I've been to London a handful of times but this was my first summer there. For a week we enjoyed 75 degree weather without a drop of rain. We tanned on the rooftop of Shoreditch House (pictured below), ate on Dishoom's pretty outdoor patio and rode bikes in Kensington Gardens. It was enough to make me seriously consider moving there for a couple (moderately sunny) months.
WHERE WE ATE
Bao - Tiny Taiwanese diner in Soho known for their delicious baos (white steamed buns) filled with pork, lamb, fried chicken and more. Try to avoid the line by going a bit before lunch/dinner and without a group of people
Egg Break - All-day breakfast in Nottinghill that I fully intend on returning to. They have THE best matcha latte I have ever had. Try the crab cake with poached eggs
Farm Girl - Healthy, instagrammable cafe on Portobello Road that serves lavender lattes, blue matcha lattes and acai bowls
Bun House - Quick cafe in Soho that serves warm buns Cantonese-style. Stop by before watching Harry Potter & the Cursed Child
Sketch - Cute but cliché but cute. Unique restaurant in Mayfair with gorgeous rooms designed completely different from one another. Have afternoon tea in the Gallery if you like Instagram and spending $ on tiny sandwiches and desserts
Shoreditch House - Soho House's Shoreditch location in London. Member's only club with a pretty rooftop pool, restaurant and bar. Enjoy an ice-cold frozé on a sun bed by the pool during the warm months
Dishoom - Popular Bombay-style restaurant known for their delicious Indian food. They have many locations in London, but we only dined at their Shoreditch location, where we sat on a beautiful outdoor patio for breakfast and played Connect 4. I loved Dishoom almost immediately - their warm chai latte is the best I've had (and I LOVE chai lattes) and they donate a meal to a child in need for every meal served. My only regret is not coming here for dinner as everyone slid into my DM saying how Dishoom is one of their favorite restaurants in London.
WHERE WE SLEPT
Artist Residence - Cool boutique hotel in Pimlico with 10 uniquely designed rooms. Walking distance to cute cafes and restaurants as well as London's most popular tourist attractions. And you know that gorgeous double bathroom vanity with the marble countertops and gold mirrors you keep seeing on Pinterest and Instagram? It's in the Grand Suite of the Artist Residence
Ace Hotel - Fun, young hotel in Shoreditch that has a coffeeshop that offers oat milk, a co-working lobby space and old school photo booth. Walking distance to great restaurants (like Dishoom), cool shops and the famous Brick Lane Market filled with the best vintage finds
WHAT WE DID
Mostly walked around aimlessly in Knightsbridge (home of Harrods), Covent Garden, Shoreditch, Oxford Street, Notting Hill and more.
Harry Potter & the Cursed Child was really the only thing we had planned during our time in London. After reading the book version, I didn't expect much as it kind of sucked but wanted to see it anyway ever since it was announced. The reviews are great and we actually really enjoyed it. The play takes you to Hogwarts 19 years after the 7th book, following Harry Potter's son, Albus. It is presented in 2 parts so you have the choice to see both in one day or in two consecutive nights. I'd suggest the latter as the seats are teeny tiny and it's kind of a fun treat to be transported to the wizard world for two nights, while still having the daytime to explore London.
If you're a Potterhead like me, I'd suggest the Harry Potter Studio Tour - it shows the making of Harry Potter, where you'll see the sets, costumes and props... I got pretty emotional and spent way too much at the gift shop. It is a bit outside of London and pretty much takes up your whole day so make sure to plan for that.
