LONDON RECOMMENDATIONS

Having lived in London for over ten years, I know there is always plenty to do and somewhere new to go.

Here are some suggestions:

• TO DO
• TO EAT
• TO DRINK

TO DO

Wildlife Photographer of the Year Exhibition

This is my favourite exhibition of all time, at the Natural History Museum in London.  Highly recommended, every single time:

http://www.nhm.ac.uk/visit-us/wpy/index.html

Free Sandeman walking tour

This is a FREE walking tour where you can pay the tour guide as you wish at the end.  Despite living in London for over ten years I saw and learned a lot of new things:

http://www.newlondon-tours.com/daily-tours/royal-london-free-tour.html

Alternative walking tour

Another FREE walking tour, this time focusing on East London street art.  I’m glad I went on this, it opened my eyes to all the street art that I never noticed before:

http://www.alternativeldn.co.uk/walking_tours.php

Salsa dance classes

http://www.salsateca.co.uk/

TO EAT

I love eating out.  And I love spicy food in particular.

Here are some of my favourite restaurants...

Pollen Street Social

This is a fantastic nice and elegant restaurant with great food, ambience and service.  They have a great Saturday set menu which is a reasonable price and great value.  Adding wine will add a lot to your final bill so consider avoiding!

http://www.pollenstreetsocial.com/

http://www.tripadvisor.co.uk/Restaurant_Review-g186338-d2095838-Reviews-Pollen_Street_Social-London_England.html

Bar Shu

A great restaurant in Soho serving Sichuan style Chinese food.  Great for people who enjoy spicy food and random dishes.

http://www.barshurestaurant.co.uk/ 

http://www.tripadvisor.co.uk/Restaurant_Review-g186338-d733968-Reviews-Barshu_Restaurant-London_England.html

Clos Maggiore

A lovely European restaurant in Covent Garden, lovely ambience, great food and friendly staff.

http://www.closmaggiore.com/

http://www.tripadvisor.co.uk/Restaurant_Review-g186338-d1015650-Reviews-Clos_Maggiore-London_England.html

The Pepper Tree

This is a laid back canteen style Thai restaurant in Clapham with tasty food at a decent price.  What more could you desire!?

http://www.thepeppertree.co.uk/

http://www.tripadvisor.co.uk/Restaurant_Review-g186338-d1018402-Reviews-Pepper_Tree-London_England.html

Cafe Caribbean

I love the food here – favourite lunch in the City, based within Spitalfields Market.  I vote Jerk chicken (with lots of sauce).

http://www.cafe-caribbean.co.uk/

Not so recommended restaurants…

Dabbous

This was a really big disappointment for me.  After all the hype, a year long reservation and a very big bill for not much food… it was in what looked like a warehouse (not in a cool way) and my wallet did not feel it got its money’s worth.  The dishes were quite unique which was good, but overall, the restaurant lacked ambience and I certainly would not go out of my way to visit again.  It does have great reviews, but not my cup of tea.

http://www.dabbous.co.uk/

http://www.tripadvisor.co.uk/Restaurant_Review-g186338-d2523434-Reviews-Dabbous-London_England.html

TO DRINK

Be@one

I love the Be@one chain of cocktail bars – great drinks and always with a good vibe and cool music.  My favourites (so far) are the Soho and Clapham branches.

http://www.beatone.co.uk/

Savoy – American Bar

For those times you fancy something a little fancier, the American Bar at the Savoy Hotel will surely hit the spot.  Very elegant and live music if you’re lucky.

http://www.fairmont.com/savoy-london/dining/americanbar/

http://www.tripadvisor.co.uk/Attraction_Review-g186338-d258340-Reviews-The_American_Bar-London_England.html

Graveney and Meadow

A Café/Bar just around the corner from Tooting Broadway station.  Very chilled out and friendly, there is coffee and booze as well as snacks and food – day and night.  Dogs are welcome too!

http://graveneyandmeadow.com/

http://www.tripadvisor.co.uk/Restaurant_Review-g186338-d3821081-Reviews-Graveney_and_Meadow-London_England.html