Where to Eat in London
There’s nowhere in the world we’d rather spend a 48 hour city break than London, but perhaps we’re biased. After all, it is the spiritual home of fry-ups, Sunday roasts and pubs – all things we’re rather partial to – not to mention amazing museums, beautiful green spaces and a roll-call of incredible music events. You might think you’d barely scratch the surface during a 48-hour trip to London, but with our tips, you’ll tick off all the essentials.
London has rightfully become one of the culinary capitals of the world, attracting some of the greatest chefs on the planet. While there’s a buzzy restaurant scene of new openings, including our new upstairs restaurant, Alfie’s at The Alfred Tennyson in Belgravia, with an incredible range of different cuisines on offer, there’s also delicious local fare to be discovered, too, and a lot of it you’ll find at our pubs.
Where to go for breakfast
Breakfast is an institution in London. Whether it’s a bowl of cereal at home, a hastily eaten bacon sarnie en route to work or a Full English taken leisurely with a copy of the day’s paper, there’s no denying that it’s very much treated as an art form.
Head to The Princess Royal in Notting Hill for an elevated take on classic English breakfast dishes with a Mediterranean twist: from Scrambled Eggs with Wild Mushrooms, Truffle and Parmesan, to the Grilled Flatbread, Slow Cooked Lamb, Fried Egg, Labneh, Salsa Verde and Pickled Red Onion. Those with a sweet tooth should try the Panettone ‘French Toast’ with Soft Serve, Pistachio Cream and Fresh Figs. Feeling a little worse for wear? Get an ‘eye opener’ down you – the pub’s playful take on the hair of the dog, with Mimosas, Bellinis and of course, Bloody Marys.
At the weekend, The Princess Royal takes it to the next level with a brunch menu served from 10am, featuring signature dishes and seasonal favourites. Whether you’re after a long, leisurely meal or a boozy brunch in Notting Hill, this is the place to be.
Meanwhile, The Orange in Belgravia is doing something a little different. Inspired by the Mediterranean, chef Ben Tish has concocted a menu of sun-drenched dishes that can be cooked in the wood-fired pizza oven. Think breakfast flatbreads with an Italian take on a Full English (fennel sausage and pancetta) or a sweet option with blood orange marmalade, stracciatella and mint.
After something quicker? The Alfred Tennyson in Belgravia opens from 10:30am for coffee and pastries – ideal for those craving a proper cup and flaky pastry before the rest of the day gets going.
Don’t miss iconic Sunday Roasts on weekend getaways to London
One cannot simply go on a London weekend escape or city break without enjoying a good Sunday Roast – otherwise, did you really visit London? Comprising meat (usually Chicken, Beef or Lamb), crispy Roast Potatoes, English veg (Carrots, Parsnips, Cabbage, Peas), lashings of Gravy and Yorkshire Puddings (with everything if you’re north of Watford, only with beef if you’re not), it’s best to come wearing your elasticated waistband.
In Marylebone, two of our pubs, The Coach Makers Arms and The Grazing Goat, proudly serve one of the best Sunday Roasts in Central London. One thing you should know about roasts is that each meat comes with its own accoutrements. Case in point: on the menu at The Coach Makers Arms, the Pork Belly is served with Apple & Walnut Ketchup, the Angus Beef Rump with Ox Cheek Fritter and Horseradish Crème Fraîche, Lamb Chop with Mint Sauce and Chicken with Bread Sauce.
We love to add loads of sides too, so don’t forget to ask for the Purple Sprouting Broccoli with Chilli and Spenwood or the Spring Greens with Preserved Lemon and Garlic.
Meanwhile, at The Grazing Goat, expect Sage and Garlic Butter with your Chicken, and veggies will be well served with dishes like Montgomery & Cauliflower Gratin and Honey Roasted Carrots . Make sure you’ve got room for pudding too – Sticky Toffee Pudding is known as a traditional British dessert for a reason.
If you’re in Mayfair, then The Barley Mow’s restaurant offers something slightly more elevated, befitting its location. Think Wiltshire Lamb Rump with Mint Sauce and Cornish Day Boat Fish with Brown Caper Butter.
Hidden Underground Bars in London: Speakeasy Style with Serious Cocktails
Sometimes the best spots in London are the ones tucked below street level. Beneath The Coach Makers Arms in Marylebone, you’ll find The Clubhouse: a speakeasy-style cocktail bar with low lighting, boutique spirits and a proper sense of fun. It’s ideal for late-night catch-ups, live sport screenings or private dining when you want your own hidden corner of the city.
In Belgravia, the Blood Orange Bar brings an elegant edge to the underground. Nestled in the vaults of The Orange, it’s the perfect place for after-work cocktails, pre-dinner drinks or spontaneous weekend nightcaps. Expect a curated list of must-try cocktails, as well as premium beers, wines and a bar menu worth sticking around for. Both bars have cosy spaces available for private dining or events, so whether you’re celebrating or just escaping the drizzle, you’ll be well looked after.
Sunset rooftop drinks
What London might lack in skyscrapers, makes up for with stylish rooftop bars and terrace views, perfect for your next London weekend getaway. On a clear day, there’s nothing better than sundowners from the rooftop terrace of The Orange, now one of the best-kept secrets for London rooftop cocktails. Match your tipple to the sunset with a Blood Orange Margarita, and don’t forget snacks – the stuffed Gordal Olives are next level. Feeling peckish? The Orange specialises in pizzas cooked to order in its wood-fired pizza oven, with fun flavour combinations like New Potatoes, Caramelised Onion and Gorgonzola, or Ortiz Tuna, Purple Sprouting Broccoli, Mascarpone and Datterini Tomatoes.
Where to Stay in London: Pubs with Rooms, Boutique Hotels & Neighbourhood Charm
London has it all: five-star Grand Dames, cool new designer hotels and of course, pubs with rooms. The latter in particular has seen an explosion in popularity in recent years, thanks to a host of forward-thinking publicans offering not only great food, but also stylish and comfy rooms. After all, what’s more appealing than being able to simply amble upstairs after a classic pub dinner?
Three of our pubs offer a selection of boutique bedrooms: The Princess Royal Pub & Boutique Hotel in Notting Hill, The Grazing Goat Pub & Boutique Hotel in Marylebone and the newly reopened The Orange Pub & Boutique Hotel in Belgravia.
All are ideally located for exploring some of London’s most famous neighbourhoods, with a plethora of shops, museums and galleries on our doorsteps. Featuring beautiful modern interior design and with all the necessary mod-cons, including Roberts radios, in-room treatments and botanical toiletries by local artisans 100 Acres, there’s nowhere better to rest your head for the night in our humble opinion. Bonus point: the barman will know your name and your order by the end of the weekend.
Local Neighbourhoods to explore
Made world-famous by the Hugh Grant and Julia Roberts rom-com of the same name, Notting Hill is a vintage shopping paradise, with the market at Portobello Road being particularly good for fashion and antiques. It’s great for capturing a bit of Instagram content, too, with plenty of gorgeous pastel-hued houses. If you’re looking for a bit of culture, the Electric Cinema is the sort with comfy armchairs and wine, while the Notting Hill Arts Club is an institution for a reason.
Also in West London, you’ll find Chelsea, known for its well-heeled residents, as well as the red-uniformed Chelsea Pensioners, annual Chelsea Flower Show and designer shops on Sloane Street. The Kings Road is home to lots of great British brands having their original flagships here, like Trotters, Rixo and The White Company. Pont Street is also worth a wander, if only to see handbag designer Anya Hindmarch’s fantastic street of shops dubbed ‘The Village’, which boasts a café, village hall and blowdry bar.
Jump on the 22 bus to get from Chelsea to Mayfair, which boasts the theatres of the West End, The British Museum, National Gallery and National Portrait Gallery within walking distance. The Bakerloo line will take you from Oxford Circus to Marylebone, which kids in particular will love. After all, it’s not only the home of Sherlock Holmes, but it’s also got the London Planetarium and Madame Tussauds, while London Zoo isn’t far away either.
Be sure to visit our Cubitt House Central London pubs on your city break – book a table to guarantee a spot, especially for a Sunday roast, or spend the night, or two, with us and unwind, eat, drink and be merry!
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