Where To Eat, Drink, And Stay On A Quick Trip Through London

London is one of the most common tourist destinations for Australians heading to Europe. With most people having a friend or family member residing in the city, and the fact that it’s a major flight hub for Europe, a visit to London can arise even more frequently than you may think. 

For me, a trip to London means all of the above. Having once lived in the city (along with a large chunk of the Australian population) means some of my closest friends still live in and around the area. But because it’s been a few years, on my most recent trip, I felt like I’d be somewhat out of the loop on what’s cool, or importantly, convenient when visiting the city. 

Once upon a time, I might have chosen hotels in trendy areas over convenience or old favourite restaurants and pubs over the latest openings. These days, I land somewhere in the middle. I select hotels on a good tube line so I can visit friends in North, South, and Central London without sitting on the delayed District Line, and I want beauty as I step outside my hotel door. (Ensuring a good wine bar is nearby is also non-negotiable.) 

Here’s a quick-hits list of places to stay, eat, and drink during a whistlestop tour through London. 

Where To Stay In London

Kimpton Fitzroy London

Image: Courtesy of Kimpton

When I stepped inside the Kimpton Fitzroy London, I immediately breathed a sigh of relief, and not just because there was someone to help haul my bags up the small flight of stairs into the hotel. With floor-to-ceiling marble columns and a sprawling staircase that leads to the first floor, this hotel oozes luxury from every corner. The lobby had small alcoves to wile away an afternoon in if the bustle of the city becomes too much, and the rooms were a masterclass in sprawling opulence. 

Image: Courtesy of Kimpton Fitzroy London

Located in the suburb of Bloomsbury, the hotel overlooks Russell Square and the room I stayed in had a surprisingly leafy outlook for London. I spent the evening hopping from pub to restaurant and back to the pub again, and it was all within a five-minute walk from my hotel. The next morning, I awoke in my plus king-sized bed and strolled down to breakfast, which was a combination of buffet and a la carte, plus a big silver pot of coffee all to myself. Bliss. 

The Hoxton

Image: Courtesy of Holborn

If you’re looking for compact accommodation with just the right amount of amenity, then all of The Hoxton hotels are a safe bet. I’ve stayed in two in London, plus one in New York, and they are reliably well-appointed. 

Best of all, the hotels all have bars and restaurants within them, making them the perfect meeting point for a short stay. The lobbies also double as co-working spaces, so whether you’re staying in the hotel or not, popping in for a relaxing place to perch for a work day away from home, it’s a worthwhile visit. 

Where To Eat In London

Jolene, Stoke Newington

Bakery, restaurant, and shop in one, Jolene is the kind of place you can settle in for lunch and a few wines with the girls. The restaurant menu leans modern, with a rotating menu of small share plates that changes with the seasons. House-made bread and butter are staples on the menu, but you might expect fresh vegetable plates, more substantial meats like pork neck, and pasta to feature at any given time. 

Lai Rai, Peckham

I have it on very good authority that you’ll be dreaming of the chạo cốm (prawn lollies with young rice, sugarcane, fish sauce satay and fresh herb sauce) from vietnamese eatery Lai Rai long after you leave. With a menu for day and night, Lai Rai transitions from bahn mi (including a vegetarian seitan option) and Vietnamese coffee and tea, to small and big plates and cocktails at night. 

Borough Market, London Bridge

I know, I know, it’s not exactly an original suggestion but Borough Market is an icon for a reason and anyone who tells you to skip it is, frankly, wrong. I love the onion and leek cheese toastie from Kappacasein (perfect for a hangover), or popping into Padella for a sit-down plate of perfect pasta for under £10, but a giant doughnut from Bread Ahead Bakery is also a good idea. Grab your food to go and walk along the Thames with a friend while you eat.

Il Bambini Club London, Shoreditch

Opening just in time for a chilly autumn, this restaurant defies all expectations for a hotel restaurant. Designers Virginie Friedmann and Delphine Verace have turned the space within The Hoxton Shoreditch into a cosy trattoria, using bold stripes, and green and terracotta furnishings to carve out intimate dining nooks. The menu leans heavily towards shared plates, with snacks like focaccia and mushroom arancini kicking off the feast, a prosciutto tortellini and burrata-topped diavola pizza serving as mains, and ‘Bombini di Bambini’ doughnuts bringing it home. 

Layla, Notting Hill And Acton

For delicious tarts, sweet and savoury buns, and sandwiches, Layla is a great spot to stop in while on-the-go. Pick up a treat for yourself, or grab a box of goodies to take to a friend’s house if they’re hosting you to ensure you’re invited back again. 

Where To Drink In London

Any Pub

One thing about London pubs is that you can absolutely judge a book by its cover. It’s the kind of city where you can also stumble across a gem, so if you see a pub you like the look of and you’re feeling a bit thirsty, just pop in or grab a seat out the front. This one does not need to be over-thought. 

Satan’s Whiskers, Bethnal Green

Known for its ever-changing cocktail list, Satan’s Whiskers has almost the exact look and feel you might expect from an East London bar with this name. That is, taxidermy as decor on the inside and a graffiti clad exterior with a discreet red neon sign marking its entrance, It recently landed in the 21st spot on The World’s 50 Best Bars list, which tells you all you need to know about the quality. 

The 10 Cases, Covent Garden

For people who love to people-watch, The 10 Cases is a good spot for evening wines that turn into a spot of dinner (and then more wine). It’s a restaurant on one side and a cosy wine bar on the other, but if the weather is mild, grabbing a table outside allows you to watch the city go by without feeling like you’re in the middle of a too-loud street. On the latter point, don’t be fooled by its Covent Garden location (or its proximity to Tottenham Court Road); I promise it’s not quite as bustling as it sounds.

Where To Shop In London

Rellik, Notting Hill

Apparently a favourite of Kate Moss and Suki Waterhouse, Rellik is a haven for vintage designer pieces you won’t find elsewhere, which is why it’s so popular with It girls. The store’s archive dates back to the 1960s, though the store itself was opened by Fiona Stuart in 1999, and has long been considered one of the world’s best designer vintage stores.

Rokit London, Camden, Brick Lane, And Covent Garden

With its roots in Camden Market (it started as a stall there in the ‘80s), Rokit now has three brick and mortar stores, in Covent Garden, Camden, and Shoreditch. This is the spot for streetwear, staples, and more casual pieces over designer wares. 

282 Portobello, Notting Hill

If you have a thing for vintage jackets, blazers, and coats like I do, then a visit to 282 Portobello will be a delight. The store is the best spot to pick up a pristine vintage Burberry trench, boxy blazer, or tuxedo, and there are usually a few leather options available as well. 

Sézane, Notting Hill

Are you really an Australian visiting Europe if you don’t come home with a cardigan from Sézane? The French boutique is now the worst-kept secret in the fashion world, but the knitwear quality and range of colour options are top tier.