Our Trip to London England, Including Where We Stayed, Ate & Drank {no tourists in sight}

{Notting Hill}

While our time in London, England was short (a mere three days, give or take!) , I feel confident that we made the very most of it. We stayed at the Point A hotel in Shoreditch, and while the rooms were teeny tiny, and you had to pay extra for a window (did anyone else know this is a thing?) the price was definitely right, window and all, and I can’t recommend the area highly enough. I’ve been told that it’s a bit of an up and coming neighbourhood, and while there are a few dodgier elements… it has so much charm and character, and its central location made getting from place to place a breeze. We were also delighted to have discovered that most of the eateries on our laundry list of spots to check out were virtually within walking distance. And lets be honest, our main goal when we travel is typically to eat our way through each locale, and then waste time in an attempt to digest before our next meal.

After a day to explore just Justin and I, our friends Stephen and Alex met up with us for a 48 hour adventure prior to our next destination. And truth be told, on this particular leg of our journey, we truly did nothing touristy. Harry and Meaghan and will simply have to wait to see us on our next London adventure, it seems. And while the Type A in me would usually be bummed by the fact that we missed a good chunk (okay all) of the sites, we honestly had just the very best time and I’m beginning to think that the “must-not-misses” in London aren’t all that necessary after all.

While Big Ben and Westminster Abbey were admittedly left sight unseen, we did manage to grab an iced latte and meander through Hyde Park after a long and leisurely brunch at Daylesford, which was wonderful. Nottinghill still made our list too, as did the Portobello market which was a lovely way to spend a morning.

Justin and I also snuck in a wonderful date night at Flour & Grape, which was a wonderful alternative when we realized there was no way we were going to get into Padella (I’m still a little devastated about that one). We also enjoyed the most delicious Indian lunch at Dishoom – a spot that I truly cannot recommend highly enough (their cocktails alone are an entire adventure).

On Saturday we met up with some local friends who showed us the ropes at the Broadway market – a tiny street lined with live music, fish mongers, flower stalls, and the most incredible food stands (and tiny coffee shops) maybe ever, which was truly the VERY best way to spend a day.

And when we weren’t over indulging on the food front (yes, my new eating habits QUICKLY went out the window, I have to admit), we spent our time imbibing at Ye Olde Cheshire Cheese, one of the oldest pubs in London (rumoured to still be haunted by a 12 year old sex worker named Millie). That alone was a pretty unique experience, and one I most definitely recommend.

All in all, it was a wonderful journey, and I know with the utmost certainty that we are most definitely not done with London. Not by a longshot.

PS: I’m sharing a master list of where we stayed & ate,
including what we’re still dying to try next time, below!

{My Top | My Glasses | My Necklace | Justin’s Shirt}

{Notting Hill}

{Portobello Road Market}

{The Shops on Portobello Road}

{shoreditch}

{Daylesford}

{coffee in hyde park}

{Saturday at the broadway market}

{the shops at the market}

{live music at the market}

{my (wrinkly) top | jeans | purse}

{one of the oldest pubs in london}

{imbibing at the haunted ye old cheshire cheese}

Where We Stayed

Point A Hotel, Shoreditch

Where We Ate

Flour & Grape
(lovely Italian)
The Smoking Goat
(fabulous Thai – their cocktails are also next level)
Andina
(though I don’t really recommend this one – our meal was just okay)
Dishoom
(definitely our favourite!!)
Daylesford
(a cute breakfast spot in Nottinghill)
Brick Lane Beigel Bake
(get the salt beef bagel and thank me later)

If you’re curious, these are still on our list for next time
(sadly we could only ingest so much, so these guys will have to wait)

Zuma
Padella
Oklava
St. John Bread & Wine
Rochelle Canteen
Som Saa
Morito
Burro y Salvia