I know we’ve all been bombarded with footage from The Queen’s Jubilee celebration but it really was something to see. I loved that it was a completely over the top, no expense spared, extravagant, and joyful celebration. London really pulled out all the stops, right down to the star of the show, Prince Louis. I could not love that kid more. May he please marry someone who enjoys the Royal lifestyle and doesn’t drag him to L.A….
Plus it gave me an excuse to finally put together my favorite restaurants and cocktail spots from a recent trip to London. They are all listed for you below and now I promise I am done with London and will move on to different travel destinations! I am going on a couple of fun trips this summer and I look forward to telling you all about them.
If your summer plans are taking you to London, check out my sightseeing guide HERE and guide to the amazing Claridge’s hotel, HERE.
And for all you moms out there, YES, I took my then 9-year olds to all of these restaurants and between word puzzles, other crafts and my phone, we had great experiences. We definitely got a few funny looks from the staff and other diners, but I don’t go to London every day so we made it work.
Lunches & Dinners
- THE WOLSELEY, Mayfair: “…an all day cafe restaurant in the grand European tradition on London’s iconic Piccadilly.”
- SCOTT’S, Mayfair: ” The menu reflects its glittering heritage, serving the finest traditional fish and shellfish dishes alongside a variety of meat and seasonal game favourites in an atmosphere of urbane sophistication. Oysters, served at the elegant oyster and Champagne bar, are a house speciality.” This is also a see-and-be-seen spot – it is very cool.
- CECCONI’S, Mayfair: This was by far my favorite restaurant we went to. I love Italian restaurants for one, but two – the atmosphere and decor (see the green leather chairs in the photos below) of Cecconi’s are worth the visit alone. We saw footballers, footballer wives, oligarchs and other high rolling Londoners here and it was a great time.
- SKETCH LONDON, Mayfair: Sketch is really hard to describe — here’s a clip from an article that attempts to capture it: “Congratulations, you’ve just arrived at one of the quirkiest venues in the city – and one which lays a solid claim to being the most beautiful, too…Sketch London is fueled by art. It’s infused in the walls, the floors, the bathrooms, and in the food itself. It makes for a venue that looks like nowhere else in the city, or – dare we say – the world.”
There are FIVE different restaurants and bars inside Sketch, the most iconic one being “The Gallery”, which is where we had dinner – you have surely seen images of this restaurant. For years it was all pink and now it is all yellow – it is completely cool and totally worth going. We didn’t think the food was worth the hype (even though it has a Michelin star or two – what do I know) but the atmosphere and vibe totally was.
- LA POULE AU POT, Belgravia: This perfect little French bistro was recommended to me by a friend who lived in London for a while and I am so glad we listened to his advice. My mom actually said this was the best food we had the entire trip. The atmosphere is cozy and quaint and the food really was outstanding.
- THE RIVER CAFE: “This is, literally, the mother of Italian restaurants in London”.
- CHILTERN FIREHOUSE, Marylebone: Andre Balazs luxury hotel and restaurant in a former fire station located in Marylebone – trendy, hot spot, hard to get into.
Cocktails
- GORDON’S WINE BAR: London’s oldest wine bar & such a cool spot — “Gordon’s is thought to be the oldest wine bar in London, it was established in 1890. The bar is very much a family affair, owned by Wendy Gordon who is the wife of the late, much loved Luis Gordon, and now overseen by Luis’ eldest son Simon.”
- THE CONNAUGHT, Mayfair: Sister hotel to Claridge’s, The Connaught has so many great options for drinks but my favorite is The Connaught Bar & its famous Martini Trolley.
- THE AMERICAN BAR at The Stafford Hotel: “The American Bar at The Stafford belongs to the great tradition of the American cocktail bars that became renowned in London and Paris during the 1920s and 30s, and remains one of the longest surviving American bars in London.”
I absolutely love this charming spot – check out all the baseball hats on the ceiling when you go. Chances are you will recognize one or two from your town or state. There’s also a great courtyard out back.
- EGERTON HOUSE HOTEL, Knightsbridge: A Boutique townhouse hotel, known for their classic Martini. We had a lot of fun here watching the martini preparation and service.
- SCARFES BAR, Covent Garden: “Where Paintings and Potions Meet” – Scarfes Bar, inspired by the atmosphere of a drawing room and the sophistication of a gentleman’s club, features a roaring fire, a collection of cosy velvet armchairs and shelves filled with over 1,000 antique books hand-picked by a Portobello antiques dealer.
- DUKE’S BAR: The Duke’s Bar martinis are legendary and as quoted by the New York Times, ‘one of the world’s best.’ Clearly I have a thing for martinis. If you want to watch a great show about London and Duke’s Bar, treat yourself to this Somebody Feed Phil episode.
THE PALACE PAPERS, by Tina Brown. “Inside the House of Windsor–the Truth and the Turmoil” – The “addictively readable” (The Washington Post) inside story of the British royal family’s battle to overcome the dramas of the Diana years—only to confront new, twenty-first-century crises.
Click HERE for your copy.
