Overview

We spent a total of 5 days and 4 nights in London. Recommendations for transportation modes will be mentioned at the beginning of the blog. Majority of places visited were related to food (bulk of this blog) and grouped by districts. At the end of the blog, I will mention recommended landmarks and city tours to check out.

Transportation

Public transportation (Thameslink, Underground, Overground)

In London, the metro is referred to as “tubes” and there are 3 major tubes to use to navigate around London: the Thameslink, Underground, and Overground. All of these tubes can be paid/accessed with contactless payments (i.e. Apple Pay on your phone).

The best app to navigate all the routes between tubes to your destination is using Citymapper.

King’s Cross District

Dim Sum Duck - Chinese Dim Sum

124 King’s Cross Rd, London WC1X 9DS, United Kingdom

I found the BEST wonton noodle soup at Dim Sum Duck. The noodles were thin, had a great bite, crunchy and the wontons were absolutely perfect. Other dim sum options were also available and delicious. We got there before the restaurant opened (which is at noon) because the line starts forming around 11:15-11:30 AM. If you arrive late, expect at least a 45 minute wait to dine since the restaurant is very small and doesn’t take reservations.

What we recommend:

• Wonton Noodle Soup - this is a MUST.
• Cheung Fun - Steamed Rice Rolls with Prawns
• Har Gow - Steamed Prawn Dumplings

Half Cup - Traditional Full English Breakfast

100-102 Judd St, London WC1H 9NT, United Kingdom

Half Cup is a local place to try a traditional English Breakfast, which consists of a sunny side up egg, toast, baked beans, bacon, roasted tomato and portobello mushroom, and hash browns.

What we recommend:

• Half Cup Full English - a sunny side up egg, toast, baked beans, bacon, roasted tomato and portobello mushroom, and hash browns.
• Bloody Mary - great mix they have in-house for the traditional Bloody Mary (spicy tomato juise with vodka)

Dishoom - Indian Restaurant

5 Stable St, London N1C 4AB, United Kingdom

The famous Dishoom, Indian restaurant, did not disappoint. I found this restaurant watching “Someone Feed Phil” and was recommended by my sister as well. Reservation in advance is recommended. We were able to get seated once we arrived. Great atmosphere for dinner and drinks.

What we recommend:

• Gunpowder Potatoes - Smoked potatoes, filled with spices and aromatics
• Garlic Naan - Flavorful bread to accompany your other main dishes
• Dishoom Chicken Tikka - Indian classic dish

Chinatown London

Good Friend - Taiwanese Fried Chicken

14 Little Newport St, London WC2H 7JJ, United Kingdom

Forget any Taiwanese fried chicken you’ve had before - Good Friend is a small walk-up shop in London Chinatown that I’ve yet to try anything I haven’t liked. This was recommended to me by my sister. We had their fried chicken, fried gizzards, and fried lotus… I’m still dreaming about the fried chicken post-trip. Definitely add this to your list. Thank me (and my sister) later.

What we recommend:

• Crispy Chicken Breast - Thin chicken breast, battered, fried, and seasoned with salt and pepper.
• Garlic Chicken Gizzards - garlic-infused fried chicken gizzards in a crumbly batter
• Lotus Chips - Thinly sliced lotus roots, fried with a light batter.

Waxy’s - Irish Pub

14-16 Rupert St, London W1D 6DD, United Kingdomch

Probably the largest pub I’ve been to. Inside the Waxy’s pub are many rooms and corners where you can meet with friends to sit and watch the Rugby game for the night. The pub gets busier towards the end of the night so be sure to come earlier to get a seat. Great spot to hang out with friends over a couple of Guinness.

ECC Chinatown - Speakeasy Bar

13a Gerrard St, London W1D 5PS, United Kingdom

This ECC Chinatown speakeasy can be accessed next to the Far East restaurant. The bar is 2 stories with limited seating. Wide range of cocktails and drinks to choose from.

What we recommend:

• Old Cuban Cocktail - Rum, ginger, fresh mint, champagne, and bitters.
• Taco Tuesday Cocktail - Avocado leaves infused Tequila blanco, corn liqueur, habanero, lime, salt, spiced tincture.

Soho District

KILN - Lao/Thai Inspired Restaurant

58 Brewer St, London W1F 9TL, United Kingdom

We love Thai/Lao food and Kiln is a modern take on the cuisine. Eating here will require a reservation in advance. They have both upstairs/bar and downstairs seatings.

What we recommend:

• Tequila, Ginger, and Lime Cocktail
• Laap Sausage - Lao sausage with lemongrass and other aromatics
• Issan Style Denver - Steak with fresh herbs salad
• Clay Pot Noodles - Clear vermicelli noodles with egg
• Sour Curry Mussels - Mussels in spicy curry sauce

Borough Market

8 Southwark St, London SE1 1TL, United Kingdom

Borough Market is mostly a food/grocer market providing many options for hot foods (paella), cold foods (fresh oysters), butchers, fish mongers, fresh produce markets, and cheese/sausicons. Come here if you want to have a wide variety of foods to taste/try and shop for organic groceries. If you haven’t tried Mulled Wine, add that to your list of things to get at Borough Market.

What we recommend:

• Richard Haward’s Oyster - Go with the West Mersea Rock Oysters
• Mulled Wine - spiced infused, warm red wine (very popular during the holidays)
• Fresh Seafood Paella

Camden Town

Camden Market - Local boutiques, shops, and dining

54-56 Camden Lock Pl, London NW1 8AF, United Kingdom

In comparison to Borough Market, Camden Market provides more thrifty shops and vendors from many local artists (boutiques, jewelry, diverse antique stores, paintings, etc.). There is a wide, diverse group of food stalls to try within the market as well. Outside of the actual Camden Market, you can walk down the street for additional stores and restaurants. Don’t limit yourself to just the physical Camden Market itself (that’s where you’ll find Poppies).

Poppie’s - Famous Fish and Chips

30 Hawley Cres, London NW1 8NP, United Kingdom

The local English favorite - Fish and Chips. Where else than the famous Poppies to try Fish and Chips? The fish was so flaky, crispy, and tasted so clean and light. Absolutely must-try if you are in London.

What we recommend:

• Fish and Chips with Haddock - Classic fish and chips
• Mushy Peas (side) - was recommended by the servers and it did not disappoint!

Other food recommendations

Gail’s Bakery - Coffee and Pastries (many locations)

What we recommend:

• Pain du Chocolat (Chocolate Croissant)
• Lattes

M&S - Local Grocer (many locations)

Great grocer for produce, baked goods, and more. They are located throughout the city.

SUSHISAMBA Heron Tower - Brazilian/Japanese Sushi House

Heron Tower, Bishopsgate, London EC2N 4AY, United Kingdom

Great spot for a beautiful view of the London skyline and amazing sushi. This will definitely require a reservation in advance.

What we recommend:

• Nigiri Omakase (7 pieces for 30 pounds)
• Lychee Martini
• Tiradito Toro - Fatty tuna with truffle slices
• Suntory Tory Classic - Japanese Whiskey

London Landmarks and Tours

Winston Churchill War Rooms - Walk Tour

This tour included visitations to Westminster Abbey, Churchill’s monument, Big Ben, Parliament, and the Winston Churchil underground War Rooms. You can purchase tickets for this walk-tour here. Highly recommend if you’re big into UK/EU history.