Mentioned by London x London
The London Sightseeing Guide: 39 Unmissable Things to do in London
"Set atop 20 Fenchurch Street (aka the Walkie Talkie building), Sky Garden is the highest public garden in London. Amidst a lush urban jungle, it offers stunning 360° panoramic views of the city. The unique setting and spectacular views easily make this one of the most Instagrammable places in London."
"Get the lift to the top of 20 Fenchurch Street and let your toddler explore London’s highest public garden. There are 360 degree views of the London skyline, gardens to run around in and a café where you can buy cakes and pastries. Cost – Free, but you need to prebook."
"From creating a nitro ice cream parlour in Camden to collaborating with Cadbury to create a Creme Egg Sundae, Chin Chin know how to make weird and wacky ice creams. But it’s their Soho joint that we love, where they mix luxe chocolate and caramel flavour ice-creams with cakes, cookies and ice-cream sandwiches. There’s always a bunch of toppings and sauces to pick from, and with a wide variety of vegan options as well, there’s something for everyone here."
"London’s first ice cream parlour made using liquid nitrogen, Chin Chin Labs is best known for their bold flavours, big scoops and scientific methods. The team wanted to create something which hadn’t been explored before and it’s certainly done the trick because they now boast three outposts in London. Designed as a grab-and-go pit stop, their ice creams are great for scoring a ‘gram worthy image and fuelling you on your Sunday stroll around the city."
"This sister-owned Soho bakery looks sweet, but isn't saccahrine. Using no more sugar and fat than they need, their inventive and joyfully decorated offerings are delicately, carefully flavoured. Cutter & Squidge’s Dream Cakes make for jaw dropping centrepieces for your big celebration, or can also be enjoyed by the slice in house – the Lychee Kiss is an elegant flavour trio of lychee, raspberry and rose."
"Nestled in the heart of Soho lives Cutter & Squidge, artisan cake makers who specialise in extravagance and wonder. Serving up slices of uniquely flavoured and decorated cakes along with their signature Biskie - a mix of cake, biscuit and cookie topped with marshmallow, buttercream and other goodies - it’s a one-of-a-kind shop in London. And it’s not just for the dairy eaters and gluten-friendly."
"You'd be bonkers not to try one of their famous 'Biskies' (a merge between a cake and a biscuit - v moreish) while sitting in their secret garden."
"Greg Boyce and Dom Sherington’s cafe on Hackney Road is named for Scottish author Alasdair Gray’s labyrinthine depiction of Glasgow’s streets; the cafe itself is about 20 feet wide with floor-to-ceiling windows. There’s at least one layer of irony to everything else in the place, too. It began as a guest roaster affair, with beans according to vibes and a heavy lean on south west London roaster Alchemy, but it’s now strictly a Dark Arts joint, whose roastery is also based in Hackney."
"Just a stroll from Hackney City Farm, Lanark is one of east London’s lesser-known excellent cafes, opened by Greg Boyce and Dom Sherington. Roasters are rotated with near alarming regularity: Alchemy, Square Mile and Dark Arts more frequently on the roster, with a pared back menu of espresso, espresso with milk, and filter. ‘Supersize dat’ if you’re after something larger; that said, for straight-up deliciousness, the quality of the espresso is on a par with anywhere in the city."
"Coffee and sandwiches are the bread and butter of Lanark Coffee, and while the lure of a kimcheese grilled sandwich makes a visit to this tidy espresso bar essential, it’s earned its place on this list of the best coffee shops in London based purely on its java offering. Lanark only hosts coffee from locally based micro-roasters in small batches to ensure that everyone gets their moment in the sun. And a moment in your flat white."
"Everyone loves a good reinvention story, and Peckham Levels has a great one, having been transformed from a multi-storey car park into a bustling market and entrepreneurs hub. It’s run by the same folk behind Pop Brixton, so it’s no surprise that you find the same emphasis on some of London’s best up and coming foodie ventures. Don’t miss Nandine which serves up amazing contemporary Kurdish food or Lords of Poké for amazing poké bowls (pictured above)."
"Try your hand at a couple of rounds of mini golf at Battersea's Putt in the Park, a unique course made up of rockeries, cascades and canopies. There's even a restaurant to fill up rumbling tummies afterwards."
"Brunswick House in Vauxhall has recently launched Brunswick at Home where you can get their British food delivered to your door. Pick between the à la carte choices, or order a set menu dinner for two starting from £35. You can also order cocktails, beer, and keg wine pouches."
"The worlds of contemporary and traditional Britain come together at this top London restaurant, in Vauxhall. Brunswick House Cafe's regularly changing menu is inspired by local produce, and the furniture and interior design is all up for sale."
"Restaurants British Southwark. Jammed onto the side of an architectural practice in Southwark, this serene Aussie-style café-restaurant is something of a quiet classic in this part of town. Come the weekend, the standard breakfast menu (lots of eggs and avocado, as you’d expect) expands into brunch territory with a host of sizeable salads and burgers, waffles, pancakes and favourites such as sweetcorn fritters."
"If it’s high-class modern dining and cracking marina views you’re after, Gogos Waterfront Restaurant should be just the ticket. The colourful, flavoursome menu is brought to life with South African sparkle, the cocktails are to die for and the views from its choice marina location lend your meal a touch of maritime glamour."
"Slightly off the beaten track, and only accessible by car, this charming, family-run South African restaurant boasts views over the marina and Windsor racecourse. Expect a friendly welcome and great service whether you stop by for breakfast, lunch, dinner or just drinks, and a relaxed setting in which to drink and dine."
"The ideal destination for any occasion, Coast to Coast is casual dining at its best. Guests experience a gastronomic adventure from east to west coast America, with dishes and cocktails inspired by recipes from across the continent."
"A post shared by Jessica Lalau (@jesslalau) on Aug 19, 2016 at 2:26am PDT. London is sadly lacking when it comes to great Southern food places, but, luckily, The Fat Bear delivers if you’ve got a hankering for New Orleans gumbo or the bizarre yet brilliant Southern staple dish of fried chicken and waffles."
"If you’re looking for a beautiful and photogenic landmark St Paul’s Cathedral should be on your list, especially if photographed from One New Change. The reflections in the shiny mirror-like windows of the mall add to the Instagrammability of the shot. Once you’re done taking photos you can either visit the inside of one of the largest and most famous cathedrals in England, or go shopping in One New Change."
"One New Change, one of the best shopping places in London, is located near St. Paul’s Cathedral. You can always add a visit to this beautiful cathedral to your experience, and this is actually the only major shopping centre in the area, so it won’t be challenging to find. You will find approximately 60 restaurants and shops, mostly high-street retailers inside this shopping centre."
"There's plenty to keep you busy here with restaurants, cafés, menswear and womenswear fashion brands, all set overlooking St Paul's Cathedral. Brands include GAP, Kurt Geiger, Pandora, Swarovski, Ted Baker and more."
"At just over 1000 metres long, Walthamstow Market is the longest in Europe and, because it’s not really part of the London tourist track, it’s one of the best London markets for real budget bargains. It’s open every day (except for Sundays and Mondays) from dawn until dusk, and is used by locals on a daily basis to buy food, clothes, gifts, electrical equipment, music, body care products and household goods. Whatever you need, Walthamstow Market has it, and if you can’t see what you want, someone will get it for you by the following week."