Guidebook for London
Food Scene
Baltic Restaurant and Bar
74 Blackfriars RdA hidden gem serving amazing Eastern European cuisine
Find a delicious lunch or grazing on free samples at this historic food market.
1617 locals recommend
Borough Market
Borough High StreetFind a delicious lunch or grazing on free samples at this historic food market.
Great food and a lovely retro interior – there's a huge range of breakfasts on offer from American pancakes to the Full English
49 locals recommend
The Breakfast Club London Bridge
11 Southwark StreetGreat food and a lovely retro interior – there's a huge range of breakfasts on offer from American pancakes to the Full English
Excellent takeaway fish 'n' chips, an English delicacy. I always order the large cod and chips.
8 locals recommend
Long Lane Fish Bar
154 Long LnExcellent takeaway fish 'n' chips, an English delicacy. I always order the large cod and chips.
A safe bet – great food (mostly steaks and burgers), very affordable, lovely modern interior and a charming location in Borough Market.
35 locals recommend
Black & Blue
215-217 Kensington Church StA safe bet – great food (mostly steaks and burgers), very affordable, lovely modern interior and a charming location in Borough Market.
Charming, critically acclaimed, elegant yet not expensive – Magdalen offers the perfect setting for a romantic lunch or dinner. Classical British and French cuisine.
12 locals recommend
Magdalen
152 Tooley StreetCharming, critically acclaimed, elegant yet not expensive – Magdalen offers the perfect setting for a romantic lunch or dinner. Classical British and French cuisine.
Enjoy inexpensive fish/seafood in this conservatory style venue with great views of Southwark Cathedral
11 locals recommend
fish! Borough Market
Cathedral StreetEnjoy inexpensive fish/seafood in this conservatory style venue with great views of Southwark Cathedral
40,000 square feet of food stalls, cafes, restaurants, bars and a nightclub housed in Victorian railway arches. Live music some nights, plus a vintage market on Sundays 10am-5pm.
60 locals recommend
Flea at Flat Iron Square
45 Southwark St40,000 square feet of food stalls, cafes, restaurants, bars and a nightclub housed in Victorian railway arches. Live music some nights, plus a vintage market on Sundays 10am-5pm.
Enjoy impressive panoramic views and high-end Modern British cuisine from the dining room and bar high on the 31st floor of The Shard. Dress smart.
124 locals recommend
Aqua Shard
31 St Thomas StEnjoy impressive panoramic views and high-end Modern British cuisine from the dining room and bar high on the 31st floor of The Shard. Dress smart.
Delicious, high-end Chinese food and 33rd floor views from The Shard. Dress smart.
50 locals recommend
Hutong
31 St Thomas StDelicious, high-end Chinese food and 33rd floor views from The Shard. Dress smart.
Reasonably priced food and views across the River Thames
26 locals recommend
All Bar One Butlers Wharf
34 Shad ThamesReasonably priced food and views across the River Thames
Arts & Culture
A little-known attraction, this medical museum is both quirky and fascinating (please be aware it has lots of stairs)
48 locals recommend
The Old Operating Theatre Museum and Herb Garret
9a St Thomas StA little-known attraction, this medical museum is both quirky and fascinating (please be aware it has lots of stairs)
A huge gallery showing major contemporary art exhibitions and best of all admission is free
234 locals recommend
White Cube Bermondsey
Bermondsey StreetA huge gallery showing major contemporary art exhibitions and best of all admission is free
Great small theatre with its own restaurant its a breeding ground for acting talent and hit shows
35 locals recommend
Menier Chocolate Factory
53 Southwark StGreat small theatre with its own restaurant its a breeding ground for acting talent and hit shows
A quirky and atmospheric museum full for lovers of the macabre
43 locals recommend
Clink Prison Museum
1 Clink StA quirky and atmospheric museum full for lovers of the macabre
World-famous castle, royal palace, fortress and museum – the costumed 'Beefeater' guards tell fabulously bloodthirsty stories about its history, which dates back to 1100.
1372 locals recommend
Tower of London
World-famous castle, royal palace, fortress and museum – the costumed 'Beefeater' guards tell fabulously bloodthirsty stories about its history, which dates back to 1100.
Find a wealth of concerts, performance, art, dining and events at this 1960s multi-arts complex. From Christmas and food markets, to its summer festivals – there's always lots going on, and often lots of things to do and see for free.
436 locals recommend
Southbank Centre
Find a wealth of concerts, performance, art, dining and events at this 1960s multi-arts complex. From Christmas and food markets, to its summer festivals – there's always lots going on, and often lots of things to do and see for free.
Catch a theatrical performance at this full-scale recreation of the original Elizabethan theatre where William Shakespeare staged many of his plays. You can also take a tour or visit it's Shakespearean exhibition.
449 locals recommend
Shakespeare's Globe Theatre
21 New Globe WalkCatch a theatrical performance at this full-scale recreation of the original Elizabethan theatre where William Shakespeare staged many of his plays. You can also take a tour or visit it's Shakespearean exhibition.
Great contemporary and modern art exhibitions, some of them ticketed, but there always lots of world-famous works you can see for free. Tate Modern has recently been extended and its towering 'Switch House' extension provides space for more art and offers 360-degree views across London from its free to visit terrace.
2008 locals recommend
Tate Modern
BanksideGreat contemporary and modern art exhibitions, some of them ticketed, but there always lots of world-famous works you can see for free. Tate Modern has recently been extended and its towering 'Switch House' extension provides space for more art and offers 360-degree views across London from its free to visit terrace.
Cool fringe theatre. It's home to a wide range of interesting shows and has a nice little bar.
53 locals recommend
Southwark Playhouse
77-85 Newington CausewayCool fringe theatre. It's home to a wide range of interesting shows and has a nice little bar.
This 19th-century East End music hall is the oldest surviving example in the world. Catch a concert or show in atmospheric surroundings amid faded Victorian grandeur.
162 locals recommend
Wilton's Music Hall
1 Graces AlyThis 19th-century East End music hall is the oldest surviving example in the world. Catch a concert or show in atmospheric surroundings amid faded Victorian grandeur.
Visit an exhibition about the gothic-style Victorian bridge, including seeing it's enormous subterranean mechanism and taking in lofty city views from its walkways, high above the traffic.
1577 locals recommend
Tower Bridge
Tower Bridge RoadVisit an exhibition about the gothic-style Victorian bridge, including seeing it's enormous subterranean mechanism and taking in lofty city views from its walkways, high above the traffic.
Find markets, music, film and theatre in and around this outdoor amphitheatre next to City Hall (the Mayor of London's HQ) and the River Thames.
31 locals recommend
The Scoop
Find markets, music, film and theatre in and around this outdoor amphitheatre next to City Hall (the Mayor of London's HQ) and the River Thames.
A full-scale replica of the 16th-century English galleon in which Tudor explorer Sir Francis Drake circumnavigated the globe. Especially fun for kids, visitors can take interactive tours featuring actors in period dress.
51 locals recommend
Golden Hinde
Cathedral StreetA full-scale replica of the 16th-century English galleon in which Tudor explorer Sir Francis Drake circumnavigated the globe. Especially fun for kids, visitors can take interactive tours featuring actors in period dress.
Take-in top quality theatre shows at this 1960s modernist venue beside the River Thames in London's South Bank district.
218 locals recommend
National Theatre
Upper GroundTake-in top quality theatre shows at this 1960s modernist venue beside the River Thames in London's South Bank district.
Cavernous subterranean tunnels under Waterloo station provide the backdrop for some of London's most imaginative theatrical experiences. I caught an excellent interactive production of Alice's Adventures Underground there, based on Lewis Carroll's classic kid's book.
22 locals recommend
The Vaults Theatre
Launcelot StreetCavernous subterranean tunnels under Waterloo station provide the backdrop for some of London's most imaginative theatrical experiences. I caught an excellent interactive production of Alice's Adventures Underground there, based on Lewis Carroll's classic kid's book.
Founded by fashion designer Zandra Rhodes, this small museum stages a wide range of temporary exhibitions and also has a nice café.
89 locals recommend
Fashion and Textile Museum
83 Bermondsey StFounded by fashion designer Zandra Rhodes, this small museum stages a wide range of temporary exhibitions and also has a nice café.
Essentials
A very large branch of Tesco supermarket but there's a smaller Tesco much closer at 34 Long Lane, SE1 4AU
405 locals recommend
Tesco Metro
224-226 Portobello RdA very large branch of Tesco supermarket but there's a smaller Tesco much closer at 34 Long Lane, SE1 4AU
A handy supermarket, just short stroll away (be aware it closes early on Sundays)
328 locals recommend
Sainsbury's Local
1-3 Bryanston StA handy supermarket, just short stroll away (be aware it closes early on Sundays)
The nearest supermarket - stocking toiletries, food and snacks. Open 7am to 11pm most days
1048 locals recommend
TESCO Express
275-277 Battersea Park RdThe nearest supermarket - stocking toiletries, food and snacks. Open 7am to 11pm most days
Sainsbury's Local
1-3 Bryanston StSmall local supermarket
Sightseeing
See spectacular 360-degree views of the capital from the top of this landmark building
154 locals recommend
The View from The Shard
32 London Bridge StSee spectacular 360-degree views of the capital from the top of this landmark building
Great views/photo opportunities along the River Thames including nearby Tower Bridge
489 locals recommend
London Souvenirs
Battle Bridge LaneGreat views/photo opportunities along the River Thames including nearby Tower Bridge
Getting Around
London Bridge Station
Station Approach RoadExcellent rail, London Underground and bus links
Borough station
Borough High StreetHandy London Underground (Tube) station on the Northern line
Drinks & Nightlife
Charming British pub in bustling Borough Market (the exterior was used in the first Bridget Jones film– she lived in the flat above the pub)
7 locals recommend
The Globe Tavern
8 Bedale StCharming British pub in bustling Borough Market (the exterior was used in the first Bridget Jones film– she lived in the flat above the pub)
The Breakfast Club cafe has a secret bar in the evenings. Enter the cafe and whisper the phrase "Call Me Mr Lucky" to a member of staff. You'll be ushered through a locked door to a cocktail bar hidden in the basement.
15 locals recommend
Call Me Mr Lucky
11 Southwark StThe Breakfast Club cafe has a secret bar in the evenings. Enter the cafe and whisper the phrase "Call Me Mr Lucky" to a member of staff. You'll be ushered through a locked door to a cocktail bar hidden in the basement.
Dance the night away with the bears and cubs (bearded gay and bisexual men) at this huge men-only dance club. Open Wednesdays and Saturdays.
8 locals recommend
XXL London
1 Invicta PlazaDance the night away with the bears and cubs (bearded gay and bisexual men) at this huge men-only dance club. Open Wednesdays and Saturdays.
World-famous dance club boasting big name DJs and an excellent sound system
197 locals recommend
Ministry of Sound
103 Gaunt StWorld-famous dance club boasting big name DJs and an excellent sound system
Famous for opening in the sleepy early hours of the morning – 6am some days – to cater for the traders of adjacent Borough Market, this traditional pub has bags of old English character and lots of buzz. It's one of a wide choice of pubs, bars and restaurants that makes Borough Market a fun place to head for evening drinks.
7 locals recommend
The Market Porter
9 Stoney StreetFamous for opening in the sleepy early hours of the morning – 6am some days – to cater for the traders of adjacent Borough Market, this traditional pub has bags of old English character and lots of buzz. It's one of a wide choice of pubs, bars and restaurants that makes Borough Market a fun place to head for evening drinks.
The Horniman at Hays
GreaterLovely traditional English pub beside the River Thames
Atmospheric and intimate live music venue with a bar, Cantina restaurant and outdoor terrace. Sometimes hosts club nights too.
13 locals recommend
OMEARA
6 O'Meara StAtmospheric and intimate live music venue with a bar, Cantina restaurant and outdoor terrace. Sometimes hosts club nights too.
Parks & Nature
Charming public garden – full of roses in the summer – with views of The Shard
10 locals recommend
Leathermarket Gardens
13 Weston StCharming public garden – full of roses in the summer – with views of The Shard
Southwark Park
Gomm RoadLarge leafy park with cafe and a small art gallery
Large ecological park with wildflowers, butterfly habitats, ponds, walking trails and an urban farm you can visit (Surrey Docks City Farm)
59 locals recommend
Stave Hill Ecological Park
Timber Pond RoadLarge ecological park with wildflowers, butterfly habitats, ponds, walking trails and an urban farm you can visit (Surrey Docks City Farm)