Best London hotels for a stay in the heart of the city's action
Lounge in a freestanding bath tub, take your pick from a pillow menu and tuck into Moroccan eggs with labneh at London’s best hotels
Looking for the best hotels in London? Want to know where to stay in central London? Our guide to London’s best boutique hotels… For more hotel inspiration, discover the best UK spa hotels for food lovers, the most romantic hotels in the UK and the best UK country house hotels. Check out some of our London food guides, including the best restaurants in Fitzrovia, best restaurants in Battersea and best restaurants in Chelsea. Four Seasons Hotel Tower Bridge – for an impressive location Doubles from £562, check availability at fourseasons.com or booking.com On the banks of the Thames, Four Seasons Tower Bridge is as rich and colourful as its historic location. The sweeping beaux-arts building at 10 Trinity Square opened in 1922 as home to the Port of London Authority, and the dramatic architectural legacy of this former centre of trade is felt the moment you step into its marble lobby. At its heart is the Rotunda Bar, topped with a striking glass dome that echoes St Paul's Cathedral. Despite the rich heritage, the interior is thoroughly modern – elegant contemporary furnishings, marble bathrooms and warm wall panelling. Rooms are spacious, cocooned and built for comfort and convenience: we loved that the stereo system extended into the bathroom too. There's a steak restaurant, Cooper's Cut, but we dined at Mei Ume, the contemporary Chinese and Japanese restaurant. The big, bold menu balances crowd-pleasers – whole peking duck, spring rolls, egg fried rice – with more ambitious dishes like slow-cooked Australian abalone, hot stone wagyu beef and roasted black cod, plus an extensive sushi menu spanning futomaki, uramaki, temaki, nigiri and sashimi. A playful dessert of Mei Miao, a yuzu chocolate cat filled with banana sponge and miso mousse, feels perfectly at home in the ornate, high-ceilinged dining room. Breakfast is served in-room or at Rotunda – porridge with treacle and salted butter, a York ham and Neal's Yard Dairy cheddar omelette, bubble and squeak with black pudding, and fluffy pancakes with clotted cream among the standout choices. There is also a gym, spa and serene pool in the basement for guests who want an oasis of calm in the heart of the city. Doubles from £562, check availability at fourseasons.com or booking.com The Hari, Belgravia – for a stylish hotel in the heart of the action Doubles from £387, check availability at booking.com Tucked on smart a Belgravia terrace, this low-key and stylish hotel is bang in the heart of the London action. Its mid-century aesthetic – glossy marble, chic lighting, vintage-leaning furniture – is designer-sharp but warm feeling, and the team strikes a similar balance: relaxed, friendly and focussed. The food action centres on Il Pampero, a handsome Italian dining room with leather booths and mood lighting. The kitchen deals in big-flavour comfort: zingy tartare di tonno, creamy burrata with bitter radicchio and hazelnuts, and pici cacio e pepe spun theatrically through a whole wheel of cheese. There’s a tidy list of Italian wines, classic cocktails at the bar and a small roof terrace for a pre-dinner spritz. Rooms stay faithful to the hotel’s retro-modern polish. Our eighth-floor space framed a wide sweep of London, while the bathroom – clad in all-round marble – held a deep bath built into a bay-style window. Modern artwork, a well-chosen minibar, a slate board of macaroons and truffles on arrival, and sustainable toiletries from Jo Loves added to the thoughtful touches. Breakfast returns to Il Pampero, where a help-yourself counter heaving with smoothies, pastries and fruit sits beside a menu of cooked dishes. Speciality eggs, healthy plates and a reliable full English mean most bases are covered. It’s relaxed, plentiful and exactly what you want before a day exploring the capital. Doubles from £387, check availability at booking.com Templeton Garden, Kensington – for a leafy retreat From £272, check availability at booking.com or miirohotels.com Hidden off the blossom lined streets of South Kensington, Templeton Garden is a welcomed leafy retreat in west London, with its on-site sister bar Sprout being a well-kept secret of Earl’s Court. It’s hard to believe that this hotel boasts 156 rooms when it is as peaceful as it is, with the garden suites backing directly onto a sun-kissed private garden. The rooms feature grand high ceilings and Victorian sash windows allowing plenty of natural light to pour in. The hotel is peppered with warming terracotta tones and bouclé-backed armchairs to slip into and enjoy the inviting cocktail menu from Sprout. With its consciously developed menu the team is mindful about using seasonal ingredients and avoiding waste. Try the raspberry margarita made using Scottish raspberries fermented and preserved in a hand-crafted scotch bonnet hot sauce. After a couple of aperitifs guests can make their way to restaurant Pippin’s, recognised in the 2025 Michelin Guide for its comforting takes on classic dishes, celebrating the very best of British produce. The barbecued heritage carrots with smoked ricotta and a chilli and garlic crisp are well worth going back for. From £272, check availability at booking.com or miirohotels.com Fulham Pier Hotel – for riverside views in a unique setting Rooms from £300, check availability at fulhampierhotel.co.uk and booking.com Craven Cottage, home of Fulham FC, is not an obvious place to put a boutique hotel. Which is partly what makes it work. The 13 super stylish rooms are soundproofed against any matchday noise, finished in natural materials and look out through floor-to-ceiling windows on to Thames wetlands so pristine you'd never guess you were in SW6 – just expect the odd rowing boat passing quietly below. The service is peerless – genuinely warm and quietly attentive. Inside, the interiors are truly maximalist: huge slabs of terrazzo in the bathrooms, techie Japanese toilets and Diptyque throughout – it's one of only a small handful of London hotels that stocks the iconic French brand. Get a balcony room if you can: sitting above that stretch of river with a morning coffee, it feels like a corner of London that belongs entirely to you. Breakfast at Lighthouse Social is easy-going and features plenty more of the amazing river views. The menu has granola and viennoiserie for the light-touch crowd, garlic spinach florentine, miso mushrooms on toast or American pancakes if you're after something heftier. Dinner pulls in a different direction. Brasserie Constance – headed by Michelin-starred Adam Byatt – is fabulously retro-chic with fun flourishes like smoked salmon carved tableside and theatrical baked alaska, also served from a trolley. The menu includes steak with green peppercorn sauce, Dorset crab and chips, coronation chicken pâté en croûte and a trifle of the day. It's confident, classic bistro comfort food served with the right dose of pomp. The hotel is part of the larger Fulham Pier development – including food stalls, event spaces and a spa arriving later this year – all open to guests. If you're looking for somewhere tucked away, intimate and away the main tourist drag, this west London bolthole will have you living like a very stylish local. Rooms from £300, check availability at fulhampierhotel.co.uk and booking.com The Laslett, Notting Hill – for period luxury with modern design From £350 per night, check availability at booking.com Set across a row of Victorian townhouses off Notting Hill Gate, The Laslett is a boutique hotel with heart. It’s polished but unfussy, with clean period detail offset by sharp modern design. Food is served from the informal Henderson Bar & Kitchen. Named after Russ Henderson, one of the founders of the Notting Hill Carnival, it runs a short all-day menu: padrón peppers, gazpacho and prawn croquetas as small plates; chicken milanese, lobster roll or stone bass with fregola for larger options. Ingredients are sourced from London suppliers like HG Walter and Natoora. Desserts include basque cheesecake or warmed chocolate brownie, while the bar serves local beers and classic cocktails. A small terrace for observing the west London street bustle comes into its own in summer. The vibrant rooms make use of airy floor-to-ceiling windows and bold interior design. Penguin Classics, vintage record players with hand-picked vinyl, and antiques from local dealers lend eccentric local character. Breakfast includes full english alongside pancakes, smoothie bowls, granola and the hotel’s signature bagel. Rooms start from £350 a night. Rooms start from £350 per night. Check availability at living-rooms.co.uk or booking.com Beaverbrook Townhouse, Sloane Square – for colourful luxury From £580 per night, check availability at booking.com Sloane Square’s Beaverbrook Townhouse is the city output of the original Surrey hotel, and is just as opulent. Behind the neat, period facade is a riot of art deco splendour and heritage nods. Hotel rooms are all named after London theatres and take interior design to giddy heights, with plushness, pastels, geometrics, florals, terrazzo and more, all thrown together harmoniously – an eccentric British aesthetic that feels very old school London. Unique touches include an epic bathroom with a waterfall shower decked in iridescent emerald tiles, a retractable and rotating TV, and velvety soft furnishings. The hotel’s restaurant is a true hidden gem – The Fuji Grill offers a highly polished Japanese dining experience centred around ‘Tapasu’, a take on tapas-style design that blends classic technique with a communal, small plates spirit. There’s a flawless sushi selection, including signature temaki alongside dishes cooked on a bincho charcoal grill, like sake kombu hispi cabbage, caramel ponzu long aubergine and yuzu miso black cod. The drinks menu, served from the cosily lit Sir Frank’s Bar, is vast and includes inventive cocktails and non-alcoholic versions, plus speciality sake and plenty of Japanese whisky. Service is attentive, friendly and relaxed. Breakfast is also served in the Fuji Grill restaurant, meaning it’s an ambient affair. Dishes include granola with Beaverbrook estate honey, homemade yogurt and peach compote, truffled eggs, full English and spinach scramble. Where to eat and drink nearby Sloane Square is at the heart of central-west London action and is close to Belgravia, Chelsea and Kensington. You’ll find plenty of pubs with great food, including Ganymede, The Pig’s Ear and The Orange, plus special occasion restaurants like Cornus. Rooms start from £580 per night inclusive of breakfast and taxes for two guests in a Deluxe Room. Check availability at Beaverbook Townhouse or booking.com The Hoxton, Southwark – for a buzzy bar and Mediterranean vibe From £189, check availability at booking.com The Hoxton Southwark is a buzzy, 192-bedroom hotel that’s home to a low-key neighbourhood dining spot and a separate rooftop restaurant. Choose from five bedroom sizes with the smallest, Shoebox, offering a king-size bed and wall-to-wall windows, and the most spacious, Biggy, offering a super king-bed, a lounge area and a large bathroom. No matter what the size, you can expect mid-century furniture with vintage touches – pale-green panelled walls, red velvet headboards, dial-up telephones, cream Roberts radios and brass light switches to name a few. Those who want to wallow over a long soak will be disappointed (there are no baths) but spacious rainfall showers feel luxurious, with teal tiles and marble. Albie – the downstairs restaurant, bar and lounge – serves Italian and French-influenced plates, with on-trend terrazzo tables, wicker chairs and flickering tealights matching the Mediterranean design vibe. Take a seat at the marble bar, or sink into a velvet armchair, for a pre-dinner drink. The extensive cocktail menu features Hox classics, imaginatively named tipples with a twist, plus an impressive selection of no-alcohol brews, wines and spirits<. When it comes to food, the squidgy focaccia is a must-order, with a choice of French or Italian olive oil (we go for the former, and it’s got rich, grassy notes and a lusciously thick texture). Over half the menu is veggie; think goats cheese-stuffed courgette flower and burrata with slices of juicy white peach. Mains are on the lighter, so it’s worth opting for one of the heartier plates, such as creamy crab linguine, if you’re very hungry. Desserts steal the show; crème brûlée spiked with fragrant lavender and a tower of crisp, cocoa-dusted mille-feuille sandwiched with praline cream and hazelnuts – think posh Kinder Bueno. For more decadent dining, ride the lift up to Seabird, the hotel’s striking rooftop restaurant, to try something from London’s longest oyster list, or other fresh seafood dishes, against a backdrop of panoramic city views. In the morning, wake up to a light breakfast bag filled with fruit, a granola bar and a zesty juice shot (ginger, lemon, turmeric and apple on our visit), or head downstairs if you want something more substantial. Greenwich-based Paul Rhodes Bakery makes the hotel’s must-try pastries, from flaky pain au chocolat to almond swirls filled with lemony-marzipan, or order wedges of fluffy cinnamon-spiced brioche French toast. Where to eat and drink nearby The thoughtful in-room map and area guide gives guests a top 10 list of things to do south of the river. Among them a trip to the Bermondsey Beer Mile for craft breweries, Borough Market for top-notch food traders and The Blackfriar if you’re in search of a local boozer. Check out our guide to eating in London Bridge for more suggestions. From £189, check availability at booking.com Treehouse London – for a sustainable hotel with skyline views Doubles from £457, check availability at booking.com Treehouse London is a fun – and sustainable – central London hotel with skyline views and child-friendly touches. Treehouse Hotels was founded on the playfulness and sense of adventure that inspire children to want to build treehouses, so it's little surprise that bedrooms here come with handmade, child-friendly details (think sloth teddy bears on the beds and coloured anoraks hanging in wardrobes). Depending on your budget (and need for space) there will almost certainly be a bedroom that suits, from the Lookout Twin, with views of The Shard, to the Skyline King, which overlooks the London Eye. Each room comes with rain showers, digital newspapers and bedside USB outlets. Not to mention cosy window nooks where you can rest and read. Decor is pared-back, with grey walls, white linen and exposed lightbulbs for reading lights, while the hotel's sleek bathrooms bring a touch of nature to proceedings with pot plants and tree stems. There are three restaurants to choose between: Madera serving Mexican cuisine, Pizzeria Mozza (a UK outpost of the famous LA restaurant from Nancy Silverton) and The Nest for rooftop drinks. Madera (from the Los Angeles-based restaurant group) offers a modern, farm-to-table approach, with dishes (many of which are veggie or vegan) ranging from tequila tofu marinated in pesto to wild mushroom enchiladas and a street-food taco box with five house-made corn tortillas (beef or wild mushroom) served with salsa, lime, coriander and onion. Cocktails make the most of locally produced spirits (Chase gin) as well as more unusual flavours (activated charcoal agave and matcha agave) to create an intriguing drinks list. Return to Madera in the morning for a Mexican-inspired breakfast feast. Start with carne asda and eggs or go for something sweet with decadent Mexican fiesta waffles topped with ice cream, dulce de leche and chocolate. Where to eat and drink nearby Join the queue at Sabor for camarones fritos (tiny shrimp, deep-fried and served with a crispy, paprika-dusted fried egg), or tuck into top-notch carbonara, peppery cacio e pepe and homemade cannoli at Al Dente. Find more places to eat and drink near Oxford Street here. Doubles from £457, check availability at booking.com The Buxton, Shoreditch – for a Brick Lane boozer Doubles from £100, check availability at booking.com The Buxton is a former Brick Lane boozer turned polished pub-with-rooms, reimagined by the team behind Commercial Street’s The Culpeper. Bedrooms are on the small side, which is one reason for their affordable pricing. Clever design and attention to detail, however, ensures they don’t feel cramped. High ceilings and original features add space and character while whitewashed walls and smart navy accents lend a fresh and contemporary feel. The heart of the action occurs in the slickly refurbished Victorian pub, on the ground floor (there are bedrooms and a roof terrace above) which is now a reimagined bistro and wine bar. Tall, graceful arched windows introduce plenty of light, while a sweeping rosso levanto marble counter acts as a stylish focal point. Food has an emphasis on prime produce (including from The Culpeper Family Group’s own urban farm in Deptford) and seasonality, and will change weekly to use the best of what's available. Simple dishes combine British produce with French and Mediterranean influences, to build a carefully curated selection of small plates to share. Our spring visit included creamy shredded duck on toast, asparagus in a decadent brown butter sauce, and Denver steak with sticky, umami-rich glazed hen of the wood mushrooms. Don't miss the cheese croquettes to start: crisp on the inside and melting within. Head downstairs for breakfast after a night in the bar and you’ll find the space transformed, and surprisingly serene. Order the granola with house preserve or fill up with a hearty full English. Where to eat and drink nearby On bohemian Brick Lane, you’ll find no shortage of places to eat and drink; try the street’s many curry houses, 24-hour bagel shops (salt beef is a must) plus nearby restaurants such as Lahpet, Smokestak and Sichuan Folk. Good local bars include The Cocktail Trading Co. and Apples & Pears. Doubles from £100, check availability at booking.com The Pilgrm, Paddington – for a chic central stopover From £119 per night, check availability at booking.com A quirky, design-led, 73-bedroom hotel that’s brought a fine Victorian building in London’s Paddington back to life. Rooms are small so book the largest you can afford, and if you’re a light sleeper, ask for one away from the road. There are tiny (but very comfortable) bunk rooms, if you’re on a budget, or on a one-parent, one-child getaway. Decor is pared back and stylish, with slate-coloured walls contrasting with white sash windows and Egyptian linen-clad beds, and floors of reclaimed 200-year-old parquet giving a warm homely feel. Breakfast is the thing here, kicking off at 7am and continuing until 3pm in the vintage-chic first-floor lounge. There’s full-cooked Pilgrm (with house-baked beans) or a vegan version of smashed avocado, butternut squash hummus and a knock-out beetroot falafel. But the top seller is smashed avocado on toast with crumbled feta, which comes with the unexpected addition of a tomato and olive salsa. Where to eat and drink nearby Being in the heart of London, you’ve plenty of dinner choices nearby – from the cheap-and-cheerful Paramount Lebanese Kitchen, next door, to the Cleveland Arms around the corner, and Basque-styled Lurra and Donostia a short walk away. Read our guide to Paddington restaurants here From £119 per night, check availability at booking.com The Zetter Hotel, Clerkenwell – for panoramic city views From £256 per night, check availability at booking.com or mrandmrssmith.com Victorian warehouse turned hip boutique hotel in Clerkenwell, The Zetter has 59 retro-styled rooms. Rooms have a sleek mid-century vibe, and an attention to detail that elevates the guest experience, from plush UK-made REN toiletries in the bathroom to a well-stocked honesty tray of food and drink, and a mini library of Penguin paperbacks. We suggest choosing one of the hotel’s seven rooftop bedrooms, each of which comes with a private terrace and panoramic views of the city. We stayed in one of the spacious and light-filled rooftop deluxe studios, which have funky geometric interiors, sweeping floor-to-ceiling windows and a freestanding rolltop bath on the terrace. Those into their drinks will also love the locally sourced minibar, which on our visit had bottles of East London Liquor Company rum, gin and vodka, Redchurch beer and JARR kombucha – all made in east London. Make yourself at home in the Lounge for cocktails and small plates – a cosy foodie bolthole to spend an evening. Where to eat and drink nearby It’s a 10-minute walk to Moro in Exmouth Market, for North African and Spanish-influenced tapas. From £256 per night, check availability at booking.com or mrandmrssmith.com Four Seasons Park Lane, London – for a central London spa experience Doubles from £977, check availability at booking.com or expedia.co.uk Four Seasons Park Lane is a short walk from Hyde Park, the theatre district and a wealth of London attractions, but is situated on a serene street away from the hustle of the city. The hotel feels luxurious from the moment you’re ushered into the dramatic lobby, but the atmosphere is relaxed and unpretentious. You’ll find sleek rooms with plush beds, decadent marbled bathrooms and plenty of added little luxuries from room sprays to a pillow menu, they take sleep very seriously here. Dining at the hotel’s Pavyllon restaurant is an all-round immersive experience, request a counter seat and the theatre you’ll spectate will rival any of the West End shows. Headed up by multi Michelin-starred chef Yannick Alléno, it took him less than a year to win a star for Pavyllon. Them menu focuses on French classics using the finest British ingredients, each dish is presented like a work of art but the balance of flavours is where the real power in his dishes is held. You can expect plates like monkfish tail seared with black pepper oil, succulent Lake District lamb cutlets and flambéed cherries with almond ice cream. Breakfast is served a la carte and includes British and French classics, the Parisian omelette with ham, Comté cheese sauce and parsley is perfection, you’ll find plenty of freshly squeezed juices, pastries and exceptionally good coffee on the menu too. Situated at the very top of the hotel (you’ll find dramatic city views from the changing rooms and gym), the sleek spa is home to a salt-wall sauna, eucalyptus steam room and huge vitality pool which is difficult to tear yourself away from. The treatment menu offers everything from personalised facials to immersive sound bath healing. Where to eat and drink nearby You're spoilt for choice with this location being a short walk from Oxford Street, Soho or Victoria in any direction. Visit Sketch for a memorable afternoon tea or enjoy quietly luxurious special occasion dining at Cornus in Eccleston Place. Doubles from £977, check availability at booking.com or expedia.co.uk The Coach, Clerkenwell – for a Sunday roast and sleepover Doubles from £120, check rates and availability at booking.com Chef-restaurateur Henry Harris has transformed this popular independent pub in Clerkenwell into a well-executed French restaurant-with-rooms. Hidden down a quiet street in the heart of Clerkenwell, The Coach has been refurbished with the addition of four small, boutique-style rooms. The lively pub is child-friendly and serves a variety of beers, lagers and wines from local breweries as well as a selection of cocktails. For our aperitif we opted for a strong, citrussy negroni followed by a full-bodied, fruity red Château Laussac Cuvée La Dame. Visit on a Sunday for the classic Sunday roast – succulent 48-day aged Hereford sirloin of beef with punchy horseradish came with crispy duck-fat potatoes, sweet baby carrots and plenty of crunchy greens. Finish with a super-light blood orange posset with delicate lemon shortbreads and a verrine made with sought-after Gariguette strawberries, silky smooth crème pâtissière and chantilly cream. Upstairs, plenty of light floods into the compact rooms through double sash windows, framed by funky grey and yellow blinds. Modern art features on whitewashed walls and boutique hotel luxuries add a welcoming touch (Roberts radio, chrome light shades and Bramley hand soap). The bathrooms evoke the design of an old-school coach, while little white tiles add a retro twenties stamp. The bright, art-filled breakfast room overlooks a small terrace alive with greenery. Choose from a small menu – try bowls full to the brim with crunchy coconut and pecan granola or indulge in the full Coach breakfast of thick-cut bacon, crispy fried eggs, buttery mogettes (beans) and sourdough from Bread Ahead bakery. Where to eat and drink nearby Exmouth Market is on your doorstep, where you’ll find an array of independent shops, bars and restaurants, including Pizza Pilgrims, Morito and Berber & Q. Doubles from £120, check rates and availability at booking.com Bingham Riverhouse - for riverside views and chic interiors Perched along the Thames, this boutique bolthole is a dream for food lovers seeking a tranquil retreat with a touch of history. Housed in a chic Georgian townhouse with a fascinating literary past, the hotel is home to a sun-dappled terrace overlooking the stunning gardens and River Thames – as well as luxurious drawing room with a roaring fire place, perfect for afternoon tea or an expertly mixed cocktail. Breakfast is served in a cozy library lined with rows of vintage Penguin paperbacks, and includes a generous buffet as well as a menu with all of the classics. Beyond the hotel’s indulgent offerings, its location provides easy access to some of London’s most scenic attractions. A short stroll brings you to the vast greenery of Richmond Park, where wild deer roam freely, while the riverside towpath is ideal for leisurely walks or a sunset jog. After a day exploring local markets and gastropubs, unwind in one of the 14 beautifully designed rooms, each named after a poem by Michael Field. Expect mid-century elegance with thoughtful touches like Hebridean wool throws and artisan crystals. Opt for a river-facing room to enjoy stunning Thames views, along with a statement Catchpole & Rye copper bathtub—perfect for a post-dinner soak. Where to eat and drink nearby You are just a short walk along the river away from Petersham Nurseries cafe and restaurant. Rooms from £190 per night, check availability at binghamriverhouse.com or <a href="https://www.anrdoezrs.net/click-100565798-11795693?sid=olivemagazine-226739&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.booking.com%2Fhotel%2Fgb%2Fthe-bingham.en-us.html%3Faid%3D811995%26label%3Daffnetcj-11795693_pub-5306979_site-100565798_pname-Immediate%2520Media_clkid-olivemagazine-147252_cjevent-28ed6645bb9211ee812000d80a18b8f8%26sid%3D1445e016f12e209a9562b523f90d2e21%26dist%3D0%26keep_landing%3D1%26sb_price_type%3Dtotal%26type%3Dtotal%26utm_campaign%3Dgb%26utm_medium%3Dbannerindex%26utm_source%3Daffnetcj%26utm_term%3Dindex-11795693%26" target="_blank" rel="noopener sponsored">booking.com The Beaumont Hotel, Mayfair – for old school opulence Doubles from £648, check availability at thebeaumont.com or booking.com Old school opulence and faultless hospitality are the name of the game at The Beaumont. The polished walnut panelling, shiny marble floors and gilded edges set the scene as you walk into the Art Deco-style lobby. Suites are just as plush, with luxurious touches and 5-star attention to detail: Beaumont-stamped chocolate, sweets and snack jars all waited in our room, while sustainable toiletries were by heritage London perfumer D.R Harris. Rooms and suites are stylish, ultra-comfy and peaceful, cocooned from the busy Central London streets below. There’s even a room designed by artist Antony Gormley. The hotel’s Colony Grill is an elevated take on an NYC steakhouse, serving classics done with serious panache. Everything on the menu is that little bit extra: the tame-sounding shrimp cocktail arrives as grand whole prawns fanning from a stemmed bowl; the steak is salt-aged in-house and served with whipped bearnaise; you can build-your-own sundae using a fun tick sheet (we added a chestnut and rosemary ice cream to ours). Breakfast is served in The Colony Grill and is just as chic as dinner. We ate smoked salmon, scrambled egg and brioche with house-pressed pomegranate juice, but the made-to-order menu is huge and includes signature hashes, cold breakfasts, pancakes, French toast and eggs served every which way you can imagine. The Viennoiserie table included almond croissants, cinnamon rolls and pain au chocolat, all made in the Beaumont bakery. Service is impeccable. The peaceful basement spa at the Beaumont has a really fun USP – its range of hammam treatments. We experienced the Signature Hammam which involved an invigorating exfoliation using black olive savon noir scrub and an enriching rose & geranium clay. You can follow up with a massage treatment, or enjoy the facilities which include two steam rooms and one of London’s only cold water plunge pools. Where to eat and drink nearby If you can bring yourself to leave the Beaumont cocoon, the hustle and bustle of Mayfair and Oxford Street await. Tamarind Terrace offers all-weather Indian dining (don't miss the lamb chops with pistachio crust), or try Akira Back for playful riffs on Japanese cuisine. Doubles from £648, check availability at thebeaumont.com or booking.com The Boundary, Shoreditch – for a foodie weekend in Shoreditch Doubles from £173 per night, check availability at booking.com A trendy hotel, Boundary has 17 individually-designed bedrooms, a rooftop bar and an all-day bar and brasserie. Each bedroom is truly unique, taking inspiration from a particular designer or design movement. Take your pick from Mies van der Rohe, Charles & Ray Eames, Andrée Putman or Eileen Gray. Most share a restful, simple colour palette and a restrained but very carefully curated collection of furniture. The Sir David Tang Suite is an exception with its Chinese silk wallpaper and tassled green silk lampshades. Regardless of which room you stay in, a mid-afternoon delivery of freshly baked brownie is guaranteed. Dodge busy Shoreditch streets at the sky-high rooftop bar, where the view of London is uninterrupted and the cocktails are excellent. Try the Serendipity – a concoction of Monkey Shoulder whisky, Drambuie, mango purée, lime and chilli – and share plates of garlic tiger prawns and grilled lobster. Breakfast has a grown-up vibe but an on-trend menu, stretching to cold-pressed juices and ‘healthy’ cooked breakfasts. Baked goods are where it’s at, though, with a choice of cinnamon – or pistachio and white chocolate – swirls, croissants and Danish pastries. Where to eat and drink nearby BRAT, just a minutes’ walk away, is a Spanish-inspired spot that serves grilled sharing platters. Click here for more places to eat in Shoreditch. Doubles from £173 per night, check availability at booking.com Pan Pacific London, London – for an oasis of calm Doubles from £395 including spa access, check availability at panpacificlondon.com or booking.com Pan Pacific might be moments away from the bustling streets of Brick Lane and Spitalfields Market, but inside it’s an oasis of calm. The hotel’s ethos is to bring a slice of the Singapore experience to London, and you’ll find that influence in everything from the Kopi Tiam afternoon tea to the vibrant hotel bar Ginger Lily, where the attentive staff will mix you up a signature Singaporean classic or a contemporary creation, depending on your own unique tastes. Breakfast is served in Straits Kitchen and you'll find an opulent buffet with a choice of Asian and English classics, from freshly made omelette to beautifully fragrant Won Ton noodle soups. All rooms feature king size beds, expansive marble bathrooms and luxury bathroom products, but the views across the city are what make this hotel standout, you can admire the glittering lights and striking contrast of old and new architecture from the comfort of your very own bed, it might be hard to leave. A night at Pan Pacific includes full use of the wellbeing floor. Start your morning with a luxurious swim in the balmy and impressively large infinity pool, floor to ceiling windows offer you far-reaching views over Bishopsgate Plaza as you practice your front crawl. There are plenty of sun loungers to recline on in the light-flooded relaxation area and a mindfulness studio where you’ll find yoga classes, meditation, pilates and gong therapy. The bougie experience continues in the changing rooms with Diptyque products and a smart sauna and steam room for the ultimate heat experience. There are a range of treatments on offer from a rhythmical bamboo massage to a lymphatic drainage massage. Where to eat and drink nearby Walk to Spitalfields Market for your choice of street food, or book a table at Kolamba East for modern Sri Lankan sharing dishes – the prawn string hopper biryani is worth a visit alone. Doubles from £395 including spa access, check availability at panpacificlondon.com or booking.com Kettner’s Townhouse, Soho – for the Champagne lifestyle Check rates and availability at sohohouse.com or mrandmrssmith.com Playing on its 1920s heyday, this Georgian building (brought up-to-date by the Soho House Group) is home to an all-day French brasserie, Champagne bar and 33 glamorous hotel rooms. Rooms vary dramatically in size. Compact Tiny rooms are fitted with Tudor-style beds and slick en-suites, while Cosy rooms are a bit larger with pretty green velvet scalloped headboards. If you want to wallow in a freestanding bath tub and super king-size bed, book one of the Medium or Big rooms (they have double sinks and walk-in rainforest showers, too). All rooms, no matter what size, cater to every whim, making for a luxurious stay. An almost overwhelming array of Cowshed bath and shower products await in the rainforest showers (cleansing toner and lip balm, as well as the usual staples). The all-day menu served in the brasserie sticks to classic French comfort food (steak tartare, roast chicken and Toulouse sausage). Try perfectly pink fillet of Lake District beef with fluffy chips and a creamy pepper sauce; or head to the Champagne bar for its take on a French 75, The Romilly, made from exotic Star of Bombay gin, mango cordial and sparkling Ruinart. The Kettner’s Fizz – refreshing clementine and grapefruit juice laced with Grand Marnier and Runiart rosé – is also a good shout. For breakfast, opt for a glass of fizz and a decadent lobster royale with hollandaise and Exmoor caviar in the Champagne bar, or keep it classic in the brasserie: blueberry muffins, or citrusy pink grapefruit served with thick sheep’s milk yogurt and a sprinkling of bee pollen and micro mint. Soho House has zingy breakfast drinks sorted, with its own pre-bottled house press juices. Where to eat and drink nearby Head to Yasmin on Warwick Street for rooftop dining with Middle Eastern flavour. Inspired by a stint in Istanbul, the menu majors on superior dips, flatbreads and zingy salads and grills. Read more about where to eat in Soho here. Check rates and availability at sohohouse.com or mrandmrssmith.com The Hoxton, High Holborn – for a hip hangout Doubles from £179 per night, check availability at booking.com The Hoxton is a cool, open-house hotel with 174 bedrooms, designed by local illustrators. Choose between four sizes, starting with Shoebox (the clue’s in the name), then Snug, Cosy and, the largest of the four, Roomy. Compact shoebox rooms still have queen-size beds and walk-in showers, while roomy ones are home to king-size beds and squidgy leather armchairs. With the exception of Shoebox, all are dog-friendly. If you fancy wine or beer in your room, head to the front desk where you can buy bottles at supermarket prices. A light breakfast bag can be delivered to your door, but for something more substantial head to Rondo for ’nduja scrambled eggs, or a Full English, served with Tamworth sausage & bacon, Fenton eggs, black pudding & beans. There are cold-pressed green juices to wake you up, or a selection of 100% vegan coffees, including matcha and raw cacao lattes. Where to eat and drink nearby A pie at the Holborn Dining Room is a must, whether it be filled with chicken, girolle and tarragon, or mutton curry. Try the contemporary afternoon tea at Rosewood’s Mirror Room, too. Doubles from £179 per night, check availability at booking.com Ham Yard Hotel, Soho – for a hidden design gem From £606 per night, check availability at booking.com An urban village, Ham Yard Hotel is home to 91 individually designed bedrooms and suites, 24 apartments, 13 independent stores and a restaurant. Kit Kemp designed the quintessentially British interiors, so that means colourful, patterned textiles and original artwork. Superior rooms have queen-size beds and a separate sitting area with writing desk, while the two-bedroom terrace suite on the hotel’s top floor has a kitchen. All bedrooms have views of the leafy terrace or city skyline. With its super central Soho location, there’s no shortage of restaurant, bars and cafés to explore in the area. But the hotel itself has its own restaurant and serves a selection of afternoon teas, including a ‘healthy’ reduced sugar option. A roof garden is home to raised herb and vegetable beds, so expect to see purple sage and orange marigold featuring on the menu. Two bee hives also live on the roof, the honey from which is used in cocktails. At breakfast, Antipodean-style eats and smoothies feature alongside lighter bites, including coconut chia seed pots with mango. Porridge is prepared with your choice of milk, water or cream, and is topped with berries, banana, mango, sugar, seeds or maple syrup. Where to eat and drink nearby Pop across the road to KILN for regional Thai dishes. Try aged lamb skewers, delicately fragrant with cumin and Szechuan pepper; or clay-pot baked glass noodles with Tamworth pork belly and brown crabmeat. Here are more places to eat and drink in Soho. From £606 per night, check availability at booking.com The Culpeper, Spitalfields – for campfires on the roof Doubles from £160 per night, check availability at booking.com The Culpeper is an east London pub with five bedrooms, a restaurant and rooftop garden. The ground floor pub takes classics up a notch: deep-fried black pudding balls, crispy ox tongue with tarragon mayo, and chicken liver on toast. The wine list is completely natural, local beers feature strongly, and all the cocktails are based on herbs that grow on the roof. The rooftop has a changing residency each summer, but in the past Piculpeper has set up camp with fire pits serving grilled broccoli, ash-roast potatoes and slow-roast camembert. On the first floor, a restaurant offers three starters, three mains and three desserts that change weekly. It also makes use of what’s grown in and around The Culpeper, including nettles, sprouting kale, baby gem lettuce and swiss chard on its menu. On the second floor, five bedrooms are in keeping with the rest of the pub, so expect plastered walls, bare brickwork, original fireplaces and simple-yet-colourful textiles. Where to eat and drink nearby Som Saa is less than a minute away, so head there for sticky Burmese-style curry, whole deep-fried sea bass and palm sugar ice cream. Doubles from £160 per night, check availability at booking.com The Orange, Belgravia – for a cosy pub with rooms Rooms start at £260 a night, check availability at booking.com or cubitthouse.co.uk If you want to stay in the beating heart of London, you won’t get much more central than buzzy Belgravia, and this refurbished pub is a chic base. The 19th century local is part of the Cubitts House group, who have given this glorious period building a whole new charm. The uber-stylish interiors have flashes of orange throughout, and the contemporary Italian-inspired menu is curated by Ben Tish. The Orange has just four rooms, giving it an extra-personal feel. They are decked in natural materials and finished with botanical flourishes. Downstairs in the bar, guests can soak up the buzz and order dinner off The Orange’s seasonal, à la carte menu. You’ll find a list of delicious-sounding pizzas with inventive toppings, like red prawns, rose harissa & crispy garlic. There’s a strong list of hearty, seasonal salads, which included braised kale and fried aubergine. Starters included panisse with bottarga. There are large plates too, including rib-eye with roasted onions & comte and roast chicken with grapes and rosemary. Guests enjoy breakfast as part of their stay, and while we loved the house granola with new season rhubarb, where The Orange really plays an ace is with their breakfast wood-fired flatbreads. Choose from toppings like fennel sausage & roasted tomatoes, stracciatella, mushroom & truffle cheese sauce. We already rated The Orange, but we have extra respect for anywhere that serves pizza before 10am. Where to eat and drink nearby For more dinner options, try Wildflowers. A stylish restaurant and wine bar, Mediterranean-inspired dishes are cooked over coal in an open kitchen, cocktails are imaginative twists on classics (try a melon negroni or almost-dirty martini) and its understated design encourages you to relax and linger over your food. Rooms start at £260 a night, check availability at booking.com or cubitthouse.co.uk Vintry and Mercer, City of London – for luxury in the City From £284 per night, check availability at booking.com One of the Small Luxury Hotels of the World, Vintry and Mercer is a 92-bedroom luxury hotel with a roof terrace restaurant, speakeasy-style bar and an all-day kitchen serving Asian plates. Rooms comes with elaborate velvet headboards and dramatically tiled bathrooms. The 'standard' room is anything but, with a queen-size bed, walk-in shower and heated floor, while the deluxe comes with a king-size bed, turndown service and wet room. Every bedroom nods to its city location, be it through needle-and-thread wallpaper that references the mercers who used to import fine silks just a stone’s throw from where the hotel now stands, or antique-style maps that depict old trade routes. Foodies stay here both for the delightful roof terrace restaurant, which focuses on farm-to-plate food cooked over charcoal; and DND (Do Not Disturb), a fun bar that pairs barrel-aged cocktails with sliders. There’s also Vintry Izakaya, which serves tapas-style dishes including tempura shiitake and tomato miso steamed buns. Along with the usual spirits, there’s also a selection of sakes and Asian-influences cocktails. Try the Takhiriti, made with Don Q rum, lemongrass syrup, kaffir lime and Thai basil. Where to eat and drink nearby Wander up to Brigadiers for an Indian feast of BBQ butter chicken wings, sikandari kid goat shoulder and on-tap cocktails. Read our full review here. From £284 per night, check availability at booking.com Green Rooms, Wood Green – for great-value rooms From £82 per night, check availability at booking.com A no-frills affordable hotel, Green Rooms has stylishly simple bedrooms. There are 22 bedrooms (everything from three-quarter to king-size beds, some with shared bathrooms, others en-suite), two en-suite studio apartments and two dormitories (one sleeps 12, one sleeps 16 people) make for an eclectic mix of accommodation. It’s a back-to-basics vibe, but with added style. Mattresses are good quality, furnishings are sparse but pretty (a few rooms have chairs and textiles by fashion brand Folk, but most have simple white bed linen and vintage wooden furniture), and frills extend only to a few coat hangers, a travel kettle, a small range of London Tea Company teas and Climpson and Sons coffee. Where to eat and drink nearby In Turkish-influenced Wood Green, you don’t have to go more than 30 paces to find grilled halloumi and spinach omelettes. Try Antepliler for pides, spiced lentil koftes and pistachio kanafeh. From £82 per night, check availability at booking.com Kaya Great Northern Hotel, King’s Cross – for swanky fine dining From £215 per night, check availability at booking.com A luxury, boutique hotel just 25 metres from King’s Cross station, comfort and class is the focus at Kaya Great Northern Hotel, with each bedroom sporting sash windows and high ceilings. Couchette is the cosiest, with queen-size beds tucked into leather-clad banquettes, while the Edwardian bedrooms on the top floor have walnut wood panelling and vintage-style bathrooms. Victorian is the largest, with views of King’s Cross and a roll top bath. On the first floor, RAILS Restaurant and Little Bar offers a smart take on British and French classics. Where to eat and drink nearby There’s no shortage of options in Coal Drops Yard, including wine bars and funky sandwich joints. Try smoky rotisserie chicken and mezcal negronis at alfresco Mexican restaurant, Plaza Pastor. See our picks of the best restaurants in Kings Cross here. From £215 per night, check availability at booking.com The London Edition, West End – for striking interiors From £420 per night, check availability at booking.com A slick hotel in the heart of Fitzrovia with 173 bedrooms and a sophisticated restaurant, Berners Tavern. The in-house restaurant is under the direction of Michelin-starred chef, Jason Atherton. A striking dining room (ornate ceilings, plush leather booths and antique artwork in lavish gold frames) sets a grand tone, while the trendy-yet-accessible food is the kind you could eat every day: pork pie and aged beef tartare, BBQ pork chops, and mac ‘n’ cheese. Try a roast at the weekend, including beef wellington and Dingley Dell pork belly. There are two bars to choose from: The Lobby comes kitted out with a snooker table and tufted sofas, while The Punch Room is an intimate space inspired by 19th-century private clubs. The signature gin-infused EDITION house punch is a must. Stylish and simple rooms are inspired by luxury yachts with oak floors, walnut wooden panels and tufted armchairs. There are four bedroom sizes (guest, superior, deluxe and loft) as well as two suites, the loft and the penthouse. All bedrooms come with the same features (king-size beds, rainforest showers, iPod docking stations and custom made Le Labo bathroom products). Suites come with a large living area, while the penthouse has a dining area, pantry, walk-in wardrobe and three outdoor terraces with city views. At breakfast, hearty classics are the order of the day, be it a slow-cooked smoked ham hock croque monsieur with aged cheddar, or oak smoked Scottish salmon with scrambled eggs. If you’re after something lighter, dairy-free mango smoothies and ginger, turmeric and orange shots are also on offer. Where to eat and drink nearby Book a table at Rovi, Ottolenghi’s restaurant with vegetables, fermentation and fire at its heart. Read all the best restaurants in Fitzrovia here. From £420 per night, check availability at booking.com The Athenaeum, Mayfair – for a luxurious Mayfair stay From £366 per night, check availability at booking.com The Athenaeum is a luxury yet family-friendly Mayfair hotel with bedrooms, suites, apartments and townhouses. Spacious bedrooms include Hypnos mattresses, London-inspired artwork and your choice of pillow. Marble bathrooms come with heated towel rails and non-steam mirrors. Serviced apartments are ideal for those with children, with separate front doors leading onto a double bedroom (with extra bunk or sofa beds for little ones), living area and fully fitted kitchenette. If you want to stay in the main hotel, interconnecting bedrooms are also available. Choose between a continental buffet for breakfast (yogurt, fruit, charcuterie, cheese and baked goods) or opt for a full English, omelettes or smoked salmon. There’s a separate menu for children, including waffles with fruit compote or boiled eggs with toast soldiers. Where to eat and drink nearby Mayfair has plenty of excellent dining choices to offer: from contemporary steak and sushi at Nijū to pub classics at The Guinea Grill or elegant Italian at Angela Hartnett's Murano. For more dining in the area, check out our favourite places to eat in Mayfair here. From £366 per night, check availability at booking.com The Bull and The Hide, Bishopsgate – for cosy pub vibes From £155 per night, check availability at booking.com A pub with 10 boutique bedrooms in the heart of the city. Rooms are neat and simply decorated. Each is named after the pub’s colourful past, from the Oxford (the 17th Earl of Oxford lived on the site in the 16th century) to the Devonshire suite, which echoes the name of a grand house that stood on the site in 1625. If you want a room with a view, book the Hush Heath suite for its own private balcony. All come equipped with Miller Harris toiletries, goose down pillows and a 24-hour pantry, where you can help yourself to tea, coffee, cookies and sweets. The Bull pub downstairs (part of the Hush Heath Estate) serves breakfast, brunch, lunch, bar snacks and dinner. Classics include scotch eggs with curried mayo, half-pint shrimps and whitebait with tartare sauce. Flatbreads are also a focus, so try the pulled pork, BBQ sauce and jalapeño one. The sparkling wines come from the Hush Heath Estate in Kent, and the crisp sparkling apple is recommended. The Bull breakfast is a simple affair. Choose a full English, American pancakes with bacon, avocado on toast or granola. Where to eat and drink nearby If you're not eating in the pub, head to Duck & Waffle for views over the city or Spitalfields Market for plenty of street food options, from freshly pulled noodles to the gooiest cheese toasties. From £155 per night, check availability at booking.com Claridge’s, Mayfair – for classic elegance From £930 per night, check availability at booking.com The iconic Claridge's is a glamorous art deco Mayfair hotel with restaurants, bars and a reading room. Bedrooms and suites are either traditional or art deco, but both come with Bose speakers, fresh flowers and mini bars stocked with British produce. En-suite marble bathrooms include Cowshed products (made exclusively for Claridge’s), and the Claridge’s King room comes with floor-to-ceiling mirrors and views of the peaceful inner court. The Mayfair Suite has a separate sitting room with original fireplace, and the Brook Penthouse, a two-bedroom apartment with living room, dining area, private bar and a terrace with views of the Houses of Parliament, is luxury at its finest. For foodies, the Foyer and Reading Room serve an all-day dining menu, from roast rack of Kent lamb to its signature lobster wellington. Afternoon tea has been a ritual here for almost 150 years, and this luxurious redoubt for the rich and royal (no flip-flops, no intrusive photography) has turned it into an art form. Eat English cucumber and dill cream sandwiches, fluffy raisin scones with Cornish clotted cream, and caramelised hazelnut Paris-Brest. Breakfast is a lavish affair. There’s English, European, Japanese, vegan and Middle Eastern options, to name a few. Try pork gyoza, prawn dim sum, chicken congee, Chinese pickles and century duck egg for a Chinese feast, or keep it healthy with chia seed pudding and carrot juice. The Claridge’s bakery makes daily Danish pastries, croissants, muffins and brioche, and pancakes are served with berries and Valrhona chocolate. Where to eat and drink nearby Wander down Regent Street for a Spanish feast at Sabor. Eat crisp, golden prawn croquettes and mussels ‘a la Bilbaina’. Read more about Sabor here From £930 per night, check availability at booking.com The Ritz, Piccadilly – for old-school luxury Doubles from £900 per night, check availability at booking.com The Ritz offers old-school luxury in the heart of Piccadilly, with a restaurant to match. Opulent yet traditional, there’s a twee feel to the bedrooms with plenty of floral patterns and pastel furnishings. Living areas come with antique furniture, and en-suite bathrooms are adorned with marble. Deluxe suites come with up to five bedrooms and spacious sitting rooms, but, if it’s views you’re after, book the Green Park Suite, which looks out over its namesake. Afternoon tea is the main draw, taken in the elegant Palm Court. Indulge in Scottish smoked salmon on springy sourdough bread, warm scones and delicate blackcurrant macarons. Choose from an 18-strong tea menu that has been curated and exclusively blended by The Ritz’s tea sommelier, Giandomenico Scanu. The Michelin-starred restaurant cooks seasonal British produce. Try Dover sole with new season leeks, cauliflower and caviar, or native lobster with heritage carrot and lemon verbena. Don’t leave without trying the crêpes suzette, prepared, cooked and served at your table with real flair. For breakfast, whether you fancy sirloin steak with fried eggs or an omelette with caviar, The Ritz has you covered. A continental breakfast keeps things light with fruit, homemade yogurt, cheese, ham and cereal, while three punchy juices are sure to wake you up. Our favourite is the Ruby Ritz: carrot, beetroot, fennel, ginger and lime. Where to eat and drink nearby World-famous for its seafood and shellfish, Bentley’s is the place to go for oysters. Click here for more places to eat in Mayfair. Doubles from £900 per night, check availability at booking.com Shangri-La At The Shard, London Bridge – for striking views Doubles from £553, check availability at booking.com Shangri-La At The Shard is a central London hotel with 202 bedrooms, striking views and an infinity sky pool. The hotel includes a restaurant, afternoon tea lounge and two bars. On level 35, TING serves a modern British menu with Asian influences, making the most of produce from neighbouring Borough Market. The five-course tasting menu offers the likes of duck liver ballotine with forced rhubarb and green tea, and Eton mess with cardamom. Climb 12 levels higher for GONG bar (the highest hotel bar in Europe) and its quirky cocktails. The cognac and sherry-based Over the Rainbow comes in a decorative hot air balloon, while the Scan Me whisky sour is delivered in a sleek black glass. Every bedroom and suite comes with floor-to-ceiling windows that frame London’s skyline; the iconic City View room, for example, looks out over Big Ben and the Houses of Parliament. A pillow menu is available, along with binoculars (to get a closer look at the landmarks), feather duvets, L'Occitane bath products and a Chinese tea set. The suites offer a separate living and working space, with views spanning across Surrey and Sussex, and the Shangri-La suite is the grandest of them all – dressing room, kitchenette, cocktail-making services, an iPad and local area guide included. At breakfast, choose between an English, Middle Eastern or Asian breakfast, the latter of which comes with congee, dim sum and wok fried noodles. Or try something from the wellness menu: bircher muesli and green smoothies packed with kiwi, spinach, ginger, mint and apple juice. Where to eat and drink nearby Pop to the market for plates of pici cacio e pepe and beef shin ragu at Padella. Click here for our London Bridge restaurant guide. Doubles from £553, check availability at booking.com Sea Containers London, Southbank – for a room above the best bar in the world Check rates and availability at booking.com Sea Containers is a modern hotel on the river with bedrooms designed by Tom Dixon and a cocktail bar from master mixologist, Mr Lyan. Choose between bedrooms, suites and apartments. Tones of grey and pops of pink are the signature colours, with chrome furnishings lending a sleek feel. Queen-size beds come as standard in the boutique rooms, and marble bathrooms are stocked with natural Malin + Goetz products. Wall-to-wall windows in the Riverview Deluxe room offer views of the city, while the Riverview Suite includes a separate living area and extra bathroom. The world’s number one bar, Dandelyan used to have its home at Sea Containers, but Mr Lyan closed that down and re-opened it as Lyaness. The sweeping green marble bar occupies the ground floor of the hotel, with soft-grey sofas and electric-blue banquettes. Try the tiki-inspired Double Painkiller, with bright tropical notes and a subtle smokiness. An all-day restaurant serves plates designed to share, from whole seabass with lemon to shaved mushrooms with manchego and brown butter. If you’re there over the weekend, try the eggy sammy from the brunch menu for breakfast – a brioche bun stacked with fried egg, crispy bacon, jack cheese and avocado – or go for a spicy chorizo flatbread with olives and wild rocket. In the week, expect a full English, fruit and yogurt, or avocado on toast. Where to eat and drink nearby Skylon is an 11-minute walk away on the first floor of the Royal Festival Hall. It’s all about seasonal modern British food and great views of the Thames. Check rates and availability at booking.com The Standard, King's Cross Doubles from £199, check availability at booking.com or mrandmrssmith.com There’s nothing standard about The Standard. Minutes from St Pancras International, London’s rail-based gateway to Europe, the cool kids behind America’s Standard Hotel group opened their first UK outpost, converting a 1970s concrete block into a hip eating and drinking destination, with more than 200 groovy retro-kitsch bedrooms on site. It may be the priciest room (with the exception of the suites), but book a King’s Terrace room and you’ll be rewarded with a large terrace complete with an outdoor bath that overlooks the St Pancras Renaissance Hotel and its terracotta-coloured clock tower. There are no ‘standard’ rooms at The Standard – the most basic options still boast bathrobes, bespoke Davines toiletries and Bang & Olufsen speakers. The building’s geometric shape adds character to outer-ring rooms (internal Cosy Cores don’t have windows, but they do have shower rooms strung with ferns), with squishy sofas in retro colours tucked beneath aquarium-like curved windows. Wallace Sewell, TFL’s fabric designers, have created the bedspreads and carpets, with the nostalgic red, purple and blue palette reminding guests how in-the-thick-of-it they are. Retro-chic design continues in the bathrooms, where pale pink and black tiles cover monsoon shower walls, and mint green taps add a pop of colour. Foodies are well catered for with a selection of options. On the ground floor, Isla’s vibrant space, with floor-to-ceiling glass doors that open onto a plant-filled terrace, is home to light British plates with a generous plant-based section. There's also Sweeties cocktail bar, Decimo for Mexican-Spanish cuisine with dramatic skyline views, or the Double Standard Bar serving American-inspired brunch or burgers and hot dogs in the evening. Make the most of humongous beds and order breakfast delivered to your room. Avocado on toast pepped-up with chimichurri, perhaps, or a batch of brown butter madeleines with Square Mile coffee. Where to eat and drink nearby The Standard is a one-minute walk (if that) from St Pancras International, so it’s well-placed if you want to kick off a trip to Amsterdam, Paris or the south of France in style. Doubles from £199, check availability at booking.com or mrandmrssmith.com More hotel guides Best country house hotels in the UK Best health and wellness retreats Best UK boutique hotels Best hotels in the Cotswolds Best Cornwall hotels Best hotels in the Lake District Best London hotel bars to visit Best romantic hotels in the UK European hidden gems: hotels off the beaten track Best Paris hotels Best Spanish hotels Best Italian hotels Best restaurants with rooms in the UK Best Amsterdam hotels
The best weekend food markets in London for spring refuelling
Fill your totes at one of London's charming weekend markets, from the UK's only all-organic farmers' market to modern street food havens
There's no better time than spring to visit London's clutch of treasured food markets, allured by the scent of fresh bread, the chatter of traders and a rainbow of farm-fresh produce. These markets are bastions of quality produce and community spirit, making them the perfect spot for a quick lunch or hunting down a prime foodie gift. Read on to discover olive's pick of the capital’s finest weekend food markets — from organic farmers' markets to sizzling street food offerings — perfect for a food-fuelled weekend activity. For spring travel inspiration, check out the unmissable destinations to see spring in full bloom and the UK hotels with beautiful gardens to book. We also have our top picks of where to go in April and the best European gourmet escapes to catch spring produce at its peak. Best weekend markets in London Growing Communities, Stoke Newington The UK's only all-organic farmers' market, Stoke Newington’s market is a leafy local gem and a true champion of sustainable food. It's committed to working with small-scale organic and biodynamic farmers and growers from the areas closest to London, with most located in Kent, Essex, Cambridgeshire and East Anglia. Every Saturday the churchyard is transformed into a buzzy patchwork of stalls showcasing a rainbow of seasonal, farm-fresh produce, from peppery Asian greens to vibrant squashes. You can also secure organic cheese, small-batch preserves and handmade chocolate. Grab a locally roasted coffee and settle on the church steps for a spot of people watching. growingcommunities.org Address: St Paul's Church, Stoke Newington, London N16 7UE Opening times: Saturday (10am-2.30pm) Nearest station: Rectory Road Brockley Market Hailed for its exceptional produce and all-round good vibe, Brockley's 'car park of dreams' is a south London institution. Fresh and glossy local produce shares space with interesting small-scale goodies, from wild garlic plants to fermented cashew dips. Lots of the foodie finds available are hyper-local, including raw Brockley Bee's honey and Brown of Brockley's locally roasted coffee and pastries. There's also a string of top-grade street food stalls, including olive favourite Chubby Dumpling. The perfect spot for a leisurely mooch and a chat with the producers. brockleymarket.com Address: Lewisham College Car Park, Lewisham Way, London SE4 1UT Opening times: Saturday (10am-2pm) Nearest station: St Johns Broadway Market, Hackney Broadway Market is somewhat of a foodie institution. More than 100 traders line the Victorian street on the weekend, their stalls teeming with artisan breads, farmhouse cheese and vibrant fruit and veg. For lunch, nothing is off the cards, with street food delights ranging from organic sourdough pizza to Japanese street food. Live musicians and street performers add to the festival atmosphere. The street's surrounding cafés and independent shops invite you to linger long after your tote bag is full. broadwaymarket.co.uk Address: Broadway Market, London E8 4PH Opening times: Every Saturday (9am-5pm) and Sunday (10am-4pm) Nearest stations: London Fields, Bethnal Green Primrose Hill Farmers' Market City dwellers come for their weekly fix of newly picked produce at this social enterprise market. Set up and run by independent traders for the benefit of the wider community it's a known spot for chats with traders who are passionate about their products. Set in the playground of a local school you can expect a core group of staple vendors, including fresh fruits and vegetables, artisanal breads, organic meats and dairy products, alongside a rotating variety of semi-regular traders selling speciality wares, from nut butters to low-intervention wine. primrosehillfoodmarket.co.uk Address: Elsworthy Rd, St Paul's CE, London NW3 3DS Opening times: Saturday 9.30-2.30pm Nearest station: Chalk Farm <img src="https://images.immediate.co.uk/production/volatile/sites/2/2026/03/GettyImages-1175564419-20dd660.jpg" width="5432" height="3865" alt="A vendor works at the East Sussex's Brambletye Fruit Farm's food stall at The Spread farmers' market in Primrose Hill, north west London. (Photo by Isabel INFANTES / AFP) (Photo by ISABEL INFANTES/AFP via Getty Images)" title="BRITAIN-EU-BREXIT-POLITICS-AGRICULTURE" /> Barnes Farmers' Market Barnes on a Saturday is the place to go for a chilled mooch and fabulous produce. For over 20 years this friendly market has showcased a rotation of fine wares from passionate producers, from award-winning and free-range organic meats to luxury cheeses and fresh pasta. British produce remains at the forefront: fill your basket with free range-meats from Somerset, fresh fish from Dorset and fruit and veg from Kent. barnesfarmersmarket.co.uk Address: Essex House Surgery, Station Rd, London SW13 0LW Opening times: Saturday (8:30am-2pm) Nearest station: Barnes Bridge Victoria Park Market, Tower Hamlets Head east with an empty stomach to experience the best selection of food east London has to offer. Nestled on the pedestrianised Nightwalk, Victoria Park Market is a Sunday fixture for Londoners seeking quality produce in a leafy setting. Over 60 independent traders gather here, offering a mixture of street food (suckling pig, Guadeloupean street food) and quality produce (organic butchers, homemade cakes, freshly baked bread). Expect a relaxed community feel, with locals and visitors alike enjoying their spoils on the grass or on a stroll around the park. victoriaparkmarket.com Address: Bonner Gate and Gore Rd, London E2 9JW Opening times: Every Sunday (10am-4pm) Nearest stations: Hackney Wick, Cambridge Heath Netil Market, London Fields Start your weekend at this open-air market – an array of shipping containers and custom-built huts which circle a central market, selling everything from antiques and artisan chocolate to soy candles. Located near London Fields and Broadway Market, weave your way through the stalls and you're sure to find something which catches your eye, whether that's a bottle of natural wine or scoops of ube ice cream. It's very own Netil Radio provides an eclectic backdrop for traders. eatworkart.com/netil-market Address: 13-23 Westgate Street, London E8 3RL Opening times: Saturday (9am-10pm), Sunday (9am-6pm) Nearest station: London Fields Maltby Street Market, Bermondsey This weekend treasure trove is a smaller, less hectic alternative to Borough Market, located a mile away. Hidden beneath 19th-century railway arches, the flag-lined, compact strip is filled with 30+ traders selling everything from melting raclette and bavette steak to handmade dumplings. The atmosphere is electric — grab a bánh mì heo and find a spot to perch or head to cosy cavern Malt Maltby for UK craft beer, wine and cocktails. maltbystmarket.squarespace.com Address: Arch 46, Ropewalk, Maltby Street, London SE1 3PA Opening times: Saturday (10am-5pm), Sunday (11am-4pm) Nearest station: Bermondsey Station
10 premium hot chocolates in London to try this festive season
Fight the winter blues and treat yourself to one of these handcrafted hot chocolates, expertly blended for a bespoke and luxury experience
As the temperature drops and Christmas lights start to twinkle, there’s nothing more comforting than wrapping your hands around a cup of thick, silky hot chocolate. London is home to a bundle of independent cafés stirring up luxurious versions of this classic winter warmer – read on to discover where to find the most indulgent hot chocolates this festive season. Recreate a rich and creamy hot chocolate in the comfort of your kitchen with our hot chocolate recipes, including a chocolate orange twist and boozy alternative. Or seek more ways to make the most of the season with our four festive UK city getaways perfect for shopping, eating and exploring and these magical winter travel experiences for food lovers. Maison Pierre Marcolini, Notting Hill This glossy new boutique from the famed French chocolatier is the first of the Marcolini emporiums to serve bean-to-cup hot chocolates, using cocoa beans sourced directly from independent producers in Madagascar, Peru, Cuba, Brazil and São Tomé. Super-smooth and milky serves include ‘Speculoos’ and a signature ‘Piedmont Hazelnut’, topped with whipped cream, caramel sauce and hazelnuts. Those who prefer a darker cup of chocolate are also catered for, with cocoa percentages ranging from 77%-83%. You can enjoy these artisanal creations hot or cold, with the choice of whole, pea or oat milk. We're excited to visit again soon to try its new hot chocolate which now comes with an espresso shot. marcolini.co.uk Barnabys, Covent Garden (and Tottenham Court Road and City of London) This handmade chocolate shop may be known for its thick, gooey chocolate bars, but its newer range of hot chocolates, using real chocolate, are just as noteworthy. Available in three flavours – classic, malt and peanut butter and caramel – all offerings are equally drool-worthy. Dip a bar of the weekend special into your cup and you'll notice that the chocolate pools in the bottom – just heavenly. barnabybars.com Dark Sugars, Greenwich A visit to Dark Sugars is a sensory experience, with their viral hot chocolate poured thick and topped with generous shavings of their own dark, milk or white chocolate. Each cup is a spectacle, crowned with curls of chocolate that melt into the drink, creating a multi-layered, ultra-rich treat. For hot chocolate aficionados, this one’s a no-brainer.⁠ darksugars.co.uk Chin Chin Desserts, Soho Chin Chin's team of dessert alchemists ensures everything is handmade in their Soho development kitchen, from theatrical cookie dough pie sundaes to boundary-pushing potato soft serve. Its unashamedly decadent hot chocolates are finished with gooey, flame-torched marshmallows, and festive specials from previous years include the snowball cookie hot chocolate, where a raspberry-filled coconut marshmallow sensually melts into the steaming chocolate. instagram.com/chinchinicecream The Nook, Hampstead There's possibly no nicer way to spend a London afternoon than mooching around leafy Hampstead with a hot chocolate in hand. Secure the goods at The Nook, a charming drinks and bites bar on a cosy little corner of Hampstead Heath. The team craft luxury chocolate milks by melting Belgium chocolate with steamed milk, resulting in a sweetly silky drink. Choose from six chocolate strengths, from 28% all the way up to 80%. Milk and cream is from The Estate Dairy and fresh roasted marshmallows from Kensal Sugar Kitchen. The list of specials is up there with some of the best, such as the Pistachio, which sees pistachio paste mixed into the chocolate. thenookhampstead.co.uk Mello by Chin Chin Ice cream, Covent Garden London's first marshmallow bar, complete with a viral-worthy marshmallow drawer, is fast becoming one of the city's hottest spots for a well earned 'sweet treat'. From the team at @chinchinicecream, you can expect smooth, nutty handcrafted sips capped with blowtorched marshmallows, with options including a hazelnut s’mores and even a frozen hot chocolate. instagram.com/mellodeluxe Qima Cafe, Fitzrovia Claiming to be the UK’s first tree-to-cup café, this smart coffee shop pays just as much attention to its hot chocolate as it does to coffee. Expect rich yet well-rounded cups, starring a creamy combination of single-origin 72% dark chocolate from the Solomon Islands and Valrhona's 70% Guanaja. It's then accented by a sweet dose of brown sugar, depth of cocoa powder and a final sprinkle of sea salt to keep the sweetness in check. Pair your cocoa with one of the flaky pastries on the counter. qimacafe.com Venchi, Covent Garden (and Richmond, King's Road and more) Find this Italian chocolate boutique and cafeteria right in the middle of Covent Garden. The signature hazelnut hot chocolate, poured from a tap and finished with a scattering of chopped nuts, is unabashedly rich, and may just be the thickest cup of cocoa going (and incomparable to shop-bought powder). There's even the option to drink its hot chocolate poured over ice cream, served in an elegant cocktail glass with lashings of whipped cream and a shot of Venchi's hazelnut chocolate. venchi.com Melt, Notting Hill (and Holland Park) This boutique chocolatier in West London stirs up hot chocolate with luxury front of mind, melting its signature house-made chocolate into thick, glossy, sippable heaven. Customers can choose their preferred chocolate, mix up flavours and top up with a flamed marshmallow for extra indulgence. meltchocolates.com William Curley, Soho This orange-painted boutique by Scottish chocolatier William Curley is a charming spot which promises cosy, comforting vibes. Order the rich, velvety classic or experiment with an Aztec chilli, Mayan spiced or gianduja variety. Whichever you choose, you can be certain that your beverage will be crafted with care and precision. williamcurley.co.uk Knoops, Richmond Despite the fact that multiple locations are sprouting across London, Knoops still takes hot chocolate incredibly seriously. Offering a menu of different cocoa percentages, origins and milk, you are free to choose your strength — from a creamy 34% milk to a punchy 85% dark — and add custom extras like orange zest, chilli or sea salt. Though the stores tend to fill up at peak times, each cup is still expertly blended for a bespoke, luxury experience. knoops.com
10 magical London streets and neighbourhoods for Christmas shopping
Shop, eat and feel merry on these festive London streets lined with unique boutiques and established brands – it'll make Christmas shopping a breeze
On the hunt for unique gifts for the food lover in your life? These London neighbourhoods are brimming with independent boutiques, artisan food stores and Christmas markets – perfect for shopping, exploring and soaking up some festive cheer. We've also included nearby foodie hot spots to refuel for an all-round shopping experience with seasonal sparkle. Discover our guides to the best UK city breaks and our favourite European hidden gem hotels. For more winter travel inspiration, see our guide to the best ski destinations or best winter sun destinations for something a little warmer. Festive London streets and neighbourhoods for Christmas shopping Columbia Road Market More than the heaving East End flower market that takes place every Sunday, Columbia Road's shops host a range of events during the year, including Columbia Road Christmas Wednesdays. Being one of the few streets in the country composed of sixty independent shopfronts, it's a good opportunity to pick up unique gifts in a local environment while enjoying a big dose of Christmas cheer (expect mulled wine and mince pies). You can also shop later in the evening along the small stretch of stores, where small art galleries sit next to English delis and homeware and antique shops. There’s also a wealth of great pubs, cafés and restaurants. Pick up custom cakes at Lily Vanilli Bakery or head to cool boozer The Royal Oak for a post-market tipple. Brawn is an olive favourite, serving European small plates alongside a menu of natural and organic wines. Coal Drops Yard and King’s Cross Once industrial, but now one of London’s most stylish shopping destinations, King’s Cross and Coal Drops Yard come alive at Christmas with a packed programme of markets. The Canopy Christmas Market is home to over 50 indie crafters, designers and artisan produce – perfect for ticking off your gift list and sampling street food and mulled cider. Other Christmas offerings include the Wine Car Boot, where each stall is an independent wine store; the N4 Makers’ Market; and B Corp-certified Lower Stable Street Market, to name a few. Outside the markets, browse unique brands such as designer Tom Dixon's flagship store and plant-filled Botanical Boys, then tuck into gooey hand-topped cookies from The After School Cookie Club. If you need a pause mid-shop, The Drop is an intimate wine bar housed within the Victorian stone arches – it has a stellar cheese and charcuterie menu – while Happy Face Pizza offers wood-fired slices with sloppy centres and puffy crusts. Peckham and Rye Lane Looking to shop small this Christmas? Peckham is the place. Starting as small boutique market, Pexmas is now an annual fixture on the London Christmas market scene. Taking place at Copeland Park, it's a great chance to stock up on handmade gifts while supporting some of the best micro brands in Peckham. If you miss it, visit the store on Market Row in Brixton Village. Elsewhere, dig through vinyl crates, unearth independent prints and meet local collectors at The Big Market Record & Art fair at Peckham Levels – perfect for those who like their Christmas shopping with a side of creativity. The area also promises some of south London's most exciting restaurants – Lai Rai is the spot for playful Vietnamese cooking, while Hausu's menu of modern sharing plates makes a cool date night spot. Redchurch Street and and Spitalfields Market Visit this buzzy east London district for its clutch of creative indie shops and designer-makers. Redchurch Street is dotted with cool and contemporary one-off shops, from fashion boutiques and vintage designers to home fragrance brands; Old Spitalfields Market is a bustling hub for thoughtful Christmas gifts, with unique stalls selling everything from London-made leather goods to vintage watches and hand-poured candles. Foodies should make a beeline for the market’s huddle of street-food traders, with options like Dumpling Shack and Le Bab. For a caffeine fix, head to Grind's pastel pink van, taste authentic chai from Chai Guys or tuck into fluffy Taiwanese pancakes at Wheelcake Island. Gloria, a flamboyant Italian trattoria on Great Eastern Street, is perfect for a fun group dinner, while Passione Vino offers a secret wine bar experience as well as bottles to gift wine lovers. Marylebone Village Marylebone’s elegant high street and surrounding lanes are a haven for good-quality shopping. Daunt Books is a book-lover’s paradise, while Le Creuset provides ultimate cookware inspiration. Pop into Rococo Chocolates for bespoke hampers and La Fromagerie for cheese, fine wines and extra virgin olive oil – speak to the affineur (cheese specialist), who will help with selections. The area’s boutiques – VV Rouleaux for ribbons, hats and accessories or KJ’s Laundry for covetable fashion – make present-hunting a joy. Refuel at The Ginger Pig with a hot sausage roll or linger over a coffee and cake at Fischer’s, a Viennese-style café. For a memorable dinner, Carlotta serves famiglia-style Sicilian classics with an American twist, complete with lavish gold décor and glitter ball-decorated toilets. Charlotte Street and Fitzrovia The surrounding streets of leafy Fitzrovia are heaped with quaint indie shops, making it a hot spot for those seeking a one-of-a-kind gift. Make a beeline for Rathbone, New Cavendish and Percy streets, where you can expect a blend of sleek interior shops, small boutiques and niche bookshops such as Treadwell’s Books – specialising in esoteric books and mystical gifts. Tottenham Court Road is a stone's throw away, should you need to hit the big flagships. Laid-back Charlotte Street is considered Fitzrovia’s foodie hub. Elsa offers Alsatian-inspired fare with a glow-up, while Roka's elegant Japanese robatayaki is a must. Nearby Kiss The Hippo makes top-notch coffee alongside a roster of brunch classics. End the day by grabbing a seat at Bar Kinky for inventive drinks in a sultry setting. Covent Garden No area does Christmas quite like Covent Garden, where twinkling lights, oversized baubles and a giant Christmas tree set the scene for some of the city’s best festive shopping. The cobbled piazza is home to a refined clutch of gifting specialists – lotions and potions from Aesop, floral-scented candles from Miller Harris and curated tea gift boxes from Whittard of Chelsea. Covent Garden’s Christmas market stalls add extra sparkle, with handmade or antique stocking fillers and seasonal treats galore. Hidden just off the main square, Neal’s Yard courtyard is a treasure trove for food lovers, with 26 Grains serving wholesome porridge bowls and seasonal plates, and The Barbary offering counterside Middle Eastern feasts. For a pick-me-up, head to Fabrique Bakery for cinnamon buns or La Gelatiera for Sicilian buns and hot chocolate. When you’re ready for something stronger, La Compagnie is a stylish wine bar tucked away in Neal’s Yard, ideal for a glass of something special and a few small plates. King's Road and Duke of York Square Chelsea’s King’s Road and Duke of York Square are royally dressed up for Christmas, with festive lights, markets and a cluster of chic stores selling their finest wares. Browse Nokwol for premium leather footwear and Monica Vinader for handcrafted, 100 per cent recycled gold and silver jewellery. Luxury British perfume house Penhaligon's boasts 180 years of olfactory experience. You'll also find the flagship stores of skincare favourite Dermalogica. If time allows, pay a visit to the Saatchi Gallery for a culture fix. You're also not short of delicious offerings on King's Road: tuck into contemporary Mediterranean at Kora or settle in for a cocktail-fuelled dinner at Ixchel, an award-winning Mexican restaurant and tequila bar. Carnaby Street Soho’s warren of streets is a goldmine for fun gifting, from designer homeware at Liberty to Korean beauty at PURESEOUL on Carnaby Street. The street's neon Christmas lights are legendary, and the area hosts festive pop-ups and late-night shopping events throughout the season. Refuel at Imad’s Syrian Kitchen, where a sharing-style menu of Syrian dishes steal the show. Find it in Kingly Court, Carnaby's three-storey food hall, where you can also take in Indian eatery Darjeeling Express and vegan Tex-Mex spot Club Mexicana. For a classic Soho experience, Bar Italia is open late for espresso, while Dishoom’s Bombay comfort fare is always a crowd-pleaser. Broadway Market This weekend market is an established Hackney institution, groaning with independent traders selling everything from small-batch accessories to quirky prints and wheel-thrown ceramics. There's plenty of street food vendors, too, for a quick nibble or on-the-go lunch. The market street is flanked by food shops and delis that are open seven days a week – stop at La Bouche for cheese and charcuterie or pick up pastries from Pavilion Bakery. Sune, a groovy neighbourhood restaurant, is a top spot for eclectic small plates and natural wines. For something sweet, check out popular Benny's Broadway, the viral banana pudding spot. Nearby Netil Market is a smaller, charming alternative, hosting artisan stalls and street-food offerings.
10 London park café destinations for food lovers
Discover London's cool clutch of park cafés for refuelling – the perfect excuse to linger a little longer in the city's leafy spaces
London’s plenteous leafy spaces have long been a sanctuary for city-dwellers, but in recent years the classic park café has undergone a transformation. Gone are the days of limp sandwiches and instant coffee in polystyrene cups. Across the capital, a new breed of park cafés is drawing Londoners and visitors with menus as first-class as their views. More than just a place to grab a flat white – these are foodie destinations in their own right, where you can expect specialty coffee, next-level bakes and a sense of community – all without leaving the park. Whether you’re seeking a post-run pastry, a peaceful lakeside brunch or a packed-out burrito, these spots are worth the detour. FINK'S, Clissold House North Londoners have even more reason to swoon over this beloved Hackney park thanks to newly opened Fink’s Clissold House. Breathing life into the park’s elegant Grade II listed Clissold House, expect straightforward fare with an emphasis on utilising local suppliers. Go for the coffee from Scenery Coffee Roasters and stay for the next-level toasties (pastrami, dill pickle and gruyère) and pastries coming fresh daily from Fink's Bakery in N4, such as the rosette apple, vanilla custard and pecan crumble danish. Cakes are made with seasonal fruit from Natoora & Shrub Provisions and Wildfarmed flour. Furrier friends are also catered for, with dog treats available for purchase in shop. Aside from the refrigerator stocked with locally made soft drinks, foodies can fill their totes on Fink's thoughtful selection of gourmet goods, from tinned fish and truffle crisps to wines and spirits. Come for a proper refuel before a stroll to spot the park’s roaming deer - a blissful afternoon. instagram.com/finks.london Bad Manners, Shoreditch Church Serving a pithy menu of burritos and Mexican-style snacks, this shiny silver trailer has become a cult favourite for East Londoners in the know. Following a successful stint at St John at Hackney Churchyard, this hip establishment is now parked at Shoreditch Church, drawing its burrito devotees – arrive early on weekends to bag a table and avoid disappointment. What to order? The slow-braised beef barbacoa burrito is a must, loaded with Mexican rice, lime crema, braised flor de mayo beans, pickles, onion, coriander and salsa verde. Everything is made to order, with no unnecessary fluff – just bold, full-on flavour. You can also refuel on speciality coffee from PLOT Roasting. instagram.com/badmanners.ldn Queen's Wood Café, Highgate Wood Londoners looking for a slice of woodland magic within commuting distance are in luck thanks to this charming Highgate café. Set amid ancient woodlands in a former wood keeper’s lodge dating back to 1898, this chalet-style café is a favourite for those seeking a fairytale escape from the city, complete with a sweet community garden and therapy cabin. You'll find simple, organic and veggie-focused dishes on the menu (think burrata salad and homemade quiche) and pastries baked fresh daily (cherry danish, cinnamon swirl). Art exhibitions regularly adorn the walls, marking a pretty backdrop to while away the hours. Order a coffee and slice of carrot cake, make a beeline for a seat on the fairy-lit terrace, then breathe in those cosy woodland views. It's a dog-friendly space, too, perfect for walkers in need of a restorative pit stop. queenswoodcafe.org Sons, St John at Hackney Courtyard A friendly kiosk in a leafy Hackney space, Sons has quickly become a foodie-fuelled community hub. Last month, each meatball marinara grilled cheese sandwich sold triggered a fresh loaf from local favourite e5 bakehouse to be donated to Lighthouse, a charity providing support to the homeless and vulnerable across Hackney. They also host run clubs, Pilates classes and pop-ups, adding to its neighbourhood appeal. The team particularly love working with local roasteries who focus on sourcing traceable, high-quality coffee and roasting with care (their latest guest roastery sponsored the weekly run club, with a post-run coffee on them). Silky flat whites aside, you can expect pastries from The Snapery East, grilled cheese sandwiches (including a salty, slow-roasted beef brisket) and tomato soup for just £2. You'll also find plenty of wooden bench seating, with an awning to keep you covered from wet weather. instagram.com/sons.hackney Bunhead, Brockwell Park Though technically not in the park, this humble bakery on the fringes of Brockwell Park is a blessing for the pastry-obsessed in south London. This Herne Hill neighbourhood spot opened just a year ago, when self-taught baker Sara Assad-Mannings took the plunge to move her home lockdown business to a permanent site to give customers a taste of her Palestinian flavours. It may be a bijou space, but the team's warmth and humour will always put a smile on your face. It's hard to choose from the tempting range of sweet and savoury buns – from rhubarb, rose and sumac to shatta and cheddar. bunheadbakery.com Blas, Victoria Park Blas is the new kid on the Victoria Park block, giving stalwart Pavilion a run for its money. The modest red-tiled hut, perfectly situated for runners finishing their routes, is rooted in local history, housed in a former chapel turned rangers’ hut. The serving hatch, finished in a pop of striking Rosewood Red, is a nod to the building’s past, while the modern line-up features all the big-hitters, from cinnamon buns and maritozzi to soft serve in the summer (think Estate Dairy cereal milk topped with cornflake crunch). Blas prides itself on spotlighting guest roasters, with a selection of retail coffees from each roaster, along with a rotating filter menu showcasing each coffee in its best form. instagram.com/blaslondon The Engine House Café, Walthamstow Wetlands This Grade II listed building – originally a sewage pumping station built in 1885 – now houses an elegant café where you can fill up on bagels and freshly roasted coffee by north London specialist roasters Liberty Coffee. Offering a peaceful escape from the city within the wetlands, there's seating within the exposed brick walls of the original Victorian building, or head out to the terrace for birdwatching and enviable reserve views to match. wildlondon.org.uk/cafes Pear Tree Cafe, Battersea Park (and Clapham Common and Lincoln's Inn Fields) This sun-dappled spot boasts a prime position overlooking Battersea Park’s pretty boating lake. Lakeside views aside, brunch is a popular occasion here, with a menu that refreshes the classics with bold, luxurious twists. Buttermilk pancakes are topped with apple and blackberry compote, whipped vanilla mascarpone and toasted almonds, sourdough is slathered in marmite and parmesan-flavoured Bold Beans and smashed avocado arrives heaped onto sourdough alongside feta, basil oil, chilli oil and watermelon radish – an olive favourite. At weekends, there's flaky pastries and coffee from Triple Roast. Since you're in the area, it would be remiss to skip a trip to Mahali & Co bakery, located on the park's perimeter – its creative pandan and coconut cruffins are not to be missed. Coal House Café, Woodberry Wetlands Housed in a stylish, Grade II listed former coal house, this waterside café is a local gem for those in the know. Boasting a rooftop patio, desirable waterside views and sizeable garden, it does a good job at enticing Londoners into leafy spaces before they've even looked for the menu. The rooftop patio and garden are superb spots for sunny London weekends, while the indoor space is cosy in the cooler months. The menu covers a satisfying selection of toasties, seasonal soups and freshly baked pastries. Coffee is freshly roasted in north London each week by Liberty Coffee. wildlondon.org.uk/cafes The Serpentine Lido Café, Hyde Park Hyde Park's iconic Serpentine Lido Café sits right by the water, making it one of central London's most picturesque coffee spots. It's an A1 position for ice cream in the warmer months, but you’ll also find a comforting menu of creamy burrata salads, club sandwiches and nduja poached eggs, perfect for catering to your foodie needs without having to leave the park. Families, locals and city explorers all make use of the café’s ample outdoor seating. Being in central, it can get busy on weekends, but the lakeside views and the hum of Hyde Park life are ample reward. Add it to your list for next time you're in the West End and need refuelling. royalparks.org.uk/serpentine-lido-cafe
The UK is awash with fantastic street food stalls selling everything from Venezuelan arepas to vegan kebabs, so we've rounded-up our pick of the best available
Want to try the best street-food in the UK? Here's our pick of the best food trucks, stalls and market halls, with culinary delights ranging from vegan kebabs, British-Indian comfort food, loaded cheesecakes and more. For more street food inspiration check out the best street food in London. Best street food in London and South East The Orange Buffalo, various locations Deemed the best wings in London by its loyal fans, The Orange Buffalo is the product of school friends, Nick and Mike, who travelled across America and decided to bring a piece of it back. In 2012, The Orange Buffalo became the UK’s first dedicated buffalo wing food truck, selling glistening wings, stacked burgers and funky variations including a spin on brunch (fried chicken benedict, anyone?). Locations in Soho, Tooting and Hoxton. theorangebuffalo.com Click here to read about the best street-food stalls in London Pockets, Netil Market Head to Netil Market in East London for your lunchtime Pocket fix (and thank us later). This little falafel stall delivers on big flavours, with its soft and springy pittas full of flavourful layers: think crispy hot falafel, cabbage salad, lashings of sauce and hummus. The final topping comes in the form of a potato slice, coated in batter and fried. instagram.com/pockets_uk Guasa, various locations Guasa is bringing a Venezuelan food experience to the London street food scene. Try its popular artisan Venezuelan arepas made with naturally gluten-free white corn, with fillings spanning teriyaki-style jackfruit, marinated chicken, buffalo beef and more. Yuca fries, served golden and crispy, also grace the menu, as well as Venezuelan rum and cocktails with a twist. guasagroup.com Eat Lah, various locations Malaysian street food stall Eat Lah is based across a handful of London street food markets, including Design District Canteen, Victoria Park and Brockley Market. The bright blue stall is famous for its hot fresh nasi kerabu, a blue-hued rice salad topped with plenty of veg and garnished with herbs, grated coconut, fish crackers and its own spicy sambal. eatlah.co.uk Best street food in the South West Big Nath's BBQ, Bristol Find Big Nath serving homemade locally sourced sweet smokey BBQ at Bristol's Harbourside. Expect smoked beef brisket, chimichurri chicken and dirty fries loaded with mac and cheese, pulled pork, mustard, pickles and crumbled sausage. For pud, there's deep-fried Oreos topped with Hersheys chocolate sauce. bignathsbbq.co.uk The Smoked Vegan, various locations Head to Bristol's Harbourside market to find The Smoked Vegan serving plant-based and home smoked street food, including 24-hour jerk, 10-hour smoked tofu tacos, beetroot and black-bean burgers, and smoked BBQ jackfruit gyros. bristoleats.co.uk/the-smoked-vegan Ah Ma's Dumplings, Bristol Anita Cheung is on a mission to popularise fresh, delicate, full-flavoured Cantonese cooking. A regular at several Bristol markets, Anita’s silky, ginger-laced prawn, scallop and leek dumplings or her slow-roasted pork belly bao will wow everyone who tastes them. ahmasdumplings.com The Little Taquero, Bristol Bristol-based street-food truck The Little Taquero serves up Mexican and Central American-inspired dishes. Expect soft corn tortillas piled high with refried beans and tender pork shoulder or pieces of snapper fish topped with spicy jalapeño and guacamole. thelittletaquero.co.uk Best street food in the Midlands Phata Phat, Birmingham Catch Phata Phat serving its colourful British-Indian comfort food at various markets across the Midlands, with lip-smacking dishes including butter chicken poutine, loaded lamb keema fries and cauliflower poutine. Check out its Instagram for highlights and event updates. phata-phat.co.uk Urban Cheesecake, Herbert's Yard Urban Cheesecake serve fully loaded cheesecakes out of a converted horsebox at Herbert's Yard, a street food venue, cafe, market and community space from the team behind @digbethdiningclub. They're the most popular sweet trader at the venue. Tuck into what has been described as “Black Forest gateau on steroids” – a cheesecake loaded with black cherry, chocolate brownies, chocolate ganache and crumbled chocolate. instagram.com/urbancheesecakeuk Buddha Belly, Hockley Social Club Find this award-winning Thai street food vendor at Hockley Social Club every Thursday-Sunday, with standout dishes including deep-fried mango and sriracha wings, Thai-fried chicken, beef massaman and, for vegans, the Southern Thai vegan curry – a warming bowl bursting with bamboo shoots and plenty of crunchy veg. buddhabellystreetfood.co.uk Habaneros, Birmingham Located in Birmingham's Great Western Arcade, catch Habaneros dispensing top-quality burritos Monday to Friday, packed with slow-cooked beans, salsas, hot sauces and chipotle slaw. Look out for specials such as slow-cooked mutton or try its tasty pulled pork. It uses free-range Saddleback pigs from 19 Gales farm near Tamworth. instagram.com/habanerocafe Find out where else to eat and drink in Birmingham Best street food in the North Cubanitos, Manchester Spicy latino hot dogs, hot pressed Cuban sandwiches and pico de gallo all grace the exciting menu at Cubanitos, inspired by Cuban/Miami surf street food. Find them in the city centre or at various street food markets. instagram.com/cubanitosmcr Chit 'n' Chaat, Liverpool You can find Chit 'n' Chaat putting its unique spin on popular Indian dishes across Manchester's many food markets, with flavours inspired by parts of both North & South India. Mumbai’s most famous street food snack is a must – a layered Bombay grilled sandwich filled with spiced potato, cucumber, cheese, tomato and chutneys. instagram.com/chit_n_chaat/ Döner Summer, Sheffield, Leeds, York and more Expect funky, inventive and 100% vegan spins on junk food at Döner Summer, with burgers, kebabs and explosive 'combo boxes' – try the Hot Hunny combo box, where spicy 'buttermylk fried chick’n' is coated in Hot Hunny sauce, topped with fresh chilli and sesame, skin on fries dusted in spicy seasoning and jalapeño slaw, finished with spring onions and sesame. instagram.com/donersummer Eat like a Greek, Manchester Transport yourself to Greece with Ruth Petralifis and husband Michalis's grilled souvlaki meat wraps. The meats is sourced locally, but marinated in organic olive oil, herbs and spices from the Petralifis’s family farm on the island of Samos. Find out where you can find it next eatlikeagreek.co.uk. Manjit's Kitchen, Yorkshire Such is Manjit's Kitchen's popularity these days that you'll find the team serving its signature vegetarian Punjabi street food both in Leeds Kirkgate Market and in its own permanent store on Kirkstall Road. The menu is a modern twist on favourite flavours, with paneer tikka flatbreads and parsnip crisps with Desi ketchup. @Manjitskitchen Click here for more places to eat and drink in Leeds The coolest street food markets and halls across the UK… Arcade Food Hall, London Centre Point's Arcade Food Hall by JKS Restaurants favours table service over queues, with tempura prawn sandos, shawarma wraps and jelly trifles on offer; arcadefoodhall.com Grub, Manchester Manchester's largest street food event, with a feast of independent street-food, DJs, workshops, weekly bottomless brunches and more; grubmcr.com The GPO, Liverpool Choose from over 400 dishes at Liverpool's largest food market, from Nashville fried chicken to Cantonese roasts and customisable bubble tea; the-gpo.co.uk Netil Market, London This hip East London market is home to a cluster of popular stalls, including pittas at Pockets and juicy beef tacos at Sonora Taquería; eatworkart.com/netil-market Digbeth Dining Club, Birmingham Birmingham's original street food market with venues including Hockley Social Club and Herbert's Yard; digbethdiningclub.co.uk Bang Bang Oriental, London A trip to Bang Bang Oriental in Colindale, a vast food court serving pan-Asian food, is well worth the journey; bangbangoriental.com Hawker Market at By The River Brew Co, Newcastle Weekend food market serving street food staples, such as Asian fusion, wood-fired pizza and Mexican street food; bytheriverbrew.co/hawkers-market Peddler Market, Sheffield Street food vendors inside a huge ex-industrial warehouse serving Philly cheese steaks, vegan shawarma kebabs and more; peddlerwarehouse.com/peddler-market The Harbourside Street Food Market, Bristol Sourdough pizzetas and Texan-style BBQ can be found at this market located on Bristol's picturesque waterfront; buoyevents.co.uk/harbourside-street-food-market Nottingham Street Food Club, Nottingham Independent street food with a rotation of traders each weekend, with the likes of Thai, Sri Lankan and Middle Eastern cuisine on offer; streetfoodclub.co.uk Shelter Hall, Brighton Buzzing food market located on the seafront featuring seven permanent kitchens and two craft beer, wine and cocktail bars; shelterhall.co.uk/food Market Hall West End, London A three-storey space with 11 kitchens, four bars and room for 900 diners, this is UK’s largest food market; markethalls.co.uk At The Market Ltd, Edinburgh Top weekly outdoor markets based in Stockbridge, Grassmarket, Leith and Potterrow; stockbridgemarket.com Kerb, London Saving the capital’s office workers from sad lunches in Seven Dials, Canary Wharf and more; kerbfood.com Depot, Cardiff Weekly Saturday warehouse shindig with Welsh street food stars and events including Bingo Lingo and gin discos; depotcardiff.com foodPark, Cambridge Roving weekly lunchtime markets serving loaded hot dogs, churros and more, as well as pop-up parties after-dark; foodparkcam.com More UK restaurant guides Best restaurants in Deal Best restaurants in Birmingham Best restaurants in St Albans Best restaurants in Bristol Best restaurants in Edinburgh Best restaurants in York Best restaurants in Whitstable Best restaurants in Oxford Best restaurants in Cambridge Best restaurants in Margate Best restaurants in Manchester Best restaurants in Glasgow Best restaurants in the Lake District Best restaurants in Brighton