36 Hours in London

Truer words have never been spoken.  London is a city that vibrates with life.  The constant hustle and bustle is both exhausting and intoxicating.  But, this is the joy of the city.  And, to experience London is to walk the fine line between the two, discovering all its treasures along the way.  So, without further ado, here’s a 36 hours guide to one of Europe’s most exciting cities.

Friday Night 

Your flight, train, bus or whatever it is you traveled in on has landed or pulled into the station.  You’ve made your way to your hotel or Airbnb, dropped your stuff off only to hear your belly grumble.  It’s pushing on a bit, and hunger is setting in.  In short, it’s time to get a bite to eat.  

Friday night fish n’ chips - Toff’s

Don’t be put off by the name; you’re not likely to come across any monocle wearing, top hat sporting members of the upper echelons of society here.  And, that’s not to discredit this fine eating establishment tucker.  Nestled away in the sleepy suburb of Muswell Hill, Toff’s serves up the best fish and chips in the whole darn country.  Scratch that, the world.  This family-run restaurant uses sustainably sourced fish, cooks it to order and makes use of a traditional (the way it should be) batter recipe.  Service is fast and friendly. Find best palaces to have fish and chips in London here.

Saturday Morning 

Breakfast - The Breakfast Club 

You know what they say, breakfast is the most important meal of the day.  So, head on over to any one of the branches of this breakfast cafe chain dotted throughout London and whose name derives from the classic John Hughes movie.  Indulge in pancakes, a full English or their delicious oatmeal porridge; you’ll need the energy for the day ahead.  

Stroll down Southbank 

Southbank’s riverside promenade is a two-mile stretch buzzing with life and brimming with cultural institutions.  A walk by the water in the mid-morning sun is beautiful and refreshing.  There are plenty of cafes to stop off at for a quick coffee and a short bout of people watching before moving into one of the area’s fantastic galleries. 

A touch of culture - Tate Modern 

Like all of London’s museums, the Tate modern is completely free.  You can spend hours exploring the former Bankside power station’s permanent exhibitions which consist of international contemporary and modern art. 

And a little more - Hayward Gallery 

Set behind the British Film Institute, which houses one of the best arthouses cinemas in all of London, is the Hayward Gallery.  Housed behind the walls of this striking example of brutalist architecture, visitors can check out programmed events or temporary exhibitions.  Currently, and running through until October, the venue is hosting a photography exhibition that features the work of more than 30 artists who have used drag to explore and question identity, gender, class, and politics.

Lunch - Boxpark 

Head across the river and up a little way up into east London's trendy Shoreditch neighborhood.  Make your way to box park (it sits next to the Shoreditch High Street Station), a collection of old shipping containers that have been transformed to house boutique shops, bars, and food stalls.  Here, you can pick and choose what you feel like chowing down on.  You’ll find everything from falafels to burgers.  Once you’ve made your choice, settle into the communal seating areas and tuck in.  

Explore Shoreditch 

Shoreditch is a strange and exciting place.  A horrific example of gentrification and pretension, but somehow it still manages to retain a level of charm and allure.  The place is ripe with hip pop-up shops selling overpriced enamel kitchenware and tea-tree beard oils.  Go down Bricklane and cut into any number of vintage clothes and record shops that line the streets, before hitting Spitalfields market.

Pick up a gift - Spitalfields Market 

Labeling itself a “traders market,” Spitalfields boasts stalls that sells some spectacular stuff.  From hand-stitched alpaca scarves to natural soaps, Spitalfields is the perfect place to pick up a gift for a friend or, hey, even yourself. find our more at dotravel.

Time for a Drink - The Sun Tavern 

Just up from Bethnal Green Station, a hop skip and a step from Spitalfields market is the Sun Tavern.  This cool little pub was first established in 1851 and reopened in 2014.  It is said the Kray twins owned the building.  They serve a fine selection of cocktails and craft beers, as well as the Irish, distilled liquor, Poitin, which if you’ve never had the pleasure of tasting, is a must.  

Dinner - Hurwundeki 

Head around the corner down to Cambridge Heath to Hurwundeki for a restaurant unlike any you’ll have ever experienced.  This little joint serves as a hairdresser during the day but come night the stoves are fired up, the kitchen comes to life, and hot bowls of Korean food are ferried out to tables of hungry patrons.  Go for the bibimbap; it's excellent.  The place is BYOB, so pick yourself up a bottle of something from one of the nearby offies if you’re so inclined.  

Dance it up - The Old Queens Head 

A short bus ride from Shoreditch and your into the Angel/Islington area of London where down on Essex Road sits The Old Queens Head.  Not only is this fantastic pub/club home to the oldest fireplace in all of London, but it also boasts three floors of fun.  

Upstairs is an intimate club space, with another bar, that goes off after 10.00.  And, the next floor up is a private karaoke room that you can hire for the night.  Or, if you’ve got the big bucks, you can also rent the private playroom which is fitted with video game consoles, foosball tables, and a dartboard.  The best bit is both rooms come with “room” service, meaning you don’t have to make endless trips up and down the stairs to get the rounds in.   

The fridges are stuffed with craft beers and the bartenders, who are a super friendly bunch, known their way around a cocktail menu too.  

Depending on the night you can expect to hear the DJs spin everything from pop classics to hip-hop and R&B, guaranteeing a night of solid boogying.

At 2 am, when they chuck you out, it’s time to head home.  It’s been a long day of adventure, and everyone needs their beauty sleep.  Including you.  Good night.