Hi everyone - I’m travelling from AU and will be in London for 2.5 days in Feb after having lived there some years ago. I’m staying at The Pilgrim in Paddington and would appreciate any recommendations from this community. I’m travelling solo so any foodie suggestions where I can book a restaurant bar spot (or are just generally ok spots to dine solo), keen for a little shop and some culture (have booked Hamilton). I’m also an interiors fanatic. I love walking as well, so keen to explore and defamiliarise myself with what was my home for 4 years! Will be jumping the Eurostar to Paris for a few days, so any similar themed recommendations welcome again. Thanks everyone! 
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From Paddington its really nice to walk along the canals either towards notting hill (you enter out near Golbourne Road which is a really fun area). Or towards Camden. If you go towards Camden its nice to walk through Coal Drops Yard then head north to hamstead/ dartmouth park area. Hamstead heath is really nice for walking around and going to cafes/ charity shops.
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Ooh how lovely! For a solo supper, The Dover is such a nice option. The Vesper bar within The Dorchester is also SO pretty for a drink - defo one to consider if you love interiors x
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I recently went to Paris & would recommend:
Chez Alain Miam Mias for amazing sandwhiches & galettes
Also, not far is a gorgeous coffee shop called Sevenly Heart
The concept store Merci is also so cool for chic interiors bits & if you’re looking for a really good pastry; French Bastards & Gramme
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I love going for a walk around Primrose Hill! There are so many shops and coffee/bagel spots along the street, I love Sam’s Cafe for breakfast - and then you can walk up to Regent’s Park where there’s also a farmers market some Saturdays
It’s also super close to Camden if it gets to evening for restaurants/pubs, I recently went to a restaurant called Bintang around there which was really good food!
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This sounds so fun, hope you have the best time!
I recently went to Paris on a solo trip for a few days, and stayed at a lovely hotel with a fab rooftop view of the Sacre Coeur - Hotel Rochechouart.
A few fun things that I did ;
- Went to the Alaia Foundation
- Ate at Chez Janou and tried the infamous Chocolate Mouse (a must!!)
- Went to some great magazine shops, I always get so much outfit and lifestyle inspo from cool magazines stores, especially ones in other countries!, my fav was - Smith And Son
x
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For Paris, there are so many good spots to dine solo! Lolo cave a manger, Carboni’s, Bistro Paul Bert, Django, Buvette. Season, Saint Pearl, Cali uptown for brunch. Cosi is a great sandwich shop if you want a great takeout lunch! Rue Sainte-Anne is a little Tokyo with lots of great Japanese food, I recommend Kunitoraya Udon Bar, Kodawari Ramen, Hando Hand Roll Bar, Doki Hand Roll Bar.
For shopping, Bobby, Nuovo & Relique for vintage; Le Bon Marche is always a must!
So many great bakeries: Mamiche, Le Pain Retrouve, The French Bastards, Babka Zana, Cedric Grolet.
Cafes: Cafe Nuances, Kitsune, White Cafe, Fleurette, Carette, Cafe Coutume
Fondation Alaia, Fondation Louis Vuitton, Fondation Yves Saint Laurent are all great to visit if you’re into fashion. Obviously Musee D’Orsay & the Louvre, but Musee Rodin & Musee Picasso are also great!
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Definitely recommend Notting Hill, they have so may gorgeous shops for fashion and interiors. Great coffee shops too. Marlybone and Covent Gardens is a great area too x