London, England

Covent Garden/Soho
If you're going to London for the first time, I'd recommend this area. This Airbnb in Leicester Square is as central as it gets.

The area has great places to shop, eat, and go out and is generally very busy and fun. The apartment had a view of the sunrise and access to the roof through the bedroom window.

Shoreditch
The second time I came to London, I got an apartment right by Old Street Station in Shoreditch, and I loved it a lot more than Covent Garden. It's not touristy at all, and you get a younger, more down-to-earth version of the city.

Lots of incredible food & fashion nearby and still very central.

The Clove Club
As of 2023, #38 best restaurant in the world. Two Michelin stars, if you care about that. And it definitely tops my list.

Staff were so friendly, food was unique and wordly. It ended up being close to 20 courses, and my favorite was the lobster. Although the Australian scallops and truffle come close.

Dishoom
‍If you decide to ignore all my other recs, please spare this one. I knew London was known for its Indian food, but I didn't know it was like this.

Prices are damn good, and they have such an extensive menu of creative Indian-Western dishes. If you go for brunch, get the bacon naan roll.

The Wolesley
‍Can't leave London without having a proper afternoon tea. This one is overpriced ($50 for two cream teas), buuuut the interior is kind of worth it.

Beautiful chandeliers and white tablecloths and great selection of teas.

Granger & Co.
This is technically an Australian joint but such a cute spot for people watching. Also the neighborhood, Marylebone, is a quaint place to stroll. Go to Daunt afterwards (see below).

Buns from Home
‍My friend Sarah recommended this place to me. She said: "you HAVE to go get their cardamom buns I miss it every day since I've left london"

Sarah did not disappoint.

Mildred's
‍I met up with my friend Rayouf around the Camden Market and we stumbled upon this place while looking for somewhere to grab lunch. Happened to be completely vegetarian.

What I love most about London is the diversity in their food. This place had Indian, African, Southeast Asian dishes, you name it. And I couldn't get enough.

Bar Italia
‍You know when it's the middle of the night, you've just left the bar/club/function and need a good postgame? This might be the only place that's open. In fact, it was for us on a fateful Monday night.

No one there but some gentlemen giving big mafia vibes sitting outside, and Elvis playing on the radio. Good times.

Bill's
Bill's! Yes, Bill's. What a gorgeous, gorgeous restaurant. I wanted an English breakfast/brunch and this was the place to do it. You know, tea, grilled tomatoes, sausage, eggs. The vibes.
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This spot is in Soho, tucked away in a rainbow-clad alley.

Gold Notting Hill
This is a great spot for lunch either before or after walking around the Portobello Road vintage market.

The interior is stunning & cozy at the same time, and the back is almost like a patio, letting a lot of sunlight in. I sat at the bar where all the cooks were arranging very pretty dishes.

Roti King
Come here early, because usually there's a decent line. This is a tiny underground (literally) restaurant that does traditional Malaysian food.

The curries are incredibly rich and the rotis also very well done. But come with a group so you can try everything.

Friends of Ours
I was just looking for a good brunch spot for my cousin and me one Saturday morning, and we found this restaurant in Hoxton.

It ended up being one of my best meals of the summer. Pandan risotto and turkish eggplant were unspeakably good.

Smoking Goat
One of the things I love about this city is how they have mastered modern ethnic cuisine. Obviously due to the influx of migrants, but this spot really did Thai food justice.

And it's HELLA spicy, they really do not play!

Tiger Tiger
I didn't do too much research on clubs in London, but thankfully my cousin and her friends know about these things. They took me here my first night, and I was surprised at the size of the club.

Six different rooms, different music in each ranging from house to hip hop to bollywood. Interesting crowd, but lots of fun.

Be At One
There are a lot of these all over London, so it's an easy excuse for a night out. I've only gone once, on a Monday night before my flight to Paris, and still had a great time.

Ally Pally
‍Alexandra Palace. My cousin secured tickets for Fred again's opening night show for his tour this year, and it was held in this beautiful venue miles away from the city. But it was truly a night to remember.

Went to my first pub after!

Bar Nightingale
This speakeasy was right across my apartment in Shoreditch and is increibly unassuming. Like, no sign outside.

You go down these stairs and are seated in a crowded, intimate, low-light setting with a live jazz band and creative drinks. If you're adventurous, get the oyster cocktail.

Tayer + Elementary
Also right across my apartment in Shoreditch, but the other block. The guys at The Clove Club love this place, and I do, too.

There are two bars, one that does really experimental drinks and one that's a bit chiller. Both do very shaken drinks sans garnish.

Vintage in Soho/Covent Garden
I was astonished by this neighborhood. So calm, vibrant, and lively at the same time. And vintage stores everywhere! I wish I could take it all home with me. Definitely spend at least half a day here if you like shopping at all. You'll be burnt out after.

Portobello Rd Vintage Market
The vintage market is only on Friday through Sunday, and once you get past the initial dropshipping stalls you're greeted by a mecca of vintage costume jewelry, old books, cameras, and of course lots and lots of clothes.

I could (and have) spend hours here.

Daunt Books
You might have heard of this one before. If not, it's a cute little bookstore, designed for "travelers," in the heart of Marylebone. It's got books about every country you can think of.

Don't leave without one of their tote bags!

National Gallery
An incredible collection of traditional art, everything from portraits to landscapes to personifications of old stories. And it's completely free!

Hyde Park
London has an abundance of parks, each of them worth a visit in the summer. Hyde Park is one of the more famous ones, with plenty of rose gardens and grass to lay out on and a little lake to paddleboat across. It's overgrown yet somehow manicured.

At the end, you'll find a couple art museums to stop by.

Regent's Park
Honestly a must-see. The park is quite expansive and is complete with a quiet lake, rose gardens, interesting sculptures, and plenty of ground for a stroll.

Sat here with my bun from Buns from Home and my book from Daunt for a lil break.

Tate Modern
Very cool format for a museum. Every floor had something completely different and surprising. Honestly reminded me of LACMA.

Also the area just outside, by the Thames, is the perfect spot to sit and have deep conversations with friends.

The Garden at 120
If you want an almost birds-eye view of London, particularly all the landmarks, then wait in a very long line for the elevator up to this rooftop garden.

I think it's worth doing at least once. It's a gorgeous garden up there and you're right next to all the London-y sights.