Search Results

Looking for a relaxed yet stylish restaurant near Marble Arch or a great spot for lunch after shopping on Oxford Street? Lanes of London is a hidden gem offering everything from fresh, healthy dishes to indulgent treats—all served in a beautifully designed space overlooking Hyde Park. Just a two-minute walk from Marble Arch Station, Lanes of London offers a welcome break from the crowds. Located inside the London Marriott Hotel Park Lane, this all-day dining restaurant blends refined elegance with a laid-back, welcoming vibe. Inside, you’ll find plush seating, warm lighting, and windows that offer views of Hyde Park—perfect for watching the sunset as you sip a glass of wine. It’s an ideal setting for a romantic dinner, casual lunch, or even just a stylish place to catch up with friends. What We Ate: Small Plates, Big Flavours We started with a selection of sharing plates, and every one of them brought something to the table—literally. The salt-baked beetroot with whipped labneh, pistachios, and a touch of truffle honey was earthy, creamy, and beautifully balanced. The bruschetta was topped with roasted peppers, tomato chutney, crumbled feta, and a hint of honey—flavourful and satisfying. The padron peppers came with a spicy chilli mayo and were the perfect little snack to kick things off. All dishes were beautifully plated and ideal for sharing with friends or as starters before a main meal. Healthy, Fresh Mains with a Twist We tried the Superfood Salad, which was packed with freekeh, roasted cauliflower, avocado, pomegranate seeds, and a balsamic dressing. It tasted as good as it looked—light, fresh, and totally satisfying. To balance things out, we also ordered the truffle parmesan fries, which were crispy, rich, and impossible to stop eating. Paired with a chilled Chardonnay from their excellent wine list, it made for a perfect main course. Decadent Desserts You’ll Come Back For Even if you’re full, don’t skip dessert. The green apple cheesecake with cardamom caramelised pineapple and a sablé breton base was light and fruity, while the vegan brownie with vanilla ice cream was rich, warm, and totally indulgent—without any dairy. Both were the perfect way to end a relaxed evening of great food and wine. Whether you’re a local looking for a new favourite or a visitor in need of a stylish restaurant near Hyde Park, Lanes of London is well worth checking out. With a creative menu, excellent service, and a beautiful setting, it’s a great option for everything from healthy lunches to romantic dinners. Book your table at Lanes of London  https://www.lanesoflondon.co.uk and discover one of Park Lane’s best-kept dining secrets. Written by Claire Bloom Photos courtesy of Lanes of London

On one of those perfect London Summer days, where better to be than on a sunny terrace sipping cocktails with your bestie? With the warm weather on our side, we headed to the Stella Summer Terrace at Hotel Saint, located directly next to Aldgate station. Usually buzzing during the week, I really cherish being City side on the weekend where the environment is a lot more chilled. The terrace was exactly what we needed; open, bright, and a total sun trap, perfect for low key Sunday drinks and nibbles. Hotel Saint has teamed up with Stella Artois to launch a new terrace, with the resident mixologist creating Stella Artois infused cocktails, adding a refreshing twist to some classic favourites. I have to admit beforehand we weren’t totally convinced with the concept of beer infused cocktails, but they honestly did work, with the Stella bringing a fizzy and refreshing touch and mellowing out some of the usual sweetness. The Stella’s Grand Slam was the favourite; tequila, lime, agave, elderflower, and a touch of red chilli, topped with Stella Artois. It had a bit of a kick but was super refreshing still. The Stella’s Ace was a sweeter, fruitier mix with strawberry, lemon, and tequila topped with Stella. Both were perfect for sipping in the sun, perfect for when you want something thirst quenching rather than just pure booze. We also tried the food options, which have been expertly curated to complement the cocktails on offer, a menu consisting of grazing platters and small plates, perfect for sharing. Our favourites were the BBQ corn ribs with chilli & lime, which were smoky and tangy, and the buffalo cauliflower wing,s which had a nice bit of spice and crunch. We also shared the mezze platter: tasty hummus, imam bayaldi, bruschetta dip, falafel, halloumi, olives, and warm pita bread. It was exactly the kind of thing you want to pick at over a few drinks, we couldn’t finish it as it was such a generous array. The afternoon was lovely and chilled, aided by their serving team who were friendly and easy going, checking in now and then but leaving us to enjoy the space. We saw some other guests enjoying roasts which wasn’t the vibe we were going for but we’ll definitely be back to give them a try and they also have DJ’s on Wednesdays and Thursdays from 2–6pm so a great option if you work this side of London and want to clock off early for drinks in the warmer months. Website: https://www.hotelsaint.com Address: 9 Aldgate High Street London, EC3N 1AH Written by Jordan Crowley Photos courtesy of Hotel Saint

London’s vibrant Chinatown can be a roulette wheel of eateries. The myriad restaurants packed into this tourist hotspot mean that without some forward planning, it can be hard to differentiate between quality, authentic food, and fast turnover slop. We have found one spot that is the perfect choice for an impromptu lunch, dinner, or even a super late-night hunger fix. Noodle and Beer on Wardour Street is the new kid on the block, with its contemporary facade and simplistic name. Behind the facade is a menu of flavour-packed Sichuanese delights, served up over two contrasting floors. Noodle and Beer is not a large venue, which is immediately apparent upon entry. The upstairs area is brightly lit, with some pops of red and quite cosy, which is perfect for an intimate lunch or dinner with a plus 1, but perhaps a little more challenging for a birthday bash with 20 of your friends. You may be tempted to crack the same, obvious dad Joke as I did: “So, Noodle and Beer, what do they do?” The reality is that those two sides of the coin are unbalanced. “Noodle” undersells the quality of the menu, and “Beer” will probably mislead you into expecting a wide selection of craft ales. The beer options are relatively safe, but I have it on good authority that there are plenty of other great drinks on offer. The food menu has just enough exciting-sounding dishes to provide a choice dilemma, without the standard "overwhelm" that Chinese menus can instill. The familiar structure of meaty and veggie starters, dry noodles and soup noodles, gives way to eye-catching variations such as Crispy Beef Jerky, Blanket Noodles with Frogs Legs and the popular Chongqing Xiao Mian soup noodles. Everything I ordered from the menu leaves me feeling that I made the right choice. For starters, a substantial beef spring roll with a flaky exterior and a surprisingly meaty beef flank center. To follow, I continue the beef theme with a Super King Braised Beef Rib on a bed of Blanket Noodles. This is one of those dishes that is served with an element of theatrics, with the rib scissor cut and removed from the bone before your eyes. The beef is rich, and the noodle flavours are complex with a good amount of heat. Following an incredible dinner, my dining partner and I take a nosey at the bar downstairs. In contrast to the bright ground-level dining area, the bar is boudoir-esque. Deep red, sultry, with intimate tables and an evening atmosphere. Although this area is as much for dining, it feels like a great spot to enjoy one of the other non-beer drinks on offer. So, if you find yourself menu-hopping around Chinatown from lunchtime until 4 am and are scratching your head, unsure where to eat, Noodle and Beer is the perfect spot. The friendship lunch To combat loneliness, Noodle and Beer are doing their bit to encourage people to bring a friend for lunch and enjoy 50% off a second main dish and drink (excluding beer). The offer is for the Chinatown site only, and runs daily from 12 midday to 5PM. Website: https://www.noodleandbeer.com/ Address: 27 Wardour St, London, W1D 6PR Written by Rick Hartley Photo one by James Moyle

Tucked away behind High Holborn – and good luck finding it with Google Maps – lies one of those rare London spots you stumble upon and instantly know it’s going to be your new regular haunt. The Bountiful Cow is a female-led restaurant and bar has been quietly serving up some of the city’s finest steak for two decades, and it’s still flying gloriously under the radar. Step inside and you’re met with a warm, nostalgic atmosphere. Think 1960s pub with booth seating, high tables, vintage film posters, and walls full of cow themed art. It’s quirky, inviting, and unmistakably local. We were lucky enough to be seated in one of the booths, Alex our server for the night, made us feel at home from the outset. To start, we sampled two picks from the bar menu: mac & cheese bites and chorizo croquettes. Both arrived hot, crisp, and golden, no soggy crumbs here – with generous fillings that were rich, moist, and full of flavour. Portion sizes were more than fair, and perfect for sharing. For mains it was the unanimous chosen Surf ’n’ Turf for Two. It did not disappoint. A thick, juicy sirloin and a perfectly cooked rump steak were paired with juicy garlic butter prawns, chips, and crispy onion rings. Everything was cooked to a flawless medium, and the home-made peppercorn sauce? So good we had to ask for seconds. For dessert, we couldn’t decide between the crème brûlée and sticky toffee pudding, so we opted for both. The brûlée was silky with a satisfying crack of sugar on top, but the sticky toffee pudding, served warm with ice cream, was the standout. With meat sourced from top Irish and Scottish farms and a team that clearly knows what they’re doing, The Bountiful Cow is the real deal. There’s no gimmick, just honest food, expertly cooked, served in a space that feels like home. Their special 20th anniversary menu offers classics like the Flashback Burger , Legacy Flight steak sandwich and Bountiful Beast (surf & turf in a bun) for just £20. In a dining scene increasingly crowded with concepts and pretension, The Bountiful Cow stands tall as a reminder of what matters most: good food, good people, and a place that always welcomes you back. Whether you're dropping in for a burger and a pint, or planning a proper steak night out, this Holborn gem remains one of the city's most deserving cult favourites. Address: 51 Eagle Street, Holborn, London, WC1R 4AP For more information or to book click here . Written by Lorna Bryn 1st image courtesy of The Bountiful Cow

108 Brasserie has teamed up with Maison Mirabeau to unveil an enchanting Summer Terrace experience, complete with a beautifully curated food and drinks menu. Situated on one of Marylebone’s most picturesque, cobbled lanes. The perfect spot for a luxuriously drawn-out al fresco lunch. Inspired by the delicate beauty and charm of Provence, the terrace is elegantly adorned with blooms that echo the botanical notes and refined aesthetic of Mirabeau’s award-winning rosés. Guests are invited to sip their way through a thoughtfully selected range of Maison Mirabeau’s finest; from the pale-pink ‘Pure’, the expressive ‘One Day’, and the refined character of ‘La Réserve’ to the perfect sparkling ‘La Folie’. Our eyes were immediately drawn to the show-stopping seafood platter, but before committing to the full spread, we opted to begin with a glass of Mirabeau One Day and a Brioche Lobster Sub Roll — filled with tender lobster, served chilled, seasoned with smoked paprika, chives, and spring onion. The lobster was fresh and flavourful, while the soft, buttery brioche added just the right level of comfort to the dish. It was the perfect warm-up. Then came the lavish 108 Seafood Platter, a true centrepiece and conversation starter — the kind of dish you can't stop looking at, as your gaze darts from one delicious element to the next. Generously laid out with Smoked Salmon, Hot Smoked Gillette, Juicy Tiger Prawns, a Retro-Style Prawn Cocktail, Sweet Dressed White Crab Meat, and Peppered Mackerel, all accompanied by a plate of fresh bread and classic condiments. It was as indulgent as it was visually stunning. The Prawns were generous in size and juicy, the Salmon - fresh and moreish and the Sweet Dressed White Crab Meat slathered on bread was just an absolute delight! This platter truly is a Seafood lover’s dream! To end our meal on a lighter, more summery note, we chose the English Strawberries and Cream — a simple yet satisfying dessert that brought the perfect balance of sweetness and freshness to conclude what was a truly indulgent and memorable dining experience. Looking for a spot for an alfresco lunch, with decor to marvel at, top-notch food, wine to transport you to Provence and attentive and welcoming service? We can’t highly recommend 108 Brasserie enough! Address: 108 Marylebone Ln, London, W1U 2QE To book your table, click here . Written by Nyla S. Photo of the terrace courtesy of 108 Brasserie

If you’re after an evening that feels both elevated and effortlessly relaxed, Sucre’s new à la carte menu delivers just that, with flair. The sophisticated Argentinian restaurant tucked behind London’s Soho Theatre has always leaned into smoky, fire-driven flavours, but its latest offering brings a fresh clarity and confidence to the table. We started with two small plates that set the tone beautifully. The smoked beetroot with cashew cream and pickled walnuts is a dish that is soft on the palate and great for vegan lovers. The smooth cashew cream is a great base that welcomes the other flavours perfectly making a great dish for those who like something tasty. To contrast the crab tostadas, layered with sweet, delicate crab and a rich brown crab mayo that gives a deeply satisfying umami depth. Balanced with a crisp tortilla base, it’s one of those bites you quietly wish you didn’t have to share. For mains, the sea bass bilbaína is a standout dish. Perfectly cooked and generously portioned, it arrives nestled on a slice of monk’s bread, soaked in the fiery, garlicky Basque-style bilbaína sauce. It’s rich without being overpowering, with the bread catching every last bit of that vibrant oil. If you like spice, this dish is for you. Then there’s the tuna cheek, a real show of Sucre’s ability to take the unexpected and make it deeply comforting. Served with a peppercorn sauce that leans more towards savoury than spicy, it’s hearty, tender and deeply satisfying. Less flashy than the sea bass but no less memorable. We ordered sides almost as an afterthought, fries and broccoli but both were spot-on. The fries were golden and crisp, and the broccoli was spot on, each reinforcing the kitchen’s attention to the little things. We had to skip dessert as we had little space left after our starter and main. Service was attentive but relaxed, and the space retains its signature glow: all warm lighting and the quiet theatre of an open kitchen. Sucre’s new à la carte menu is a must if you are in the area and have a soft spot for beautiful deco and great food. For more information or to book, click here . Address: 47b Great Marlborough St, London W1F 7JP Words and photos by Stephanie Sowaha

Marking ten years since its Soho debut, Duck & Rice has opened its long-awaited second location at Battersea Power Station. The new outpost brings the brand’s signature fusion of British pub culture and bold Cantonese cooking to one of London’s most dynamic destinations. Set across an open-plan 185-seat space, the Battersea location features an open kitchen and a raised bar pouring beer on tap, cocktails, and soft drinks. Designed by interior studio Macaulay Sinclair, the space draws inspiration from the tea houses and Cha Chaan Teng cafés of South China, creating a vibrant setting that blends traditional warmth with modern edge. The menu champions Cantonese comfort food with a contemporary twist, led by the celebrated Cantonese House Roast Duck. Other favourites making the move south include curry soft shell crab, sweet and sour pork with rice, pork and prawn shumai, and a rich lobster laksa. Designed for sharing, every dish reflects Duck & Rice’s mission to bring people together over exceptional food and drink. Whether you're craving a comforting plate of roast duck or a hand crafted pint in a beautifully designed space, Duck & Rice Battersea is on our 2025 summer bucket list. Address: L1 - 003, Level 1 – Phase 2, The Power Station, Circus Rd S, Nine Elms, London, SW11 8DD For more information or to book click here .  Written by Claire Selby Photography courtesy of Duck and Rice

Award-winning pizza legends Crust Bros have brought their iconic Neapolitan-style pizzas to the heart of the West End with their biggest opening to date. This month saw the opening of the new restaurant on Bedford Street, in Covent Garden. The two-floor, 135-cover restaurant promises pizza perfection with their signature charred “leopard print” crusts, fully customisable pizzas, and a no-pineapple policy. Expect more than just pizza. New to the Covent Garden menu are Crust Bros’ savoury bombas — a playful twist on Italian doughnuts. The must-try Lasagna Bomba is stuffed with slow-cooked ragu, parmesan, béchamel, and a deep-fried lasagna sheet. Sweet-toothed diners can finish with Nutella or dulce de leche bombas, tiramisu, or small-batch gelato from local favourite La Gelateria. The drinks menu is just as creative, featuring Crust Bros’ bold takes on Italian classics — including a Coffee Negroni and a Negroni Espresso Martini. With fresh dough made daily on site and cooked at 450°C, this new opening is set to be a fiery summer hit.  Address: 29 Bedford Street, London, WC2E 8JF For more information or to book click here .   Written by Claire Selby Photo courtesy of Crust Bros Written by Claire Selby Photos by Crust Bros

Sustainable food delivery brand, DabbaDrop, has teamed up with award-winning chef and plant-based queen Anna Jones for a limited-edition summer menu that’s as fresh and vibrant as the season itself. Inspired by Anna’s bestselling cookbook Easy Wins, this exclusive three-day-only menu (available 9th, 10th & 11th July) is bursting with sunshine, spice and the kind of soul-warming dishes that make you want to eat barefoot in the garden. The full menu includes: ● Roast Sweet Potato with Sticky Chilli Chutney ● Aubergine, Peanut & Tamarind Curry ● Lemongrass Dal with Garlic and Curry Leaf ● Double Lemon Pilaf Think: seasonal veg, joyful flavours, and comforting food with a summery twist. DabbaDrop continues to shake up the food delivery game. With weekly-changing menus inspired by South Asian home cooking (and beyond), they serve up delicious, nourishing meals in traditional reusable tins, ‘’dabbas’’, delivered straight to your door by bike – zero waste, zero emissions, and zero hassle. Each Easy Wins x DabbaDrop menu feeds two and costs £30.
 Available for delivery on 9th, 10th and 11th July 2025
 To order, click here . Photo courtesey of DabbaDrop

Camden Market’s Summer of Sound is a free six-week festival (18 July – 30 August 2025) celebrating Camden’s legendary music scene and shining a light on the buzzing venues within the market itself. Curated by Soul II Soul’s Jazzie B, the programme features Friday night DJ sessions at Hawley Wharf, with sets from Jerry Dammers, David Rodigan, and Jazzie B himself spanning reggae, soul, funk, and dance. The festival also includes a live Amy Winehouse tribute, The Big Sing choir (from Britain’s Got Talent), a Bollywood Mela, and a Carnival warm-up showcasing new local talent. The season wraps with an unmissable set by internationally renowned DJ Fat Tony at the Stables Market on 30th August. Get queuing for the dancefloor now! Families can enjoy weekly Wednesday Fun Days with bubble shows, Lego, face painting, crafts, and more. All events are free to attend and you can just book online or drop in. For more details click here .  SUMMER OF SOUND runs from 18th July to 30th August at venues across Camden  Written by Claire Selby  Photography by David Parry/ PA

Chelsea’s cult-favourite boutique gym, KXU, is turning up the temperature—literally. Since Monday 16th June, the sleek, no-membership fitness hub just off Pavilion Road launched its brand-new Hot Pilates class, promising a whole new way to stretch, sculpt and sweat. So, what makes this different from your average mat-based workout? At KXU, Hot Pilates is more than just Pilates in a warm room. It’s a hybrid powerhouse, blending the control of Pilates, the burn of barre, the grace of yoga, and the power of functional strength training, all within a steady 30°C of infrared heat. The result? A low-impact, high-sweat session designed to challenge every major muscle group while protecting your joints and boosting your flexibility. Developed using elements of the Paola’s Body Barre method, this 50-minute class focuses on building deep core strength, improving balance and posture, and elevating mobility. The infrared heat intensifies each movement, helping increase circulation, promote detoxification, and enhance that elusive mind-body connection. Classes are held in Studio 2, KXU’s dedicated heated space lined with infrared panels, designed for a seamless transition from effort to recovery. The weekly schedule offers three class times to work around your life: Monday evenings (17:00), Wednesday lunchtimes (12:00), and Sunday mornings (10:40)—ideal for winding down the weekend or kickstarting a new week. Hot Pilates is the latest addition to KXU’s robust offering, which already includes everything from strength and performance training to yoga, U-CYCLE and more than ten innovative group workouts. As an official HYROX partner gym, KXU brings high-performance edge to luxury wellness. And post-class? You’ll find a Medi-Spa for recovery, a nutrition bar for refuelling, and a sleek space that feels more like a wellness club than a gym. No contracts. No fuss. Just serious sweat and results. Whether you’re a Chelsea local or just Hot Pilates curious, this is your sign to step into the heat and come out stronger. Address: 241 Pavilion Rd, London SW1X 0BP To book a session, click here . Written by: Stephanie Sowaha Photo courtesy of KXU

Babur is celebrating its 40th anniversary this July. Since opening in Forest Hill in 1985, Babur has become a much loved South London institution known for its modern and inventive yet authentic regional dishes. The milestone also honours Executive Chef Jiwan Lal, who marks 20 years with the restaurant, and reflects the vision of founder Emdad Rahman, whose commitment to evolving the dining experience has kept Babur at the forefront of London’s culinary scene. To mark the occasion, Babur will host a Ruby Jubilee party on 17th July, featuring live entertainment and an exclusive five-course tasting menu preview. Curated by Chef Jiwan, the menu reimagines classic Babur dishes and includes specially mixed celebratory cocktails. From 18th July to 14th September, the Ruby Jubilee menu will be available to all diners in both à la carte and tasting formats. As part of the celebrations, Babur launches a limited-edition merchandise range including a 40th anniversary cookbook, a chutney trio, and a collectible embroidered cap to enjoy at home. Tickets to the Ruby Jubilee event are priced at £75 per person, which includes a welcome cocktail, entertainment, and that special once- in- 40 years menu!  Early booking is recommended via babur.info Written by Claire Selby  Photos courtesey of Babur