Mentioned by Reader's Digest Canada
50+ Must-See London Attractions
"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."
"Number two on our list of the bests building and architecture in London is the stunning sky gardens. This is one of the most modern buildings found in the city. Also, its one of the highest public gardens to be found in the United Kingdom."
"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."
"A zany premium parlour all about indulgence to the highest degree, Chin Chin Labs is home to liquid nitrogen ice cream. While this might sound like a worn gimmick, Chin Chin Labs were among the first to this trend - a method of freezing the ice cream’s custard base instantly to make for a smoother and more flavourful result. Offering trusty flavours like burnt butter caramel and mango lassi, for those feeling extra indulgent their brownie cookie sundae will more than satisfy a sweet tooth."
"For truly breathtaking ice-cream creations, head on down to Chin Chin. This little dessert spot is famous for its extravagant flavors (you can find things like meringue pie and tonka bean on the menu!), and you can even grab a signature hot chocolate if you want something to enjoy on the go. Such a great option if you’re looking for the best desserts in London."
"For something a little different, head to Chin Chin Labs, the go-to parlour for liquid nitrogen ice cream in London. Watch as your dessert is frozen to order using a dash of liquid nitrogen, and select from an exciting array of weekly-changing flavours at this cool cafe in Camden."
"Fun shop, fun website, inventive creations – two sisters established this Soho mecca and are always a step ahead of foodie trends. The sisters explain, “We are a bit health conscious and are not fans of overly fatty or sugar laden foods, so we always keep our fat and sugar content to “just as much as needed to make something delicious”."
"It’s pretty, it’s pink and the cakes and treats are equally as gorgeous to eat as well as look at. Their famous for their ‘biskie’ creations which are a cross between a cake and a cookie sandwiched with cream or chocolate. If you prefer you can go for one of their perfectly presented cakes by the slice."
"We make everything from scratch and where possible we use real British ingredients or source from British producers where we can’t.’. The sweet stuff: Cakes and (wince) ‘biskies’. The stuff looks next-level, though, and the mixed selection boxes would make anyone’s day."
"Restaurants Snack bars Soho. They say: ‘When baking bread is your passion, it’s a short but gratifying leap into the endlessly creative realm of cakes, brownies, cookies and madeleines.’. The sweet stuff:A big ol’ range, running the gamut from lemon drizzle cakes and sour cherry chocolate scones to shortbreads and biscuits."
"A long time favourite, Gail’s is a great bakery to go for some of the best coffee in London and a baked snack. There’s an all day (’til 3pm) brunch menu as well. If you’re up for something a little more hearty, this is a great pick."
"GAIL’s is extremely popular among the London crowd, and it’s easy to see why. One of the best desserts in London is the gorgeous Lemon & Rose cake. It is quite small for the price you pay, but the flavors are unbeatable."
"Zain Kara-Bernou and Katherine Miskulin are stalwarts of the London coffee scene, having worked in just about every shop worth its beans and having created the latte art dice, a familiar sight on bars around the globe. Their first shop together, a glass-fronted unit at London Fields’ hypey Netil Market, draws on all of that experience, with a rotating cast of outstanding roasters from the U.K."
"Let the bodies hit the floor, let the bodies hit the floor, let the bodies hit the floor.” Right, okay, now I’ve got that out of my system let’s talk about why Flor is one of the best bakeries in London. Created by the same team behind the highly acclaimed Lyle’s, Flor was a fully-fledged wine bar and bakery in its pre-pandemic heyday but has pivoted to operating solely as a hatch flogging pastries, bread, and sandwiches since lockdown took hold. We’re just grateful that’s been open at all, really."
"Flor, in Borough Market, comes with serious credentials; after all, it's the long-awaited little sister to the Michelin-starred Lyle’s. Its ground-floor wine bar doubles as a bakery, already known for its sourdough; supplies are limited, so invest in a loaf on arrival. Stools—reserved for walk-ins—line the window and marble counter, which overlooks the kitchen (tiny is an understatement; even four chefs seems a squeeze)."
"Modern European , British"
"Catalyst, helmed by Vasilis Chamam and Alex Gkikas, might be the archetypal London breakfast cafe of the 2020s. It roasts its own coffee and does it very well; it serves a recognisable litany of British cafe foods — bacon sandwiches, scrambled eggs, hopefully soon, a sandwich with black pudding — but inflects all of these with the tastes and ideas of its owners’ heritage. There’s a coffee sriracha with heat that blooms like water hitting its filter coffees; a halloumi katsu sando; that “black pudding sandwich” features hispi cabbage and XO sauce."
"This café and coffee roasters in Holborn is all about quality coffee and building quality relationships with their suppliers. Whether it’s organic Mexican coffee from Oaxaca or beans gleaned from the highlands of Peru, everything that Catalyst roasts and serves in a filter coffee, espresso, and rich flat white is ethically sourced and made to the highest standards. Swing by to see what they’ve got on offer."
"The heated exterior at Catalyst doesn’t have tables, but it’s a fine place to linger while eating one of Vasilis Chamam and Alex Kikas’ outstanding sandwiches, whether it be the halloumi katsu or a chicken bun with their VTEC coffee sriracha."
"They say: ‘Premium, handmade cheesecakes and desserts delivered to your door.’. The sweet stuff: You thought you knew cheesecake?. Unless you’ve seen this site, you did not."
"St Paul’s Cathedral (fee*) is an Anglican church designed by Sir Christopher Wren in the English Baroque style. The present church was consecrated in 1697; however, it sits on the same site as the former medieval church of the same name which was badly damaged by fire. Today it is the seat of the Bishop of London and one of the most important churches in London."
"Along the south bank (always worth a wander), you can stop in at Shakespeare’s Globe Theatre, the Tate Modern Art Gallery, and even quickly cross the Millennium bridge for a visit to St. Paul’s Cathedral. The Globe and St. Paul’s Cathedral are both included on the London Pass, whilst the Tate Modern is free to enter."
"Sir Christopher Wren’s baroque masterpiece in Greenwich and indeed Britain’s largest ensemble of baroque architecture, the Old Royal Naval College contains the neoclassical Chapel of St Peter and St Paul and the extraordinary Painted Hall. The entire Old Royal Naval College, including the chapel, the visitor centre, and the grounds, can be visited for free. Volunteers lead free 45-minute tours throughout the day from the visitor centre."
"The Old Royal Naval College is a set of buildings designed by Christopher Wren whose original purpose was to serve as a place to care for and house retired seamen. Later the large building complex was used as a naval training college and today is used for a number of functions, and many of the buildings are open to the public."
"Begun by Sir Christopher Wren in 1694 as a rest home for ancient mariners, the college became a school in 1873. It's still used for classes…"
"Stop 6: Soak In Soho On Your London Itinerary The up and coming borough of Soho is a treasure trove of sites and a wonderful area to explore during your 4 day London itinerary!. A short walk from Carnaby Street, have a browse through the unique shops, cross through Soho Park and have a quick glance at Sir Paul McCartney’s office, then indulge in a chili pepper hot chocolate at Paul A Young’s Chocolaterie. The thick and decadent drink is a hefty 5 quid but deemed the best hot cocoa in all of London."
"25/04/2021: I had heard how good the food at Kung Fu Kitchen was, and decided to give it a try. I took a look at the reviews, which mentioned the beef with pepper and the fried pak choi, so got this with plain rice. Hubby went for the sweet and sour chicken, the pork dumplings, and the egg fried rice."
"This Chinese restaurant in the busy area of Christchurch Road is open for deliveries and takeaways. Address: 80 Christchurch Road, Reading RG2 7AZ"
"Nice buns just don’t cut it for these guys; the carbs they’re cooking up are nothing short of fantastic. Each fluffy, steamed pocket holds a stack of ingredients that’s more enticing than a bacon sandwich on a hangover. Choose from charming little flavour grenades such as slow-roast pork belly, panko-crusted cod, Japanese-style chicken, the not-to-be-overlooked portobello mushrooms with toasted walnuts and miso glaze or aromatic tofu with black-bean mayo."