{ explore }

Shopping in Notting Hill - There are lots of charming boutiques and yummy restaurants tucked away in this neighborhood. You can easily make a day of it window shopping and strolling around. The Ledbury Road and and Westbourne Grove intersection is chock full of charming little boutiques (Matches, Jigsaw, Sandro, La Coqueta, Carmel, Goop, Sezane, and many more!) plus there are several great coffee shop and restaurant options nearby when you need a break to re-fuel.

Tate Modern - Housing an impressive collection of modern and contemporary art, I love wandering through the Tate Modern galleries for a few hours. Make sure you also step outside to take advantage of the setting on the River Thames,

Churchill War Rooms - One of my favorite museums in London, the Churchill War Rooms take you through the bunkers and rooms where Churchill worked out of with his Cabinet during World War Two. You get a sense of his life, the challenges Britain faced during the war and a small feel of what daily life was like during those times.

Walk through Hyde Park - The iconic park is quintessential London and a beautiful place to stroll on a nice day.

Tea at Claridge’s (traditional) or Sketch (Instagram-famous).

Shop at Liberty London - This upscale department store in the West End is housed in a beautiful Tudor-style building, and feels like you are exploring someone’s (very grand) home. The well curated selection of women’s clothing (lots of American designers as well as European designers I didn’t know as well), men’s clothes, a sweet kids section, as well as housewares and extensive selection of Liberty’s iconic prints.

{ eat }

Chiltern Firehouse - The cool see-and-be-seen scene at the Chiltern Firehouse is certainly worth a stop for lunch. You’ll get the feeling you could be in LA (which isn’t entirely surprising as the Chateau Marmont is a sister restaurat). Snag a table on the patio and relax (in the sun if you are lucky) while people watching and enjoying a Caesar salad or the fantastic Red Shrimp Burger. Be sure to pop inside for a look around, then wander the idyllic Chiltern Street as you leave.

Chisou - This Japanese restaurant has a straightforward menu and sushi. It was good and simple but nothing amazing. There are two locations - we ate at the one in Knightsbridge tucked on a quiet street in a cozy row house.

Dishoom - Don’t go to London without having a meal at Dishoom! Reservations aren’t accepted so you should be prepared to wait, especially around dinner, but the authentic and insanely delicious Indian food will be well worth it. Some of the best I’ve ever had.

Frenchie Covent Garden - Cozy and charming, this well located restaurant is the out-post to the original Frenchie in Paris. It’s a French brasserie with a London spin. Hearty and delicious food plus an interesting wine list.

Ottolenghi - All the Ottolenghi restaurants are popular and delicious, but I especially love the simple cafes (I’ve been to the Notting Hill and Shoreditch locations) where you can load up on a range of fresh veggie dishes and decadent pastries and desserts.

Scully - Such a unique and interesting restaurant. The chef and owner was the head chef at Ottolenghi’s Nopi for many years, before venturing out on his own. Lots of Asian inspired flavors mixed with dressings and an inventive range of vegetables. The meat and fish dishes are great too, but I found the starters to steal the show.

The Wolseley - A traditional London restaurant right on Piccadilly. Go for lunch and enjoy the people watching. After you eat, pop in to the Royal Academy of Arts across the street if there’s an interesting exhibit on display - its a beautiful space.