London City is a booming multi-cultural capital. The electric city is full of life and fascinating historical sites that make London a riveting and compelling destination. London boasts unlimited sites, spectacular shopping, lively nightlife, and welcoming locals, which offers a unique experience to all types of travellers. "The Perfect Weekend in London for First-timers" gives readers a guide and tips for planning an unforgettable trip!
As a proud foodie (a person with a particular interest in food), I can assure you London has one of the best dining scenes in the world. Finding great places to eat is one of my favourite and prioritised tasks when researching a trip. London has a wide variety of fine dining from around the world at various prices. These places will be ones to remember.
Thanks to Ryanair's low fares, I have had the opportunity to travel to London numerous times. I can confidently say that I've spent more time eating and drinking in London than anything else. From markets to top dollar restaurants, here are my recommendations of must-eats.
The Ivy (fine dining)
Located on the lavish Kings Road lies The Ivy Chelsea Garden, which possesses a clever combination of luxury and vintage design. The menu incorporates British and International dishes served all day. My personal favourite is the traditional English Breakfast, and if you're feeling celebratory, The Ivy has a fabulous cocktail menu!
The Breakfast Club (casual dining)
The Breakfast Club is a quirky London café that flaunts five locations across London. Its menu offers American-style breakfast options, including fluffy, big pancakes that are to die for! Don't be disheartened by the queue though, the food and experience are definitely worth the wait! The long lines down the street genuinely display the love for this unique café that bursts with character, personality, and tasty, affordable food.
Dalloway Terrace (fine dining)
Situated in the 4 star Bloomsbury hotel is the charming floral-filled terrace, which is quite frankly one of the most instagrammable dining spots in London. Dalloway Terrace offers its customers a unique and unforgettable experience, decorating the terrace according to the season. In the winter, the restaurant provides customers with hot water bottles and blankets in a snow-dusted, cozy ski-chalet showcasing their attention to detail and superior customer service. The menu is packed with delicious brunch favourites from Eggs Benedict to the Dalloway Full English Breakfast.
Duck and waffle (fine dining)
If you ask anyone for brunch recommendations in London, without even finishing the sentence, Duck and Waffle will be blurted out at full speed. This upmarket dining spot has breath-taking views of London city and a range of exquisite British dishes on their all day long menu.
Dishoom (casual dining)
One of the most impressive dining experiences I've had in London was in the fabulous Bombay restaurant, Dishoom. Not only was the food top-class, but so was the service. The menu offers plenty of tasty choices accommodating for vegetarians and vegans at a very reasonable price. The restaurant is constantly busy, and people are always willing to wait a long time to get a table, a testament to the excellent reputation of the chain.
Pizza Pilgrims (casual dining)
Served initially from a van on the bustling streets of London is now a highly-regarded pizzeria located throughout the city of London. Pizza Pilgrims serves mouth-watering authentic Napoli-style pizzas and a variety of sides offering Italian cuisine lovers the dream experience. Quick and friendly service with affordable prices allows for a perfect meal with friends and family.
The Alchemist
The Alchemist is a cool and opulent cocktail bar located in 5 different neighbourhoods in London. Boasting 180 unique cocktails on offer, you are absolutely spoiled for choice! The mixologists are sickly skilled, showing extensive knowledge of what the infamous bar has to offer. Drinks start at £8.75, ranging from simple classics like mojitos to smoking cocktails like "The Legal One," making the perfect bar for a fun night out.
Cahoots
Cahoots is a 1940’s tube themed bar hidden away in Carnaby. Under the sign “to the trains” lies a Cahoots "scoundrel" ready to greet you and lead you down the stairs, past the ticket office, and into the tube. The whole experience is spectacular, from the newspaper menu listing 45 unique cocktails to the charade put on by the fabulous staff. Cahoots is a must when visiting London. The drinks range from £10 and £13, which is slightly expensive, however, they are presented exceptionally and taste delicious!
Tip: If you’re looking for a table at the weekend, book well in advance to avoid disappointment.
The Shard
Displaying incredible views of the Tower of London, The Shard is a popular spot amongst tourists to see the city at a birds-eye view. Various ticket options are available from the standard ticket to the day and night experience. The Sky-deck bar is located on the 72nd floor and serves a range of drinks and snacks. Although the experience of The Shard can be seen as expensive, it’s not as crowded as other tourist spots such as the London Eye.
My mum always told me that where you stay abroad should be as nice as your own home, and she is totally right!
The Kensington €€€
Situated a 5 minute walk from South Kensington underground station lies the classy Kensington Hotel. The rooms are modern and elegant with fabulous features such as Nespresso machines, flat screen televisions and free Wi-Fi. The hotel show cases it’s richness with top-notch amenities such as an opulent cocktail bar, a fitness room and all day room service. This luxury hotel is fit for royalty and a real treat for a weekend away.
Mama Shelter €€
This fun, trendy and affordable hotel is nestled a stone through away from both Cambridge Heath train station and Bethnal Green underground, and only a few minutes walk from Shoreditch. This is a charming hotel that is well situated in the popular Hackney neighbourhood. Mama Shelter is reasonably priced and blessed with kind and helpful staff, superb food and drink options, and uniquely designed rooms with fabulous features (working space, free movies on demand, and Wi-Fi).
Central Park Hotel €€
Central Park Hotel’s location is what makes it different from any other hotel in London. Located parallel to the popular Hyde Park and just a few steps away from the Queensway Underground Station, the Central Park is perfect for a weekend trip. It's wonderfully located for quick access to London's most popular attractions, such as the London Eye, the theatre district, Oxford Street, and Houses of Parliament. Central Park Hotel couldn't be any more perfect for a place rest after a long day of exploring the most popular attractions and the hidden gems of the city. Not only is its location exceptional, but so is the staff and bedrooms.
Point A Hotel, Canary Wharf €
Point A Hotel Canary Wharf offers budget-friendly accommodation in the heart of London’s financial district. It's about a 15-minute walk from Canary Wharf underground station, which brings you straight into London City Centre in less than 25 minutes. This hotel offers simple, clean rooms with accommodating staff making the hotel a great place to stay.
Walking: If it’s not too far, walk! It’s the best way to get a feel for the city and can sometimes be the quickest.
The Underground: The London Underground is the most efficient way to get around the city. It doesn’t take long to understand the system meaning you’ll be feeling like a native by the end of you first day! I would highly recommend buying an oyster card so you can top-up and use on both the underground and buses.
Taxis: Taxis in London are highly available, however, they are also expensive. I would recommend taking the underground or the bus before considering a taxi as it’s cheaper and quicker!
City Bus: Hopping on a bus is a brilliant way to see the greatest tourist attractions like Westminster Abbey and The Big Ben while setting off to your next location. As previously mentioned, Oyster cards can be used on this as well.
West End Show
If you’re looking for something fun and feel-good to do on a Saturday night, going to a West End show is your answer. Whether it’s The Lion King or The School of Rock, you’re sure to be in for a treat.
Tip: Buying tickets in advance can be expensive; alternatively, you can purchase tickets in one of the stalls in the theatre district at a discounted price. It's important to note that the tickets must be bought on the day you want to go to the show.
The London Eye
The London Eye is one of the city’s most iconic tourist attractions. The giant Ferris wheel was initially built to commemorate the millennium and offers breath-taking views across the city. Ticket options include sharing a pod at £27 per person to the champagne experience at £44 per person. It's an outstanding experience that should not be missed!
Hyde Park
Hyde Park is London's most famous and largest park! The park homes many prominent features as well as two lakes. It's the perfect place to take a stroll and sip on a coffee to get away from the hustle and bustle of the city.
Harrods
The Fabulous department store located in the elite Knightsbridge neighbourhood is known for serving the rich and famous. The extravagance is diffused across numerous floors, show casing intricate design through themed halls. Explore the luxuries of food, fashion, perfumes, and children's toys in the most exclusive department store in London.
The London Dungeon
A fun attraction to do on a rainy and cold day in the city. The London Dungeon takes you on an adventure telling tales of murder and torture, which are revived on a tour of London’s gruesome historical past in a spooky but hilarious act. The experience is 90 minutes long that is interactive and shows the visitors what it was like to like in London back in the day.
Hop on – hop off bus tour
Bus Tours are a must when visiting a city for a short amount of time. They allow you to soak in the British culture while getting the ultimate tour of London with the opportunity to visit countless attractions and landmarks such as Buckingham Palace and The Tower Bridge.
Shoreditch
There are plenty of reasons to go to Shoreditch, one being Brick Lane. One thing that particularly drew me to this wonderful street is that it’s a foodies heaven. From Dark Sugars offering the finest hot chocolate to Beigel Bakes infamous bagels, it’s the dream! Especially on the weekends when there's a market. However, what you end up doing in Shoreditch depends on how much time you're willing to spend there. It's a really trendy spot filled with street art and indoor/outdoor markets. The Old Spitalfields Market is a historic marketplace with plenty of street food and quirky shops, which is definitely worth taking a look.
(You might even meet the Ed Sheeran look-a-like!)
Covent garden
Covent Garden is one of the districts in London that is located in between Charing Road and Drury Lane. It is an artsy spot that is bursting with talent from street performers and musicians. There’s lots to see around Convent Garden, like the Royal Opera House and The London Transport Museum. However, my favourite thing to do is to stroll around and enjoy the culture.
Camden town
Camden is filled with culture and quirky characters. It’s a popular neighbourhood in North London well-known for its lively atmosphere and unique personality. One major tourist spot is Camden Market, which features vintage clothing, street food from around the globe, and lots of stalls selling ornaments and unique art. After you've finished shopping, take a breather at Camden Lock.
Oxford street
Oxford Street is by far the best street for shopping, whether it is designer stores or high-street fashion, this is the place to be. With over 300 shops, you're spoiled for choice!
Language: English
Currency: The British Pound
Climate: Similar to the Irish weather, London is usually mild and withholds low temperatures for the most part. During the Summer months temperatures can rise but to a maximum of 30 degrees (which is rare).