After an eight-hour flight overseas, I arrived in London, England on a chilly Sunday morning.
As I stood in Heathrow Airport, I felt a mix of excitement and nervousness. After all, visiting London had been a long-time dream of mine, and it was finally happening. Outside was cool and dewy, with the sun just beginning to rise. As I waited for a taxi to take me to my hotel, I couldn't help but feel a flutter of butterflies in my stomach.
During my 45-minute journey, I took it all in. I passed by some historic sites and got a sense of the local neighborhoods. I didn’t realize how big of a city London was. It felt like the longest drive, but I was thrilled because I knew this was just the start of a wonderful adventure.
“Your airport outfit is important and don’t let others tell you differently.”
Westminster
The Westminster area is an absolute must-see and was high priority on my list. I was amazed by the iconic monuments at Trafalgar Square, and the Houses of Parliament with its clock tower and the ringing of the Big Ben bell over the River Thames was truly a sight to behold. These landmarks are an important part of London's rich history, and I feel lucky to have experienced them firsthand.
The London Eye, also known as the Millennium Wheel, is a cantilevered observation wheel located on the South Bank of the River Thames in London. As Europe's tallest cantilevered observation wheel, it offers unparalleled views of the city and is a must-visit attraction for tourists.
I got lost and discovered that my favorite block in London is Regent Street. This bustling street is located in the West End of London and is a major shopping destination. It is named after George, the Prince Regent, and is home to many of my favorite stores. The opulent atmosphere of Regent Street captured my heart, and I highly recommend it to anyone who loves international shopping.
Views of East London
London’s Night Life
I was lucky enough to have a colleague who was born and raised in London show me around the city at night. She took me to a restaurant and bar called Novikov, which was an amazing experience. This three-floor establishment has a see-and-be-seen type of atmosphere that is truly electric. I ordered a delicious creamy lobster pasta with an espresso martini, and it was love at first bite. While it's not exactly cheap, I can definitely say that Novikov is worth the hype.
I also made my way inside this very chic, dimly lit basement members-only bar in SOHO during my trip. This spot is famous for its creative cocktails and comfortable leather booths. The music and ambiance of the place transported me back in time, which was a unique experience. If you're interested in experiencing this bar, you'll have to get in line and add your name to the waitlist. Trust me, it's definitely worth the wait!
NOTTING HILL
Notting Hill is a vibrant and trendy area of London that caters to all tastes. You can enjoy casual cafes that line the bohemian Portobello Road, which is famous for its busy market selling antiques and vintage fashion. For a more upscale experience, head to the high-end restaurants and upscale boutiques that cluster around Westbourne Grove.
Notting Hill is a trendy and expensive neighborhood in London with brightly colored buildings, music venues, theaters, and boutique shops. It's an upscale area with a unique and hip vibe that's definitely worth exploring.
And if you're lucky enough to be in London during the annual Notting Hill Carnival, you'll be treated to parades and calypso music that reflect the area's Caribbean roots. Overall, Notting Hill is a must-visit destination for anyone looking for a unique and exciting experience.
PRADA CAFFÈ
Prada Caffe is a dreamy pastel-colored cafe that exceeded my expectations. Instead of Breakfast at Tiffany's, I had the pleasure of enjoying coffee and chocolate at this stunning spot. If you're in London, you absolutely must visit Harrods, a luxury department store located on Brompton Road in Knightsbridge.
EL&N CAFE
EL&N London is the most Instagrammable cafe in the world, and it completely left me speechless. The design and colors of this place are overwhelming, and I found myself wanting to capture every detail while also taking it all in. After an impromptu photo shoot, I ordered a slice of delicious chocolate cake and an iced matcha latte. I went back multiple times because I couldn't get enough of their fresh and delightful cakes. With many locations across the city, it's easy to find an EL&N cafe. I recommend the Wardour St location near SOHO.
MY TOP 5 LONDON RESTAURANTS
I have to admit, after 32 years, I had never tried real sushi until I visited this Japanese restaurant in London. I'm talking about Shake, Maguro, and Hiramasa, not your typical California roll. Everything I tried was absolutely delicious, and I highly recommend adding this spot to your list. I visited the Shoreditch location, but there are plenty of locations across the city to choose from. If you're a fan of sushi, you won't want to miss this experience.
Across the street from my hotel, there was this amazing Indian restaurant that caught my attention. As soon as I stepped inside, I was welcomed with the enticing aroma of freshly ground spices that was nothing short of heavenly. The simplicity of the room, with framed art and white tablecloths, added to the charm of the place, and I knew right then that I had made the right choice.
For my dinner, I ordered chana masala, chicken tikka masala, and naan at the Indian restaurant. As I relished my meal, I observed the tables nearby and enjoyed my own company. The freshness of the food was the first thing that caught my attention, and I could tell that the quality of the meal was top-notch. Every bite was rich and flavorful, and the experience left me craving Indian food every single day after that.
Enat Guada
When it comes to Ethiopian food, I consider myself a true connoisseur. I have tried some of the best Ethiopian food in Addis Ababa, Brooklyn, Houston, and Chicago, but the Ethiopian food in London was unlike anything I had tried before.
I ordered a variety of Ethiopian dishes including Kehk Wot (yellow split pea stew), Misser Wot (red split lentil stew), carrot and potato, sautéed spinach, and Shiro Wot (spiced chickpea stew). My go-to dish is usually the vegan or vegetarian platter which include some of the items I ordered.
The meal was so delicious and filling that I left feeling extremely satisfied. What's more, the food was also quite affordable. Although I had to travel to South London by bus and walk a few blocks to get there, it was totally worth it.
Terry's Cafe was an absolute delight. It was a classic, family-run restaurant with a local feel. The diner had an old-school charm, which made me fall in love with the place. The red interior, 60's music, and photographs of celebrities on the wall contributed to its anachronistic ambiance.
As soon as I entered Terry's Cafe, I was greeted by Terry's son, who was one of the nicest English men I had ever met. His warm welcome made me feel right at home.
I ordered The Full English breakfast at Terry's Cafe, which comprised fried eggs, bacon, Cumberland sausage, black pudding, baked beans, grilled tomatoes, mushrooms, and hash browns. Although it was something new for me, it was everything I wanted in a breakfast. Every bite was scrumptious, and I was amazed to see that people ate beans for breakfast. I devoured everything on my plate.
I decided to treat myself to some afternoon tea at Sketch. The restaurant used to be known for its pink interiors that were adorned with original artwork by David Shrigley, but it has since undergone a luxurious transformation.
The new design, created by India Mahdavi and Yinka Shonibare, is absolutely stunning. The space The Gallery has been transformed into a modern magical wonderland with beautiful golden and sunny hues. It's truly a sight to behold!
The assorted sandwiches were delicious, with my personal favorites being the Coronation Chicken, Cucumber & Egg Mayonnaise, Salmon & Ricotta, and Croque Monsieur. The sweets were equally delightful and I thoroughly enjoyed the Pineapple & Chilli Cheesecake, Sea Buckthorn Battenberg, Exotic Tart, Hazelnut Eclair, Chocolate & Coffee Macaron, and Grapefruit Marshmallow. Everything was perfect.
Catch up on my full experience on my recent blog post Afternoon Tea at Sketch in London
Leaving London was hard…
I had a wonderful time in my new favorite city, but leaving London was hard.
As I packed my suitcase and make my way back to the airport, I felt a mix of emotions. On one hand, it's always tough to leave a place I’ve grown to love. But on the other hand, I’m grateful for the experiences I had with myself there.
Although I didn’t hit up all the places and attractions on my list, there's always next time. I’ll be back soon, ready to explore even more of what this incredible city has to offer.
Next stop, Paris!