A local guide: London at your fingertips

In this edition of “Like Locals”, the city we’re exploring is England’s capital, London.

London is the city of superlatives. It is the most populous city in the EU, is home to The Shard - the tallest building in Western Europe - and, last but not least, Queen Elizabeth II is the longest reigning living monarch in the world. This year, a staggering 76 skyscrapers will be completed – more than ever before in the city’s history. Of course, there is also the historical London with Big Ben, Buckingham Palace, Westminster Abbey, and many other cultural monuments famous around the world. A single blog post is not enough to cover the sheer variety London has to offer, but it’s a good start!

Dilya Fedorova (@dilyarafedorova), who has a passion for fashion and works at the high-end retail platform Farfetch, is here to give her insider recommendations on what to do around London.

Oxford Street, London, image: unsplash

“I love having breakfast in London’s
Broadway Market in Hackney”

Welcome Dilya, our London-based local! Can you tell us about yourself?

Hello! I’m originally from Kazahkstan and work as a Brands Partnerships Manager in the luxury fashion market. I came to London 13 years ago, simply to graduate, but I totally fell in love with this amazing city and couldn’t leave 😊!

What are the best places to visit in London for breakfast?

This city is really diverse, and every part of it has a unique atmosphere. I love having breakfast in London’s Broadway Market in Hackney, which is in the northeast of the city. The market is actually a whole street, lined with countless cafes and shops. Every Saturday, you can visit the famous farmer’s market from 9am to 5pm, where you’ll find a huge selection of food, as well as cool vintage clothes, art and all sorts of interesting objects to sift through.

Here are some other great ways to while away your morning:

London Fields

Walk to this gorgeous park right next to the market. You can even swim a few laps in the 50-metre heated pool if you feel like some exercise! Check out the opening times on the London Fields Lido website so you can plan ahead.

Regent’s Canal

Talk a stroll, enjoy the calm and visit the local small galleries along the way.

The Wolseley

If I’m looking for something completely different, I treat myself to a decadent breakfast in this stunning restaurant near Bond Street – one of the most expensive shopping streets in London – followed by a champagne picnic in Kensington Gardens.

“The lovingly restored Electric Cinema
is one of the oldest in London”

What are the best things to do in London during the day?

On warm days, lunch on the terrace at The Albion in Islington is perfect. It’s especially beautiful in May, when the scent of Wisteria flowers fills the air. Of course, there is always something going on in London. As I work in the fashion industry, I often visit the outstanding designer retrospectives at the Victoria and Albert Museum. The brutalist Barbican Centre isn’t everyone’s cup of tea, but the building is iconic and they always have interesting exhibitions, concerts or theatre performances to see.

“Discount Suit Company…this tiny bar is
one of London’s hidden gems”

Barbican Centre, Victoria and Albert Museum, images: unsplash

What about London’s nightlife? Where’s best for dinner and drinks?

I really like the restaurants and bars in the east and northeast of London. There’s so many to choose from, but these are a few of my favourites:

Primeur, Stoke Newington

Located in a renovated garage with long dining tables, which encourage you to chat with your dining neighbours and make the meal a sociable experience.

Westerns Laundry, Highbury East

This spot has a similarly friendly atmosphere to Primeur and in fact, both restaurants were founded by the same chef-restaurateur team and have a delicious tapas menu that you can share with friends.

BRAT, Shoreditch

This Michelin Star restaurant, found in one of the trendiest neighbourhoods in the city, is a must for anyone into seafood. The chef-owner, Tomos Parry had a stove, grill and oven specifically designed for his kitchen there.

Discount Suit Company bar, Aldgate

After dinner, it’s time for a cocktail in this tiny bar, tucked away in an old tailor’s shop. It’s not so easy to find, but don’t give up! Well worth the visit, it’s one of London’s hidden gems.

Street Art in Shoreditch, image: unsplash

Where should we visit outside the city of London?

For a change of pace, the seaside resort of Brighton is one of my top day trips from London, and it’s just an hour away by train. Just like the capital, this city always has something cool to see, whether you want to browse through the various quirky boutiques or check out one of the many festivals it has to offer. For a truly British experience, rent a car and drive through the beautiful countryside of the Cotswolds. If you’re feeling truly decadent, you can even travel to another country to another famous capital – the Eurostar high-speed train will take you to Paris in just 2 hours!

The Cotswolds, Oxfordshire, image: unsplash

Do you have any other tips on what to do in London?

Stay away from the obvious tourist traps and explore the lesser known neighbourhoods. This is where the miracles happen!

Top image: unsplash