I often get messages on Instagram from visitors to London asking me for my top recommendations for a couple of days in the city. London can be overwhelming if you've got a limited amount of time, as there's just so much to do. I've lived here since I was born and I still don't feel like I'll ever really know London - there's such a wealth of hidden gems, and new spaces popping up all the time that it's impossible to keep on top of.
Nonetheless, in an effort to make planning a trip to London a little less daunting, I thought I'd compile some of my must dos (and don't bothers!), from great places to eat, drink, and things to do (that don't include going up the Eye, sorry). If you're looking for a guide to all the sights, this isn't the article for you. But if you're looking to do London like a Londoner, hopefully you'll find some inspiration...
01.Street Food Eats
London is home to some of the most diverse and exciting cuisine on the planet, and you're constantly spoilt for choice. Go to the local Indian, head to a pizzeria, or maybe try something completely different altogether? Well luckily this problem has been solved (or made 10x worse, depending on how you look at it!) by a growing number of street food and drinking areas around the city, with hoards stalls selling food from all over the world.
My favourites include Kerb Camden, which hosts 30+ stalls in a picturesque spot by the canal, and Dinerama, and epic street food and drinking venue spread out over two floors in Shoreditch. South of the river you'll find Pop Brixton, with shipping containers turned into food stalls and mini restaurants, and sprawling Mercato Metropolitano in Elephant and Castle, which has over 40 stalls and is also home to Backyard Cinema.
Read More: 5 Street Food Halls in London
02. Explore the Neighbourhoods
If you're only in London for a few days, you'd be forgiven for sticking to the confines of Leicester Square during your trip. However, the real fun is being had in some of the neighbourhoods further out of town.
Head to Notting Hill in West London for pastel houses galore, and the famous Portobello Road market. Top tips: Check out Trailer Happiness for great rum cocktails, and watch a film at the beautiful Electric Cinema.
Head East for some of the best bars, restaurants, and nightlife: Shoreditch may no longer be a hidden gem but a walk up Brick Lane is still an experience, and Dalston is a great area for a bar crawl (I like Ridley Road Market Bar's tiki vibe, cheap drinks and great music, or head to East London stalwarts Dalston Superstore and Birthdays for a boogie).
South London more than holds its own: Brixton has become a key dining and drinking location with hubs including Brixton Market, Village, and the aforementioned Pop Brixton. It's also one of the best locations for live music, with both O2 Brixton Academy and Electric Brixton calling it home.
Peckham has been cool for a few years now too, largely thanks to Franks (mentioned in the rooftop section), rooftop and live music venue Bussey Building and a number of other new bars and independent restaurants. I'll admit as a North Londoner I don't get down to Peckham as much as I'd like to can't offer many recommendations - explore the area for me and report back!
Read More: Explore my London Area Guides
03. Get Sky High
We're a boozy nation, we like a drink or two. But better yet, we like our cocktails with a view of the London skyline.
It's no secret that come Summer London heads to the rooftops, but with more and more bars now open all year round, it's becoming something of a national pastime. And there's somewhere to suit every taste, from quirky and a little bit grungy, to champagne and heels class.
Some of my top spots include Queen of Hoxton in Shoreditch, which is decorated around different themes including 'Moroccan Medina' and 'Lost Vegas'. Even the drinks and food on offer revolve around the theme, so you feel fully immersed. If in Peckham it'd be wrong not to head to the famous Franks, which becomes a pilgrimage for London hipsters come Summer (go for the pink staircase and views, stay for the Aperol Spritz's.
In Waterloo, I love Bar Elba, themed around the paradise island Napoleon was exiled to. There's good food, a fun cocktail menu, and you can sign up to their mailing list for a free drink (thank me later).
If you're feeling a little more fancy, try Madison or Sabine for the close up view of Saint Pauls, or Bokan in Canary Wharf and Sushi Samba in Liverpool Street for stunning views of the city.
Read More: 5 London Rooftop Bars
04. Lazy days at the Local
This is probably the one point where the guidebook and I agree - you've definitely got to get yourself to classic British pub for a pint! Especially in Summer, pub culture is huge, with lazy Sundays spent with friends in a pub garden tucking into a roast becoming the norm. Avoid any touristy pubs around the Leicester Square and Piccadilly Circus Area, and whilst they are a British institution, I'd probably skip the Wetherspoons.
There are too many good pubs to count, and part of the fun is stumbling across a hidden gem, but some of my recommendations include Dickens Inn in St Katherine's Docks for beautiful harbour views in a rambling old building, The Churchill Arms in Kensington which is famous for it's floral facade, The Faltering Fullback in Finsbury Park for its lovely garden area, and cosy Cross Keys in Covent Garden.
05. Skip the Sights
Okay, hear me out. Most London sights are way overpriced, and honestly, if you're looking to discover the authentic feel of the city you're much better off skipping them. Sure, maybe do a couple, but I've never been inside Buckingham Palace and I don't feel like I'm missing out!
Instead of ticking off the Eye et al, just spend some time wandering the streets and getting lost. Explore the back alleys of buzzy Soho (if you're with family, maybe skip the sex shops!), stroll down the Southbank, head North to Camden and revel in it's liveliness.
And if you are going to do the sights? My top picks would be Kew Gardens in Richmond which is full of beautiful botanicals, or some of the wonderful free museums and art galleries (see next point!). If you want a whistle-stop tour of the main sights without the eye-watering admission price tags, take a Thames Clipper down the river for views of Tower Bridge, the Houses of Parliament, the Eye, and lots more.
06. Lose yourself in a Museum or Gallery
I'm super biased, but London has the best galleries and museums in the world. Wanna know why? They're FREE. Yup, that's right, most of the capital's extensive art collections and historical artefacts are completely free to view. Aren't we lucky?!
Head to South Kensington for the Museum district; if you're with kids the Science and Natural History Museums will keep them (and you!) enthralled for hours. If you're a creative, try my personal favourite, the V&A. The theatre section features fascinating costumes and sets from London plays, whilst the fashion display curates fashions over the centuries. There's also heaps of furnishings and other design objects from different periods and cultures to get completely lost amongst. Plus the building is so beautiful in itself - make sure you stop by the breathtaking cafe.
If you're more interested in art, you're equally spoiled for choice. At the forefront of British art curation you'll find the two Tate's in Pimlico and Southbank, both boasting impression collections of modern and British art. Allow yourself at least half a day, they're both huge! There are also so many smaller galleries hosting exhibitions around the city - keep an eye on Time Out to see what's on while you're visiting.
07. Picnic in a Park
For an urban city, London has a surprising number of green spaces. They make for a great spot to while away an afternoon with a picnic and some friends, especially if you're exhausted from all that exploring you've been doing! Hyde Park is the most prominent, right in the centre of the city, but arguably prettier are Holland and Regent's Park. Head to Primrose Hill in Camden for sprawling views of the city, or Hampstead Heath to feel like you're outside the city altogether.
08. Seek out the Unusual
If you're looking for a truly unique experience, London has plenty of weird and wonderful experiences worlds away from the usual riverboat cruise down the Thames. There are a whole host of different pop up events, especially during the Summer months, such as Secret Cinema, which hosts large scale immersive screenings, completely recreating movie scenes, and Luna Cinema, which airs classic films in beautiful outdoors locations.
For museums with a twist, try God's Own Junkyard in Walthamstow, East London, an industrial estate turned museum filled with neon lights and signs. It's pretty awe-inspiring, and free to visit. Bonus, it shares space with a brewery and a gin distillery, so you can make a day of it!
Another quirky museum is Sir John Soane's, the home of a 19th century architect that has been left untouched and is free to explore. It's stuffed to the brim with all sorts of strange antiquities, sculptures, and artworks, and the house itself is beautiful.
09. Shop till you drop at the Markets
Something I love doing when I visit other countries is checking out the local markets. They're always unique to the place, and it's nice to pick up some local produce or crafts as a memento.
London has plenty of markets to choose from, and boy there are some good 'uns. For fresh produce and tasty treats the guide book will no doubt recommend London Bridge's Borough Market, which is an iconic London hotspot well worth a visit, whether you're looking to pick up a Yorkshire cheese, British brewed ale, or just load up on free samples.
Another tourist favourite that's probably on your list is Portobello Road Market, which is a mix of antiques, vintage, and the usual tourist tat. It's not so much a place to shop as the prices can be quite high, but it's still nice for a browse and makes a good starting point for exploring Notting Hill.
Camden Market is next level touristy, and there's a lot of rubbish, but you can find some nice shops in the stables (plus it hosts the aforementioned Kerb, which is definitely worth a visit!).
On Sundays Columbia Road Flower Market in Shoreditch is enjoyable for a stroll before brunch, although beware it can get incredibly busy.
It's also worth researching any seasonal markets on during your stay - for example Winter in London sees Christmas markets pop up on the Southbank and in Hyde Park's Winter Wonderland.
10. Don't eat fish and chips!
Okay, I'm (sort of) kidding with this one. Sure, you can try fish and chips (my order is a battered sausage and chips drenched in salt and vinegar, mayo on the side). But if you come to London with the idea that you're only going to eat traditional 'English' food (what even is that?), you'll be missing out.
What makes London the unique, thriving metropolis that it is is the amazing melting pot of cultures and communities that call it home. Which leads to some pretty amazing cuisine. There are only a handful of cities in the world where you can try food from practically every culture across the globe, and London is one of them - so make the most of it!
I've written a variety of guides and dining reviews on the blog to get your started, but head to foodie areas like Soho and Shoreditch to discover the best this city has to offer.
