Starting with Islington, the most lovely, charming neighborhood in London that is great to explore and get lost in.
Start with Upper Street (main high street with shops / restaurants) or Camden Passage and continue to wander around, if you have the whole day, make your way over to Stoke Newington / Finsbury Park areas too. Suggest ending for dinner at Perilla (GREAT take on modern european cuisine).
Food:
Berto Pasta N1 - best pasta i've ever had. You have to pay extra for their handmade pastas but its worth the money
Kissa Wa Cafe - charming Japanese cafe / restaurant in a relaxed environment. Yummy food
Perilla - modern european
The Albion Pub (joe jonas once claimed this is his fave pub in london haha it is actually nice and not touristy)
Parks:
Victoria Park - sunday food market
Regents Canal (long canal connecting alot of London, picturesque walk and can be accessed from Victoria Park)
Lea Valley (huge nature reserve w walking trails)
Shopping:
Wild Swans (danish multilabel)
Nanushka Bond Street (just go for the vibes, there is a cafe in there)
Vintage shops in expensive neighborhoods (Islington, Hampstead, South Kensington & Chelsea, Richmond)
Hope you do manage to visit some of these places !!
Top tip: avoid central london like the plague, it is hellish and makes the rest of us look bad
This is incredible! Thank you for the exhaustive list, it's so helpful! I'll make sure to try as many as I possibly can!
I think central city anywhere is overstimulating (I could say the same for Amsterdam!). Might quickly pass through for my musical and a few bookstores, as well as walk past the Thames from Borough market but my accomodations are near Notting Hill/Shepherd's bush.
And okay, I need to visit Joe Jonas' favourite pub if I can, what a bucketlist item
I did a pottery wheel course last summer and throughly enjoyed it too. I realised when I came away from the wheel how my brain had completely switched off from thinking! It’s like meditation and time passes so quickly in a good way
I'm so happy you discovered the therapeutic effect of pottery too! I literally lost track of time myself. Something about being so focused to get it right (and for you piece not to fall off haha). Are you planning to do another course?
Agreed! No I’m not as it was quite expensive so instead I’ve continued my pottery journey by buying air dry clay from this brand called Sculpd and it pretty much is the same as pottery clay it just dries without a kiln! So far I’ve made 4 vases!
I understand.. But so amazing you found an alternative! I'm definitely looking up the brand.
I personally really loved the wheel and I've found a studio that offers the use of their equipment for part of the day, so I'm going to look into that after summer.
Thanks for sharing—so happy the letter on long-distance friendships resonated with you!
In London, I LOVE Nopi/Rovi (Ottolenghi restaurants). And walking around the boutiques in Marylebone is such a fun lovely way to spend an afternoon. Check out La Fromagerie, a little cheese shop, and Daunt Books, a famous travel bookstore. Also love shopping Liberty, and wandering around Shoreditch. I also love Columbia Road Flower Market. Some good coffee spots include Notes, Monmouth Coffee, and Taylor St. Baristas. I also really enjoy Regent's Canal, either at the entrance (Little Venice) or near Camden/Chalk Farm. It's kind of special to see all the little house boats and walk along the narrow path.
I'm trying out acupuncture after having heard from many friends about the benefits for fertility—apparently it can be really helpful for regulating your cycle! If you experience anything weird coming off bc, may be something to look into.
So so grateful for all these recommendations! Marylebone definitely looks like I place I'd love to stroll through, and I'm always looking for cafes! Regent's canal is now on my list for sure! I love a cute pathway.
And as for acupuncture, I've seen it pop up a few times in correlation with hormone balancing, so looking into it! I am keeping in touch with my gp in case anything strange pops up, thanks ♡
Ahh so many things I love in here! I’m honored to be alongside Severance by Ling Ma — that book changed me!! Loved watching One Day and Bridgerton (but especially Queen Charlotte), too. Also! London is my favorite city. Some recs here! https://jordanrisa.substack.com/p/some-of-you-asked-london-recommendations
Off the top of my head — Layla bakery, akub nottinghill, cafe Cecilia, artwords books, Kuro coffee, Jolene
I remember you writing something about Severance once and that's why it's been on my tbr, I hope for it to change something in me too! Yes, Queen Charlotte ♡
I haven't been to London since I was a teenager and I can't wait to peruse as an adult solo traveler - thanks so much for the recommendations - they're super helpful!!
I HAVE LONDON RECS! Will keep it simple to some of my top top top favorite things.
Sharing some pictures I recently published too of London - https://thedandeliontiger.substack.com/p/gentle-love-letter-to-islington-london
Starting with Islington, the most lovely, charming neighborhood in London that is great to explore and get lost in.
Start with Upper Street (main high street with shops / restaurants) or Camden Passage and continue to wander around, if you have the whole day, make your way over to Stoke Newington / Finsbury Park areas too. Suggest ending for dinner at Perilla (GREAT take on modern european cuisine).
Food:
Berto Pasta N1 - best pasta i've ever had. You have to pay extra for their handmade pastas but its worth the money
Kissa Wa Cafe - charming Japanese cafe / restaurant in a relaxed environment. Yummy food
Perilla - modern european
The Albion Pub (joe jonas once claimed this is his fave pub in london haha it is actually nice and not touristy)
Parks:
Victoria Park - sunday food market
Regents Canal (long canal connecting alot of London, picturesque walk and can be accessed from Victoria Park)
Lea Valley (huge nature reserve w walking trails)
Shopping:
Wild Swans (danish multilabel)
Nanushka Bond Street (just go for the vibes, there is a cafe in there)
Vintage shops in expensive neighborhoods (Islington, Hampstead, South Kensington & Chelsea, Richmond)
Hope you do manage to visit some of these places !!
Top tip: avoid central london like the plague, it is hellish and makes the rest of us look bad
This is incredible! Thank you for the exhaustive list, it's so helpful! I'll make sure to try as many as I possibly can!
I think central city anywhere is overstimulating (I could say the same for Amsterdam!). Might quickly pass through for my musical and a few bookstores, as well as walk past the Thames from Borough market but my accomodations are near Notting Hill/Shepherd's bush.
And okay, I need to visit Joe Jonas' favourite pub if I can, what a bucketlist item
I did a pottery wheel course last summer and throughly enjoyed it too. I realised when I came away from the wheel how my brain had completely switched off from thinking! It’s like meditation and time passes so quickly in a good way
I'm so happy you discovered the therapeutic effect of pottery too! I literally lost track of time myself. Something about being so focused to get it right (and for you piece not to fall off haha). Are you planning to do another course?
Agreed! No I’m not as it was quite expensive so instead I’ve continued my pottery journey by buying air dry clay from this brand called Sculpd and it pretty much is the same as pottery clay it just dries without a kiln! So far I’ve made 4 vases!
I understand.. But so amazing you found an alternative! I'm definitely looking up the brand.
I personally really loved the wheel and I've found a studio that offers the use of their equipment for part of the day, so I'm going to look into that after summer.
4 vases, amazing!
Thanks for sharing—so happy the letter on long-distance friendships resonated with you!
In London, I LOVE Nopi/Rovi (Ottolenghi restaurants). And walking around the boutiques in Marylebone is such a fun lovely way to spend an afternoon. Check out La Fromagerie, a little cheese shop, and Daunt Books, a famous travel bookstore. Also love shopping Liberty, and wandering around Shoreditch. I also love Columbia Road Flower Market. Some good coffee spots include Notes, Monmouth Coffee, and Taylor St. Baristas. I also really enjoy Regent's Canal, either at the entrance (Little Venice) or near Camden/Chalk Farm. It's kind of special to see all the little house boats and walk along the narrow path.
I'm trying out acupuncture after having heard from many friends about the benefits for fertility—apparently it can be really helpful for regulating your cycle! If you experience anything weird coming off bc, may be something to look into.
So so grateful for all these recommendations! Marylebone definitely looks like I place I'd love to stroll through, and I'm always looking for cafes! Regent's canal is now on my list for sure! I love a cute pathway.
And as for acupuncture, I've seen it pop up a few times in correlation with hormone balancing, so looking into it! I am keeping in touch with my gp in case anything strange pops up, thanks ♡
The Beauty of Joseon sunscreen is my absolute favourite! It's hyped but it's worth the hype.
So good! No white cast whatsoever!
Did pottery too! So calming.
P.S. That first photo looked liked painting! So pretty.
It really is! ♡
And sometimes just zooming in on a picture makes it so much more aesthetic I feel
Ahh so many things I love in here! I’m honored to be alongside Severance by Ling Ma — that book changed me!! Loved watching One Day and Bridgerton (but especially Queen Charlotte), too. Also! London is my favorite city. Some recs here! https://jordanrisa.substack.com/p/some-of-you-asked-london-recommendations
Off the top of my head — Layla bakery, akub nottinghill, cafe Cecilia, artwords books, Kuro coffee, Jolene
I remember you writing something about Severance once and that's why it's been on my tbr, I hope for it to change something in me too! Yes, Queen Charlotte ♡
I haven't been to London since I was a teenager and I can't wait to peruse as an adult solo traveler - thanks so much for the recommendations - they're super helpful!!
How can i forget — bao shoreditch and Dishoom are also favorites! 🤍
Amazing! Thank you!