The Ultimate Insiders’ Guide to London’s Coolest Spots

It’s impossible to be tired of London when the city keeps presenting new and fabulous experiences in addition to longstanding attractions that warrant repeat visits. Three Qantas travel writers – who uncover hidden gems across the world – share their top tips, insights and must-dos following recent trips to the bustling city. 

“It’s only been open since November but it’s been tipped as the perfect London pub.” - Alex Carlton

“Many visitors to London make the mistake of trying to hit every blockbuster attraction in one trip [the Tower of London, the Tate Modern]. My advice is to schedule just one into your itinerary and reserve the rest of your time for exploring less-travelled nooks, where you’re more likely to rub shoulders with locals rather than fellow tourists.

“London Mithraeum is a local curiosity I love to explore. The ground floor is devoted to contemporary art – in February a new, colour-splashed exhibition by English painter Leo Robinson opened – but the real excitement begins underground. There, you’ll find an eerie recreation of a Roman temple, used by the mysterious Mithras cult around the time of London’s founding in about AD 240. The atmosphere is enhanced by a soundtrack of Latin chanting.

“Small children mightn’t be overly impressed by ancient ruins but they will love exploring the wonky dinosaurs at Crystal Palace Park. Constructed in the mid-1800s, the dinosaur models were based on the evidence that palaeontologists had at the time – plus a little imagination – so many look like oversized iguanas with spikes.”  

“The four-storey Devonshire in Soho has only been open since November but it’s already been tipped as the perfect London pub. Oisín Rogers – formerly of the Guinea Grill – is the ultimate Irish landlord and the food comes from a Fat Duck alumni, Ashley Palmer-Watts. The best bit? The food here is honest and solid and there are no fancy twists or riffs on anything. Get a bacon sandwich, the bread and butter pudding and a pint of Guinness and have yourself a properly British good time. 

“For something more upscale, the Clove Club in Shoreditch is a beloved stalwart. It’s tasting menu only (it does change frequently) and always features rare and often forgotten British ingredients such as Cornish sardines and Torbay prawns.

“My favourite place to plop the suitcase in London is the Laslett in Notting Hill. It’s tucked away in a row of classic London terraces, so it feels peaceful and restful but it’s also footsteps from the tube. It makes an excellent breakfast – I’m a fan of their broad beans on toast – and there’s even a series of recharge rooms where you can get a quick wellness pick-me-up like an ozone sauna to help you squash the jetlag.”

“Lobster tails and caviar are added to omelettes while champagne is poured…” - Ben Mack 

“London has many legendary hotels but perhaps none are as storied as The Savoy. Breakfast alone – in a light-filled atrium where lobster tails and caviar are added to omelettes while champagne is poured – is worth staying for. The 267 rooms and suites, many with views of the Thames, are done up in either Edwardian or Art Deco style and feel cosy, like a home away from home amid the central city bustle. 

“Guest of the Savoy or not, make time for London’s oldest surviving cocktail bar, the American Bar, where classic cocktails such as the Hanky Panky (gin, sweet vermouth and Fernet-Branca) and the Corpse Reviver (with gin, lemon juice, curaçao, Kina Lillet and absinthe) were allegedly invented. 

“Spare yourself the Eurostar and head to Chez Antoinette for French wine and Lyonnaise fare. Make it a late lunch of Brie de Meaux, a tartine [or open sandwich] with brie and hazelnut on homemade brioche, enjoyed in a cute, covered courtyard in Covent Garden.

“To experience something of the English countryside in town, Mudchute Park and Farm’s green spaces between Canary Wharf and the Thames are perfect for picnicking. Kids – and kids at heart – will love meeting friendly barnyard animals, including cows, sheep, goats, pigs and llamas.”

“You’ll find a 24-foot-high crystal-encrusted Pegasus statue soaring out of the wall…” - Karla Courtney

“Alongside architectural masterpieces that ooze British history and grandeur, London is packed with gems that transport you to completely different worlds.

“At the top of Kensington Gardens near the Lancaster Gate tube station, you can spend a quiet morning in what feels like a slice of Florence – admiring the marble fountains, manicured greenery and ornate stone statues at the Italian Gardens.

“From here, continue further down into Hyde Park along The Serpentine, past floating swans and paddleboats on a scenic route towards Soho, where Bangkok canteen cuisine is on the menu at Speedboat Bar. The green-tiled walls, fluorescent lights and scattered photos of Thai street scenes are matched in boldness by the flavours – like the lunch special of aubergine served with Thai basil, egg and chilli on a bed of fragrant rice, and creamy Thai iced tea sweetened with condensed milk. If you’re ready to start the party, go upstairs and play a round of pool accompanied by a South-East Asian spin on a Margarita made with a green mango tequila and lime leaf.

“Selfridges department store is no shopping secret but glitzy Brasserie of Light, an eatery inside the store, has an ethereal art surprise. Grab a seat at the plush pink Art Deco-style bar, sip a glass of Veuve for £15.50 (not a bad price for the address) and peer around into the dining room where you’ll find a 24-foot-high crystal-encrusted Pegasus statue by Damien Hirst soaring out of the wall above the tables.

“Round off your mini London world tour with a stay at The Prince Akatoki near Marble Arch – a luxe, Japanese-themed boutique hotel where you’ll find minimalist wooden furniture, spacious ground-floor suites with their own courtyards and special touches, such as cast iron teapots with loose-leaf herbal tea and cosy yukata robes. It’s an escape within an escape.”

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