It seems like a lifetime since SJ moved to London to seek her fortune and while it’s only been nine months, she now knows the city like a local. If you’re planning a trip there any time soon, she may not be available to show you around, so here are her insider’s tips.
Best coffee
This one’s easy – without a doubt Shot in Fulham. With an alternating Australian and Italian barista, not only is the coffee as good if not better than any you’d get in Melbourne, the Italian pastries and paninis prove that you can in fact improve on perfection.
Best cocktail
I’m a big margarita enthusiast. Easily the best margaritas I’ve had were at a highly recommended Mexican bar called Bodega Negara in Soho. Disguised as a sex shop from the outside, it’s actually a cool underground bar. I’ve been told there’s a place where you can make your own margaritas, so that could be a new number one – I’ll have to test it out for you first though!
Best breakfast
Beany Green in Paddington does a delicious dish involving sweet corn fritters, avocado, poached eggs and bacon. In fact, everything on the menu is delicious, particularly the amazing array of desserts for when breakfast inevitably turns into brunch. It’s also an Australian establishment – what can I say we do world-class coffee and brunch.
Best local view
Being fairly partial to a rooftop, I’ve made it my mission to visit most in London and so feel qualified to answer this. Maddison’s is the clear winner here, simply by following the real estate criteria of location, location, location. Opposite St Paul’s cathedral, it has an uninterrupted view of its distinctive dome, especially as the sun sets – it’s impossible to top.
One fun thing you can do for free
Walk everywhere. There’s always something going on in London and walking is a great was to see the different boroughs. My favourite place to walk is along the private road next to Kensington Palace, where you’ll find all the different embassies. The buildings are some of the most beautiful you’ll ever see.
Something only a local knows about
The Citymapper app is the best way to get around. It will tell you all your options by public transport, car, taxi, bike – even jet pack – as well as how long they’ll take, cost and how even how many calories you’ll burn! Sorry Google, Citymapper wins this round.
Favourite thing to do in and around the are
I can’t recommend going to Cambridge enough. London’s trains make it easy to do daytrips and weekends away and if you travel at off peak times, you can often get very cheap tickets. Cambridge is one of the prettiest places I’ve been, with enough to do on offer that you can easily spend a day or weekend there. In the interests of being even handed, next stop, Oxford.
Why do you love this town?
I moved to London primarily for its proximity to the rest of Europe. But it has a way of sneaking up on you and making you fall in love with its constantly pulsing tempo. With something always going on, it really is the centre of the universe.
