What makes you fall in love with a city like London? In short, the unexpected. Beyond its colonial heritage and history that has influenced the modern world, London is a city for the culturally curious. Unexpected communion between diverse communities, flavors, Nature, innovation, and a flair for the underground is at the heart of our Lost in London Guide. On your own trip, if you’re exploring right, you’ll uncover special spots far beyond this list—but here’s a guaranteed-great starting place.
EAT | DRINK | STAY | SEE/LEARN/PLAY | SHOP | BE IN NATURE
To Eat
KOL
Marylebone
Seriously inspired by regionality, meticulously sourced, and awarded up (Michelin-starred and one of the World’s 50 Best Restaurants)! Mexican culinary memories re-mixed with British ingredients define KOL’s prix fixe menu. Set inside a grand Oaxacan-inspired house and with a legit Mezcaleria next door offering a thoughtfully curated selection of tantalizing mezcals and tequilas, you feel, as we say in Mexico ‘en casa’.
Lisboeta
Fitzrovia
If you love the Spanish tapa, you’re going to adore the Portuguese petisco, small shareable plates inspired by a ‘Lisboeta’ living in London. Always leave room for dessert. The Olive Oil Cake is not to be missed, paired with a regional port from their eclectic wine list.
Carousel
Fitzrovia
When did pop-up chefs become a thing? Well there’s no denying that Carousel introduced an innovative residency format for true cultural exchange in the kitchen. With their first international guest chef rolling through in 2014 to the present line-up of Michelin starred icons, one praises their unique model of bringing a weekly revolving global culinary community to Londontown.
Decimo
King’s Cross
A perch on the London skyline for agave lovers. Atop the Standard Hotel, Decimo combines Spanish origins and Mexican lovelust. They clearly got the ‘Birria memo’ because the short-rib 10 herb and spice mole-esque situation they have going is pure insanity.
Caia
Notting Hill
Vinyl forward and wood-fired loyal, Caia’s open flame grilled menu are iconic for Notting Hill. Order the short ribs that literally fall off the bone. Knowing that indulging can get a little messy, you’ll be offered a pair of gloves for your troubles. Also, their new charred sandwiches are quickly making this dinner staple a new lunch destination.
Rochelle Canteen
Shoreditch
Secret garden vibes. Hidden away from bustling Shoreditch streets, Rochelle Canteen is British basics done well. The makeshift gazebo is charming in both warm and cool weather. A seasonal dish arrives at your table and you instinctively serve the person next to you before serving yourself. Communal etiquette is contagious.
Dishoom
Canary Wharf, Shoreditch, King’s Cross, Covent Garden, Carnaby, Kensington, Battersea
Dispersed all over London, Dishoom references a nostalgia for Iraní cafés popular in Mumbai in the 1960s. London’s version is a bombardment of the senses: smell of spices, wandering thoughts of homemade recipes, excitement for seasonal delights such as a summertime mango lassi.
Speedboat Bar
Leicester Square
Uncomplicated atmosphere and fiercely motivated to do home proud. This tiny Thai joint is a tribute and a credit to hometown origins. Sip on an imported beer and order literally anything on the menu to be immediately transported to late night, neon-clad Bangkok. Tip: Limited seating, arrive early or book far in advance.
Sonora Taquería
Stoke Newington
The best tacos in London. Yes, we said it. Alley-adjacent, unassuming facade, and most notably homemade flour tortillas! Pull up for Sonora style al carbón tacos and an authentic michelada.
Golborne Deli and Wine Store
Notting Hill
Joy spills onto the streets at this Notting Hill market. Book a spot or leave it to chance and hope to get a table by the window, which we often do. Casually compose a symphony of snacks and wine from the shop or order something off their homey menu.
E Pellicci Cafe
Bethnal Green
A family owned affair and go-to spot for a full ‘English’ breakfast situation. Enough said.
To Drink
Side Hustle
Covent Garden
Savor a moment inside the infinitely classy NoMad Hotel bar. Brass and leather booths, fresh seafood done in the Latin American tradition of citrusy crudos and ceviches (mouth is watering) that pair oh so well with their agave-based cocktail program. Order a slightly smoky mezcal cocktail such as the Warbler, featuring Lost Explorer Mezcal.
Viajante87
Notting Hill
Curious minds drink alike at Viajante, a West London bar that takes you on a mixology journey across the globe. I mean, their tagline is “Be a true explorer”. They speak our love language.
Hacha
Dalston, Brixton
With a pledged devotion to Mexican agave-spirits and innovation, Hacha is London’s Agavería. An absolute must try: the bar’s famous curiously crystal clear Mirror Margarita. The two locations offer up a casual environment to enjoy tequila and mezcal cocktails and flights.
The Pelican
Notting Hill
What’s on their social events calendar is just as important as what’s on ‘the mirror’ of daily delights and specials. Classic pub that truly cares about community from their growers focused on biodiversity and regenerative farming, to the artists and female winemakers who host events.
Scarfes
Holborn
English drawing room meets classic gentleman’s club inside the Rosewood London. This nostalgic stop invites you to sit in cozy velvet chairs, listen to live jazz, and sip on classic and innovative cocktails by true mixologists voted No. 41 in World’s 50 Best Bars.
Tayer + Elementary
Old Street
Curiosity meets R&D cocktails meets master class in innovation at this No.8 spot of World’s 50 Best Bars. Tayer and Elementary approach cocktails as part science, part artistry, through shared experience. If you’re interested in ingredients and aroma, sit at the bar and order specially formulated cocktails on tap or purchase them as a great gift.
Three Sheets
Soho, Dalston
Award-winning neighborhood cocktail bar serving a simple yet elegant menu that changes with the season. Each crafted cocktail holds a surprising ingredient that speaks to London’s diverse flavors including citrus, florals, herbal tinctures, tea infusions, and uncommon spices. The bar is complimented by a small selection of comforting bites, book a table at their Dalston location to see where it all began, or explore their new SoHo spot on Manette Street.
To Stay
NoMad Hotel London
Covent Garden
A luxurious stay, but far from stuffy. We love their food & bev programming (Side Hustle bar is one of our favorite cocktail lounges in the city), and the sky-high atrium dripping with lush greenery.
Bloomsbury Hotel
Bloomsbur
Central and charming, Bloomsbury Hotel features the vibrant Coral Room, ideal for a slow-sipped cocktail in a 1920s art deco setting.
The Twenty Two Hotel
Mayfair
A modern Mayfair gem, this hotel and member’s club is luxurious without any of the old-school formality. Enjoy beautifully appointed rooms, exceptional service, and a vibrant, friendly atmosphere.
Rosewood
Holborn
A grand stay, Rosewood London offers exquisite dining and drinks, including the famed Scarfes Bar with live music seven nights a week and cocktails that have landed it on World’s 50 Best Bars.
1 Hotel Mayfair
Mayfair
An environmentally conscious luxury hotel right across the street from the sprawling Green Park and St James’s Park surrounding Buckingham Palace. Stop by their cozy Dover Yard bar and order some Lost Explorer to wind down after a day’s adventures.
Estelle Manor
North Leigh, Oxfordshire
An idyllic weekend getaway, Estelle Manor offers serene luxury outside the city, ideal for a relaxing escape if you have a little extra time.
To See/Learn/Play
Barbican Centre
Barbican
A Brutalist masterpiece, the Barbican Centre is a haven for architecture nerds. Explore its bold geometric structures, lush conservatory, and world-class art exhibitions, concerts, and theaters—all housed amongst residential spaces in this unique community.
Tate Modern
Bankside
Housed in a former power station converted by Herzog & de Meuron Tate Modern is a must-stop for contemporary art lovers. Explore works by Picasso, Warhol, and Hockney, and don’t miss the panoramic views of the London skyline from the museum’s rooftop terrace.
Sir John Soane’s Museum
Holborn
An eccentric 19th-century architect and collector’s home and a visual feast for the curious. Filled with art, antiquities, and curiosities (sarcophagus of Pharaoh Seti I, anyone?), with an extensive collection of architectural drawings and models.
Churchill War Rooms
Saint James’s
This one’s for the history buffs. Step back in time and explore the secret underground nerve center where Winston Churchill and his team directed the Allied war effort during WWII. You’ll get to actually be in the rooms and traverse the corridors where critical decisions were made. The Map Room is preserved exactly as it was left on the day the lights were switched off in 1945, even.
Gallery hopping
One of our favorite things about London is the vibrant art scene. There’s not one particular gallery “district,” but meander around Mayfair, Shoreditch, and south Kensington and you’ll encounter many galleries. Some we frequent: Hauser & Wirth, Whitechapel, Serpentine Galleries, Saatchi Gallery, Parasol Unit
The Boiler Room
Various Locations
London’s well known for its underground music scene, with the Boiler Room being a key part of this constellation. Their DJ sets draw up an intimate and energetic atmosphere to celebrate emerging artists and legends alike—and, really, just life itself. Always worth seeing what parties they’re putting on while you’re in town.
Victoria and Albert Museum
South Kensington
Get lost among art and cultural relics spanning 5,000 years of production at the V&A. Viewing the permanent collection is free, with special exhibitions requiring tickets. We always love coming early to enjoy the galleries at their most private, especially the epic ceramics collection.
The Rivoli Ballroom
Crofton Park
Dance like no one’s watching. That’s the brief for Rivoli Ballroom. That, and dress to impress, bring a friend, and a hand fan. Its hangar-like dance floor provides rhythms for everyone with live performances and DJ sets that span R&B, Hip-Hop, Swing, Ragga, and Soul.
Wilton’s Music Hall
Whitechapel
It depends on ‘what’s on’ but sometimes we go for an evening drink or just show up to indulge in Wilton’s super quirky theater and music line up including archival cinema nights, live performances, and of course delicious eats and drinks.
To Shop
Present & Correct
Holborn
Why is it so satisfying being in a stationary shop? Surrounded by sundries of textures, colors, and blank inanimate objects virtuously waiting to be bought and used. For the graphic design duo behind Present & Correct, it’s the memory of objects enjoyed in school including notebooks, fine paper, erasers, plus collected and curated objects from around the world.
Dover Street Market
Leicester Square
For the sartorialists, Dover Street Market is a must. You’re promised to find something downright unique and perhaps a little offbeat here, along with the classic designer pieces from brands like Comme des Garçons, Stüssy, and many more.
Labour and Wait
Leicester Square, Marylebone
Carefully curated selection of goods with utilitarian intrinsic value. You can find something for every facet of your life: home, work, play, and wearables.
Markets
In almost every place we roam, community and communion are found in a city’s markets. London’s markets embody the character and nature of its neighborhoods. We recommend: Columbia Road Flower Market (flower market every Sunday), Broadway Market (fresh produce), Herne Hill Market (craft and food), Borough Market, Portobello (vintage and antiques), Camden Market.
Liberty
Soho
Envisioned to stand apart from department stores of the age, Liberty was established in 1875 as an adventure emporium. “LIBERTY is the CHOSEN RESORT of the ARTISTIC SHOPPER”— a slogan written by Oscar Wilde. Today it’s worth dropping in to shop elegant fabrics, sartorial brands, and indulge in the Tudor style architecture.
HedonisM
Mayfair
Stacked with rare wines, expert staff and sommeliers, the spirits enthusiast will glady indulge in a visit to Hedonism Wines in Mayfair. Purchase a bottle for a special occasion or join in on a tasting. Follow them on social to keep posted on their special experiences such as a day trip to a grand English estate.
Fortnum and Mason
Picadilly Circus
If you’re gonna do one tea-and-biscuit related thing, do this. Book an afternoon tea or shop the British classics including snacks, teas, sweets, cookbooks and more inside an institution over three centuries old.
ATIKA
Spitalfields
We’re not one to follow trends, but upcycled fashion is inarguably the right direction. ATIKA Vintage Department store is more like a cultural destination with a strong artist community selling clothing, art, books, and more. Easily walkable with at least two other notable vintage shops located near their location on Hanbury Street.
To be in Nature
Wandering the streets, canals, and squares throughout the city makes you realize just how lush London really is. Below are some of our favorite green spaces to soak up some oxygen and decompress. Exploring the city, you may also come across some of the SUGi Pocket Forests, which not only preserve ecosystems and build back biodiversity—a matter near and dear to our heart— but they are literally cooling down London itself.
Richmond Park
Richmond, UK
A 30 min drive just outside of Central London or an hour via public transit is worth the effort to enjoy over 5,000 acres in this impressive span of Nature. Slow down and wander through the water gardens, explore the colorful flora and active fauna including over 600 wild deer.
Kew Gardens
Richmond, UK
Over 50,000 types of local and global plant species exist at KEW gardens offering a moment of serenity and awe at what biodiversity looks like in practice. Picnic and enjoy the art installations throughout the grounds, marvel at the Victorian glasshouses or walk the reflective watery Lake Crossing.
Hampstead Heath
North London
The Heaths’ wildness and beauty inspired many artists across literature, poetry, film, and painting. Zadie Smith wrote of this sprawling North London Parkland “that has a shade of green for every possible felicitation of light” along with every type of Londonite to match.
Regent’s Canal Walk
Islington
Away from the more popular river Thames, Regent’s Canal Walk shows you a glimpse at the many smaller snaking canals throughout the city. This is a perfect way to get lost discovering calmer edges of London’s neighborhoods with plenty of spots to sit, sip, and shop along the way.
The Kyoto Garden in Holland Park
Holland Park
Kyoto Garden is a lush traditional Japanese style garden located in Holland Park. We recommend dropping in early or right before close to enjoy the trickling waterfalls, koi ponds, and rock formations with less of a crowd.
Pubs along the water in Hackney Wick
Hackney Wick
Best of both worlds: Pub hopping along the canal in Hackney Wick. Enjoy a beautiful view while savoring a pint and a bit of rowdiness along this infamous enclave packed with bars, pubs, and breweries.
Healing plants at the Chelsea Physic Garden
Chelsea
There’s something magically ancestral about this garden, knowing that it was planted in the wisdom of Apothecaries who believed in and practiced healing through Nature’s gifts.
Eastern Curve Garden
Dalston
When in need of a quiet place in busy Dalston, Eastern Curve Garden creates space for a solo cup of tea or a big important chat. Dalston is not known for its gardens, making this Hackney-adjacent sanctuary, built over an old railway, incredibly precious.
Running Club
Various Locations
Run the city! Shoreditch to Barbican for a scenic run. Granary Square to Primrose Hill takes you across the canal, elevation gain, and ends with a gorgeous skyline view. Shoreditch to Waterloo to Tower Bridge for the bridge lovers. Pall Mall to Waterloo for the landmarks.
