Image by Peter Hoffer

When I first arrived in London, I assumed that the British love for tea was just a cultural stereotype. Little did I know that stereotypes hold some grains of truth. After living here for years, I have slowly begun to adapt to relaxing with a ‘cuppa’.

So it shouldn’t come as a surprise that there is a museum dedicated to tea. The Twinings Tea Shop and Museum boasts a large selection of tea with many flavours not found in regular supermarkets. There are teas for everyday drinking and flavoured loose teas if you’re planning a proper tea party. There is even a special Twinings blend made for the Royal Wedding. I don’t know if Wills and Kate were given a few crates of this tea as a gift.

However it is the back of the shop that is the real draw – a small room dedicated to the history of Twinings tea and the tea trade in general. As someone who didn’t grow up in the UK (or in a tea drinking environment), the exhibits gave me a broad overview on how integral tea is to the British way of life.

While browsing the old Twinings advertising or retro packaging, visitors are welcome to enjoy (surprise) a cup of tea. The staff is happy to advise newbies to tea and introduce them to brand new blends – the White Tea and Pomegranate is my favourite!

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Twinings Tea Shop and Museum | Art & culture, Coffee & tea | Free
216 Strand, London, WC2R 1AP | Central | +442073533511
Mon – Fri 08:30 – 19.30, Sat 10:00 – 17:00, Sun 10:00 – 16:00

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Image by Peter Hoffer

Macaron shops have been appearing over London for the last year or so. These baked treats seem to be the new fashionable trend for those with a sweet-tooth. I have done my duty as a good Londoner (much to the disappointment of my dentist) and sampled a few macarons around town and my favourite is, without a doubt, those of Ladurée.

This Parisian chain of confectionary shops has three stores in London (the others are in Harrod’s and Covent Garden). However I think the Burlington Arcade shop feels the most French. Just looking into the windows of Ladurée seems indulgent (much like looking at the neighbouring jewelry and cashmere shops in the arcade). The shop assistants are dressed impeccably and the edible window decorations are sumptuous to behold and just oozes sophistication.

The flavours of the macaroons cover a range from vanilla and pistachio to rose and Madagascar chocolate. They are pricey for their small size (£1.60 each), but they are worth it once you bite into these pillowy pockets of sugar.

There is not much seating space, so I would recommend buying a selection of flavours and share them with a friend while promenading through Burlington Arcade. I guarantee that all of the Ladurée macarons will disappear by the time you finish your walk.

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Ladurée | Coffee & tea, Shopping, Snacks | Each macaron £ 1.60
71-72 Burlington Arcade | Central | +442074929155
Mon – Fri 08:30 – 18:30, Sat 09:00 – 18:30, Sun 11:00 – 17:00

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Image by Peter Hoffer

With cold weather and hours of darkness creeping into London, I try to find ways of keeping my mood up at this time of year. I can think of no better way of beating the winter blues than with the Scandinavians (who know more than a thing or two about dealing with the cold and the darkness in winter).

Scandinavian Kitchen consists of a cosy café in the front selling coffees, pastries, salads and open-faced sandwiches. I find that the smorgasbord combination dishes are the best deals for lunch (you can sample lots of different sandwiches for a lower price). When I am in the mood for just a snack, I tend to have a Swedish cinnamon bun with my coffee.

In the back is a small shop that sells Nordic goodies to many homesick Scandies. Whether it’s a bar of Daim, pickled beetroot or some frozen herring, chances are it will be here. Additionally the staff members are always happy to help with your food questions (and are known to give free hugs too). They were an immense help when I tried to cater a Eurovision party.

Located only minutes from Oxford Street, Scandinavian Kitchen makes for a perfect break from frantic shopping. There’s additional seating downstairs where you can also visit ‘Odin’s Throne’ (you’ll need to see it for yourself to know what I mean!)

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Scandinavian Kitchen | Coffee & tea, Snacks | Sandwiches £ 2.00
61 Great Titchfield Street, W1W 7PP | Central | +442075807161
Mon – Fri 08:00 – 19:00, Sat 10:00 – 18:00, Sun 10:00 – 16:00

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Image by Peter Hoffer

In a matter of hours, Soho can change its face completely. On Saturday nights Soho welcomes out-of-town theatre buffs, boisterous hen night parties and people just ready to drink and boogie. However on Sunday mornings, Soho reveals its quieter side with hungry Londoners looking for a tasty and peaceful brunch. I tend to fall into the brunch crowd.

One of the best places to brunch is Foxcroft and Ginger situated in the heart of Soho. The coffees are strong and the staff always has a smile, but for me the biggest draw is the food, particularly the French toast sandwiches. It’s like biting into a cloud. A sweet, fluffy, calorie-filled cloud. I find it impossible not to leave syrupy fingerprints on my Sunday newspaper while enjoying brunch here.

Seating upstairs is limited, but the basement has an arty-bohemian feel with mismatched furniture and graffiti wall paintings. An hour or two with a warm coffee and pastries sets the pace for a calm, leisurely Sunday.

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Foxcroft & Ginger | Coffee & tea, Snacks | Pastries £ 1.50
3 Berwick Street, W1F 0DR | Central | +442072875890
Mon 08:00 – 19:00, Tue – Fri 08:00 – 21:00, Sat 09:00 – 21:00, Sun 09:00 – 19:00

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Image by Phoebe Ferris-Rotman

During the day people bring their laptops or books and work, read and drink coffee sprawled over one of the many mismatched sofas or lounge chairs. At night tea candles are lit and hot drinks are swapped for alcoholic drinks as people unwind and meet friends in what was once the Old Truman Brewery in Brick Lane (check the Brick Lane article). In summertime, people swamp to the outside picnic benches and the alleyway, though there is always a lovely cosy feel inside.

The boho and versatile venue opens at a very early 06:00 for breakfast and soups, jacket potatoes and sandwiches are on offer for lunch and dinner. Live music attracts a younger crowd with indie bands on Tuesday and jazz on Wednesday. Bands play in the smaller room at the back on Sunday and a dj spins tunes on Friday and Saturday.

Cocktails made with fresh fruit are available on the weekend and all year round you can grab a burger or corn on the cob from the grill stand outside. Tables and benches outside in front are great for people watching or smoking.

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Café 1001 | Bars, Coffee & tea, Music, Snacks, Restaurants (intern.)
1 Dray walk, 91 Brick Lane | East | +442072479679
Mon – Sat 06:00 – 00:00, Sun 06:00 – 23:30

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Image by Phoebe Ferris-Rotman

If visiting Queen’s Park and need a big breakfast to cure your hangover, Jack’s is the perfect spot. It’s a small café in the style of an American diner which serves all-day breakfasts, sandwiches, burgers, soups and salads. What makes Jack’s stand out from most cafes is the bottomless cups of coffee and tea; only a handful of places across London offer it.

Thick ice-cream milkshakes, pancakes made from imported batter mix and real maple syrup make it distinctively Yankee and it’s no wonder, as the owner’s wife is half American. At night candles are lit, alcohol is served and burgers, salads and daily specials are served. It has recently expanded to include a back room and also currently has a patio which is one of the area’s highlights in the summer.

The prices are reasonable and the location, just down the road from Queen’s Park means you can walk off your fry-up in a picturesque setting.

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Jack’s | Coffee & tea, Snacks, Restaurants (Breakfast) | English breakfast £ 4.95
101 Salusbury Road | North-West | +442076248925
Mon – Fri 07:00 – late, Sat 08:00 – late, Sun 09:00 – late

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Image by Phoebe Ferris-Rotman

At the top of China Town is London’s best cinema. The prices are less than the outrageously priced Hollywood junk shown in Leicester square and the venue is so welcoming people hang out here without even watching a film. The Soho Curzon is part of a chain of five similar cinemas, though my personal favourite is the Soho edition as it’s the most central and the layout is most inviting.

At street level a retro-styled café has over 20 different pastries and cakes and serves hot soup, coffees and organic wines. Downstairs a spacious bar is adorned with brown leather sofas you sink down into and tables where you can find people having pre-movie drinks, post-movie chats or just enjoying the artsy atmosphere.

The three cinemas in the basement show a selection of art house independent and less commercial titles. The Soho Curzon regularly hosts Q&A sessions with film directors and script writers along with special previews. Film festivals and a monthly quiz are also on the agenda.

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Soho Curzon | Art & culture, Bars, Cinemas, Coffee & tea, Snacks | Ticket £ 12.00
99 Shaftesbury Avenue | Central | +448717033988
Box office 11:00 – 21:00 daily | Bar 11:00 – 23:00 daily

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Image by Phoebe Ferris-Rotman

Brick Lane offers a multitude of choice in terms of bars and nightlife but Casa Blue sticks out, not least because of all the fairy lights and candles glowing from within.

A lacquered wooden panel of peacocks is hung next to a watercolour painting of a naval fleet. 50′s memorabilia is plastered wearily to the wall. While the predominantly red kitsch bric-a-brac decor means your eyes don’t know where to settle, the kooky collection of plastic chandeliers, hanging baubles and blinking strings of light make a unique setting.

Even though the music ranges anywhere from the Beatles to Manu Chau, the tunes are familiar and well-chosen. There are comfy plus sofas and yummy cocktails. Food is also available. While the menu is limited, the house specialty comes in platter form – international mezze for two or more people. For only £5 each, sharing platters come with a selection of hot and cold tapas and you can choose Mediterranean, Indian or Greek cuisine.

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Casa Blue | Bars, Coffee & tea, Music, Snacks | Cocktail £ 6.00
228 Brick Lane | East
Sun – Thu 12:00 – 01:00, Fri – Sat 12:00 – 03:00

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Image by Phoebe Ferris-Rotman

This Brick Lane (check Brick Lane article) staple has been around for years, and serves as a remnant of the area’s Jewish past. While the bakery is not somewhere you would want to hang out long for – the bright white lights give it a clinical feel – the bagels are ridiculously cheap and very tasty, so it’s worth a visit.

A bagel and cream cheese will only set you back a mere £1 and they are made the proper way, by boiling then baking, creating the dense chewy consistency which is so more-ish. This makes a much welcomed change from most bagel store chains, who essentially serve bread rolls with a hole in the middle. Other fillings include smoked salmon, chopped herring and hot salt beef. Donuts and pastries are also made fresh daily.

Service is super quick and it’s open 24 hours, so after a night out on Brick Lane you can wander in for a bite, and find throngs of like-minded party-goers doing the same.

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Beigel Bake | Coffee & tea, Snacks | Bagel cream cheese £ 1.00
159 Brick Lane | East
24 hours daily

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Image by Phoebe Ferris-Rotman

My friends and I affectionately call this our local, because while it isn’t around the corner from us, it’s certainly one of the nicest pubs in our area. Inside, a collection of wooden tables and and cushioned chairs are lit by mismatched chandeliers. Palm trees covered in fairy lights and massive mirrors in elaborate frames add to the red burgundy decor.

Traditional tasty pub food is served at reasonable prices and a carnival-like old fashioned popcorn machine provides a steady flow of free popcorn, placed strategically around the circular bar in large bowls for anyone to take.

My favourite part is the beer garden at the back. Half the space is covered and there is plenty of seating. The covered area has three sets of large semi-circular tables with booth-like seating. Sitting outside in winter is fine too as there is a very efficient heating lamp system.

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The Regent | Bars, Coffee & tea, Snacks, Restaurants (Pub) | Glass of wine £ 3.25
5 Regent Street | North-West | +442089692184
Mon – Thu 12:00 – 23:00, Fri – Sat 12:00 – 01:00, Sun 12:00 – 10:30

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