Image by Peter Hoffer

Located just minutes from the UK Houses of Parliament (where the cacophony of MPs barking at one another fill the Westminster air), the wonderful St. John’s Smith Square provides discerning classical music fans to feast their ears on a wide programme of concerts and recitals.

Built in the early 18th century, St. John’s Smith Square is an example of English Baroque architecture.  But the real joy of the building is the acoustics that makes a building of its size seems so intimate.

The types of concerts range from lunchtime concerts, chamber orchestras and Christmas carols.  A particular highlight is the Rosenblatt Recitals, which gives audiences a tastes of opera arias but familiar and obscure.  A night of classical music does not have to be expensive; it’s quite easy to get tickets for about £10.

The Smith Square restaurant downstairs also provides quick meals before the concert and some wine and snacks during the interval (I can highly recommend the cakes).

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St. John’s Smith Square | Art & culture, Music | Concert ticket £ 10
Smith Square,SW1P 3HA | Central | +442072221061
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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

When it comes to icy treats, frozen yogurt tends not to be top of my list – generally I find it a bit too tart for my tastes. However the frozen yogurt at Yog can make a fan out of even those skeptical of frozen yogurt.

Although the flavours are limited (3-4 offered), they are tasty: the pomegranate is subtly sweet while the dark chocolate has a deep creamy flavour. Plus the yogurt is non-fat and under 200 calories which means I feel less guilty about adding cookies toppings (or coconut flakes or brownies or Belgian chocolate chips). There are other offerings like smoothies if I feel especially healthy, but I tend to stick with the chocolate yogurt and fresh strawberry topping.

If the idea of eating frozen yogurt in the cold months makes your teeth chatter, there are hot toppings like hot pears with cinnamon or warm apple.  These fruit toppings count as one of your servings of fruit a day, right?

At only £2.40 for a regular bowl, Yog makes for an affordable treat and a popular hangout for local students. It’s also housed in a former dairy, which is reflected in the design indoors. Yog is also open late most days, which makes this a healthier post-pub treat than a kebab.

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Yog | Snacks | Yogurt bowls £ 2.40
45 Charlotte Street, w1t 1rs | Central
Mon – Sat 11:00 – 23:00, Sun 12:00 – 22:00

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Image by Peter Hoffer

I find second-hand bookshops in London can fit on a scale with two extremes. On one side are bookshops so immaculately organized that book lovers might be afraid of taking books off shelves or displays for fear of altering the bookseller’s vision. On the other side are bookshops so disheveled that you feel like you are exploring your grandma’s dusty attic.

Located underneath the Brunswick Centre near Russell Square station, Skoob Books falls somewhere between the two ends of the spectrum. I can best describe the bookshop as ‘organized chaos’. The books are grouped in key sections throughout the underground shop, and the titles are arranged in alphabetical order on the shelves (and many times on the floor too).

The selection of books is numerous without being overwhelming (and if the shop doesn’t have the title you want, they can order it for you). Being located near many universities, Skoob also has a rich selection of titles not normally found in other second-hand bookshops: philosophy, science, economics. But if you’re just looking for a good novel, there are plenty of those too.

The lack of windows and natural light might be a turn-off for some, but for me it just reinforces the feel of adventure, like Aladdin searching through the treasures of a magical literary cave. And if you need a break from browsing, there’s a piano in the middle of the shop that people are welcome to play.

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Skoob Books | Shopping | Used books £ 4.00
66 The Brunswick WC1N 1AE | Central | +442072788760
Mon – Sat 10:30 – 20:00, Sun 10:30 – 18:00

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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

Abeno Too is a fantastic find in the centre of London next to Leicester Square tube station. The small restaurant has a few tables but the best seat is at the large circular bar. While most people associate Japanese food with sushi, Abeno Too serves the other side of the cuisine. You won’t have heard of many dishes, but that’s part of what makes this sweet simply decorated restaurant so intriguing.

Their specialty is the delicious ‘Okonomi-yaki’, a savoury pancake made of cabbage, egg, dough, spring onions, ginger and a ‘tempura’ batter. You can choose extra ingredients such as tofu or prawn, and it’s fried right in front of you on metal hot grills.

They also have a great selection of hot and cold sake which is served in a ‘masu’, a traditional wooden box. The staff are very friendly and welcoming, and eager to advise on food choices and answer questions.

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Abeno Too | Snacks, Restaurants (Japanese) | Prawn Okonomi-yaki £ 9.80
17-18 Great Newport Street | Central | +442073791160
Mon – Sat 12:00 – 23:00, Sun 12:00 – 22:00

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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 Kake

Just off the bustling Oxford Street is Hari Krishna run Govinda, a delicious and healthy vegetarian Indian cafe. While there are posters everywhere inviting you to “join the party”, luckily there is no other type of religious propositioning, and the focus is just on delicate flavours and fresh food.

Aside from the salad bar, food ranges from veggie or paneer (Indian cheese) burgers to onion bhajis, mango lassis and sesame covered spinach rolls. The best deal is the Thali though. Thalis are a selection of little dishes on a tray. For £7.50 you can choose two curries, a rice, bread roll or popadoms and sweet chutney.

Service is efficient and fast and the place offers a nice respite from the chaotic nature of London’s biggest shopping street.

Picture by Kake Pugh

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Govinda Restaurant | Snacks, Restaurants (Indian) | Thali £ 7.50
9-10 Soho Street | Central | +442074374928
Mon – Sat 12:00 – 20:00

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