By golly, LUXE users have good taste! We asked, you shared your top 5 things to do in London and well, forget ongoing Brexiety, it seems the Old Smoke continues to charm with its unique combo of history and tradition with fashion-forward sass, ballsy cooking, artisanal heritage and villagey neighbourhoods. Here are the 5 top ranked listings in the London LUXE Guide, as chosen by you.
5. The Palomar
Never mine the no-res poilcy, it seems you can’t get enough of this lively kitchen-fronting bar in the heart of Theatreland. The mod, light menu draws on Middle Eastern and southern Spanish influences; expect intrepid, tongue-tingling flavours.
34 Rupert Street, Soho, thepalomar.co.uk
4. Gymkhana
Ditching the cheap and cheerful curry stereotype, Gymkhana has given Britain’s beloved, adopted cuisine a homely but refined makeover. Inspired by Indian gymkhana clubs, where members socialise, dine and drink, the clubby, dim-lit, colonial-style Mayfair salon of leather, dark woods and sepia-toned snaps totes Michelin-starred morsels paired with Indian punches, lightly spiced cocktails or a good ol’ G+T.
42 Albemarle Street, W1 gymkhanalondon.com
3. The Monument
London’s modern architecture might be soaring upwards, but this gilded Doric column, built in testament to the Great Fire by national treasure Christopher Wren, still offers one of the best birds-eye views of London. Give those glutes a proper workout with a quick skip up its 311 spiral steps.
Fish Street Hill, City of London, www.themonument.org.uk
2. Chelsea Physic Garden
If you’re lucky enough to find yourself in London on a sunny day, don’t miss the city’s oldest botanic garden. Beeline for this idyllic walled garden with a book and blanket, or join one of the guided tours through various manicured plots – from medicinal to floral – and finish at the pretty patio’d caff with a cuppa and a sinful brownie.
66 Royal Hospital Road, Chelsea, chelseaphysicgarden.co.uk
1. Maltby Street Market
Food glorious food – the top London spot goes to this darling gourmand gathering under the railway arches, where savvy foodies go to escape the fanny-packed hordes of Borough. Venture south of the river stock up on top-notch, artisan sips and bites from the likes of The Cheese Truck, London Honey Company and 8th-gen butcher O’Shea’s. There’s even a hipster-run mead stall – how medieval.
41 Maltby Street, Bermondsey, maltby.st
Heading to the Old Smoke for a spring fling?
