LONDON

Charm, Flourish and Whimsy

Observational Overview

💰Payment	​🚃 Transit	​🙇🏻‍♂️ Tip	🎙Language
Pounds Credit Cards Apple Pay Google Pay	Oyster Card Apple Pay Google Pay	Automatically charged service fees at restaurants.	English
​👓 Norms	💃🏻 Wear	👟 Walkability	​🙏🏼 Thank you
​Punctual, polite and generally good sense of personal space.	Business casual with some comfort. Women with dresses and men in t-shirts and jeans.	Decent amount, buses and the tube will get you longer distances.	​"Cheers" "Thank you"

Disclaimers

Experience Level: 20 days

Last Visited: June 2022

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Do these things

Some memorable shopping and browsing.

V&A

One of our favorite museums that have consistently had showed some unconventional exhibits. On different trips, they have showcased everything from Food, Christian Dior, Alice in Wonderland, Africa Fashion, and Beatrix Potter. I usually check prior to my trip to see what is showing to see if it is worth popping in. They also have a permeant collection of UK national treasures ranging from ceramics, sculpture, paintings, and textiles.

Harrods

Just a 6 min walk from V&A, sander over to Harolds one of London's most luxurious department stores. You can find everything from clothings, furniture, to a grocery store. Even if you are not looking for anything in particular, it's just fun to walk through the floors and find things displayed in the most posh manner. I tend to gravitate towards their Fortum and Mason biscuits for a gift to take home because their tin containers usually manage the trip. (Mini Tip: If you are in a hurry they also sell Fortum and Mason biscuits at Duty Free in Heathrow Airport.)

Borough Market

This felt like a quintessential London experience. Surrounded by brick buildings, vendors with stalls will sell you local bites, wares and goods. I especially loved how authentically local the energy felt as I was walking through the space.

Brick Lane

On the totally opposite spectrum, Brick Lane is one of the quirkiest market areas in London. It is known for their vintage fashion, street vendors and hidden food spots. You will find explosive street art and a couple of recognizable Banksy pieces tucked away in different walls.

Present & Correct

Designer's dream stationary shop selling very iconic and meticulous items. Worth stopping by if you are in the area to indulge in color, pastels, lines and embossed gold serifs.

Sketch

This teahouse is a designer's fun house of color and theme. The tearoom is an immersive flower jungle that turns into a cocktail bar at night. The dining space (formally pink) is now a yellow dream. And of course, the infamous bathroom with alien space pods you often find posted on Instagram. If you are a planner, try to book a table otherwise sometimes you can find a lucky spot in the cocktail lounge. I haven't eaten the food here but can vouch for the space.

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Eat these things

Some memorable and delicious things

Coal Office

Explorative Middle Eastern eats with a modern twist. They also have tasteful gin infused with different herbs, selection of lamb and fish that we enjoyed. See Menu

Smokestak

I'm not usually one to crave for BBQ, but their meat was really tender and their elote (I'm a huge sucker for corn) was probably one of the best I've ever had. Flavor was rich and smoky. See Menu

Dishoom

Everyone talks about it. Probably should go at least once. They have very solid Indian food modeled after traditional Bombay Cafes. What is the hype about? Well, probably should go check it out for yourself! See Menu