You may or may not have realised from my previous blogs that I have a certain love of food. I also have a housemate who has an extreme love of food. Which makes a very good, but very dangerous, combination. Seeing as we’ve already managed to visit some delicious places in London, I thought it was only fair to share a few of these must visit restaurants and bars with everyone.
This café is right in the hustle and bustle of central London. It’s owned by a family of Australians who moved across to the UK and started the shop. Think your classic Aussie brunch cuisine with a Spanish twist in a stylish and modern setting. It’s a great place to grab a bite to eat or a coffee as you explore central London.
This patisserie is a must visit and I cannot stress that enough! Housed in The Berkley Hotel, I honestly think I had one of THE BEST croissants of my life in this place. It was so incredibly flaky and golden and buttery I honestly felt like I’d gone to pastry heaven. However, it’s not just croissants that this place is famous for – they make a whole range of beautiful pastries and sweets to enjoy. You can sit-in and enjoy the atmosphere while you watch the chefs make the pastry in front of you or you can take away and eat on the go, meaning there is no excuse not to visit.
Kircket serves a modern take on Indian cuisine and is definitely worth a visit. It’s right near the Piccadilly Theatre and has both a ground floor and lower level so is deceivingly big. The food was extremely delicious and something I would happily go back for. Start off with a combination of their house made breads or chow down on the Paneer and you won’t be disappointed. Which, I might say, is a high honour in a city that is well known for its Indian cuisine.
This restaurant is in the Royal Garden Hotel, on one of the higher levels and not only does it treat you to a nice meal, it also treats you to an incredible view of Hyde Park from above. You can book a table in the full dining area, but we sat in their bar space and it was just as nice. Try the Stir Fry Vermicelli dish if you’re stuck on what to choose – I could have eaten about 5 of those bowls in one sitting. They also have an extensive wine list so you can enjoy a quality glass of wine or cocktail while you eat. If you can, try to visit during golden hour in the afternoon – the view over Hyde Park is not to be missed.
Imperial Treasure is your choice if you’re looking for a more expensive Asian cuisine lunch or dinner experience. Everything was well balanced with flavours that made you want to go back for more. The Peking Duck was carved in front of you, which makes for a nice bit of theatre, but you do need to book this in advance. All set in a stunning old building – if you’re anything like me, you’ll find yourself enjoying the architecture just as much as the food!
This bar and eatery is a lovely spot if you want some nibbles and a nice glass of wine. Very close to Abuelo, it’s right in the heart of things so a perfect spot to people watch if you can grab yourself a table outside or by the window. The food is delicious and made to share and their extensive wine list makes it the full package. Ask the bar staff for their wine recommendation – they are extremely knowledgable and you’ll get to watch them fetch the wine from the shelves lining the bar walls.
This was a very, very interesting bar to visit. It essentially makes up part of a wider establishment of multiple different rooms or venues. Hidden in the deepest corner of the building, the bar is set in, what I could only describe as, an igloo looking thing. The cocktails they serve are divine but it’s really the venue that makes this place unique. The other venues include another bar and two restaurants serving high tea and other meals which also seem to be worth a look.
It seems be a theme in this post, by the Red Room is another hidden bar that makes this list as much for it’s location as for its drinks list. Hidden at the back of The Connaught Hotel, Red Room has that extreme luxury feel about it. A very small space, everything feels carefully curated to make you feel like you’ve stepped into a high end, New York style bar. They don’t take bookings (except for hotel guest) so it does fill up quickly and is quite expensive but it’s certainly worth a look, even just for one drink!
And we’ve found ourselves at another hidden bar. This one slightly different to the ones above however. I would explain this bar as the cool sister to the more sophisticated siblings above – a bit more dark, a bit more speakeasy vibes. What really makes this place special however is the cocktail menu. The bar has an ever changing list that is curated around a central theme. When I was there, the theme was music and the cocktails were created based around this theme. Everything was delicious and it had a lively atmosphere to enjoy as well.
Roaming with Red 
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