The DL: London, the smaller, cleaner European version of NYC. I fell in love with London when I visited for the first time this fall. I can’t wait to go back in the spring and spend more time exploring. I spent a week in the area of Soho and then visited some outside of the city so this guide will be focused on Soho.
Soho is home to younger crowd that enjoys good food, hopping from pub to pub all night and seeing live entertainment (west end shows, live music, etc.)
How to get around:
I flew into Heathrow airport and took the tube (local transit) to my hotel in soho. I found it a bit confusing and for the price just ubered back. The train was easy to take around London or even out to the country so wouldn’t rule it out but if you have a lot of luggage its not the easiest.
Uber works in London, the cute black cabs tend to be more expensive, or take the famous red double decker buses (you can use Apple Pay!)
Where to Stay in Soho London:
A lot of the London hotels are tiny and I mean TINY, worse than NYC hotels. Also be careful because some of the more affordable ones don’t even have windows.
- Mimis – cute, but small and more affordable. Fun bar in the lobby and great location. (stay here over the z hotel) $$
- Sofitel St James $$$
- Ham Yard Hotel $$$
- Soho hotel $$$
- Resident hotel $$
- Kettners Townhouse $$
Where to Eat in Soho London:
- Hawksmoor – Classic London Steakhouse
- Polpo Soho – Italian
- Flat Iron – Steakhouse with super cheap prices
- Bills Soho – European
- Blanchette – French
- Shack-Fuyu Soho
- San Carlo – Italian
- La mia Mamma – Italian (a little outside of Soho)
- Estarios Milos – Greek
- OKA Chelsea (outside of Soho)
- Mayfair Chippy – fish and chips
- L’Eto – Pastries and tea
Where to Drink:
- The three greyhounds – pub
- Swift Soho- top 50 bars in the world (get the Irish coffee)
- Mr Foggs House of Botanical
- L’eto – Coffee and tea
- The Little Scarlet room
- Blind pig – didn’t get a chance to go but recommended
- Disrepute
- Experimental Cocktail Club
- The Mulwray – didn’t get a chance to go but recommended
- Soma
- The Connaught bar
Also love these options from CN Traveler.
What to do in Soho London:
There is so much to see and do just walking around and exploring in Soho or surrounding areas:
- Oxford Street
- Chinatown
- Mayfair
- Piccadilly Circus
- Covent Garden
- Kensington
- Paddington
- See a show in the west end, I saw Mary Poppins!
- Shop the many big stores down regent street (H+M homes is a surprising one worth visiting)
- Walk over to Buckingham palace
- Grab some local tea
- Shop around Harrods
- Take a day trip on the train to neighboring towns
There is something for everyone and it is easy to tailor your trip to what you want to do. It is very similar to NYC and a direct quick flight makes it great even for an extra long weekend trip.
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