Meet Your Local Experts

Monkfish at Vintry and Mercer

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I have had the sirloin before, which is wonderful, but the monkfish is unbelievable. The flavor is superb. You're also going to get quality, seasonal ingredients, many of which come from local producers.
Alice, Food Writer

Schnitzel at The Wolseley

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I have long memories of family Sunday lunches here. It's beautiful, classy, and well situated. You might even spot a celebrity here. My favorite dish is the schnitzel, served with lingonberry compote.
Harry, Historian

Jellied Eels at F. Cooke

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F. Cooke keeps the tradition of jellied eels alive. The freshness of the eels and the perfect seasoning make it a standout. It's a dish that truly represents London’s culinary history.
Dr. Elizabeth, Food Historian

Afternoon Tea at Fortnum & Mason

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Fortnum & Mason’s afternoon tea is the epitome of elegance. The scones, pastries, and tea are all top-notch. It’s an experience that captures the sophistication of London.
Amelia, Cultural Expert

Chocolates at William Curley 

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It represents London at its best... It's old, it's new, it's innovating, but to me it feels genuine. It's quite upscale, but at the same time it's a very warm place. I've even seen William Curley washing dishes in the back when it was busy. Everyone here knows their chocolate, but they also are really connected to the work that they're doing. It's just a contagious, happy place, but also, chocolate.
Alice, Food Writer

Bermondsey

"What Bermondsey is very known for now the Beer Mile. Beer production happened all over London, but there were already a lot of important breweries in this area from the past. Under the archways of the railway are these different micro breweries, and those terms of production go back so many years. There are now new innovative productions, including mead and sake.

It's also understated. It is fairly central, and it is often called the Larder of London. It was the biggest food producer of London, and arguably of the UK, for a long time. So it has this big food history, which I enjoy.

It's right on the river, and in the past, was a part of a pilgrimage route. So there's a long medieval history here as well. There's a real mix of people, the area has really got a neighborhood feel, and I love living here because there's a lot of initiatives going on that make you feel like you're part of a community; that's important to me.”

 – Alice Venessa Bever

Shoreditch

"You can find some of the big Michelin star restaurants here; The Clove Club is a 2-star Michelin restaurant in this neighborhood. 

It's also a real melting pot of cultures, with the French houses, the Jewish and Muslim areas. And you'll see great paintings and street art mixed in amongst the history. Obviously Banksy is the best known, but you can find many different artists' works here. 

There's a real sense of excitement here–you never really know what you'll find around the corner."

 – Harry, Historian

Clerkenwell

"There is a lot of WWII history here, you can see the hospital where "The Reichenbach Fall" episode of Sherlock Holmes with Benedict Cumberbatch was filmed, and then there's Smithfield Market. Dickens lived around Smithfield, so you'll feel connected to Oliver Twist and Fagin. 

Look up at the buildings, which used to be workshops, and you'll still see the cranes and doors that would have opened to allow goods to go up. 

The Huguenots were also here, they did a lot of watchmaking. Clerkenwell is right next to the jewelry quarter, Hatton Garden, and there you can see the Hatton Garden Safe Deposit Company that was robbed by a group of old men in 2015."

– Harry, Historian

Brixton

"I love the market vibe in Brixton. I love food, and so I love the accessibility you have here to different fruits and vegetables, fish and meat from all over the world. 

You can find African and Asian ingredients, fresh fish coming from the UK... And there's always music, always conversations happening." 

 – Alice, Food Writer

Camden

"In my early 20s, I visited Camden for the first time, and it was a sensory overload. I remember stepping off the tube and immediately being hit by the aroma of street food—spicy curries, sizzling noodles, and sweet crepes. The market buzzed with energy, a vibrant mix of punks, artists, and tourists, each adding to the eclectic tapestry of the neighborhood.

Music blared from every corner. I stumbled upon a reggae band playing by the canal, their beats perfectly capturing Camden’s laid-back vibe. It felt like the whole neighborhood was alive with creativity and spontaneity.

The market stalls were overflowing with vintage clothing, quirky crafts, and unique antiques. I got lost in a maze of colors and textures, every turn revealing something new and exciting. Camden was raw, energetic, and utterly captivating—a place where creativity thrived and every visit promised a new adventure.”

– Oliver, Food Writer

Donlon Books 

"I love bookstores, and I love to be immersed in them. Donlon's Bookshop is special because it's so eclectic. I spend a lot of time working in the arts, and I find their collection inspirational. 

What they choose to publish is very selective. The works can be so different from each other, but there's a through line of quality, unique perspectives on various subjects, and I really appreciate that. 

People feel really connected to the shop. It's a community hub, it's a living bookstore... It's a lot of things. It's easy to see they're doing something that's serving people in a unique and sincere way."

– Alice, Food Writer

Algerian Coffee Store
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"It's very rare that you have a place that's still functioning as a store that has been there for so long with it feeling like a caricature. It's known for its coffee, but it has nearly as many teas in stock.

They're able to keep a real soul. You come in, they know you, and they're looking you in the eyes as they tell you about their coffees and teas. Everyone is quite invested in the product they're selling, and they respect the customer relationship. 

Originally, tea was the prevalant hot beverage in England. So the fact that there was this coffee place helps you understand that Soho was a big immigrant neighborhood, and those people were drinking coffee. They were a supplier for the immigrants. It gives you a tiny snapshot of the living heritage of this place. 

You can also get an espresso or a cappuccino. It's the cheapest in London, and it's excellent." 

– Alice, Food Writer

Lock & Co
Google Maps

"Churchill bought his hats here. There's a museum in the back where you can see miniature head shapes of famous people; there's Jackie Onassis, Charlie Chaplin, Princess Diana, Elton John. 

And there's a big book of orders, where you can see an order of the hats that he'd worn, along with a photo of him wearing his top hat from the shop when he got married at St. Margaret's church in Westminster.

Take a look at the clock when you stop in. It's from the 1600s and it tells the tides of the Thames so that the shippers and merchants would know when to catch the high tides to go back. The staff are lovely, they will naturally welcome you in."

– Harry, Historian

Berry Bros & Rudd
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"Ask to see the historical registers. You can see the handwritten record of Churchill's Christmas Eve purchase of three cases of champagne. 

There's also a a telegram from the White Star Company on the wall, because the Berry brothers had a consignment of wine that was on the Titanic when it went down. The telegram says 'You've lost three cases of wine' and there's no mention of the thousand people who died. It's a very interesting commerical telegram that was sent."

– Harry, Historian

Matthew Foster Jewelry
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"My wife is a jewelry dealer, and one of her friends recently opened a shop in Picadilly Arcade. It's absolutely beautiful. It's an art deco shop with lots of beautiful jewelry. 

If you want something a bit different, this is quite special and sweet. It is appointment only, so call ahead."

– Harry, Historian

Read

Bizzare London

Girl, Woman, Other

Shrines of Gaiety

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The Crown

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The Rest is History Podcast - London Week

Ladies Who London

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