Buckingham Palace

Major Tourist Attraction Place Reviews Sight / Activity

The Queen’s Headquarter

 

What can we say about Buckingham Palace that you wouldn’t already know?

If you are in the neighbourhood it’s worth the sight, as it’s still a major monument in London, but I won’t bother to stop by for the changing of the guards. Except if you enjoy being packed in a sweaty crowd where half of the people are doing selfies with their selfie-sticks.

But you can buy tickets to visit the inside of the Palace at different times of the year.

Green Park in front, is nice and the flowers are all year long stunning.

Ariana

Local London Mile End & Victoria Park Village Place Reviews Restaurants / Gastropub / Takeout

Persian and Afghan Traditional Dishes

Ariana is a truly charming restaurant offering a wide range of delicious traditional Persian and Afghan dishes. The restaurant is in the centre of Mile End, and Ariana’s terrace is seating right in Mile End Park. It’s definitely the to go place for an exclusive relaxed lunch. I always recommend that restaurant to our guest eager to try asian food (away from the crowd) and remind them to order some home made bread on side (don’t miss it!).   Their menu will provide you generous proportion for a really affordable price.

So far I can’t remember anyone who was not totally pleased by their cuisine.

 https://goo.gl/maps/pQCg1ypDD472

Camille 😉

 

Vinarius Wine Bar

Bars / Pubs Local London Mile End & Victoria Park Village Place Reviews Restaurants / Gastropub / Takeout

My local wine shop/restaurant

Hidden gem in East London! 
Roman Road Market can seem a bit gloomy, especially when it comes to nightlife – but Vinarius is truly outstanding.
It not only is a place for great wine, which are all reasonably priced, it also has fantastic food with an excellent chef who often changes the menu.
Generally four whites and four reds by the glass and a huge range to take home or enjoy in store. Their staff is attentive and will know how to advise you.
From Spain, Italy or France their wine selection will make you travel.

Liberty

Major Tourist Attraction Place Reviews Shopping Sight / Activity

Sweet Liberty

 

Best known for its fabrics, Liberty is the loveliest department store on Regent Street. If you can fight the crowd and reach it you will find a little haven full of precious things. More humble than the shiny Harrods, Liberty is a gem to appreciate for his architecture, inside and outside stunning. Constructed from two ships, Mr Liberty wanted customers to feel as if they were exploring someone’s home, keeping the shopping galleries small, albeit linked to three rather grand atriums.

Unlike Harrods Liberty goes from affordable to eccentric prices. You will walk between young creators and well known brands. Go there for the perfume gallery where you will discover exquisite scents.

Of course the Christmas period is something magical but one more time, you have to keep in mind that central London gets a bit nutty in that time of the year. Despite the craziness, London is still the best place to feel Christmas, so fight the crowd and go for it! You won’t regret it.

 

Harrods

Major Tourist Attraction Place Reviews Shopping Sight / Activity

Shopping with Classe

 

Paris has Les Galeries Lafayette, New York has Bloomingdales, but in London we have the shiny and eternal Harrods! Harrods is sparkling from every corner; from high tea to diamonds you will forever be dazzled by that surrealistic department store.

But here’s few fun facts you probably don’t know about Harrods:

• Harrods was first established in London Stepney Green as a tea merchant and grocery store.

• Winnie-the-Pooh was found in Harrods.

• An Egyptian cobra once has been hired to guard a £62,000 pair of of haute couture ruby-sapphire-and diamond-encrusted sandals.

• A silver replica of Harrods is on display on the store’s lower ground floor. This was a gift from Gordon Selfridge when he lost a bet with the Harrods managing director.

• You can buy gold bullion off the shelf.

• Noel Coward, writer and playwright bought an alligator in Harrods Pet Shop one Christmas. A baby elephant was also sold by Harrods as a present to Ronald Reagan.

• Have you heard about the story of Christian the lion? Bought in Harrods in the late sixties and release in Kenya years after?  If not, that’s a great story including a happy ending. >  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cvCjyWp3rEk

Beigel Bake Brick Lane

Brick Lane and Aldgate Coffee Shop / Cafe Local London Place Reviews Restaurants / Gastropub / Takeout

Brick Lane Beigel

 

A London institution. Beigel Bake is 24-hour bakery known for traditional Jewish-style filled bagels such as salt beef and smoked salmon. Are you going out in Shoreditch? Beigel Bake is the perfect take away before and after hangover. Nothing glamorous or trendy (that is the best part!) about the place but definitely the best bagels I’ve ever tried in London. If you are in East London with less than £5 in your pocket and pass by Brick Lane this is the place for you!

Camille

The Gallery Café

Bethnal Green and Spitalfields Coffee Shop / Cafe Local London Place Reviews Restaurants / Gastropub / Takeout

A calm Vegan and Vegetarian Spot in the Hustle and Bustle

The Gallery Cafe is a lovely charity-driven vegetarian and vegan spot hosting art exhibitions and events. Conveniently located in a great location; near a Boris Bike pick-up point, Victoria Park, Museum of Childhood, Bethnal Green tube station, Brick Lane and more, it’s perfect if you’re spending few hours in East London!

During summer weekends, you can bask in the sunshine on the sun- trap terrace and back garden, whilst spending the rest of the year getting cosy inside the cafe with nice music, access to speedy wifi, and friendly faces.

The cafe have won Best Cafe in Bethnal Green at the Time Out Love London Awards for the last three consecutive years. All profits generated by Gallery Cafe go straight back to charity. By hanging around, you’d not only enjoy award-winning food, drinks and good vibes, you’d also be helping to support the local community.

The backyard is great on summer but the fresh vegan burger and home made fries are the reason why you should stop by! The place is charming and I warmly recommend it to you, vegan or food lover.

Rusty Bike Pub Mile End

Bars / Pubs Bow and Stratford Local London Mile End & Victoria Park Village Place Reviews Restaurants / Gastropub / Takeout

Rusty Bike Pub

 

Located near Mile End Underground Station Rusty Bike Pub aims to offer Great Beer and Thai Food. You will find a relaxed and a canteen-style atmosphere. If you are looking for a lively spot in a cosy atmosphere that’s the place to go.

You don’t like sport pubs? No worries at all, just go in the back where you can still enjoy comfortable sofas and fresh Thai food for a very reasonable price without TV.

The duck spring roll is a great way to start, as are deep-fried sweet potatoes with sesame. So on a Friday night, or on a Sunday afternoon that the popular place to be in Mile End.

The Palm Tree

Bars / Pubs Local London Mile End & Victoria Park Village Place Reviews

Much-loved East London Pub The Palm Tree

 

The Palm Tree is a middle-of-nowhere Mile End venue for something money can’t buy – a Cockney experience!

Its canalside position is appealing to summer strollers, but it’s the evening vibe that’s the real draw. There’s often a live band, and since there are no neighbours within shouting distance, late-night knees-ups often get lairy.

It’s just so refreshing to visit somewhere with a distinct lack of hipsters. That is a place to go if you are tired of trendy and hipster over-crowded areas and wish to experience the true east-ender late night.

N.B : Take some cash with you as they’ve never had any card machine.

Camille

 

 

 

The Blues Kitchen Shoreditch

Bars / Pubs Bethnal Green and Spitalfields Local London Place Reviews Restaurants / Gastropub / Takeout

London’s Very Own Home of BBQ, Blues & Rock’n’Roll

 

Blues Kitchen is definitely one of my to-go-place when I want to dance in Shoreditch. They have a restaurant and a late night bar serving nice cocktails and they host the best blues in London. Cool live-band music, colourful cocktails, great American BBQ classic/New Orleans soul food will be the perfect mix to start your evening.

If you wanna try their cuisine be sure to book in advance as the restaurant gets really packed on weekends. The bar and music will stop before 3 am.