Mentioned by Visit London
Best 10 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."
"Travel 43 floors up and see a unique perspective of landmarks like The Shard, St Paul’s Cathedral, Tower Bridge and more. With massive floor-to-ceiling glass windows, an open-air terrace, and beautifully landscaped scenery, you’ll have an abundance of options for IG pics. It also houses a swanky restaurant and bar, so you can relax and soak in the views with a drink in hand."
"At the Sky Garden you’ll get panoramic views of the city and you can also stop for food and drink. You have to book a ticket in advance to visit but it’s free. Head to skygarden.london for more info."
"When Chin Chin first opened their first place in a former condom shop (yes, really) in Camden their crazy take on making ice cream with liquid nitrogen may have been pre-Instagram but it was still an almost instant sensation. The thing is that it's not just a party trick, the ice cream they make here really does taste smoother because there are no ice crystals. They've also used their USP to devise a clever way of chilling ice cream down to a level that it can actually be sent by post."
"Don’t go to Chin Chin Labs for your average cake and cookie because ‘simple’ really isn’t in their vocabulary. They are most famous for their ice-cream made with liquid nitrogen but what a lot of people don’t know is they make and bake a whole load of cakes, cookies and pies downstairs in their in-house bakery. Find things like their naughty titty cakes, party cakes and hot cherry pies."
"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."
"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."
"Dine at Terra Rossa and enjoy a family-run Italian restaurant with plenty of style and flavour from the southern region of Puglia. Order one of the stone-baked pizzas and wash it down with a craft beer. Or go for a range of pasta that includes penne alla corsara and paccheri al ragu di mare while enjoying a nice glass of red wine."
"West Hampstead’s Intermission Coffee is on a mission to change the coffee industry for good via its commitment to sustainable coffee. The team has made every effort to verify that everybody along their coffee supply chain is treated and paid fairly for their time and that not one ounce of their coffee causes unnecessary or undue harm to the planet. It’s a pretty noble aim and the cute little cups that the various excellent piccolos, macchiatos, and cappuccinos come served in certainly helps to sell the cause."
"This cute spot in West Hampstead has come on in big strides, first since opening and second since starting to roast its own coffee — a transition that countless have attempted and many have failed. It’s also willing to keep what made it such a strong starter going, by bringing in exciting, conscientiously brewed guest coffees from U.K. and European roasters doing interesting things, rather than relying on the older guard, and also making oat milk free."
"Waterlow Park makes for a great alternative to Hampstead Heath and is still a bit of a hidden gem thanks to its more famous neighbour. As well as three ponds, the lawns are all well maintained and Lauderdale House on the edge of the park is worth a look too. Plus it’s near to Highgate Cemetery, which houses Karl Marx, Douglas Adams and more."
"It’s not just the height of Highgate Hill that makes you look down your nose at the rest of London. The air tastes sweeter up here, the trees are leafier, and everything is a bit less, well, Londony. And Highgate’s loveliest spot?"
"Some of the most amazing desserts in London can be found in the most unassuming bakeries in Chinatown. So, take a stroll through Chinatown (located north of Leicester Square) and search out some of the famous Chinese bakeries serving up incredible bread and cakes and pastries. You won’t be disappointed!"
"I absolutely love eating, drinking and shopping in Chinatown – and the photography is totally awesome too. Chinatown is one of London’s most bustling and dynamic areas. Of particular interest are the statues and decorations, including fierce stone lions and beautiful red lanterns."
"Choose from dozens of Chinese restaurants in London's Chinatown for an affordable lunch option. Try the Golden Dragon for cheap dim sum starting at £3 to £4 per dish, or Old Tree Daiwan Bee for Taiwanese street food such as Taiwanese braised pork rice for £3.50."
"The National Gallery is the first place to go if you want to see work by some of the most famous artists from history. Nearly seven hundred years of work from the world’s greatest artists can be found here, including Leonardo, Van Gogh, Monet, Rembrandt, Michelangelo, Vermeer, Rubens – seriously we could go on for a while. A wander from the The Wilton Diptych in the 14th century galleries to Pablo Picasso’s early works is both an intensely pleasant afternoon and a pretty consummate art history lesson."
"From Michelangelo to Monet and Raphael to Rembrandt, almost all of the old European masters can be found on the walls of the National Gallery, overlooking London’s famous Trafalgar Square. Crowd favorites include Van Gogh’s "Sunflowers"; Botticelli’s "Venus and Mars;" and Monet’s "The Water-Lily Pond." (If you’re short on time, you can pre-plan your trip around the gallery’s 30 must-see paintings.)"
"The National Gallery is an art museum in Trafalgar Square, Central London that houses paintings from the 13th to 20th century. The building was designed by William Wilkins between 1832 and 1838. In 1991 Robert Venturi and Denise Scott Brown designed the Sainsbury Wing, an extension to the west."
"Praise be for the best places to find a vegetarian roast dinner in London. Casual, cool and boasting all the best traits of a classic British pub, head on down to The Black Dog as you settle down on a Sunday for one of the best meat-free British plates in the bizz."
"Matching its flower-festooned Victorian exterior, large garden and kids’ play area with a handsome, wood-panelled bar and popular dining room, th ..." Read our full review"