First Timer in London

Life
1

Hello!

I will spend my birthday in London, and it’s my first time that I’m going. I’ll fly there with my boyfriend, during Friday Oct 20, and we’ll stay until Monday 23 Oct.

We like to drink and dine, visit bakeries, but also slow promenads. My boyfriend has been to London six times before, whereas I have never been.

My birthday dinner is already planned, which is Friday evening, but otherwise, we have no other plans. We will live in the Chelsea area.

Any suggestions, relatively cheap, of what to do or where to go for a first timer in London? :blush: Perhaps any roof-top bar with great views? A must-see theater play? An artistic café?

I’d like to see some well-loved places, but also hidden gems. I’m fully open to any recommendations!

Thank you for your help! :smiling_face_with_three_hearts:

2 Likes
2

Hello! This is our definitive list of the best London restaurants across categories, so is definitely worth a look for ideas:

https://sheerluxe.com/culture/restaurants-bars/best-restaurants-in-london

1 Like
3

For the bakery/cafe, I’d recommend Luci:

https://www.instagram.com/reel/Cv7iZeOIrfs/?igshid=M2MyMzgzODVlNw%3D%3D

The Culpepper near Shoreditch has a cool rooftop garden for drinks and nibbles:

https://www.theculpeper.com/rooftop/

I’d also recommend the Sky Garden at the top of the Fenchurch building even though the drinks and nibbles aren’t cheap, the views on a clear day in the hours before sunset are breathtaking:

https://skygarden.london/

Hope you have a memorable time and all the best for your birthday!

1 Like
4

Thank you! I shall definitely look into it :smiley:

1 Like
5

Thank you so much! I will definitely check them out, it sounds amazing with viewing the sunset :smiley:

6

If you are in Chelsea, you’re not far and an easy walk to galleries in South Kensington. The V&A is gorgeous with plenty of free content as well as great exhibitions. It has a pretty cafe too.

I recommend a cute wine shop and bar called Mother Vine in Chelsea, on a street just off Sloane Square. Great wine by the glass or bottle, on a Friday they have 20% off champagne and sparkling wine 5-7pm. https://mothervine.co.uk/

If you like galleries and arty things, the newly re-vamped National Portrait Gallery is great. Plenty of free interesting parts and good restaurants/cafe. The upstairs restaurant has views over Trafalgar Square - you could just go for a glass of wine at the bar. The lower lever bistro/bar is cute too (Larry’s). You’re also near areas like Covent Garden from there, or if you fancy a glass of wine somewhere really quirky one of the oldest wine bars in London is Gordon’s, just by Charing Cross near the Nat. Portrait Gallery. https://www.gordonswinebar.com/

East London has Columbia Road market on a Sunday, and cute shops along the road, cafes and good gastropubs in the area. Borough Market in just along the South Bank and a good spot foodies - with great restaurants and bars too. Elliot’s is one of my favourites!

I could write for days as there are so many things to do! Hope you have a wonderful time.

Markets are fun

1 Like
7

I would highly recommend The Connaught Patisserie! As Instagram-able as delicious :cake:

Linked here!

2 Likes
8

Thank you so much for all your recommendations! We will definitely check out any museum :smile:

9

It looks amazing, thank you for the recommendation! We love a pastry as delicious as photo-friendly :wink:

1 Like