Welcome to my London Travel Guide! As a first-time visitor, I had a few expectations—grey skies and constant rain. But to my surprise, London greeted us with warmer, sunny weather for all four days of my trip. Many locals told us this was rare for March, so we knew we were incredibly lucky. It made my experience even more enjoyable but also set some high expectations for the weather next time I visit!!
Where to Eat:
Borough Market: If you’re a big foodie like me, you’ve probably seen Borough Market all over social media—especially the famous chocolate-covered strawberries. So, as soon as I landed, I knew I had to check it out for lunch on my first day. We tried the famous pork sausage roll, the Black Pig honey truffle and parmesan pork ciabatta, and, of course, the chocolate-covered strawberries. Everything was good, but the market was so packed with barely any seating which got messy to eat while standing. I was honestly very overstimulated. Would I go back to try more food? Yes. Would I go out of my way and travel across London just for it? Probably not. My experience on TikTok HERE.
St. John: A favorite among London locals, St. John is known for its creative and unique menu. I didn’t reserve a spot in the main dining room in time, so we sat in the bar area, enjoyed some wine, and ordered from the bar bites menu. The restaurant has a rustic interior and also operates as a bakery during the day. The food was good, though some of the flavor combinations, like the lambs brain, devilled kidneys, and ox heart were definitely unique!
At Sloane: Nestled among Victorian red-brick mansions in a residential neighborhood, this hidden gem in London brings a taste of Paris to the city, thanks to its collaboration with Hôtel Costes. Designed by François-Joseph Graf, the interiors are nothing short of immaculate and the food is absolutely top-tier. My IG Reel HERE.
Scott’s: A high-end seafood spot in Mayfair that truly delivers. The branzino was one of the best I’ve ever had, and the yellowtail sashimi, octopus, and tempura prawns were just as exceptional. A great spot for both date night and girls night.
Vesper Bar at the Dorchester: Located in one of London’s most iconic hotels, this bar blends contemporary design by Martin Brudnizki with the glamour of the roaring thirties. Tucked away inside, there’s even an intimate 8-seater snug corner—perfect for a private evening. The cocktail menu is just as artistic, playing with the power of scent. I had the Thunderstorm—a mix of Altamura vodka, oregano mezcal, passionfruit, Greek punch, and patchouli. The presentation was unlike anything I’d seen before: a foam “cloud” hovering above the drink, gently raining patchouli into the cocktail, symbolizing how rainy days bring new beginnings. It was such a unique experience.
WatchHouse: A cozy brunch spot with multiple locations across the city, perfect for slow mornings. With a delicious selection of pastries and brunch staples like eggs Benedict, avocado toast, and sourdough, it’s the perfect spot for a laid-back yet elevated breakfast.
BLK CAB: If you’re a matcha lover, this spot is a must! Recommended by a friend, and honestly, one of the best matchas I’ve ever had. I went for their original, but they also have fun twists like strawberry matcha, lavender matcha, and even white chocolate matcha.
Zuma London: Always a solid choice for great food and service. I stopped in for a quick lunch, grabbed a few rolls, but fell in love with their fried tofu salad—seriously amazing.
The Pelican: A cozy pub in Notting Hill with a fireplace that is often frequented by celebrities. I went in for a drink and tried orange wine for the first time.
Zephyr: This Greek restaurant is another hotspot in Notting Hill and is the perfect place for a girls’ night out! The crispy truffle potatoes, assorted spreads, and main meat dishes were all incredible. The ambiance is chic and lively.
Tip: I was honestly surprised by how quickly restaurants in London book up—it’s even faster than in Miami! Definitely reserve in advance! I had my eye on Gymkhana (1 of 4 Indian restaurants in the world with 2 Michelin Stars) and Dishoom—both are on my must-try list next time!
Things to Do:
Buckingham Palace & Changing of the Guards: We arrived around 10:15 AM for the 10:45 guard change. While large crowds gather at the gates of Buckingham Palace to watch the actual ceremony (inside the Buckingham Palace Forecourt), there’s a quieter place to watch from. If you’re more interested in seeing the horses and marching band without the crowds, head to The Mall. You can stand along the street and watch the guards march from St. James’s Palace to Buckingham Palace
Walk through Hyde Park: Spanning 350 acres of lush greenery with lakes, swans, towering trees, and plenty of spots to relax, Hyde Park is the perfect place to wander and explore. Whether you’re strolling or sitting to people watch, the park offers a peaceful escape from the city.
Vintage Designer Shopping: There are plenty of designer vintage stores all over London. I went into Lovers Lane in Notting Hill which has designer archival runway pieces from every year you can think of. I also went into Pandora in Knightsbridge which had a great selection of tops, dresses, and Chanel jackets. I will say that vintage designer stores in London are WAY more expensive than in France or Italy.
Portobello Market: The Portobello Road Market was one of the biggest markets I had ever been to in my life. You’ll need to plan to stay all day to explore everything it has to offer. From delicious food and antiques to thrift clothing, designer finds, jewelry, and drinks, it’s a gem of unique items.
Sightseeing: Even though I didn’t do much sightseeing on my trip, there is so much to see and learn about in London. You can visit the Big Ben, Tower of London, London Bridge, St. Paul’s Cathedral, Westminster Abbey, Buckingham Palace, Palace of Westminster, Kensington Palace, the London Eye, and many museums like the British Museum and the Natural History Museum.
Explore the different areas in London: London is a city of neighborhoods, each with its own unique charm and vibe. Visit: Shoreditch, Soho, Chinatown, Chelsea, Mayfair, Knightsbridge, Kensington, Notting Hill, Barbican, Marylebone…
Visit the Countryside: In just a few hours’ drive you can be in the English countryside, so we took advantage of that. We stayed at Thornbury Castle near Bristol for two nights, read my blog reviewing the hotel HERE (coming soon), and we loved it. On the way to the hotel, we made a stop to explore the Cotswolds, a picturesque little village that’s straight out of a fairy tale. For lunch, we dined at The Porch House, the oldest inn in England, with some parts of the building dating back to 947 AD. I had the chestnut and wild mushroom pie, which was absolutely divine.
Overall, I definitely wish I had stayed longer to dive deeper into the history of London—there’s so much to see, like going inside Big Ben, exploring more museums, and visiting the libraries. But I’ll save that for next time!! I have to admit, I was a bit surprised by my thoughts on London. I didn’t love the mix of modern buildings with the older ones, but that’s just a personal preference. I much prefer the cityscape of Paris. London is also a much bigger city, and it reminds me of a “European” version of NYC. With that being said, the public transportation was fantastic—the Tube is super clean, the people were friendly, and I felt really safe.
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