London Fashion Week has fueled much of the dainty cookie consumption at this 100-year-old institution (sweets are made in the image of high-end accessories of the season). But you can take your tea in high style any day of the week. Enjoy Champagne, assam, scones, and Wedgwood china serving pieces in the well-appointed, newly renovated, and delightfully light-filled Collins Room.
Wilton Pl.
London, SW1X 7RL
+44-207-107-8866
A wine bar showing off the greats — French, Italian, Spanish — plus vibrant small plates to further whet the whistle. The place is robust and lively. Great for an indulgent get-together with old mates or yourself and a great book in the afternoon hours.
5 William IV St.
London, WC2N 4DW
+44-207-036-0660
There are multiple locations throughout London, but the coffee is unadulterated across the board. The mini chain has a big following for its finely crafted espresso beverages and filter brews, and quick and friendly service.
1 Harbour Exchange Square
London, E14 9GE
Panoramic city views are hard to beat. The dining room at The Shard makes the most of its altitude (on floor 31) with a three-story atrium bar where guests gather to ooh and ahh the urban jungle while sipping sophisticated mixed drinks or taking afternoon tea. Note: A dress code is in place (no flip flops or shorts, please).
31 St. Thomas St.
London, SE1 9RY
+44-203-011-1256
Botany, alchemy, food science: It's all happening in one perfectly executed cocktail after another at Dandelyan, a sleek bar in the Mondrian London run by award-winning bartender Ryan Lyan.
20 Upper Ground
London, SE1 9PD
+44-203-747-1063
A fun bar celebrating a fictitious gentleman by the name of Fogg, an eccentric adventurer with the booty to prove it. The warmly lit drinking establishment is brimming with mementos, curious, and knick-knacks from his international travels. The place has a well-worn feel and libations that make the world (and your head) spin. If in the area, try the tavern in Convent Garden.
15 Bruton Ln.
London, W1J 6JD
Located at The Star (one of the oldest family businesses in Soho), the bar serves more than 130 of the best gins in the world. Come thirsty: The gin cocktail menu is extensive and staff will answer your every question. Book a table before you go.
22 Great Chapel St.
London, W1F 8FR
+44-207-494-2488.
Start the day with a cold-pressed, organic, super green juice (coconut water, cucumber, celery, kale, spinach, swiss chard and parsley). Refuel in the afternoon with an almond mylk (almonds, coconut water, dates, Himalayan salt and vanilla bean).
32 Dover St.
London, W1S 4NE
+44-203-627-3190
The subterranean cocktail bar is the latest addition to the the oldest whiskey shop in London. Specially sourced ingredients (like Japanese matcha tea, Creole shrubb, and tomato water basil bitters) go into stand-out cocktails. Upstairs, one can drink by the glass or buy nearly every brown liquor under the sun.
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3 Greek St.
London, W1D 4NX
The cocktail lounge is located in a standalone building behind the Zetter Hotel, a cozy parlor with leather armchairs, velvet sofas, tassled chandeliers, and clusters of paintings. Barman Tony Conigliaro, inspired by Clerkenwell's old distilleries, has recreated historic cocktail recipes to excellent effect.
49-50 St. John's Sq.
London, EC1V 4JJ
+44-207-324-4545
A basement parlor in Soho evoking bygone speakeasies with red wallpaper and plush sofas. The cocktail menu has playful themes ("the guest that never leaves," "big boy drinks"). If you can't get a reservation, try the new outpost on Shaftesbury Avenue.
61 Goodge St.
London, W1T 1TL
+44-207-580-1960
A grand and glorious spot for a drink, especially if you're hopping the Eurostar to the Continent. It feels like you've stepped back in time, from the ornate, Victorian-era ceilings designed by Sir Gilbert Scott, to the speciality cocktails and chef Marcus Wareing's refined bistro menu.
St. Pancras Renaissance Hotel, Euston Rd.
London, NW1 2AR
+44-207-278-3888
A classic English pub made modern, where speciality local ales accompany incredible food. For added privacy and charm, try to snag one of the cozy nooks known as "snugs."
115 Charterhouse St.
London, EC1M 6AA
+44-207-250-1300
The ultimate place to have a glass of Champagne, for the impossibly large selection of bottles and for the glamorous surroundings. Also lovely for afternoon tea.
Brook St.
London, W1K 4HR
+44-207-629-8860
The always packed, old-fashioned Italian caffe is one of the rare 24-hour spots in town. It's family-run and reliably attracts actual Italians and an anti-Starbucks crowd.
22 Frith St.
London, W1D 4RF
+44-207-734-4737
Upstairs is an impossibly grand restaurant sumptuously decorated to evoke bygone train travel. The menu is classic Russian and English cuisine, and every booth has a Champagne call button. Downstairs, Bobby's Bar is a great evening hideaway. The big copper ship is a model of the one owner Bob once worked on.
1 Upper James St.
London, W1F 9DF
+44-203-145-1000
The legendary jazz club books artists from all over the world and has a great in-house band. The late sets ("second house") on Fridays and Saturdays go from 11 p.m.- 3 a.m.
47 Frith St.
London, W1D 4HT
+44-207-439-0747
The modern and contemporary art museum in a former power station is at once sprawling and peaceful, an ideal industrial backdrop for rotating exhibitions and permanent collections that range from Henri Matisse to Damien Hirst. Don't miss the gift shop for its outstanding collection of cool design products.
Sunner St.
London, SE1 9TG
+44-207-887-8888
No city in the world has as many wonderful parks as London. Start your green tour in Hyde Park: Rent a boat to tour the Serpentine Lake, or see what's on at the Serpentine Modern Art Gallery. Then wander into Kensington Gardens and Green Park across the street.
Bayswater Rd. and Park Ln.
London, W1J 7BS
+44-300-061-2000
Step back in time to see how the English have lived from the 1600s to the present. The museum is a series of eleven living rooms brimming with details of the eras: a 1830s chess set, a 1910 fireplace, 1998 magazines.
136 Kingsland Rd.
London, E2 8EA
+44-207-739-9893
One of the city's best modern and contemporary art galleries, located in Kensington Gardens park. Exhibits rotate continually. The bookshop, Koenig Books, stocks an excellent collection of art and photography books. An extended wing, The Serpentine Sackler Gallery opened in 2012. Open daily 10 a.m.-6 p.m.; admission is free.
Kensington Gardens
London, W2 3XA
+44-207-402-6075
Shakespeare's original Globe Theater was located a few hundred yards away, but this is as faithful a recreation as the limited historical records allowed. Come for live performances, tours, and special events.
21 New Globe Walk
London, SE1 9DT
+44-207-902-1400
Beautiful former family home off Oxford Street with an amazing collection of paintings and objects, primarily from the 17th and 18th centuries. Armory, porcelain, and furniture; Fragonard, Watteau, and Canaletto. Daily lunchtime tours; excellent programs for kids; free admission. The restaurant is a great respite from the city.
Hertford House, Manchester Square
London, W1U 3BN
+44-207-563-9500
This casual Soho cafe is striking in unsuspecting places: a black and white striped floor, bright yellow chairs, and superior Lebanese street food delivered to the table with informal playfulness — like a confetti of veggies dusted with sumac in the fatoush, zesty dollops of hummus, even spicy wraps ready for take out. There are also locations in Fitzrovia and on the Greenwich Peninsula.
1 Green's Court
London, W1F 0HA
+44-207-287-7663
12 Winsley St.
London, W1W 8HQ
+44-207-637-4748
Greenwich Peninsula Square
London, SE10 0DX
+44-772-584-1372
London's reputation for good Indian restaurants gains a new notch and holds steady with Mayfair's Raj-era restaurant. Get ready for an education in high-end Hindi home cooking — from Tandoor oven roasts to seasonal curries to creative kebabs, the tastes and flavors are powerfully spiced and indulgent.
42 Albemarle St.
London, W1S 4JH
+44-203-011-1021
Medals, awards, recognitions, and an unrelenting reservation system have kept this Michelin-starred establishment humming without distraction. The formal dining room is lavish and crisp, and the food — contemporary French — could be described in the same way. Australian chef Brett Graham is precise and fastidiousness. His passion for hunting and gardening shine on his plates.
127 Ledbury Rd.
London, W11 2AQ
+44-207-792-9090
A beloved brunch spot housed in an old grain store. The avocado on toast is a must, followed by the smoked haddock and leek rabbit.
1 Granary Sq.
London, N1C 4AA
+44-207-101-7661
In the former Shoreditch Town Hall, a striking setting and an instagram-friendly aesthetic, equals a nine-course hoopla and a fun, foodie scene with look-at-me-now plating.
380 Old St.
London, EC1V 9LT
+44-207-729-6496
An Alsatian brasserie joins its sister restaurants The Wolseley, The Delaunay, and Brasserie Zédel (all named for defunct car brands under the Corbin & King restaurant group). Pop into the all-day cafe for a croissant and cafe au lait and stay for a lavish lunch of boudin blanc and crepes suzette — enjoyed from a big booth surrounded with polished brass and plenty of buzz.
9 Islington Green
London, N1 2XH
A handsome bar and dining room with a gentlemanly quality. (The name refers to a famous courtesan of the 18th century.) Much of the cooking is done on a wood fire, meaning everything from bread to duck breast to spring onions come with, at the very least, a hint of smoke. Expect the of-the-moment dining crowd. Once those bold faced names move onto the next big thing, you can focus more heartily on the incredible steak for two.
10 Shepherd Market
London, W1J 7QF
+44-203-302-1661
It's lively and jubilant, with roots in Jerusalem, but a kosher restaurant this is not. The menu plays hits of the Fertile Crescent, a mouth-watering mix of Arab and Mediterranean ingredients (oxtail, fried eggplant, Yemeni bread, kubenia) delivered to the table one glorious mezze plate at a time. Clouds of labneh may be spoon-fed to you at the hostess stand; ask for desert, and perhaps a dollop of everything will appear in a wonderful mess at your seat at the bar. There's no telling what will happen here, but you can be sure to have an incredible, un-forgetful meal.
34 Rupert St.
London, W1D 6DN
+44-207-439-8777
Israeli chef Yotam Ottolenghi, of Ottolenghi deli fame, now has a proper restaurant in Soho, or, more precisely, "Nopi" for "north of Piccadilly." The menu is, of course, Middle Eastern, with an emphasis on shared plates. Reservations are a must.
21-22 Warwick St.
Westminster, W1B 5NE
+44-207-494-9584
What began as a solo restaurant on the outskirts of London's meat market, has become a 10 venue enterprise for chef Mark Hix's signature modern Bristish style, and people are clamoring for more. Items of note: beef and oyster pie, house-smoked salmon, rabbit terrine, a medley of steaks, and feasts reserved for large groups of diners.
36-37 Greenville Rents
London, EC1M 6BN
+44-207-017 -1930
The one, the only, the legendary. The light and airy riverfront restaurant created by Ruth Rogers and Rose Gray is where the English fell in love with casual Italian cuisine and where many now-famous chefs (like Jamie Oliver, Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall, and April Bloomfield) learned to cook it.
Thames Warf, Rainville Road
London, W6 9HA
+44-207-386-4200
The tucked-away Shoreditch restaurant is a favorite of in-the-know foodies. Housed in a former bike shed and overlooking a playground, the focus is on fresh ingredients cooked simply and purely for breakfast, lunch, and tea. When it's warm, sit outside.
Arnold Circus
London, E2 7ES
+44-207-729-5677
If there was a heaven for salads and prepared foods, it would look like the spread at this airy, casual Notting Hill restaurant, the perfect spot for lunch or a tea-time snack. By popular demand, there are three other outposts in Islington, Kensington, and Belgravia.
63 Ledbury Rd. (location on map)
London, W11 2AD
+44-207-727-1121
287 Upper St.
London, N1 2TZ
+44-020-7288-1454
1 Holland St.
London, W8 4NA
+44-020-7937-0003
3 Motcomb St.
London, SW1X 8LB
+44-020-7823-2707
The room is a beautifully ostentatious showpiece, and everyone here acts like they're on display, too. The vibe is clubby and buzzy and very aren't-we-doing-well-for-ourselves, which is meant as high praise. The menu covers brasserie classics like steak frites, duck confit, a towers of oysters. If you forgot to make a reservation, you can snag a table in the cozy front room cafe.
160 Picadilly
London, W1J 9EB
+44-207-499-6996
Everybody loves J Sheekey, the theater district seafood restaurant that never goes out of style. There's a high likelihood that someone famous will be across the low-ceiling dining room having classic Dover sole. That's par for the course in Richard Caring's buzzy Caprice restaurant empire, which also includes The Ivy in West End, Le Caprice in Picadilly, and Scott's in Mayfair. If you can't get into J Sheeky, try the Oyster Bar next door.
28-32 St Martin's Court
London, WC2N 4AL
+44-207-240-2565
Heston Blumenthal is one of the world's most influential and experimental chefs, and his flagship in Bray, The Fat Duck, is a singularly transformative meal. His new outpost at the Mandarin Oriental Hyde Park is not, probably because he has to cater to a more touristy and business-y clientele. But the food is prepared with his signature skill and panache, with historical references throughout the menu.
66 Knightsbridge
London, SW1X 7LA
+44-207-201-3833
It's over the top, glamorous, and potentially ludicrous. Which is what makes it so fantastic. The well-heeled crowd comes for the people-watching and for Italian classics like veal Milanese and pappardelle with lamb ragu.
5a Burlington Gardens
London, W1S 3EP
+44-207-434-1500
An airy and free-spirited restaurant on Columbia Road from the owners of the also excellent Terroirs in Covent Garden. It's getting a lot of attention for its excellent big-flavored food (lots of charcuterie and pig) and wines.
49 Columbia Rd.
London, E2 7RG
+44-207-729-5692
Chef Fergus Henderson spawned the modern nose-to-tail dining craze from here, making this and the new Spitalfields Market outpost, St. John Bread and Wine, a must-stop on any foodie tour of London. Not for the faint-hearted who don't want to see duck hearts on a menu.
26 St. John St.
London, EC1M 4AY
+44-207-251-0848
Cool tapas in a sleek setting. The ingredients are carefully sourced but not fussy, and they have an especially nice selection of Spanish charcuterie. No reservations, but the reliably lively crowd makes the inevitable wait for a perch at the bar counter more tolerable. The original Frith Street location has moved around the corner to Dean Street; there are two other outposts in Covent Garden.
26-27 Dean St. (location on map)
London W1D 3LL
+44-207-440-1456
10 Adelaide St.
London WC2N 4HZ
+44-207-440-1456
43 Drury Lane
London WC2B 5AJ
(no phone)
A small but airy wine and food bar with excellent Spanish fare, mostly in sandwich-y form. Around the corner at 73 Beak Street is their cafe, which serves pastries and coffee.
43 Lexington St.
London, W1F 9AL
+44-207-734-1546
A small, charming, and very delicious Venetian-style restaurant ("bacaro") in Soho, serving small plates ("cichetti") like crostini, meatballs, and fritto misto in Canaletto's former home. Reservations are only accepted at lunch; dinner is first-come, first-served. If you have to wait (and you will), the Campari Bar downstairs isn't a bad place to do so. Or try their other locations in Covent Garden, Smithfield, Chelsea or Notting Hill.
41 Beak St.
London, W1F 9SB
+44-207-734-4479
6 Maiden Lane,
London WC2E 7NA,
+44-20-7836-8448
3 Cowcross St.,
London, EC1M 6DR
+44-20-7250-0034
81 Duke of York Square
London SW3 4LY
+44-207-730-8900
126-128 Notting Hill Gate
London W11 3QG
+44-207-229-3283
It's a scene at the see-and-be-seen perennial in Knightsbridge, but don't let that distract you from the divine Japanese/Asian menu. Reservations may be impossible, but a party of one can easily get a seat at the sushi bar. Courage, grasshopper.
5 Raphael St.
London, SW7 1DL
+44-207-584-1010
London is crazy for Spanish food, and it's at its best at Moro, where farm-fresh food is prepared with Ibero-Arabic flair by the married chefs, Samuel and Samantha Clark. If you can't get into Moro, try Morito, their tapas bar next door at 32 Exmouth Market. And by the way, their cookbooks makes for a great souvenir.
34-36 Exmouth Market
London, EC1R 4QE
+44-207-833-8336
The sceney sushi and robata restaurant in Soho, an offshoot of perennial favorite Zuma, is one of London's best Japanese restaurants. It's a little clubby and a little noisy, but the food is great. If you're in a real party mood, take your action to Shochu Lounge in the basement.
37 Charlotte St.
London, W1T 1RR
+44-207-580-6464
A chic boutique hotel spread across five gorgeous stucco-fronted townhouses with stylish modern charm, a serious art collection, and a killer chef serving snacks behind the bar.
8 Pembridge Gardens
London, W2 4DU
+44-207-792-6688
Downstairs is a cafe and French restaurant. Upstairs is a rooftop bar and grill. In between are spacious, contemporary guest rooms for stylish travelers looking to eat and sleep after a day of Shoreditch gallery-hopping.
2-4 Boundary St.
London, E2 7DD
+44-207-729-1051
If you're in the market for an apartment instead of a hotel — one with modern and comfortable furnishings, functional kitchens, and lots of light mere steps from Oxford Circus, welcome home. It's not cheap, but nothing is in this part of town.
5 Maddox St.
London, W1S 2QD
+44-207-647-0200
The art deco stunner is the first hotel from top London restaurateurs Corbin and King (Wolseley, Delaunay). There's so much to love — the quiet but central location just off Oxford Street, the marble-clad spa and gym in the basement, the charming books by the bedside, the large closets, the spacious bathrooms, the elegant members-only bar off the lobby. Perhaps most striking is the suite designed by sculptor Antony Gormley, a wood-lined nest that looks like a crouching man from outside.
Brown Hart Gardens
London, W1K 6TF
+44-207-499-1001
Cozier than its sister hotel in Marylebone, the Georgian townhouse on historic St. John's Square feels more like staying at your cool, eccentric, antique-hoarding aunt's place. Look for unique details in each of the thirteen rooms (like four-poster beds under a Union Flag canopy, a Buddha head in a fireplace grating), and drop by the beloved cocktail lounge to raise a glass to Great Aunt Wilhelmina.
49-50 St. John's Square
London, EC1V 4JJ
+44-207-324-4544
Beloved Brit designer Kit Kemp brings her modern style and love for colors and patterns to the 91 rooms with floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking the courtyard or the city. While the expansive space is in the middle of Soho, guests will never have to leave thanks to a 190-seat movie theater, a retro 1950s bowling alley, a rooftop garden, and artisan boutiques in the courtyard.
1 Ham Yard
London, W1D 7DT
+44-203-642-2000
A classic and very old-school hotel in St. James, mere steps from Hyde Park. Tradition reigns here, from the fussy but elegant lobby decor to the American Bar, a terrific and very masculine hideaway. Newer rooms overlooking the back courtyard are light, modern, and floral. The special gem of the Stafford is concierge Frank Laino, who makes London come alive as few people can. Dream it up and ask for it: He'll make it happen.
16-18 St. James's Place
London, SW1A 1NJ
+44-207-493-0111
Lauded chef Nuno Mendes draws from his time working in the U.S. and London to deliver a menu of streamlined Brit classics with an American twist. The result is at once fresh and familiar — and the dining room is warm and inviting with globe lanterns, upholstered furnishings, checkerboard flooring, and clandestine booths.
1 Chiltern St.
London, W1U 7PA
+44-207-073-7690
A recent renovation to a grand old buidling with a long and storied history (it once stored the best wine collection in the world, then became London's most coveted meeting place in the 1890s, and most recently played headquarters of a sporting club). It is now a modern and elegant stunner centrally located on Regent Street. If you're not staying, come for a cocktail at Oscar Wilde Bar (and pretend you're slumming in a Louis XVI chateau), a tonic at Green Bar (a sleek oasis in a busy neighborhood), or a something sweet at The Cafe, a marble-filled dessert restaurant.
68 Regent St.
London, W1B 4DY
+44-207-406-3333
This hotel is quintessential Olde England. The red brick-and-flower-blox facade, chintzy, sporting-art adorned interior, and warm staff of true English manners to greet you on a first-name basis (sometimes with a glass of champagne) give it a true homestay feeling. The rooms are a bit pricey for the size, but the location is prime, with many rooms overlooking the Kensington Gardens and Royal Apartments.
1 Kensington Court
London, W8 5DL
+44-207-917-1000
Great for business travelers, with proximity to central London. While the rooms are somewhat sparse, warm furniture of velvet and leather cozily furnish the public spaces, complete with a roaring fire and billiards table. This slick hotel is filled with multiple bars and art-filled restaurants. However, the mass Marriott brand feel can be hard to shake for indie-all-the-way travelers.
10 Berners St.
London, W1T 3NP
+44-207-781-0000
This former insurance office building has had a $130 million makeover into a 1914 Edwardian Belle Epoque luxury hotel. Feel like Parisian royalty as you enter through soaring domes and saunter up marble staircases to a lavish suite.
252 High Holborn St.
London, WC1V 7EN
+44-207-781-8888
This outpost of the original Ace Hotels in Portland, Seattle, and New York fits right in with the East End's super trendy vibe. The vibrant lobby is of minimalist decor and stacked with a Pacific Northwest coffee shop and a hopping in-house restaurant. Let the converse-clad, happy-hipster clientele guide you to the local art and restaurant scene that Shoreditch is famous for.
100 Shoreditch High St.
London, E1 6JQ
+44-207-613-9800
It's a modern fantasy version of a boarding house. You check in at the gastropub (have a spot of tea while you're there), then a waiter escorts you to one of the eight cozy, well-appointed, Wi-Fi enabled rooms. Convenient to much of Central London, it totally feels like a find.
6 New Quebec St.
London, W1H 7RQ
+44-207-724-7243
Old, grand, and discreet despite its central location near Victoria Station. They are not shy about letting you know that this is the Royal Family's favorite hotel. The Queen Mum used to be a regular.
Beeston Pl.
London, SW1W 0JW
+44-207-396-9000
This one has family rooms — a rarity in the UK and Europe — where four can fit semi-comfortably. Well-situated to Peter Jones department store and the King's Road. Proximity to the Duke of Yorks Square add to the appeal.
7-12 Sloane Square
London, SW1W 8EG
+44-207-881-5984
The rooms are sleek and modern or art deco chic, the new restaurant already has a Michelin star, and the mosaic-tiled pool is flooded with light. The lively Bethnal Green neighborhood will provide non-stop diversions, and the cocktails from the Town Hall tea tray will revive you when energies wane.
8 Patriot St.
London, E2 9NF
+44 20 7871 0460
A charming, cozy, family-run hotel consisting of three townhouses in a row. Hide out in the corner bar with a Scotch by the fireplace, or tuck into a novel in one of the many sitting rooms. Come weekend, the parking lot nearby hosts a lovely greenmarket.
26-32 George St.
London, W1H 5BJ
+44-207-935-8131
A genteel perch in the center of Soho, full of bright colors, plush and playful furnishings, and a fantastic array of patterns and textures. Oscar, the hotel's bustling bar and brasserie, is always good for a pick-me-up.
15-17 Charlotte St.
London, W1T 1RJ
+44-207-806-2000
One of London's newest hotels, it's small, but destined for greatness. The Thierry Despont-designed rooms are high on Hollywood-style glamour with gorgeous park views. The in-house restaurant Cut is chef Wolfgang Puck's first European restaurant. Though it's a steakhouse, the lobster club is the thing to get.
45 Park Lane
London, London, W1K 1PN
+44-207-493-4545
Young and cool, indie and interesting, inexpensive and industrial. In short, a hotel that reflects its hip East London surroundings. The rate structure reward early planners: The earlier you book, the less you pay. Sometimes as little as £1.
81 Great Eastern St.
London, EC2A 3HU
+44-207-661-3000
The Georgian townhouses used to be the home of William Hogarth and the Gargoyle Club, and the hotels continues to draw a creative Soho crowd. There are 39 charming rooms, some of which cost as little as £95, and a buzzy restaurant and bar. Part of the Soho House Group, Dean Street feels clubby in a good way, because you get to stay here.
69-71 Dean St.
London, W1D 3SE
+44-207-434-1775
The Connaught is one of those dream hotels where everything feels pretty and perfect and beautifully appointed. And you feel like a visiting dignitary or generous aristocrat. And everyone is your friend. And money is no object. You almost don't want to leave the premises, and who can blame you when you have the Connaught Bar and Hélène Darroze restaurant and Aman Spa and your amazing room right there.
Carlos Place
London, W1K 2AL
+44-207-499-7070
An impossibly posh Art Deco classic that attracts royalty as well as up-and-comers. The rooms are grand; the service is impeccable. Refreshments on site include legendary afternoon tea, a chic and tiny Fumoir bar, and Gordon Ramsay at Claridge's.
Brook Street
London, W1K 4HR
+44-207-629-8860
Designer Anoushka Hempel isn't one for low-key minimalism. The rooms here are over-the-top, sexy, opulent, and dramatic, with Russian, Turkish, and Oriental themes. Adoring quotes from Gwyneth Paltrow and Mickey Rouke rotate through the home page; you decide whether that's a draw or a turn-off.
33 Roland Gardens
London, SW7 3PF
+44-207-370-6701
A hotel to match the new East London, where business meets fashion and tech. Expect every modern amenity, though nothing as obvious as formal check-in desk.
40 Liverpool St.
London, EC2M 7QN
+44-207-961-1234
Started in London's West End in 1939, Rigby & Peller has since grown to have nine shops around the city and more outposts globally. But they hold on to time-honored traditions of proper fittings and have been providing bespoke undergarments to the Queen since 1960.
2 Hans Rd.
London, SW3 1RX
+44-207-225-4760
Join the Saturday morning regulars in a long and leisurely stroll through through the nondescript railroad archways of Bermondsey to sample from the freshest food stalls and talk to their stalwart keepers — craft coffee baristas, local brewers, cheesemongers, urban beekeepers, doughnut bakers.
41 Maltby St.
London, SE1 3PA
There's no dress code at word, but a stop on this iconic street will make sure you'll want to leave with a debonair suit. Some of history's sharpest — Winston Churchill, Prince Charles, Jude Law — got their duds from this little Mayfair row. Henry Poole, the creator of the dinner jacket, opened shop here in 1846; look for the showroom at 15 Savile Row.
Between Conduit St. and Vigo St.
London, W1S 2ER
A traditional gentleman's barber open since the late 19th century also stocks excellent grooming products. While an old-fashioned shave is only available by appointment, you can walk in anytime to pick up shaving cream in big tubs or travel-size tubes. Store clerks are happy to offer samples if you ask politely.
9 Curzon St.
London, W1J 5HQ
+44-207-499-1850
With a royal warrant, this is the place to go to for the quintessential English hat. Pick up top hats and bowlers for race days, shop for classic and contemporary Panamas, try on a traditional tweed cap, or marvel at couture millinery.
6 St. James's St.
London, SW1A 1EF
+44-207-930-8874
Products are made from raw ingredients that are organically produced and blended by Alexandra herself. Try and stock-up on Angel Balm — a deep pore cleanser, regenerative mask, and soothing balm all in one. Book ahead for a bespoke facial or to create your signature scent.
97 Elgin Ave.
London, W9 2DA
+44-207-266-3577
Stocking only natural and organic products, Content Beauty is the go-to for organic skin care. Founder Imelda Burke has uncompromising values and a wealth of knowledge on all things natural, organic, and holistic.
14 Bulstrode St.
London, W1U 2JG
+44-203-075-1006
Shop for new and second-hand vinyl, graphic novels, comics, and zines. Stay a little longer at the cafe/bar for tacos done UK style, live shows, and drinks with other music-loving folks. For serious record-hunting, there's also YAM Records and Do!!You!!! Records down the street.
Bussey Bldg., Basement, 133 Rye Ln.
London, SE15 4ST
+44-207-732-3176
Every Saturday morning, young bohemians and trendy grandmas congregate on a little street between Regent's Canal and London Fields. The pedestrian-only street fair is filled with vintage clothing, scenester pubs, street food, and fresh produce. A great place for people-watching.
Between Westgate St. and Andrew's Rd.
London, E8 4QJ
One of the city's best meat purveyors has seven locations around town and holds small classes daily at the Marylebone and Shepherds Bush outposts. Come during lunchtime for hot roast meat sandwiches and sausage rolls to go, then amble over to Regent's Park for a picnic. Come back at night for a class on pork, beef, poultry, lamb, seasonal game, and sausage making.
8-10 Moxon St.
London, W1U 4EW
+44-175-120-0200
Follow your nose down Notting Hill to the cookbook heaven and test kitchen. When you're done working up an appetite perusing the 8,000 odd books, stop by the cafe in the back where resident chefs bring those recipes to life.
4 Blenheim Crescent
London, W11 1NN
+44-207-221-1992
Open daily from 8 a.m., the food stalls inside Brixton's Village and Market Row sell everything from Osaka-style okonomiyaki street food to jerk chicken to sourdough pizzas, reflecting the neighborhood's multicultural history. There are also long-standing community markets selling fresh produce and international ingredients. In between all the snacking, shop for tchotchkes at the crafts and vintage stalls.
49 Brixton Station Rd.
London, SW9 8PD
+44-203-879-8410
A boutique that celebrates the best in British craftsmanship. In addition to selling a curated collection of products for the home, it operates as a creative workshop where makers can meet shoppers.
34 N. Row
London, W1K 6DG
+44-207-148-3190
Online, it's a platform for emerging men's and women's fashion, music, and books. In the physical world, the recently refurbished edgy Dalston shop is a boutique, a record store, a performance space, a library, and a club. They like to keep it loose at the Late Night Chameleon Cafe. Entry is by appointment only and is easy to arrange by phone or email to appointments@ln-cc.com.
18 Shacklewell Lane
London, E8 2EZ
+44-156-443-2078
You could spend days pouring over the antiques spread over four floors of stalls in Marylebone. You'll find everything from classic cocktail shakers to Victorian jewelry, Art Deco furniture, old steamer trunks, and vintage clothing.
13-25 Church St.
London, NW8 8DT
+44-207-723-6066
The striking flagship shop consists of interconnected townhouses and a covered atrium. The collections are shown in small rooms that are gracefully linked. Of special note are the old books and prints.
167 New Bond St.
London, W1S 4AY
+44-207-493-6767
It opened in 1876 as an underground storage facility for the wealthy. Over time, the families moved out and the silver dealers moved in. In addition to silver, the collections include Old Sheffield Plate, modern silver, jewelry, and watches.
Chancery Lane
London, WC2A 1QS
+44-207-242-3844.
Daunt has branches throughout London, but the two-storefront Edwardian location in Marylebone is the one to visit for the skylights, endless oak shelves, three floors, atrium, stained glass windows, and, yes, books, including a vast travel section.
83 Marylebone High St.
London, W1U 4QW
+44-207-224-2295
Built in 1819, this was England's first shopping arcade, so think of it as the proto-mall. A mix of antiques, jewlery shops, and modern luxury brands like Penhaligon's, Vilebrequin, and Laduree. The grand shopping continues across the street at Piccadilly Arcade.
51 Picadilly
London, W1J 0QJ
+44-207-493-1764
Old and new England meet in the Tudor-style building, which make this more charming than any of the Oxford Street department stores nearby. New designers and beauty products sell as well as the classic dressmaking fabrics and haberdashery.
Regent Street
London, W1B 5AH
+44-207-734-1234
Comme des Garçons designer Rei Kawakubo's retail concept includes six floors of well-known and emerging designers. An edgy sensibility is evident in all the clothes, accessories, and products. There's a lovely cafe on the top floor.
17-18 Dover St.
London, W1S 4LT
+44-207-518-0680