Mentioned by Visit London
Best 10 museums in London
"Located on the 43rd floor of the Walkie Talkie building in the City of London, the Sky Garden is the capital’s highest public garden and one of the coolest places to visit in London for free. The garden’s large plant-filled atrium has floor-to-ceiling windows with amazing panoramic views out over the city below and is open throughout the day and into the evenings on weekends – making it one the best free things to do in London at night too!. There’s also an open-air covered terrace on one side."
"The ferns, fig trees and purple African lilies that clamber up the final three storeys of the 'Walkie Talkie' skyscraper are mere wallflowers at this 155m-high rooftop garden – it's the rather extraordinary 360-degree views of London (the best in the City) that make this vast, airport-terminal-like space so popular (advance booking recommended). Located on the 35th floor of 20 Fenchurch St, the Sky Garden has front-row seats for the Shard and vistas that gallop for miles east and west."
"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."
"Chin Chin Ice Cream was lauded as Europe's first liquid nitrogen ice cream parlour when it opened up in 2010 and it hasn’t taken long for that style to get a foothold in the favour of the general populace. Chin Chin now boasts multiple outlets across London where the clever clogs behind the counter are hand-churning enticing ice cream flavours like tonka bean and burnt butter caramel with liquid nitrogen. Adding liquid nitrogen means that the fat and water particles in the ice cream remain small and tightly knitted together during the freezing operation, resulting in intensely creamy ice cream."
"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."
"The Lowdown: Look no further for quirky hot chocolates than Camden Market’s Chin Chin Labs – Europe’s first liquid nitro ice cream parlour. They have pimped up the hot chocolate experience – expect a delicious hot chocolate, complete with torched homemade marshmallow fluff. For your Instagram feed alone, it’s something you simply must try."
"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."
"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."
"It has a curated feel due to the Duke of Bedford’s enlightened ownership and is very much a chain-free zone. Store Street Espresso is a friendly space that doubles as an art gallery. It manages to be ahead of the game, both in terms of the great coffee, and in suiting the needs of a wide range of locals, students and workers."
"They have two spots in London, with their Tavistock Place spot also serving brunch alongside their truly excellent coffee. For the original experience head along to their first shop on Store Street. No fuss, just really great quality coffee prepared by professionals."
"Showcasing eclectic Brazilian food, Cabana is a buzzy Wembley retreat. Guests can tuck into delicious street food or flame-grilled skewers in the bright, rainbow-coloured interior, or head to the outdoor dining space in warmer weather."
"Restaurants Ice-cream parlours Soho. With London outposts from Camden to Chelsea, this international gelato chain is a big presence in the capital, famous for its highly photogenic ‘flower cones’ (thin slabs of ice cream artfully arranged like petals). Expect a mash-up of reworked classic flavours and more exotic options – from coffee, salted caramel and chocolate to banana, passion fruit and amarena cream with black cherries."
"Being given a rose is cool and all, but have you ever been given a rose you can eat?. You’ll never be happy with a basic rose again. Global ice cream chain Amorino has spots dotted all over London, over 20 flavours to choose from, and gives you the freedom to pick as many as you want."
"There are a lot of Amorinos around – not just in London but across Europe too. While it’s a chain, its ice cream is still second to none. Classic flavours are the focus here and it tends to be simple but effective: see an Amorino and you’ll get a cracking cone."
"Swerving away from the richer delights of gelato, Soft Serve Society keeps its ice cream light and bright. The sweet Shoreditch spot now boasts a second home in Market Halls Victoria, and this ice cream parlour whips up soft serve in unexpected flavours – vanilla and coconut are joined by matcha and charcoal – or served in towering sundaes. Frozen fiends can go for the candyfloss billowing Cloud 9 sundae, or tuck into a multi-storey freakshake."
"The 99 Flake may be an undisputed icon of the ice cream world, but Soft Serve Society gives Mr Whippy something to answer for. Soft serve ice cream comes in vanilla, matcha and an alarmingly grey-coloured charcoal coconut, which is sold either on its own or as part of a decadent sundae cup. Choose between the likes of an “Oh Snap!"
"Address: Unit 35 BOXPARK,, 2-10 Bethnal Green Rd, London E1 6GY and 191 Victoria Street, Westminster, London, SW1E 5NE. Swerving away from classic gelato, this place basically serves 99s on drugs. The parlour serves flavour combos that sound crazy - and all extravagantly decorated."
"Modern French and world cuisine in the heart of Windsor, just 200 meters away from the Castle. Exciting freshly prepared homemade food, created and served under the guidance of chef-patron Andre. Reviews: "This restaurant’s food and its staff are consistently exceptional. My wife and I are frequent visitors and have never been disappointed.""The staff, headed up by Pasquale are extremely attentive and very courteous."
"Straddling the line between high class cuisine and comfort food, the menu at À la Russe takes notes from both French and Mediterranean roots. The result is an eclectic and superb dining experience, served elegantly over white tablecloths and candlelight. The 3 course Table D’Hote meal is very affordable for the quality you’re getting, and we suggest it."
"Forgive us for saving the best until last; if it’s Michelin-starred dining you desire, it might come as a surprise that Reading residents can find it right on the doorstep. Having retained its Michelin star for 18 consecutive years, this beautiful Grade-II listed building (that lost its top floor to a war-time bomb) is the perfect place for a romantic dining experience. Top Chef Tom Clarke has crafted a French modern menu with seasonal, local produce at its heart, with truly spectacular offerings for all dietary requirements."
"If you're looking for one of the best restaurants in Reading, this Michelin-starred eatery in Shinfield should do the trick. Offering a sublime selection of fine French fare, L'Ortolan has scooped acclaim for its innovative dishes and biodynamic wine list."
"Head Chef Tom Clarke is passionate about his cooking, and ensures that the same quality extends right through the whole of the L'Ortolan experience. Address: Church Lane, Shinfield, Reading RG2 9BY"
"We’ll take a slice of Pizza Pilgrims N’Djua pizza any day, you can’t really go wrong. It’s basically heaven. Once just a pizza van and now a little cult, Pizza Pilgrims has got some loyal followers and their quick expansion has been impressive, damn good reason for that too."
"One of London’s best-loved pizza joints, Pizza Pilgrims has two permanent eateries in Soho but it does street-food too. Whether you go for the classic margherita, the pepperoni, or the Neapolitan, it will be delicious."
"In a nutshell: Teaching (and serving) pizzas in Camden Where is it?. 40-42 Parkway, Camden, London NW1 7AH Why should you care?. The next Pizza Pilgrims is something of a departure."
"Passo is a lively and effortlessly cool restaurant, with authentic hand-made pasta and Neapolitan-style pizzas bringing a taste of Italy to the bustling streets of London. Led by Head Chef Joe Howley, the menu returns with a new revamp, framing the traditional and familiar Italian flavours and styles with a modern setting. The tempting selection of small plates include a creamy burrata with artichoke salad and basil pesto, mozzarella, lardo and garlic bread pizetta and rustic short rib arancini with puttanesca sauce – ideal for sharing with friends among free-flowing glasses of wine."
"When it comes to Italian food in Shoreditch, you just can't go wrong with hearty dishes, freshly made pasta and perfectly cooked pizza. Offering all that and more, Passo brings a rustic charm to the table, with the dishes and drinks and a cool concrete interior to match."