab cocktail in a chic place. Restaurant upstairs -Roka - serves some of the better Japanese food in London. Sake based drinks recommended.
Charles De Gaulle was a regular there during his exile from France. A bit of a boozer but opt for a red in his honour - it was good enough for him.
23 locals recommend
French House
49 Dean StCharles De Gaulle was a regular there during his exile from France. A bit of a boozer but opt for a red in his honour - it was good enough for him.
Popular and buzzy bar, short walk along the canal. Sit by canal side for a quiet drink, on the ground floor to mingle or upstairs for a meal. Good place to start your evening, be there for the evening or a quick one on the way back. Try it once at least. Yes, they serve decent food too. Find Josh or Andrew behind the bar.
45 locals recommend
The Lighterman
3 Granary SquarePopular and buzzy bar, short walk along the canal. Sit by canal side for a quiet drink, on the ground floor to mingle or upstairs for a meal. Good place to start your evening, be there for the evening or a quick one on the way back. Try it once at least. Yes, they serve decent food too. Find Josh or Andrew behind the bar.
This place tends to cater for an after-work crowd which merges into friends and wider groups as a starting/mid or end-point for a night out. Roberto makes an excellent Old Fashioned. DJ in the basement pumps out beaty tunes on thus-sat evening.
58 locals recommend
Granger & Co. Kings Cross
7 Pancras SquareThis place tends to cater for an after-work crowd which merges into friends and wider groups as a starting/mid or end-point for a night out. Roberto makes an excellent Old Fashioned. DJ in the basement pumps out beaty tunes on thus-sat evening.
one of you should go straight to the cave and hover around tables for a spot. Do not hesitate to ask to share table. The other person can dutifully get a glass. Busy but helpful, knoedgeable bar staff.
114 locals recommend
Champagne Bar
87-135 Brompton Rdone of you should go straight to the cave and hover around tables for a spot. Do not hesitate to ask to share table. The other person can dutifully get a glass. Busy but helpful, knoedgeable bar staff.
A fabulous place to treat yourself for a wonderful cocktail, particularly if on a date. This was made popular by American GI's during WW2. Then walk across to Covent Garden for a meal. Spoiler alert - The Savoy is not cheap!
American Bar
StrandA fabulous place to treat yourself for a wonderful cocktail, particularly if on a date. This was made popular by American GI's during WW2. Then walk across to Covent Garden for a meal. Spoiler alert - The Savoy is not cheap!
Go just before sunset for wonderful views of London. Not many places will offer you the opportunity to look down upon Buckingham palace. Drinks are great. And the french restaurant alongside serves up food that is ooh la la.
10 locals recommend
Galvin at Windows
22 Park LnGo just before sunset for wonderful views of London. Not many places will offer you the opportunity to look down upon Buckingham palace. Drinks are great. And the french restaurant alongside serves up food that is ooh la la.
Good cocktail, nice theme. Sit upstairs for the real experience. You'll need to book. Then continue on Charlotte St.
Mr Fogg's House of Botanicals
48 Newman StGood cocktail, nice theme. Sit upstairs for the real experience. You'll need to book. Then continue on Charlotte St.
Civilised, good but unobtrusive service, even better drinks. Nice way to start the evening, short walk to soho.
47 locals recommend
Charlotte Street Hotel
15-17 Charlotte St.Civilised, good but unobtrusive service, even better drinks. Nice way to start the evening, short walk to soho.
Everything Else
The permanent collection (Free) there is a must see for anyone interested in books or history. Occasional exhibitions are good too.
430 locals recommend
The British Library
96 Euston RdThe permanent collection (Free) there is a must see for anyone interested in books or history. Occasional exhibitions are good too.
Local supermarket. Eating out can be expensive. When i have younger cousins visiting we make breaky at home and pack a sandwich. Recommend you do the same.
649 locals recommend
Tesco Metro
361 Bethnal Green RdLocal supermarket. Eating out can be expensive. When i have younger cousins visiting we make breaky at home and pack a sandwich. Recommend you do the same.
Claridge's Bar
Brook StreetFab place for nice afternoon tea, particularly for ladies.
The pre-eminent art gallery which hosts some of the best exhibitions from classical masters to contemporary artists. Must see - frequently.
161 locals recommend
Royal Academy of Arts
PiccadillyThe pre-eminent art gallery which hosts some of the best exhibitions from classical masters to contemporary artists. Must see - frequently.
Food Scene
Caravan is a restaurant on Granary square which is recommended. Granary square itself is also a nice place to visit and relax. Short walk along the canal.
164 locals recommend
Granary Square
1 Granary SquareCaravan is a restaurant on Granary square which is recommended. Granary square itself is also a nice place to visit and relax. Short walk along the canal.
The Cafe is in the basement of the famous church on Trafalgar Square. It is hidden, very central, good value for money and the traditional English puddings are well worth trying.
6 locals recommend
Café in the Crypt
Trafalgar SquareThe Cafe is in the basement of the famous church on Trafalgar Square. It is hidden, very central, good value for money and the traditional English puddings are well worth trying.
Cicchetti is 'small bites' in Italian. Think of it as Italian Tapas. An inviting place for a drink at the bar and a meal to share (or not) with yourself or others. Friendly staff. Visit anytime.
7 locals recommend
Cicchetti
215 PiccadillyCicchetti is 'small bites' in Italian. Think of it as Italian Tapas. An inviting place for a drink at the bar and a meal to share (or not) with yourself or others. Friendly staff. Visit anytime.
My Chinese teacher used to take us there. Try singapore noodles, gai lan (not on menu but request it). Good for Dim Sum too if you can find a spot.
Joy King Lau
3 Leicester StMy Chinese teacher used to take us there. Try singapore noodles, gai lan (not on menu but request it). Good for Dim Sum too if you can find a spot.
Great place to sit on the bar stool or in the restaurant any time of day or night in Covent Garden.
40 locals recommend
Balthazar
4-6 Russell StGreat place to sit on the bar stool or in the restaurant any time of day or night in Covent Garden.
Salt Yard
54 Goodge StAnother fab tapas bar. V busy though.
Lantana Cafe Fitzrovia
13 Charlotte PlVoted the best brunch place last year. Order a flat white.
This is an authentic Bombay-Irani restaurant, a very particular type of restaurant replicated very well. Anyone who has seen the real-deal is bound to appreciate it. Yummy food, decent cocktails.
219 locals recommend
Dishoom King's Cross
5 Stable StThis is an authentic Bombay-Irani restaurant, a very particular type of restaurant replicated very well. Anyone who has seen the real-deal is bound to appreciate it. Yummy food, decent cocktails.
Fab local place for breaky, lunch, brunch or dinner. Bar stools on the passe seats (opposite kitchen) is a fab spot to watch chef's at work. Recommended.
73 locals recommend
Grain Store
1-3 Stable StreetFab local place for breaky, lunch, brunch or dinner. Bar stools on the passe seats (opposite kitchen) is a fab spot to watch chef's at work. Recommended.
Start with a drink on the canal level in this busy, buzzy indoor-outdoor bar. Then head upstairs for a meal, decent options.
45 locals recommend
The Lighterman
3 Granary SquareStart with a drink on the canal level in this busy, buzzy indoor-outdoor bar. Then head upstairs for a meal, decent options.
Very popular niche Indian restaurant. They don't take bookings and there is almost always a long queue outside. local tip: head there for early breakfast.
219 locals recommend
Dishoom King's Cross
5 Stable StVery popular niche Indian restaurant. They don't take bookings and there is almost always a long queue outside. local tip: head there for early breakfast.
Good dim sum, v popular with locals. Local tip: to avoid excessive noise, sit on the first floor. Ideally by the window to glimpse the pond.
7 locals recommend
Imperial China
25a Lisle StGood dim sum, v popular with locals. Local tip: to avoid excessive noise, sit on the first floor. Ideally by the window to glimpse the pond.
Addis
40-42 Caledonian RdAuthentic, unpretentious, busy, local, solid Ethopian fare.
Authentic Afghan food prepared by Afghans in a simple setting. Not a bad spot to visit after a tipple at 69 Colebroke Row.
73 locals recommend
Afghan Kitchen
35 Islington GrnAuthentic Afghan food prepared by Afghans in a simple setting. Not a bad spot to visit after a tipple at 69 Colebroke Row.
The Angelic
57 Liverpool RdAnother localish pub.
Sightseeing
If you are an American or have any interest in Ben Franklin then this place is a must visit. Check the site and attend a guided tour.
13 locals recommend
Benjamin Franklin House
36 Craven StIf you are an American or have any interest in Ben Franklin then this place is a must visit. Check the site and attend a guided tour.
This is one of the best museums. You can't not go there. Be sure to get on a guided tour which run every hour or so. Their cafe is must-visit. This was the first cafe inside any museum - look up.
1694 locals recommend
Victoria and Albert Museum
Cromwell RoadThis is one of the best museums. You can't not go there. Be sure to get on a guided tour which run every hour or so. Their cafe is must-visit. This was the first cafe inside any museum - look up.
Walk along the canal for 25 minutes or so to reach Camden market. A throbbing place to visit, look for accessories, gifts, have a lunch in and walk back home along the canal. Stop by on Granary Sq.
1028 locals recommend
Camden Market
54-56 Camden Lock PlWalk along the canal for 25 minutes or so to reach Camden market. A throbbing place to visit, look for accessories, gifts, have a lunch in and walk back home along the canal. Stop by on Granary Sq.
This is Winston Churchill's bunker / war office. This is must see. Plan for two hours and an entry fee. Then rest your feet in St James's park. Then St Martin's in the Field for a coffee/snack.
125 locals recommend
Churchill War Rooms
King Charles StreetThis is Winston Churchill's bunker / war office. This is must see. Plan for two hours and an entry fee. Then rest your feet in St James's park. Then St Martin's in the Field for a coffee/snack.
Shopping
This is the official and correct place to buy same-day or otherwise cheap theatre tickets. Other risky option is to go to the theatre just before the event. There are last minute sellers, 1/2 price
20 locals recommend
TKTS
Leicester SquareThis is the official and correct place to buy same-day or otherwise cheap theatre tickets. Other risky option is to go to the theatre just before the event. There are last minute sellers, 1/2 price
Authentically British. Must visit even if it is to poke your nose in. Buy a can on buiscits or lollies. Go up to browse at finer British items.
193 locals recommend
Fortnum & Mason
181 PiccadillyAuthentically British. Must visit even if it is to poke your nose in. Buy a can on buiscits or lollies. Go up to browse at finer British items.
Essentials
Upscale super market. Good for a 'big shop' or nicer foods if you are in the area
385 locals recommend
Waitrose & Partners
366 Holloway RdUpscale super market. Good for a 'big shop' or nicer foods if you are in the area
Large store with a wide selection. Recommended if you do a large shop and are in the area. Just cab it back from there for £10 or so.
941 locals recommend
Sainsbury's
2 Tulse HillLarge store with a wide selection. Recommended if you do a large shop and are in the area. Just cab it back from there for £10 or so.
Nisa Local
476 Caledonian RdCorner grocer, across the street for immediate needs.
Large super market with loads of options in the unlikely event you need this.
941 locals recommend
Sainsbury's
2 Tulse HillLarge super market with loads of options in the unlikely event you need this.
Arts & Culture
The best place for modern dance - if you are interested in this. It is a long walk or you can bus it from Kings Cross to Angel.
253 locals recommend
Sadlers Wells Theatre (Stop UB) station
The best place for modern dance - if you are interested in this. It is a long walk or you can bus it from Kings Cross to Angel.
Local theatre along Upper Street. Book a play if you can find a spot. V popular.
224 locals recommend
Almeida Theatre
Almeida StreetLocal theatre along Upper Street. Book a play if you can find a spot. V popular.
This is a very unique spot. This is a proper boozer of a pub from the outside. However the back of the pub opens into an intimate theatre which only does Opera. Hugh Grant performed there as well.
75 locals recommend
King's Head Theatre
115 Upper StThis is a very unique spot. This is a proper boozer of a pub from the outside. However the back of the pub opens into an intimate theatre which only does Opera. Hugh Grant performed there as well.
Pleasance Theatre
Another lovely local theatre.
Must visit. Take one of the many free tours on offer, pick up a fridge-magnet from the gift shop and stroll along to Princess Louise for a well-earned pint.
1546 locals recommend
British Museum
Great Russell StreetMust visit. Take one of the many free tours on offer, pick up a fridge-magnet from the gift shop and stroll along to Princess Louise for a well-earned pint.
This is the complex for arts with plenty of restaurants. Much to do and see there.
436 locals recommend
Southbank Centre
This is the complex for arts with plenty of restaurants. Much to do and see there.
This is a fab venue with two intimate concert halls, restaurant along the canal and cafe. Stroll in there on a weekend evening to catch a free short concert while sipping a glass of red relaxing on the canal. One has to chill ever so often, right?
50 locals recommend
WeWork - Office Space & Coworking
90 York WayThis is a fab venue with two intimate concert halls, restaurant along the canal and cafe. Stroll in there on a weekend evening to catch a free short concert while sipping a glass of red relaxing on the canal. One has to chill ever so often, right?