Mentioned by Condé Nast Traveler
15 Best Museums in London
"For a lunch date to remember, 155 meters high at the top of the famous ‘Walkie-Talkie’ building, the Sky Garden offers spectacular views of the city. But it’s the incredible tropical garden which makes this iconic London landmark a must-see. There are multiple restaurants and bars to choose from, but for informal yet stylish lunchtime dining, we highly recommend Darwin’s Brasserie to take in some of the best views of the city."
"A magnificent three-floor space, Sky Garden hosts two of the most exclusive rooftop restaurants in London: Fenchurch Restaurant and Darwin Brasserie, and two exciting rooftop bars: Sky Pod Bar and City Garden. Sky Pod Rooftop Bar is open all day from early morning coffees, through to lunchtime bites and afternoon drinks, while at night it comes alive with music, lights and cocktails.skygarden.london"
"Sky Garden is on top of one of the skyscrapers found in London. You can visit levels 35 through 37 of the "Walkie Talkie" for free—just make sure to book a ticket in advance."
"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."
"Address: 49-50 Camden Lock, Camden Town, London NW1 8AF and 54 Greek Street, London W1D 3DS. Whether you're a science buff or not, you have to head here just for the experience - you get to watch as your dessert is frozen to order using liquid nitrogen. Toppings and sauces are kept in beakers to complete the science lab vibe, and flavours are outlandish - think pandan leaf and black sesame cake."
"A thick, brownie-like cookie with sweet-and-sticky dulce de leche, toasted hazelnuts and cranberries, it’s luxurious – full of Valhrona chocolate – and super indulgent. 54 Greek St, London W1D 3DS or 49-50 Camden Lock Pl, London NW1 8AF. Open for take-away in the weekends."
"This North London bakery describes itself as ‘a bit health conscious’: cakes contain low fat and sugar, but enough to ensure they taste delicious. Cutter & Squidge cakes make the perfect centrepiece for a big celebration too: the Macron Drip Cake, for instance, is a layered creation decorated with macarons, topped with chocolate shards and finished with 24 carat gold. Vegan cakes are also available, and everything can be personalised."
"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."
"Cutter & Squidge are bringing the latest in hybrid desserts to London. Here, they have invented the Biskie. This is a biscuit-cookie-cake creation filled with buttercream, jam or caramel."
"Mayfair hotel The Biltmore Mayfair welcomes a new restaurant this summer, spearheaded by superchef and restaurateur Jason Atherton – who runs another of the hotel’s eateries, The Betterment. The Café Biltmore Restaurant & Terrace will be a more relaxed affair, focusing on comfort classics like buttermilk fried chicken sandwiches and wood-fired pizzas, alongside fish dishes including steamed mussels and Dorset crab on toast. On summer evenings the newly expanded 70-seat terrace is the place to be, a tropical-inspired space surrounded by foliage covered walls."
"The Biltmore Hotel in leafy Grosvenor Square is a delightful place to escape the bustle of nearby Oxford Street, with plenty of space to spread out, including two restaurants run by Jason Atherton, The Betterment, and Cafe Biltmore. The latter sprawls out onto a generous terrace at the back of the hotel, part undercover, and part open to the sky. The menu is simple but satisfying: elegantly done gastropub classics with a hefty wine list to go with them."
"Serene leafy terraces in bustling Mayfair are hard to come by, so thank heavens for Cafe Biltmore from chef Jason Atherton. Expect a casual offering (for this postcode at least) full of globally inspired dishes."
"Restaurants Austrian Marylebone. If your idea of romance is waltzing round old Vienna to the sound of Strauss, you can capture some of that old ‘Blue Danube’ magic with a trip to this instantly comforting Mittel-European number from Messrs Corbin & King. Schnitzels, sausages, ice-cream coupes and – of course – incomparable viennoiserie provide welcome sustenance, with excellent hot chocolate and coffee adding that vital X factor."
"Corbin and King’s refined Marylebone homage to Viennese waltzes past and present is always a fine, low-key luxurious breakfast venue, and in the spirit of fried batter its Austrian crêpes, served either with apricot and brandy jam or a gianduja-approximating hazelnut and chocolate, make a winning centrepiece around which to build an Austrian feast."
"Known as one of the edgiest, artiest universities in London, it’s no surprise that Goldsmiths has opened its very own contemporary arts institution. And to be fair to them, it’s pretty damn cool. This Grade II-listed, former Victorian bathhouse boasts a deliciously diverse range of art – from world-class exhibitions by international artists, to new projects and emergent practices."
"Goldsmiths Centre for Contemporary Art, known as Goldsmiths CCA, is located in New Cross on the Campus of Goldsmiths University. It is designed for students, artists, and the wider public, offering exhibitions, diverse events, and educational activities. Originally the building was the boiler house and public laundry of Laurie Grove Baths, a Grade II-listed building."
"Chilli Bar and Kitchen is a new concept brought to you by the same team behind critically acclaimed Chilli Raj restaurant.Redefining the Indian restaurant s ..."
"Get out of the office and head to The White Swan for a delicious pub lunch, made from seasonal British ingredients. The Chancery Lane boozer is perfect for an intimate bite to eat with goodies such as roast duck breast, day boat fishcakes and toad in the hole filling you up til tea time."
"A peaceful oasis amongst the buzz and bustle of the city, the Culpeper Community Garden is managed by and for the local people. It’s open seven days a week and is just a short walk from Angel station. COVID-19 UPDATE: Culpeper Community Garden is currently closed to the public."
"Chef Ben Tish has brought the Moorish-inspired cuisine of Sicily to Fitzrovia, to great acclamation. The long, narrow interior of Norma has the feeling of an extremely luxurious North African train carriage, with Moroccan tiles on the walls, cosy booths and decidedly flattering lighting. The menu opens with a generous selection of small plates – snacks, antipasti and a raw bar – followed by pasta which can be ordered in small and large sizes, and proper large plates to finish."
"Few cuisines are as passionately delivered as Italian, and Ben Tish’s interpretation of Sicilian cooking has certainly warmed the hearts of many Londoners since it opened last year. Inside the Fitzrovia haven, golden hues radiate from the hanging lamps to the velvet furnishings, with diners able to order aperitivo plates to share between them, plentiful pasta and indulgent dishes of seafood stew and grilled salt marsh lamb. 8 Charlotte Street, W1T 2LS, normalondon.com"
"Norma embodies the celebrated old-school hospitality and grand café culture found in Italy. Head chef Ben Tish (ex Salt Yard), showcases the fresh and vibrant flavours found on the island of Sicily, imbued with Arabic influences and North African spices. For an al fresco lunch date the patio dining provides the perfect place to devour the delectable pasta dishes available, all centred around fresh, seasonal produce."