So many discussions of home improvements seem to focus on the functional. And that’s just fine; some simply want a liveable space which gains in value as the years progress, rather than depreciates. But such a utilitarian approach can sometimes jeopardise the aesthetics of a house, an equally important aspect to contentment and continued life satisfaction, we think.
Time away from thinking about the faucet, insulation foam and the rest can be very liberating, indeed. Fortunately, the key interior design trends of 2025 tend to support this way of thinking; minimalism is on its way out, and in its place, natural elements, playful curves, and art that displays your frivolous – and even shambolic – side.
With that in mind, it’s all about the cosmetic today; here’s how to give your home’s aesthetic a makeover in 7 simple steps.
Spruce Up Your Exterior
All this focus on ‘interior design’ while our house’s facade lies derelict and unloved…
But first impressions count, and the initial judgements on your place’s aesthetic will be made from on the street, so we’re starting outside today.
Indeed, the appearance of your home’s exterior creates a lasting impression and sets the expectation for the rest of your home. For that reason, don’t neglect your front garden, driveway, any window boxes…even your front door deserves love. Luckily, there are plenty of easy and low-cost ways to spruce up your home’s exterior and boost its kerb appeal. Here are a few ideas:
Keep your front and back yard tidy by cutting the grass, removing weeds and debris, and trimming trees and hedges.
Plant some attractive flowers to add colour to your outdoor space.
Repaint your garage door, front door, and window frames in a bold, matching hue.
Add window boxes with colourful flowers and plants.
Inspect your home exterior regularly and repair any damage such as missing tiles or cracked bricks.
Change Up Your Flooring
Ever wondered why something at home just feels off, even after you invested in the best furniture, introduced some gorgeous potplants, and hung your artwork just right?
Often, the enigmatic effect of some carefully considered flooring is what’s missing. Damaged tiles, scuffed and faded wooden floors, and carpets that have picked up a certain aroma can all reduce your house’s visual appeal.
Not only that, but there’s something oh-so satisfying about a newly installed floor, offering a certain look, feel, sound and even smell that can bring your whole home’s energy to life.
Hardwood is perhaps our favourite for providing that multi-sensory effect. Whilst it’s certainly on the more expensive end of the scale, you’ll find flooring deals on offer if you’re buying a large amount – perhaps you could re-floor several rooms, reducing the accumulated cost in the process?
Get Creative With Wall Art
Wall art can be used to add a splash of colour, texture, and vibrancy to a room, just as much as it’s able to represent a statement of your exquisite taste and grasp of the zeitgeist. The best part, perhaps, is that wall art is super easy to introduce to a room (usually by hanging), which makes it a quick and low-cost way to upgrade your interior design. There is a fantastic selection of wall art available; think outside the box and be creative, though do ensure that you find something that will complement your decor and suit your style and taste.
Gallery walls have also become increasingly visible in modern day home design as they allow homeowners to show off their sense of positioning, framing, and curation in a way that a single picture doesn’t.
You can easily create a gallery wall in your bedroom, the living room, or in the stairway; all you need is a variety of prints, appropriate picture frames, and a bit of creativity to position them in a way that looks visually appealing and cohesive. That said, this thing doesn’t have to be overly abstract or artistic; you can also create a gallery wall using family photographs for a more sentimental touch.
Introducing more mirrors to your property can also help increase its aesthetics. The more mirrors, the more light will reflect in your home, which will make your house seem more bright and will also create the illusion of more space.
Mirrors can be used to create the illusion of space within a room, which gives the overall aesthetic of your place a huge lift, reflecting light around and helping make things appear larger and brighter.
There is a huge selection of mirrors available in various sizes and styles, with large, decorative mirrors best at creating a statement, and smaller mirrors offering a more contemporary feel, as well as being perfect at hiding flaws in rooms, i.e., to cover cosmetic wall damage.
Of course, installing too many would be a mistake; you don’t want to be living in a literal ‘house of mirrors’, after all, crashing into your own reflection and freaking yourself out.
Add Some Natural Elements
Bringing nature into your home can be an affordable way to create a more soothing aesthetic. The added (though admittedly, negligible) bonus of a houseplant’s air purifying capabilities shouldn’t be sniffed at either. Unless, of course, you’re allergic to them.
Plants and flowers can instantly breathe life into your home and give its overall aesthetic a huge lift. There is an excellent variety of low-maintenance indoor plants out there that are easy to look after, some of the best of which include Chinese Evergreen, Yucca, Spider Plant, Aloe Vera, and Peace Lily.
You can also buy high-quality artificial plants and flowers that will remain looking beautiful without the need to water or trim them. Another easy way to bring some greenery into your home is by starting a herb garden or keeping freshly cut bunches of flowers in vases around your home. So many options!
Play With Texture & Fabrics
The days of sleek, flat surfaces are behind us in 2025. Texture now reigns supreme, adding depth and interest to any space without major renovations. Try layering different fabrics and materials throughout your home to create a rich, tactile experience.
Velvet cushions, bouclé throws, woven wall hangings, and ribbed ceramics are all excellent ways to introduce texture. Even something as simple as swapping out your smooth bedding for a chunky knit or waffle-weave can transform the feel of your bedroom.
Don’t be afraid to mix materials either – contrast rough jute rugs with silky curtains, or pair rustic wooden furniture with plush upholstery. These juxtapositions create visual interest and invite touch, making your space feel more dynamic and lived-in.
Embrace Playful Curves & Unexpected Shapes
As we mentioned in the introduction, playful curves are definitely in for 2025. Moving away from the rigid lines of minimalism, curved furniture and rounded architectural elements create a more welcoming, organic feel in your home.
Look for statement pieces with swooping silhouettes – perhaps a curved sofa, rounded coffee table, or an arched floor lamp. Even smaller accessories like curved vases, circular mirrors, or scalloped edge textiles can help soften the overall look of your space.
For the truly adventurous, consider adding unexpected architectural details like arched doorways or curved wall niches. If permanent changes aren’t an option, try curved room dividers or shelving units that can add that sinuous quality without the commitment.
Remember, the goal is to create a space that feels less rigid and more playful – perfectly in line with 2025’s move away from austere minimalism toward more expressive, personal interiors.
The Bottom Line
We’ve all been spending a little more time than usual at home recently, and this looks set to continue for a while longer yet. Rather than staring at beige, unadorned walls and lamenting the lack of visual stimulation in your gaff, why not focus on improving your home’s aesthetic to make it a more pleasurable space to spend time? We’re right there with you!
Liverpool has always been a city that punches above its weight. From its musical legacy to its architectural treasures, this UNESCO City of Music offers students a wealth of experiences that won’t drain your maintenance loan.
In 2025, Liverpool continues to welcome students with its unique blend of culture, character and free attractions. Home to world-class galleries, breathtaking views, and vibrant social spaces, the city proves that enjoying student life doesn’t require deep pockets. Whether you’re new to the city or a seasoned local, we’re here to help you get the most out of Liverpool’s cultural highlights without spending a pretty penny.
Crosby Beach: Iron Men By The Sea
Location: Crosby Beach, Waterloo, Liverpool, L22 6QQ
Hours: Accessible 24/7, but tide times affect visibility of sculptures
Transportation: Take Merseyrail from Liverpool Central to Blundellsands & Crosby station (10-15 minute walk to beach) or Route 53 bus from Queens Square bus station
What makes it special: Standing tall until September of this year, Anthony Gormley’s ‘Another Place’ installation features 100 cast iron figures spread across 2 miles of beach, creating an otherworldly landscape perfect for photography, especially at sunset. The figures have recently received maintenance with stronger plinths to prevent sinking into the sand. This permanent installation continues to be one of Liverpool’s most distinctive outdoor art experiences.
Victoria Gallery & Museum: The Original ‘Red Brick’ University
Location: University of Liverpool, Ashton Street, Liverpool, L69 3DR
Hours: Tuesday to Saturday, 10am – 5pm (last entry 4:30pm)
Transportation: 10-minute walk from Liverpool Lime Street Station
What makes it special: Housed in the distinctive red-brick Victorian building that gave ‘redbrick universities’ their name, this free museum houses significant art collections alongside scientific and medical exhibits. The building itself is an architectural marvel with a beautiful tiled entrance hall and Gothic features. The Waterhouse Café offers a pleasant study spot on campus, and regular free guided tours reveal the building’s fascinating history.
FACT: Cutting-Edge Art & Cinema
Location: 88 Wood Street, Liverpool, L1 4DQ
Hours: 11:00am – 6:00pm, Wednesday to Sunday
Transportation: 5-minute walk from Liverpool Central Station
What makes it special: The Foundation for Art and Creative Technology offers free entry to galleries showcasing contemporary and digital art. The centre’s 2025 programme features collaborative projects and immersive experiences, including hosting Liverpool Biennial 2025 from June to September. While exhibitions are free, the cinema also offers student discounts (£9.00, or £7.00 for members) for those wanting to catch independent and international films.
Free Liverpool Walking Tours: See The City With Locals
Location: Start at Steble Fountain (near the Walker Art Gallery)
Hours: Multiple tours daily: 10:30am-1pm and 2:30pm-5pm (schedule varies by day)
Transportation: Starting point in city centre, easily accessible by all public transport
What makes it special:These donation-based tours (pay what you feel is appropriate) are run by knowledgeable local guides in multiple languages. Perfect for new students wanting to get their bearings, these tours cover Liverpool’s fascinating history, architecture, and cultural significance.
Transportation: 5-minute walk from Liverpool Lime Street Station
What makes it special:This impressive gallery houses one of the UK’s most important art collections outside London, including works by Turner, Rembrandt, and Freud. Completely free to enter, it offers regular student events and workshops. From September 2025 to March 2026, the gallery will host the prestigious John Moores Painting Prize, showcasing the best in contemporary painting.
Everton Park: Liverpool’s Finest Viewpoint
Location: North Liverpool, accessed via Heyworth Street, Northumberland Terrace, and several other entrances
Hours: Open 24/7, year-round
Transportation: Bus routes from city centre to Everton/Anfield area; approximately 15-20 minutes from central Liverpool
What makes it special: Featuring what is quite possibly the greatest view in Liverpool from the Brow, Everton Park offers panoramic vistas of the city skyline, the Mersey River and even the Welsh mountains on clear days. The nature garden includes two small lakes for pond dipping and bird watching, while outdoor fitness equipment and a 3k walking/running route appeal to active students. It’s a favourite spot for photography enthusiasts looking to capture the city skyline.
Liverpool Central Library: Beautiful Space To Work & Explore
Transportation: 2-minute walk from Liverpool Lime Street Station
What makes it special: The Liverpool Central Library is a beautiful historic building with modern facilities, offering free Wi-Fi, computers, and quiet study spaces—perfect during exam periods. The rooftop terrace provides stunning views across the city, while regular events including ‘Open Minds’ discussion groups and workshops offer cultural enrichment. The Game Room hosts regular community events that are free to attend, making this much more than just a library.
The Jacaranda: Historic Music Venue With Beatles Heritage
Location: 21-23 Slater Street, Liverpool L1 4BW
Hours: Open daily, with live music primarily Thursday through Sunday
Transportation: 10-minute walk from Liverpool Central Station
What makes it special: This historic venue with connections to The Beatles offers free entry for open mic nights on Sundays. Spread across three floors with a bar, café, record store, and gig room, it’s a hub for Liverpool’s music scene. The unique tables with built-in vinyl record players let you listen to albums while you chat, and emerging artist showcases provide a glimpse of tomorrow’s musical talent.
Open Eye Gallery: Liverpool’s Photographic Hub
Location: 19 Mann Island, Liverpool, L3 1BP
Hours: Tuesday to Sunday, 10am – 5pm (Closed Mondays)
Transportation: 15-minute walk from Liverpool Lime Street Station; James Street station 4-minute walk; multiple bus routes stop at Liverpool ONE Bus Station nearby
What makes it special: As the only gallery dedicated to photography in Northwest England, Open Eye Gallery offers free entry to all its exhibitions. Located on Liverpool’s waterfront, the gallery hosts rotating displays of contemporary photography from both local and international artists.
Photography students will appreciate the gallery’s focus on socially engaged projects, while all visitors can enjoy free workshops and talks that regularly take place here. Its prime location makes it easy to combine with other waterfront attractions for a full day of cultural exploration.
Rice Lane City Farm: Urban Oasis Away From The Bustle
Location: Rice Lane City Farm, Rawcliffe Road, Liverpool, L9 1AW
Hours: Open daily, 10am – 3:30pm, 365 days a year
Transportation: Bus routes 21 and 345 stop near the farm entrance; 15-minute walk from Rice Lane train station; free parking available on site
What makes it special:This 24-acre urban farm and woodland offers a surprising rural experience within the city. Completely free to enter, the farm is home to various friendly animals including rare breeds like Ryeland sheep and Berkshire pigs.
The woodland walks provide a chance to experience wildlife not typically found elsewhere in Liverpool, making it a perfect stress-relief setting away from academic pressures. All paths are accessible for wheelchairs, and students interested in farming, conservation or community work can take advantage of volunteer opportunities throughout the year.
The Bottom Line
Liverpool remains one of the UK’s best cities for students on a budget. Its unique combination of cultural heritage, artistic innovation, and natural beauty means you can enjoy a rich student experience without emptying your bank account.
Popular student areas in Liverpool—from Smithdown Road to the Georgian Quarter, from the Baltic Triangle to Sefton Park—all offer spaces to socialise, study and explore without spending a fortune. The city’s free museums, libraries, beaches and parks provide the perfect backdrop to student life, delivering experiences that will shape your university years more than any expensive night out.
So take this list and discover why Liverpool continues to be one of the UK’s most student-friendly cities. With its blend of history, culture and community spirit, Liverpool shows that the best student experiences often come without a price tag attached.
One of the most glittering jewels along Spain’s Costa del Sol, Puerto Banús has long captivated visitors with its intoxicating blend of Mediterranean glamour, luxury yachts, and see-and-be-seen entertainment. This exclusive marina west of Marbella proper has earned its reputation as the playground for the well-heeled, where Ferraris purr along the palm-lined boulevards and champagne flows as freely as the Mediterranean waves lapping against multimillion-euro vessels.
Photo by Tatiana SemenkovaPhoto by Tatiana Semenkova
Yet beyond the obvious displays of wealth and the famous Golden Mile that connects it to Marbella, Puerto Banús offers unexpected pockets of authentic charm, culinary excellence, and experiences that don’t necessarily require a platinum credit card (though it certainly doesn’t hurt). Whether you’re a first-time visitor or a seasoned Banús regular, this enclave delivers a seductive mix of Andalusian spirit and international luxury that’s hard to resist. Here’s our ideal guide on where to stay, dine and play in Puerto Banús…
Where To Stay In Puerto Banús
Located along the prestigious Golden Mile between Puerto Banús and Marbella, Hotel Don Pepe Gran Meliá offers an elevated luxury experience that combines classic Mediterranean elegance with contemporary amenities. This iconic five-star property sits directly on the beachfront, with expansive gardens creating a serene escape from the buzzing energy of Puerto Banús just a short drive away.
The hotel’s recently renovated rooms and suites feature sophisticated décor with warm wood tones and crisp linens, many offering sweeping balconies with panoramic Mediterranean views. The exclusive RedLevel service—their premium adults-only concept—provides an additional layer of luxury with private check-in, dedicated butler service, and access to a separate lounge serving complimentary refreshments throughout the day. Though located slightly outside Puerto Banús proper, the hotel’s proximity to both the marina and Marbella’s Old Town offers the perfect balance of accessibility and tranquillity.
For those seeking a more vibrant, entertainment-focused stay, the Hard Rock Hotel Marbella brings the brand’s signature rock-and-roll lifestyle to Puerto Banús with unmistakable flair. This relatively new addition to Marbella’s hotel scene occupies a prime position just minutes from the marina, blending Andalusian architectural elements with the brand’s iconic music-centric design and memorabilia displays featuring legendary artists.
Guests gravitate to the hotel’s expansive outdoor complex featuring three swimming pools, including the main “Eden Pool” where DJ sessions and live performances create an energetic atmosphere throughout the day. The rooftop “Sun Society” bar and lounge offers panoramic views stretching from the Mediterranean to the Sierra Blanca mountains, with signature cocktails and light bites served alongside DJ sets that transform the space after sunset.
Image via Hard Rock Hotel Marbella
Situated along the tranquil sands of Playa del Real de Zaragoza, one of Marbella’s most beautiful beaches, the recently renovated Hotel Gran Marbella Resort & Beach Club offers a perfect blend of traditional Andalusian architecture and contemporary luxury.
Sprawling across five hectares of manicured gardens that tumble down to a private beach, it’s perhaps the most beautiful hotel in town. The resort’s palatial lobby sets the tone with its marble columns and intricate Moorish-inspired tilework, while guest rooms and suites feature private balconies with Mediterranean views.
Hotel Gran Marbella is home to a beach club, where cabana service, infinity pools, and a resident DJ create an atmosphere of refined hedonism. Though slightly removed from Puerto Banús’ centre, the hotel provides complimentary shuttle service to the marina, allowing guests to enjoy both tranquillity and easy access to the action.
For those who want to be in the heart of Puerto Banús with front-row seats to the marina spectacle, Benabola Hotel & Suites delivers with its prime waterfront location. These apartment-style accommodations offer generous living spaces, fully-equipped kitchens, and panoramic terraces overlooking the yachts and Mediterranean beyond.
The rooftop Sky Lounge offers some of the best views in all of Puerto Banús, serving craft cocktails against a backdrop of mountains, sea, and the twinkling lights of moored superyachts. The hotel’s central position means you’re just a lift ride away from the designer shops, restaurants, and nightlife that define the Puerto Banús experience.
Where To Drink Coffee In Puerto Banús
When it comes to morning coffee in Puerto Banús, there are two distinct camps. The see-and-be-seen crowd gravitates toward Rosas, strategically positioned at the edge of the marina where the fashionable set perch on sleek outdoor seating to watch the world go by. With its crisp white awnings, meticulously arranged flowers, and staff that looks plucked from fashion magazines, Rosas offers the quintessential Puerto Banús people-watching experience. Designer sunglasses are practically mandatory as you sip their admittedly good, if somewhat overpriced, coffee creations—often accompanied by picture-perfect pastries that taste nearly as good as they look on Instagram.
Image via Rosas
However, if you’re looking for a truly superior cup of coffee away from the posturing, follow the locals to Dezentral. This unassuming coffee shop tucked just a few streets back from the marina with a lovely little garden, has developed a devoted following among residents and in-the-know visitors seeking specialty coffee that rivals the best urban cafés in Madrid or Barcelona. The minimalist interior with its concrete floors, pale wood furnishings, and abundant natural light creates a calming counterpoint to Puerto Banús’ more extravagant establishments.
A must try is their “coffee meets ginger” – it’s delicious. Beyond coffee, Dezentral offers a small but thoughtful selection of house-made pastries and light and healthy plates.
Where To Dine In Puerto Banús
Our favourite place to eat in Puerto Banús? More than just a restaurant, La Sala Puerto Banús is a Banús institution. The multi-level venue offers distinct spaces including a piano lounge, terrace restaurant, and vibrant bar area that collectively create one of the most atmospheric dining destinations in the marina.
Their signature seafood paella arrives at the table fragrant with saffron and studded with locally caught prawns and mussels, while the Galician beef fillet—cooked over an open flame—satisfies carnivorous cravings. Live music most evenings transitions seamlessly from acoustic background melodies to more upbeat performances as the night progresses, making La Sala the kind of place where lunch can effortlessly stretch into dinner and beyond.
If you’re looking for seafood, while technically situated at the midpoint between Marbella and Puerto Banús on the Golden Mile, Sea Grill merits inclusion for its exceptional beachfront dining experience. This elegant restaurant serves Mediterranean cuisine with a particularly strong emphasis on impeccably fresh fish.
The salt-baked sea bass, dramatically presented and filleted tableside, has become something of a signature, while the raw bar offers the day’s freshest oysters, clams, and ceviches. With your toes nearly in the sand and the gentle soundtrack of waves breaking nearby, Sea Grill captures the essence of refined coastal dining. Reserve well in advance for sunset tables, which offer magical views and frequently sell out during high season.
Among the newcomers making a splash on Puerto Banús’ dining scene, Leone Brasserie has quickly established itself as a sophisticated yet approachable option in the heart of the marina. Occupying a prime corner location with expansive terraces, this elegant brasserie balances refined aesthetics with a menu designed for broad appeal. Leone’s culinary approach marries Mediterranean sensibilities with international influences. The kitchen excels at elevated comfort classics—think perfectly executed steak frites with house-made béarnaise, or linguine with local clams laced with Albariño wine. A thoughtfully curated wine list heavily favours Spanish producers while offering carefully selected international options.
Bringing an entirely different energy to Puerto Banús is BREATHE Marbella, a verdant sanctuary where culinary innovation meets environmental consciousness. Set slightly back from the marina’s bustling waterfront, this multi-concept venue feels like discovering a secret garden oasis. Natural materials, soaring ceilings, and cascading greenery create a space where the boundaries between indoors and outdoors dissolve. The menu places plant-forward cuisine at its heart without being strictly vegetarian. Think heirloom tomato carpaccio with fermented almond cream and basil oil, and charred cauliflower with preserved lemon and tahini.
For an evening that seamlessly transitions from fine dining to nightlife, OCCO Marbella has masterfully captured the essence of contemporary Lebanese cuisine within a setting that pulses with energy as the night progresses. OCCO’s menu excels at modernising traditional Lebanese dishes without sacrificing authenticity. Hot and cold mezze are designed for sharing—the house-made labneh with zaatar and olive oil and perfectly crisp falafel with tahini sauce are standouts. Main courses are all about expertly grilled meats and fresh seafood.
As dinner service winds down, the venue’s energy shifts as the sound system’s volume increases and the space transforms into one of Puerto Banús’ most sophisticated nightlife destinations. With expert mixologists crafting Lebanese-inspired cocktails and a rotating roster of DJs, OCCO provides a seamless evening experience that reflects the cosmopolitan character of contemporary Puerto Banús.
What To Do In Puerto Banús
The beating heart of Puerto Banús is undoubtedly its marina, where some of the world’s most impressive private vessels create a floating display of nautical luxury. A leisurely stroll along the waterfront promenade offers prime viewing of these maritime marvels, alongside some of the most exclusive shopping in southern Spain.
The marina front hosts flagship stores from fashion powerhouses including Dior, Louis Vuitton, and Versace, while El Corte Inglés department store houses virtually every luxury brand under one roof across its multiple floors. Even if serious shopping isn’t on your agenda, the people-watching and yacht-gazing make for an entertaining pastime, especially during the evening paseo when locals and visitors dress to impress for their nightly promenade.
For visitors travelling with family or simply seeking a break from the marina’s adult-oriented entertainment, Selwo Marina offers close encounters with dolphins, sea lions, exotic birds, and penguins. The park’s commitment to conservation and education provides welcome substance amid Puerto Banús’ more superficial attractions, making it a worthwhile excursion particularly during the heat of midday when the beaches and marina can become uncomfortably warm.
For those seeking a more active pursuit that combines exercise with sightseeing, the coastal walk connecting Puerto Banús to Marbella’s Old Town offers one of the most scenic promenades along the Costa del Sol. This flat, well-maintained pathway—officially named the Paseo Marítimo but often referred to simply as “the boardwalk”—stretches approximately 7 kilometres along the Mediterranean shoreline.
Starting near the eastern edge of Puerto Banús, the route takes you past some of the coast’s most exclusive beach clubs and restaurants, with the sea consistently on one side and a changing tableau of luxury developments, lush gardens, and glimpses of the Sierra Blanca mountains on the other. The walk culminates at Marbella’s picturesque Old Town, where narrow, flower-filled streets and historic Plaza de los Naranjos offer a charming contrast to Puerto Banús’ modern glamour. Many visitors opt to time this walk for late afternoon, finishing with dinner in the Old Town before taking a taxi back to Puerto Banús.
There’s perhaps no better way to appreciate Puerto Banús than from the water looking back toward its picturesque harbour and the dramatic mountain backdrop beyond. Numerous companies offer sunset sailing experiences ranging from shared catamarans with swimming stops and flowing sangria to private yacht charters with personal chefs and premium champagne.
These two-to-three-hour excursions typically cruise along the coastline toward Marbella, offering unique perspectives on landmark properties and hidden coves accessible only by boat. The return journey as the sun dips below the horizon casts Puerto Banús in golden light, creating postcard-perfect photo opportunities and a serene conclusion to a day in Spain’s most glamorous marina.
Puerto Banús’ beach clubs have earned legendary status for transforming daytime sunbathing into stylish social experiences. Ocean Club stands as perhaps the most famous, with its massive circular pool surrounded by plush white loungers and regular champagne spray parties during high season. The club’s restaurant serves surprisingly good cuisine, with fresh seafood and creative salads that rise well above typical beach fare.
For the ultimate daytime beach experience, La Sala by the Sea reigns supreme as Puerto Banús’ most vibrant beachfront venue. This Thai-inspired paradise combines the glamour of a premium beach club with outstanding food and expertly crafted cocktails. White day beds cascade toward the shoreline, while the expansive pool area becomes the centre of the action during the legendary pool parties featuring international DJs, live saxophonists, and impossibly beautiful people sipping champagne in the Mediterranean sun.
For a more laid-back vibe, Playa Padre offers a bohemian-chic atmosphere with bamboo structures, hanging lanterns, and relaxed dining just steps from the sea. Their Sunday sessions featuring guest DJs and live percussion create a barefoot luxury experience that captures Puerto Banús at its carefree best.
No guide to Puerto Banús would be complete without acknowledging its legendary after-dark scene. While the port’s reputation for excess and exclusivity is well-deserved, there’s actually a surprisingly diverse range of nightlife experiences available beyond the velvet ropes.
Sinatra Bar offers classic cocktails in an intimate setting with occasional live jazz, while News Café transforms from casual daytime eatery to vibrant nightspot as evening progresses. For those seeking Puerto Banús’ signature high-energy clubbing experience, TIBU and Pangea compete for the title of the marina’s most exclusive nightclub, with international DJs, bottle service, and dance floors pulsing until sunrise.
The Bottom Line
Puerto Banús manages to be both exactly what you expect—flashy, indulgent, and unapologetically luxurious—and full of surprising moments of authentic charm, natural beauty, and laid-back Andalusian spirit.
Whether you come for the people-watching, the Mediterranean cuisine, the shopping, or simply to soak up the uniquely glamorous atmosphere, this jewel of the Costa del Sol delivers a concentrated dose of the good life that can be adapted to suit virtually any travel style and budget.
Let’s be honest, airports aren’t exactly the highlight of any trip, are they? But when it comes to Bangkok’s behemoth of an aviation hub, a little savvy know-how can make all the difference between a smooth start to your Thai adventure and a sweaty, frustrated mess.
Bangkok is served by two international airports: Suvarnabhumi Airport (often informally called Bangkok Airport) and Don Mueang International Airport. Suvarnabhumi Airport (BKK) serves as the city’s primary international terminal, welcoming the majority of overseas carriers and also accommodating select domestic routes. Meanwhile, Don Mueang Airport (DMK) has carved out its niche as the preferred base for budget carriers and domestic operations.
The name Suvarnabhumi (pronounced ‘su-wan-na-poom’) was chosen by King Bhumibol Adulyadej and translates to ‘The Golden Land.’ This name traditionally refers to the continental Indochina region encompassing Thailand, Cambodia, Laos, and Burma.
Opened in 2006 after decades of planning and construction, Suvarnabhumi is a proper juggernaut of modern architecture – all soaring glass ceilings, sweeping curved roofs and gleaming steel. With its annual capacity of 60 million passengers, it’s not just Thailand’s largest airport but one of Asia’s major aviation hubs. The main terminal building alone covers a staggering 563,000 square meters (making it one of the largest in the world), and with its 132 operating aircraft gates and parking bays, you’d be forgiven for feeling a tad overwhelmed on your first visit.
The airport sits about 30km east of central Bangkok – close enough to the city to be convenient but far enough away that the journey in can still take anywhere from 30 minutes to 2 hours depending on Bangkok’s notoriously fickle traffic.
There’s nothing quite like landing in Bangkok. The warmth hits you like opening an oven door. The first thing you’ll want to do is get your bags and dash off. However, take a breath – your holiday starts and ends right here at the airport, and these insider tips will make all the difference.
Get A Local Sim With Internet Right Away
Listen, we can’t stress this enough. Before you dash off to hail a taxi or chase down that Airport Rail Link, take five minutes to sort your connectivity. There are stands at the airport where you can get a sim card, and they’ll set it up for you on the spot.
The AIS Traveller SIM is absolutely brilliant value. Running for 8, 15, or 30 days, for just 299 Baht (around £7), 599 Baht (around £14), or 1,250 Baht (around £30) respectively, you get either 15 GB, 30 GB, or a whopping 300 GB of high-speed internet access.
Better still, if you’re feeling particularly tech-savvy, consider grabbing an eSIM before you even leave home. Companies like Airalo, Nomad, and Maya Mobile offer competitive eSIM packages specifically designed for Thailand. The process takes mere minutes—simply purchase online, scan a QR code, and your phone is ready to connect the moment you land at Suvarnabhumi.
We’ve found getting an eSIM in advance to be a proper game-changer – no more fumbling with tiny SIM cards or queuing at counters when all you want to do is get out of the airport and start your holiday. Plus, you can set everything up days before your trip while sitting comfortably on your sofa at home, rather than battling jet lag at the airport.
Sometimes plane food just doesn’t cut it, does it? If you’re starving after getting off the plane, make a beeline to Magic Food Point, the airport’s 24-hour food court, which is located on the 1st floor. Serving authentic Thai dishes at reasonable prices, it’s a proper introduction to the food scene you’ve come for.
The food court operates on a coupon system that might seem a bit confusing at first, but it’s actually dead simple. Here’s how it works: first, you’ll need to exchange your cash for a prepaid card at the cashier counter (look for the ‘Coupon Counter’ sign). You can load it with however much you think you’ll spend – 200-300 baht should be plenty for one person. Then simply wander around the various food stalls, point at what you fancy, hand over your card to be debited, and voilà – food is yours! If you’ve got any credit left on the card after your meal, just take it back to the cashier counter for a refund.
Magic Food Point hosts about 15-20 different food stalls offering everything from classic pad thai and green curry to more adventurous regional specialties. Zeed Zaad does a cracking som tam (papaya salad) and grilled chicken combo that’s nothing short of well, magic after a long-haul flight. It will reinvigorate you that’s for sure. There’s also an excellent Hainanese Chicken Rice stall, a dish that is wonderfully soothing after being on a plane for hours.
For those with less adventurous palates, you’ll find stalls selling fried rice and fresh fruit smoothies.
There are three terminals in total: Terminal 1 and Terminal 2 handle the international flights, while the third is just for domestic flights.
If you’re transferring between these terminals, the airport provides free shuttle buses that run every 10-15 minutes. You’ll find the shuttle bus stops clearly marked with blue signs on the ground floor of each terminal – specifically at Gates 1 and 5 in Terminal 1, Gates 2 and 6 in Terminal 2, and at the main entrance of the Domestic Terminal. Just look for the ‘Terminal Shuttle Bus’ signs and the queue of slightly confused-looking travellers.
The shuttles themselves are surprisingly comfortable air-conditioned minibuses, and they’re an absolute godsend given the sprawling nature of the airport complex. Don’t attempt to walk between the terminals unless you fancy a sweltering hike (trust us, we’ve made that mistake before). Even what looks like a short distance on the airport map can turn into a 20-minute trek through humid corridors. The shuttle journey, by contrast, typically takes just 5-7 minutes between terminals, even during the busiest times.
The Taxi Stand is Easy Peasy
While we’d definitely recommend booking a Grab taxi if you’re flying from Don Mueang airport (which is a bit of a free-for-all when it comes to transportation), getting a taxi at Suvarnabhumi is relatively straightforward.
To catch a public taxi, you need to go down to Level 1. Once you arrive, there are a number of different options for taxis. However, the metered taxi is the cheapest and best option.
Politely decline any taxi drivers hailing you down inside the airport and make straight for the ‘Public Taxi Service’ line. The system is wonderfully organised, with numbered queues and a ticket system that matches you with your driver.
Simply go outside and enter a lane where you’ll use a multi-language touch-screen to print out your queue ticket. The number on your ticket corresponds to the number of the bay where your taxi is parked. The ticket details the driver’s name, plate and operating licence number—quite handy if you happen to leave something behind.
Just be sure the driver turns on the meter (which starts at 35 baht) when you get in, and you’ll avoid any vocal figure surprises when you reach your destination.
Be sure to keep important directions and addresses in your phone so you can show the driver. Even with your perfect pronunciation of “Sukhumvit,” your driver might look at you blankly – a visual aid works wonders.
Airport Rail Link Need To Know
Bangkok Airport Rail Link is a commuter rail line connecting Suvarnabhumi Airport to Phaya Thai (BTS) station via Makkasan Station (MRT Phetchaburi) and it’s a brilliant way to avoid Bangkok’s notorious traffic.
To catch the train from the airport into town, head to the basement level (B floor) of the terminal building. Follow the prominent blue ‘Train to City’ signs—they’re everywhere, so you can’t miss them. Once you reach the station, you’ll find ticket machines with English language options and manned ticket counters if you prefer the human touch.
Purchase your ticket from the machines (they accept coins and bills), tap it on the gate to enter, and keep it for your exit. Trains are clean, air-conditioned, and have dedicated spaces for luggage—a godsend after a long flight.
Coming back the Airport Rail Link operates a train from Sukhumvit MRT to Suvarnabhumi Airport (BKK) hourly, and it’s a brilliant way to avoid Bangkok’s notorious traffic. Alternatively, you can go from either Nana or Asok station to Phaya Thai station, where you transfer to the Airport Rail Link, which operates daily from 6am to midnight.
The Commuter City Line trains depart every 10 minutes during peak hours (06:00-09:00 and 16:00-20:00) and every 15 minutes off-peak and weekends.
The journey takes about 30 minutes and costs a fraction of what you’d pay for a taxi. It’s particularly handy if you’re travelling during Bangkok’s rush hour, when the roads transform into slow-moving car parks.
Leave Your Luggage
If you’re only staying in Bangkok for a couple of days and moving on, or have an extended layover, the airport offers several left luggage services. This is perfect for travellers who want to pop into the city without dragging their suitcase around in the sweltering heat.
You’ll find luggage storage facilities at the following locations:
Basement Level (B Floor): The main luggage storage service is located on the basement level near the transport centre. Look for signs pointing to ‘Left Luggage’ or follow directions to the Airport Rail Link, then look for the storage counter nearby.
Arrivals Hall (Level 2): There’s another storage service on the second floor in the arrivals area, near entrance 3. This one’s particularly handy if you’ve just landed and want to explore Bangkok without your bags.
Departures Level (Level 4): For those already checked in but with time to kill, there’s a storage facility on the fourth floor near the east entrance of the departures hall.
Prices are calculated per piece per day, with rates starting at around 100 baht for small items and going up to 250 baht for large suitcases. Most locations accept both cash and card payments. Just bring your passport along as ID, and they’ll issue you a claim ticket.
The service is available 24/7 and is incredibly secure, giving you peace of mind while you explore. Some locations even offer additional services like luggage wrapping and bag repairs – proper handy if your trusty suitcase took a beating in transit.
Need to refuel, refresh and reconnect before the flight?
There are several airport lounges to choose from. However, we’ve found the Miracle Lounge really good value for money. Starting from just £23.77 the service is available for passengers on international departure flights only.
You get 3-hour lounge access and all you can eat and drink (including alcoholic drinks). The food is suprisingly good – last time we had a make your own miang that would stand up to most. The buffet spread is extensive for an airport lounge, with a decent selection of hot Thai dishes, fresh fruits, salads, and some international options for the less adventurous. They keep everything well-stocked, and the staff are quick to replenish anything running low. You can also use the shower room – perfect for freshening up after a long flight.
While Suvarnabhumi does offer free WiFi throughout the terminal, despite reports that say the opposite, we’ve found that it can be painfully slow at times. Also, the general terminal areas are woefully lacking in spots that are actually conducive to working with your laptop. That’s another reason the Miracle Lounge is worth every baht – not only do you get significantly faster and more reliable WiFi, but they also provide proper work stations with comfortable seating, power outlets, and enough space to spread out your gear. If you need to catch up on emails or get some work done before your flight, this is absolutely the place to do it.
For those with a longer layover, this is actually more economical than venturing into the city, especially when you factor in transport costs and the energy expended navigating Bangkok’s heat.
It’s Hot Inside
While the airport has air conditioning blowing, sometimes it can get awfully hot inside, especially during peak hours when the system struggles to cool the vast terminal spaces filled with travellers.
Dress in light, breathable layers so you can adjust to the fluctuating temperatures. A light shawl or cardigan can also come in handy for the opposite problem – some areas, particularly near the gates, can suddenly blast you with arctic-level cooling.
Bring Your Own Food
Any seasoned traveller knows that dining at Suvarnabhumi comes with a hefty premium. The moment you pass through security, prepare for your wallet to feel considerably lighter. That Starbucks latte? The identical Mango Tree noodle bowl? Even the familiar Burger King Whopper? All command significantly inflated prices compared to their street-side counterparts.
Why, you ask? Well, as a case study that looked into the pricing explains: “A retail outlet is opened in an airport on a premium. Airport authorities also ask for inordinately high rent for retail spaces. So, in order to make profit, they do what is most obvious – hike the price.”
The excessive prices have caused an outcry amongst some travellers, and the state had to investigate. The conclusion reached? There are cheaper food courts operating there, should people not want to eat in a name-brand restaurant. The other conclusion? You can avoid paying over the odds by eating before you travel to the airport, or waiting until you board the plane.
Unfortunately, that food court we spoke about earlier does not operate airside, and since it doesn’t look like the price of airport dining is coming down anytime soon, it’s best to eat before or pick up something to bring with you.
Don’t Forget A Water Bottle
Want to pay nearly ฿200.00 for a bottle of water? We didn’t think so. Don’t forget to bring an empty water bottle through customs to fill up. There are water refill stations dotted around the airport. There are also free refill stations outside the toilets near the gates.
This tiny bit of preparation will save you cash and keep you hydrated in the often stuffy terminal environment.
Buy Some Mango Sticky Rice For The Plane
Forget buying souvenirs here – they are expensive too. There is one thing, however, we have been known to buy for our plane journey at the airport: mango sticky rice. This delightful Thai dessert travels surprisingly well and makes for a perfect mid-flight treat that’s a million times better than whatever the airline is serving up as pudding. It’s exactly the comfort food you need when you’re feeling sad about leaving Thailand behind.
King Power Duty Free store at Suvarnabhumi Airport sells boxes of freshly made mango sticky rice. They also sell freeze-dried mango sticky rice. We have no idea what the later is, but it sounds like it travels well.
The Bottom Line
Remember, the airport experience is part of your journey – approach it with a smile and the same sense of adventure you’re bringing to the rest of your Thai experience.
Safe travels, and enjoy Bangkok’s Golden Land, starting right from the airport gates.
Scotland, and more specifically the second city Glasgow, is enjoying something of a moment, restaurant-wise.There have been a slew of positive reviews in the national press recently, and 2025’s Michelin reveal was even held here, cementing Glasgow’s reputation as a heavy hitter where culinary culture is concerned.
The city’s residents didn’t need the Big Red Guide to confirm this. They already know that Glasgow is alive with creativity and imagination, as well as a surrounding larder that seemingly makes it difficult to cook a bad dish.
But beyond the accolades, what makes Glasgow’s dining scene particularly compelling is its unwavering commitment to quality, creativity, and a genuine hospitality, all reflective of the city as a whole.
If you’re visiting the city and pulling into Glasgow Central, firstly, can we assume that you’re a millionaire? Those train tickets don’t come cheap. But more importantly, we guess you’re looking for a great feed the moment you alight. If so, then you’ve come to the right place; here are the best restaurants near Glasgow Central.
Margo, Miller Street
Ideal for contemporary Scottish dining with a neighbourhood bistro feel…
Five minutes’ walk from Glasgow Central, Margo opened in late 2024 on Miller Street as the latest addition to Scoop Restaurants, the acclaimed hospitality group behind Ox and Finch, Ka Pao, and now also Sebb’s. While its siblings each have more singular identities, Margo plays faster and looser, with a broad mission to showcase Scottish ingredients via European techniques. Mission accomplished, and then some.
The restaurant recently earned a prestigious Bib Gourmand in the 2025 Michelin Guide, with inspectors praising its “bustling, efficiently run restaurant that’s deservedly popular thanks to its great buzz and flavour-packed, generously priced dishes.” They’re right, you know.
The 36-cover space is intimate but not cloying—sage green banquettes, white-washed brick walls and wooden floors create a breezy backdrop, and Chef Amie Rae (formerly of The Gannet and Alchemilla) leads a focused, quietly confident team in the open kitchen.
The menu changes seasonally, though certain standout dishes have become mainstays. The Margo beef tartare, keenly priced just shy of a tenner, demands attention—hand-chopped bavette comes with a grilled onion salad that brings sweetness and smoke, crispy potato shards for texture, and a generous swoosh of crème fraîche that harmonises the elements. It’s a sign of Rae’s deft touch with seasoning, letting the clean, mineral notes of the hand-chopped beef take centre stage.
You’d be mad to stop there, and the chipsticks with taramasalata (£6) feel like the perfect supporting act to that tartare. Here, an ingenious hybrid between pomme rösti, hash brown and panisse is topped with silky smoked cod roe taramasalata and house-made furikake. Meant for sharing, you might regret that decision after tasting them.
For special occasions, the 600g sirloin on the bone (£50) makes a statement. It’s finished with either ‘sauce Margo’ or their interpretation of café de Paris butter, the latter slowly melting over the perfectly pink beef, seasoning as it disperses. It’s quite the sight, and it eats damn well too.
The wine list features low-intervention bottles from small European producers alongside classic regions. The front-of-house team, led by co-owner Julie Dunn, achieves that rare balance of knowledge without intimidation—you’ll get thoughtful recommendations whether spending £30 or £300. Or, go for a house cocktail, which employ innovative techniques like fat-washing and carbonation. Crowd favourites including Frozen Martinis and a distinctive Yoghurt Punch both killer.
Whichever way you play it, finish with the bare bones chocolate nemesis and vanilla ice cream—a dense, flourless cake highlighting single-origin Guatemalan chocolate from local maker Bare Bones, recently featured on Rick Stein’s Food Stories, no less.
In Glasgow’s increasingly confident dining scene, Margo represents a particular strain of modern Scottish restaurant—technically impressive while remaining approachable, ambitious without arrogance, rooted in Glasgow while drawing inspiration from beyond.
Ideal for vinyl vibes, boozy slushies and big-flavoured small plates…
Beneath Margo in a subterranean brick vault on Miller Street, Sebb’s marks the newest addition to the Scoop Restaurants group. Open only half a year, the name ‘Sebb’s’ is an anagram of ‘Sixty-Eight Basement Bar,’ neatly reflecting its location beneath Margo at 68 Miller Street. We find that super satisfying, we’re not going to lie.
Drawing inspiration from European vinyl bars, this venue blends industrial and retro elements—burgundy tiles, red leather booths and that distinctive arched brickwork ceiling illuminated by neon lighting. A DJ spins records in the corner, though the music never drowns conversation.
Head straight for the alcoholic slushies (£8), worlds apart from the sugary concoctions of yours and my youth. The strawberry margarita strikes a remarkable balance between fresh strawberry, quality tequila and lime—delivering a nostalgic frozen sensation with sophisticated flavour. The Miami Vice combines strawberry margarita and piña colada into a glorious two-tone creation. Yep, they love strawberries.
The open kitchen, headed by Danny Carruthers (ex-Brian Maule at Chardon d’Or, with short stints at Le Gavroche and Lyle’s), focuses on cooking over fire, the central charcoal grill thoroughly seasoning the place with smoke.
The much photographed DC’s Texan Hot Link (£9) isn’t just an Insta-perfect plate — it’s a juicy, substantial sausage with just enough heat, served with ‘gold sauce,’ bread and those all-important butter pickles. Lamb skewers (£7 a pop) arrive blistered and burnished from the grill, a little gnarly and with enough chew to reveal pastoral flavours a plenty. A creamy garlic labneh sees the skewers on their way. Plant-based options hit the mark too —the grilled cauliflower with hummus, rayu and pine nuts is a lot of fun for under a tenner.
All great plates, but what sets Sebb’s apart is its ability to deliver both big night-out energy and genuinely good food, with inclusive opening hours of midday to midnight seven days a week ensuring a diverse crowd and plenty of good cheer.
Ideal for zero-waste Italian with fermentation wizardry…
In Glasgow’s atmospheric Cathedral Precinct, Celentano’s occupies the ground floor of historic Cathedral House, a striking 19th-century baronial-style building with a fascinating past— it once housed released female prisoners from Duke Street Prison. With views of the city’s gothic Necropolis, the food has some work to do to live up to the setting.
Husband-wife team Dean and Anna Parker launched the restaurant in summer 2021, and hit their stride fast in the most testing of climates, winning a Bib Gourmand just a year later. Perhaps that’s not a massive surprise; Parker built his reputation in London heading acclaimed restaurants Darby’s, Sorella and The Dairy (RIP), while Anna’s background lies in fashion and design.
The name Celentano’s reflects their Italian honeymoon journey from Florence to the Amalfi Coast, when the singer-songwriter Adriano Celentano seemed to be soundtracking the entire jaunt. The menu spans Italy with similar breadth, evolving seasonally and with sustainability at its core. Drawing from his time at The Dairy in particular, Parker employs fermentation, preserving and curing to maximise ingredients and minimise waste. Their environmental commitment extends beyond cooking—biodynamic wines on tap reduce glass waste, herbs and vegetables grow in their restaurant garden, and they keep bees nearby.
Start with smoked cod doughnuts —airy morsels filled with cod cream and topped with zingy house-made kimchi—or the now-famous lasagne fritti, crumbed pucks of fried pasta containing porcini bechamel and tangy Corra Linn sheep’s milk cheese. Technically precise and a touch playful, both clock it at under a fiver.
From the larger courses, on a recent visit the agnolotti with shaved artichoke stood out. Equally compelling was the linguine with cuttlefish ragu, black olive and tarragon—a deep, inky tangle that thrummed with saline depth. For secondi, the whole grilled bream is a worthy centrepiece. Perfectly cooked with skin on the verge of crackling, it exemplifies Dean’s philosophy of respectful simplicity with superior ingredients.
Their affogato is a winner if you’ve got a mind for the sweet stuff. On our last visit, a malted barley gelato, chocolate mousse and cold brew coffee was a clever reimagining of the Italian classic, each element supercharged. Back to the beginning, and you’ll want to start with a house negroni, made with the restaurants homemade vermouth. For non-drinkers, Celentano’s house kombucha is ace.
One of the best places to dine near Glasgow Central, Celantanos represents a homecoming success story of London culinary talent returning to Glasgow (a trend begun with Rosie Healey at Alchemilla in 2018) and exemplifies the city’s increasingly confident dining scene. Here, technical expertise meets warm hospitality, honouring Italian traditions while establishing its own identity. We’ll be back, time and time again.
Ideal for elegant Scottish plates in a grand Exchange Square setting…
Occupying the ground floor of the impressive Western Club building in Royal Exchange Square, Glaschu (Gaelic for ‘Glasgow’, no less) sits just minutes from Glasgow Central. It’s a dining space that exudes understated elegance – muted beige tones complemented by grand green pillars that has you worried you’re just about to drop serious money on a meal.
Fear not. Chef Graeme Brown’s isn’t quite as expensive as its esteemed surroundings imply. Dishes like scallops with celeriac, apple and hazelnut, or lobster ravioli with cep puree and lobster bisque both hover around the £20, whilst the substantial 35-day aged beef fillet with ox cheek and ale suet pudding is £45, sure, but it’s enough to send you home happy without absolute need for starter or dessert. To get a more thorough overview of Brown’s cooking, there’s a tasting menu too, priced at £75 or £125 with drinks pairing.
It’s on the Hump Day that Glaschu becomes particularly appealing. To get you through the rest of the week, ‘Wellington Wednesdays’ present two pinpoint beef Wellingtons with golden thick-cut chips, tender carrots and rich red wine jus, plus a bottle of wine for £90 per couple.
The cocktail list reflects the restaurant’s appreciation for Glasgow’s history and architecture. The Marochetti blends limoncello, Malfy Italian gin, basil and lemon juice—named after the Italian-born architect who designed the Duke of Wellington statue, while the Barrowlands with Roku gin, Lillet Blanc, salt and seaweed pays homage to the iconic East End venue.
If all of that sounds a little high falutin, then you’ll be interested to hear that Glaschu has recently expanded by opening MAISON by Glaschu in Princes Square on Buchanan Street, a French-inspired bar and restaurant offering a slightly more casual dining experience.
Ideal for a bright, airy spot serving global-Scottish fusion from dawn till dusk..
Inside the new AC by Marriott hotel on John Street, just a short walk from Glasgow Central, Hazel forms part of the ambitious £100 million Love Loan development. Named after the hazel branch in Glasgow’s original coat of arms, the restaurant brings a contemporary dining option to a rapidly evolving district.
The 100-seat venue boasts a bright, Scandi-chic interior with a striking faux hazel tree as its centerpiece, plus bird-shaped lights and fish sculptures nodding to the city’s emblem. It’s all a bit much, visually, but as floor-to-ceiling windows bathe the space in natural light on Glasgow’s sunnier days, it’s also kinda irresistible.
Don’t let the obviously AI-written social media posts put you off (“Dine, unwind, and escape the rush of the city in a setting where nature and urban elegance coexist beautifully…”). Rest assuredrealchefs—very good chefs—work in the kitchen, seeing to the sprawling five different menus with admirable consistency.
The lunch menu reels in nearby office workers, offering expertly executed classics like eggs Benedict with yielding yolks, alongside global sandwiches including Cuban, Reuben, steak baguette, and a smoked salmon and lox bagel featuring Scottish salmon. The evening menu gets heartier, with dishes like roast haunch of venison with potato gratin, puy lentils and rosemary jus, or pan-roasted hake with hispi cabbage and lemon hollandaise. For those seeking special deals, Chateaubriand Thursday offers excellent value at £60 for two.
Wash it all down with a signature Hazel 75 cocktail, developed in partnership with local Crossbill gin distillery, and feel very satisfied with your lot, at least for the evening.
Ideal for South Indian spice with a gluten-free guarantee..
On the first floor of a building in Glasgow’s buzzy Merchant City district, Dakhin opened in 2004 as Scotland’s first South Indian restaurant. Two decades on and what makes this restaurant truly unique remains the same; it’s the UK’s only acclaimed South Indian restaurant serving 100% gluten-free food. Yep, a rare thing here; all dishes are prepared without gluten, nuts, peanuts, sesame, celery, lupin, molluscs and sulphites, making it an unrivalled destination for diners with dietary restrictions.
It’s a beautiful room to step into, whatever your dietaries. Floor-to-ceiling windows overlook busy Candleriggs, and exposed brick, a slatted wooden ceiling with hanging greenery, and an illuminated bar create a welcoming space where diners can observe the chefs at work.
Begin with their famed dosas—thin rice and lentil crepes spanning three feet long, and perfect for sharing. These arrive with various fillings and come with sambhar (spiced lentil soup) and coconut chutney. The paper dosa particularly impresses, its crisp, golden-brown form dramatically draped across the plate. In fact, it’s a great place to stay in the vegan lane, as South Indian cuisine inherently celebrates plant-based cooking.
That said, there’s plenty of protein getting treated right here, too. Creative section titles like ‘The Ocean’s Lure’, ‘Treats of Lamb’, and ‘Pick of The Poultry’ suggest spliffs are being smoked in the kitchen, but they only serve to focus diners’ attention on regional specialties from Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Kerala, Tamil Nadu, and Telangana. The former section provides some real treats – the yetti masala (jumbo tiger prawns in a thick, complex sauce) and meen moilee (Scottish monkfish stewed with coconut milk) both hit the spot.
Lunchtime visitors should consider the £15 Thali – superb value, indeed.
Ideal for Japanese food in minimalist, light-filled surroundings…
Operating since 2007 on Sauchiehall Street near Charing Cross, Nanakusa (named after the seven edible wild herbs of spring eaten in Japan for their health benefits) has established itself as a real standout in Glasgow’s limited Japanese dining scene.
Despite an unassuming wood-panelled frontage, the interior surprises with its spaciousness—an ornately corniced high ceiling, a bar near the entrance, and a mezzanine create distinct zones. Minimalist design elements and large panels of ever-changing light create a distinctly Japanese mood that casts just the right light on the elegant plates here.
Nanakusa excels with one-bowl wonders, including the una don—grilled eel, fluffy egg, onions and seaweed coated in their secret eel sauce. Their katsu curry deserves its reputation, available with chicken, king prawn, duck or tempura. For warming comfort, the Nanakusa spicy noodle soup features ramen noodles in spicy chili broth topped with your protein of choice.
The fried items particularly shine. Try the kani karaage—soft shell crab that elevates the concept of Japanese fried chicken – and the yasai tempura of seasonal vegetables in light, crisp batter demonstrating the kitchen’s technical prowess.
With its proximity to entertainment venues like the King’s Theatre, CCA, and Nice’n’Sleazy, Nanakusa sits perfectly for pre-show dining, with efficient service and food that won’t keep repeating on you at your show.
Ideal for Neapolitan pizza perfection in industrial-chic surroundings…
When Paesano opened on Miller Street in 2015, it revolutionised Glasgow’s pizza scene by becoming the first restaurant to bring traditional Napoletana pizza to the city. Its popularity has only grown in the decade since, with Glaswegians drawn to the pizzeria’s unwavering commitment to time-honored methods and top-quality ingredients.
The expansive dining room exhibits industrial-chic style—exposed ceiling pipes, pendant lighting, wooden tables, and school desk-style chairs create the backdrop. The open kitchen offers the usual theatrical Neapolitan entertainment, as skilled pizzaiolos spin and flip dough before loading it into wood-fired ovens imported directly from Naples that reach a searing 500°C.
The dough here is as digestible as it comes, undergoing 24-hour proofing and resulting in a base that’s ethereally light. The menu remains refreshingly concise. Pizzas start at just £7.90 for a basic tomato sugo with garlic, oregano and extra virgin olive oil, while the classic Margherita is less than a tenner, too. More elaborate options like the spicy Ventricina and Nduja sausage or spinach and ricotta with smoked scamorza cheese still won’t have your accountant in too much of a fluster, both priced keenly at £13.50.
Despite its popularity, Paesano maintains a strict no-reservations policy, though efficient service ensures you rarely wait long. Its democratic, sprawling opening hours (12pm to 10:30pm Sunday to Thursday, and until 11pm on Fridays and Saturdays) in keeping with Neapolitan traditions, ensures that queue is always moving.
Following its 2024 acquisition by Di Maggio’s Restaurant Group, Paesano is expanding with a new Shawlands location at the former Di Maggio’s site on Pollokshaws Road. This represents the first step in DRG’s plans to roll out the brand more widely across Scotland and beyond. We just hope the high standards we’ve come to know aren’t affected by saturation.
Ideal for Scottish cuisine opposite the Theatre Royal…
On Hope Street directly opposite the Theatre Royal and just minutes from Glasgow Central, Ardnamurchan brings the distinctive flavors of Scotland’s western peninsula to the city. Opened in 2017 following a £400,000 renovation of the former Trader Joe’s bar, the restaurant takes its name from the Gaelic ‘Àird nam Murchan’ meaning ‘headland of the great seas’.
The smart interior makes nods to Scottish heritage—stag antlers, whisky barrels, and subtle touches of tweed—that would veer off into cliché in lesser hands, but here it feels well judged.
Sourcing artisan products from the Highlands and Islands forms the foundation of Ardnamurchan’s philosophy. The venison comes directly from the Ardnamurchan Estate where deer roam free, fish and shellfish arrive fresh from Scotland’s west coast waters, and the beef (and whisky) hails from Speyside.
Main courses include Ardnamurchan Estate braised wild venison stew slow-cooked in red wine with mushrooms and mashed potato, and grilled Isle of Skye landed langoustines with confit garlic emulsion. The Ardnamurchan Grill section presents 45-day dry-hung Speyside steaks alongside wild venison fillet from the estate.
The Market Menu offers excellent value at around £11.95 for two courses (pre-theatre), with à la carte main courses ranging from approximately £16-£30. The restaurant is dog-friendly with limited bookable tables available upon request.
Ideal for creative 100% vegan food and live performance in a Mackintosh building…
Approaching its 20th year in central Glasgow, Stereo occupies a beautiful Charles Rennie Mackintosh-designed building tucked away on Renfield Lane, just minutes from Glasgow Central. This multi-purpose venue functions as a dedicated vegan bar and kitchen during the day and transforms into a performance space in the evenings.
The upper ground floor contains the main bar and restaurant area, benefiting from abundant natural light. As night falls, the music volume rises, though the vibe remains welcoming rather than overwhelming.
Stereo’s 100% vegan menu presents creative plant-based cooking that shifts seasonally. Small plates (which hover in the £7 or £8 region) include standouts like salt and chilli enoki mushrooms with gochujang and miso ketchup, buffalo cauliflower coated in craft beer batter, and Silesian potato dumplings topped with gremolata, crispy capers and dill oil.
Open seven days a week, from noon to midnight Sunday through Thursday, and until 3am on Fridays and Saturdays, the kitchen closes at 9pm daily.
Ideal for Japanese noodles and sushi near Glasgow Central…
On Queen Street just a short walk from both Glasgow Central and Queen Street stations, Maki & Ramen brings the tastes of Japan to the heart of the city. This Glasgow outpost of the popular chain which originated in Edinburgh has quickly found its audience among the city’s Japanese food enthusiasts, who can’t get enough of the place. Fortunately, Maki & Ramen recently opened their third Glasgow location on Byres Road, with CEO Teddy Lee targeting 30 sites by 2027. Wowzer.
Still, it’s in the Queen Street location that we seem to always find ourselves. As the name suggests, Maki & Ramen specialises in two key areas of Japanese cuisine. Their sushi lineup includes expertly crafted maki rolls, nigiri, and sashimi, all prepared with fresh ingredients and precise technique. The ramen selection presents rich, slow-simmered broths in various styles, from the classic tonkotsu (pork) to miso and shoyu (soy sauce) bases, each with handmade noodles and various toppings.
The restaurant produces their own 8-hour slow-cooked broth and handmade noodles in their Edinburgh factory, ensuring consistency across all locations. They’ve also launched a charitable initiative at their Glasgow branches: every Wednesday from 4-8pm, they donate £1 to the Glasgow Care Foundation for each ramen dish sold.
We tend to hurry up and down them without a second thought, yet staircases occupy prime real estate in our homes. Far from being just functional transitions between floors, they’re untapped canvases of design potential.
Most homeowners pour their decorating budget into kitchens and bathrooms, completely overlooking the staircase. This represents a missed opportunity—this architectural element is often the first thing visitors see when they step through the front door. The staircase essentially functions as the spine of your home, connecting spaces and creating that crucial first impression that sets the tone for the entire property. By neglecting this central feature, homeowners miss the chance to make a powerful design statement that can elevate their entire interior scheme.
Whether you’re renovating a Victorian terrace or putting your stamp on a new-build, reimagining your staircase can utterly transform your interior. With thoughtful design, these everyday structures become jaw-dropping focal points that set the tone for your entire home. The magic lies in their versatility—they can whisper understated elegance or boldly announce your design confidence, depending on your personal style and the character of your property.
Embrace The Elegance Of Glass
Nothing dates a hallway faster than chunky wooden banisters and dated spindles. Enter glass balustrades—the contemporary solution that instantly refreshes tired staircases while allowing light to flow freely throughout your space.
Glass balustrades can make even the most modest hallway feel twice the size. This transformative effect comes from the way glass eliminates visual barriers, creating an uninterrupted line of sight that enhances spatial perception. The material’s transparency also allows decorative elements beyond the staircase to remain visible, effectively turning your entire hallway into a cohesive design statement rather than compartmentalising the space.
Paired with rich oak or walnut treads, glass creates that perfect balance between clean modernity and timeless warmth. The reflective quality amplifies natural light too, brightening gloomy entranceways and creating a welcoming atmosphere from the moment you cross the threshold. For the truly adventurous, structural glass treads supported by minimalist fixings create a genuinely breathtaking feature—though perhaps not for the faint-hearted!
Make A Statement With Spiral Designs
When square footage comes at a premium (and when doesn’t it these days?), spiral staircases offer both clever space-saving and undeniable drama. Their sweeping curves create a sculptural element that draws the eye upward, whilst occupying minimal floor space.
The think we love most about spiral staircase? They function essentially as a piece of functional art that completely transforms the energy of a room. The sculptural quality introduces an element of movement and visual intrigue that static architecture often lacks.
From classic wrought iron to sleek contemporary steel-and-wood combinations, spiral staircases work brilliantly in both period properties and modern homes. The helix shape introduces movement and dynamism to static spaces—essentially a kinetic sculpture at the heart of your home. They’ve long been the darling of Instagram for good reason; spiral staircases inevitably become conversation starters, architectural talking points that leave lasting impressions whilst serving your daily needs with panache.
Floating Treads For Minimalist Charm
Nothing says architectural confidence quite like stairs that appear to float in mid-air. These cantilevered marvels seem to defy gravity, with treads projecting from the wall without visible support—a show-stopping feature for lovers of clean, minimalist aesthetics.
Visitors invariably ask how floating treads manage to stay up. The magic happens inside the wall with serious reinforcement and precision installation that enables this gravity-defying effect. Each tread typically anchors to a concealed steel structure embedded within the supporting wall, requiring meticulous engineering calculations to ensure stability and safety. This invisible structural support system is what allows the treads to project outward with such dramatic visual lightness, creating the illusion that they’re suspended in mid-air.
The beauty of floating treads lies in their chameleon-like versatility. From blonde engineered oak that brightens contemporary spaces to brooding wenge or concrete for industrial-inspired interiors, the material options are endless. Leave the space beneath completely open to enhance that coveted sense of space and light, or use it cleverly for streamlined storage that maintains the minimalist vibe.
Under-Stair Storage Solutions
That awkward space beneath your staircase represents some of the most underutilised square footage in British homes. Rather than relegating it to the dumping ground for wellies and winter coats, consider its glorious potential.
Under-stair spaces have been successfully transformed into everything from home offices to wine cellars. The key is seeing possibilities rather than problems in these unique spaces. This triangular footprint, often dismissed as awkward, actually offers a perfectly shaped niche for specialised functions that might otherwise compete for valuable floor area elsewhere in the home. With thoughtful planning, what was once dead space becomes one of the most efficient and characterful features of the property.
Sleek drawers that blend seamlessly with your staircase design offer discreet storage without the visual clutter. Alternatively, a built-in reading nook with comfortable cushions and clever shelving creates a cosy retreat that makes use of every inch. For busy households, consider dedicated zones—pull-out wine racks for evening entertainers, specialised shoe storage for footwear enthusiasts, or even a secret den for little ones that would make Harry Potter green with envy. The key to success? Bespoke joinery that looks intentional rather than afterthought, creating storage that appears perfectly integrated with your staircase design.
Bold Colour Choices
Today’s most striking staircases throw caution to the wind with glorious colour. A deep navy blue or forest green painted along the staircase wall creates a sophisticated backdrop for white-painted spindles—instantly elevating a tired hallway.
Staircases can handle much bolder colour choices than most people realise. As transitional spaces, they present the perfect opportunity to be braver with your palette choices. Unlike rooms where you spend extended periods, staircases are experienced in motion, allowing for more dramatic visual impact without becoming overwhelming or tiresome. This transient quality makes them ideal testing grounds for vibrant hues or striking colour combinations that might feel too intense in living spaces where you linger longer.
For truly dramatic impact, consider richly coloured carpet in jewel tones like emerald or sapphire. Far from the beige berbers of yesteryear, today’s colourful carpet options introduce personality while providing sound insulation and comfort underfoot. Herringbone patterns or subtle geometrics disguise everyday wear and tear—particularly important in high-traffic areas like staircases.
Alternatively, mosaic tiles on risers offer unlimited creative potential that can utterly transform your entrance hall. From subtle Victorian-style patterns that honour period properties to bold Mediterranean-inspired designs in vibrant colour combinations, these intricate mosaics turn your staircase into a genuine work of art. Heritage colours like terracotta and cobalt create timeless appeal, while contemporary shades such as teal and burnt orange make an unmistakably modern statement.
Mix & Match Materials
Gone are the days when staircases needed to be constructed entirely from a single material. Today’s most striking designs boldly combine elements for textural interest that feels distinctly bespoke.
The most compelling contemporary designs focus on unexpected combinations. Industrial steel against warm timber, or concrete steps with brass detailing—these juxtapositions create visual tension that’s incredibly sophisticated and distinctive. The intentional contrast between seemingly opposing materials challenges conventional design expectations, resulting in a custom appearance that mass-produced staircases simply cannot replicate. These material dialogues tell a more complex design story, revealing a thoughtful approach that elevates your staircase beyond the merely functional into something truly bespoke.
The contrast between differing textures—smooth against rough, matte against glossy—adds depth and character that can’t be achieved with monotonous materials. Think weathered wood treads paired with powder-coated metal balustrades, or sleek marble steps offset by a tactile rope handrail.
When planning these material marriages, consider how they’ll age. Some materials, like brass and copper, develop a beautiful patina that tells the story of daily use, while others maintain their pristine appearance with minimal maintenance. Remember, you’ll interact with your staircase multiple times daily—the cool touch of metal beneath your palm or the warmth of wood underfoot becomes part of your home’s sensory experience.
Lighting That Leads The Way
A poorly lit staircase isn’t just unwelcoming—it’s potentially hazardous. Yet with clever illumination, this practical concern becomes an opportunity for atmospheric design that transforms your staircase from merely functional to genuinely magical.
Staircase lights should never be relegated to an afterthought but instead integrated into the initial design conversations. Thoughtful lighting completely transforms how the space is experienced on a daily basis. Depending on the style of your home, consider an elaborate chandelier or an unusual feature light.
Recessed LED strips tucked beneath treads create that coveted floating effect while providing practical illumination for nighttime navigation. Wall-mounted fixtures can highlight architectural details or artwork displayed along staircase walls, while dramatic pendant lights suspended through the centre of a spiral staircase define the vertical space spectacularly.
Smart lighting takes convenience to another level—motion-activated systems illuminate your path when needed and switch off when the staircase is unoccupied, combining safety with energy efficiency. Pay attention to how your artificial lighting will interact with natural light throughout the day; those momentary patterns of sunshine sweeping across your staircase create an ever-changing visual experience that can be enhanced or diminished by your lighting choices.
The Natural Touch
Our increasing disconnection from nature has sparked a counter-trend in British interiors—bringing the outside in wherever possible, including staircases.
There’s something inherently and instantly calming about incorporating natural materials in the home. This approach represents biophilic design principles at their most practical and accessible. The tactile qualities of natural materials—the subtle grain variations in timber, the organic imperfections in stone—provide a sensory richness that manufactured alternatives simply cannot replicate. These elements forge a subtle but meaningful connection to the natural world, offering a daily reminder of nature’s presence even within the most urban of environments.
Choose sustainable timber for your staircase renovation; native species like oak and ash offer tremendous durability alongside beautiful grain patterns that improve with age. FSC-certified exotic woods can provide striking visual impact for handrails or feature treads without environmental guilt.
Plants deserve consideration in your staircase design too—particularly in urban homes starved of greenery. A carefully positioned monstera or kentia palm beneath a floating staircase creates breathing space, while trailing ivy or string-of-pearls cascading from a first-floor landing transforms an ordinary staircase into a living feature. The natural light so often present in hallways and stairwells creates ideal growing conditions for many houseplants, establishing a symbiotic relationship between architecture and nature.
The Minimalist Power Of Concrete Stairs
Concrete has transcended its utilitarian origins to become one of the most sought-after materials in contemporary interior design. When applied to staircases, concrete offers an unparalleled combination of sculptural beauty and architectural strength that few other materials can match.
For those concerned about concrete’s cool industrial associations, fear not—the material pairs surprisingly well with softer elements. A concrete staircase flanked by white walls creates a perfect canvas for the play of natural light.
Indeed, the beauty of concrete lies in its chameleon-like versatility. In its most minimalist form, as seen in high-end architectural projects, a monolithic concrete staircase with smoothly curved treads creates a seamless flow between levels. The material’s natural pale palette complements bright, white walls perfectly, creating an almost gallery-like atmosphere that allows other design elements to shine. The soft, rounded edges of curved concrete stairs introduce an unexpected organic quality to what might otherwise be a stark, angular space.
While polished concrete finishes create a sleek, contemporary look, more rustic treatment methods like hand-troweling produce subtly textured surfaces with greater character and depth. Concrete can also be tinted during mixing to achieve various tones from warm beige to sophisticated charcoal, allowing for seamless integration with your home’s colour palette.
The Bottom Line
Whether you opt for a dramatic overhaul or subtle cosmetic updates, your staircase holds tremendous potential to elevate your home’s interior. Far more than just steps between floors, a thoughtfully designed staircase becomes a design statement that sets the tone for your entire property. When properties come to market, a beautiful staircase often emerges as a major selling point for prospective buyers. It represents an investment that pays dividends both aesthetically and financially.
So next time you’re dashing up those stairs without a second glance, pause and consider the possibilities. That everyday structure you take for granted might just be your home’s next design triumph waiting to happen.
Mention the words ‘ring road’ to a Brit, and the image of a very specific type of soul-destroying suburban drudgery will likely come to mind.
But Iceland’s Route 1 Ring Road is a very different beast entirely. Encircling the majority of the island nations’ near 1300 mile perimeter, to traverse its scenic stretches is to reveal vista after vista of otherworldly landscapes that are as far removed from Sheffield’s Outer A6102 as night is from day.
The ring road’s entirety can be driven in around 16 hours, but to do so would be to miss the point of Iceland’s Route 1; the sites along the way are what make the drive one of the most iconic stretches of road in the world.
Instead, it’s advised that you take a week or two to tackle Route 1, in summer and winter respectively, owing to the more treacherous terrain of the colder months (Route 1 is the only road in Iceland that’s consistently cleared of snow).
However you’re tackling it and whatever pace you’re going at, there are several places along the way you mustn’t miss. These are those; together with Zero Car Rental, here are 9 of the best places to stop on Iceland’s Route 1 Ring Road.
Getting There
Because of the nature of Iceland’s somewhat inhospitable terrain, particularly in the island’s central regions, there are no public railways in the country. Conversely, there are a surprising number of airports, with upwards of 15 airports running commercial airlines and scheduled passenger services. The main international airport and your destination when flying from the UK will be Keflavik Airport, a half hour’s drive south of the capital Reykjavik.
Interestingly, whilst you can fly from Reykjavik to Akureyri airport in just 45 minutes, it will take you five hours to make the same journey by car.
Hence why we’re driving the perimeter of the country, where the roads are well maintained, less perilous and (generally) free from snow.
Most visitors planning to drive Route 1 choose to hire a 4×4 at Keflavik Airport; nearly all of the car rentals in Iceland operate here. From Keflavik Airport, it’s just a 15 minute drive to Blue Lagoon, the first stop on our road trip of Iceland’s Route 1…
The Blue Lagoon
In Iceland’s southwest, on the country’s Reykjanes Peninsula, is The Blue Lagoon, a geothermal hot spring and one of the country’s most popular tourist attractions.
The lagoon, surrounded by lava fields, is a stretch of milky blue water which maintains a constant and perfect bathing temperature of 102°F (39°C) all year round. Locals and tourists alike come to bathe in these relaxing waters.
And come in their numbers they do. In fact, it’s been named as one of the top 25 Wonders of the World by National Geographic and, accordingly, you shouldn’t expect a serene swim in privacy; celebrities such as Beyoncé, Bjork, and even our very own Rick Stein have even been spotted taking a dip here.
That said, the Blue Lagoon represents a wonderful way to get refreshed and reinvigorated post-flight and before you start your road trip proper.
Now, about escaping those crowds…
The Waterfalls Of Seljalandsfoss & Skogafoss
Head 160km’s drive southeast of the Blue Lagoon and you’ll find yourself at two of Iceland’s most spectacular waterfalls, Seljalandsfoss and Skogafoss. Though visible from the main road, it’s worth taking the time to get out of your car (there’s a parking lot here, though you do have to pay) and enjoy the waterfall up close and personal; the former is one of the only waterfalls in Iceland with a path leading behind the cascading water. Make sure you pack your raincoat!
Should you be visiting in winter, do note that the paths get incredibly slippery, and spike shoes may be required. That said, visitors in the darker months, when there are just four hours of daylight, will be rewarded with the spectacle of the waterfalls illuminated by gorgeous floodlights, creating a mystical and magical visual treat.
While you’re here, make sure you visit the smaller Gljufrabui waterfall, considered a hidden gem by some.
A further three hour’s drive heading east, passing Iceland’s southernmost village Vik before heading north along the coast, and you’ll arrive at Jokulsarlon. Translating as ‘glacial river lagoon’ the prosaic description doesn’t quite do this incredible place justice.
This gorgeous coastline is so atmospheric, in fact, that it has been used as the set of world famous productions and films including Tomb Raider and Die Another Day. The Jokulsarlon itself was formed by Europe’s second largest ice cap, Vatnajokull, which sees blocks of ice break away from the glacier and float into the lagoon before melting or drifting out to sea.
Interestingly for animal lovers, it’s not just people that come to see the lake but wildlife too, with seals and birds drawn to the waters in droves. The lagoon and glacier are both part of the Vatnajokull National Park, which is well worth exploring if you’ve got the time.
Us, though? We don’t have the time, so we’re heading north to Iceland’s sprawling East Fjords, which begin just an hour’s drive from Jokulsarlon, just after the town of Hofn. Shaped by the glaciers of the ice age, the East Fjords are defined by snow-capped mountains, fishing villages, puffins aplenty and, of course, the fjords themselves, those narrow strips of sea that cut into Iceland’s east coast between its cliffs and mountains.
The road here is spectacular, with vast, barren expanses offering myth and mystique and the drive bringing moments of high drama amongst the rugged surrounds. In the East Fjords, it’s all about the journey, not the destination; simply follow Route 1 for 250km’s scenic driving from Hofn to the town of Egilsstadir, which signifies the end of the ring road’s dalliance with the East Fjords.
If you’ve got the time, consider a short diversion from Route 1, taking Route 93 northeast for 30km to the picturesque town of Seydisfjordur. Or, drive an hour north from Egilsstadir along Route 94 and check out Borgarfjordur Eystri, a remote village that’s famous for its resident puffins and the accepted end of the East Fjords.
Dettifoss Waterfall
We know what you’re thinking; you’ve had your fill of waterfalls by now. But the waterfall at Dettifoss, another two hour’s drive northwest as the ring road turns inland, simply has to be seen to be believed.
After the Rhine Falls in Switzerland, Dettifoss is the most powerful waterfall in Europe, and you’ll hear its waters crashing from miles away. Located just north of Route 1, the roads (862 and 864) that serve the waterfall are usually only traversable in summer. In the winter, you may have to give this spectacular waterfall a miss, as the roads become undrivable. If you are able to get up close and personal, however, Dettifoss, translating as the ‘collapsing waterfall’, is a must-see.
Whale Watching In Husavik
Dettifoss is part of a popular collection of attractions in North Iceland collectively known as the Diamond Circle. Another must-visit within the region is Husavik, a town on Iceland’s north coast that’s so famous for its whale watching that it’s often referred to as ‘the whale capital of the world’.
You’ll have to deviate from Route 1 by a couple of hours here, taking the 864 for Dettifoss and then the 85 onwards to Husavik, but you’ll be rewarded with a near-guarantee of whale pod sightings. Though minke and humpback whales are most commonly sighted, blue whales have also been spotted here several times in recent years. The town also houses a whale museum, should you not be fortunate enough to see any in the flesh!
As you continue your journey along Route 1’s northern stretch, approximately an hour’s drive east from Husavik, you’ll discover one of Iceland’s best-kept secrets: the Myvatn Nature Baths. Often referred to as the “Blue Lagoon of the North,” these geothermal baths offer a similarly ethereal experience to their more famous counterpart, but with significantly smaller crowds.
Set against the otherworldly backdrop of Lake Myvatn’s volcanic landscape, these mineral-rich waters maintain a pleasant temperature between 36°C and 40°C year-round. The silica and minerals in the water create the same milky blue appearance that has made the Blue Lagoon so iconic, yet here you can enjoy a more tranquil, authentic Icelandic bathing experience.
The surrounding area is equally worth exploring, with peculiar lava formations, bubbling mud pools and steaming fumaroles dotting the landscape. Bird enthusiasts will be particularly delighted, as Lake Myvatn hosts one of the most diverse collections of waterfowl in Europe.
For those who’ve begun to feel the strain of many hours behind the wheel, the Myvatn Nature Baths provide the perfect opportunity to unwind, soothe tired muscles, and rejuvenate before completing the final leg of your Route 1 adventure. Unlike its southern sibling, pre-booking isn’t always essential, particularly during off-peak seasons—though it’s still advised during summer months.
Take A Volcanic Crater Hike In Grabrok
Phew, we feel like we’ve strayed too far from Route 1 there, even if we did catch a glimpse of the largest mammal in the world and had a wonderfully pleasant warm bath. So, from Husavik and Myvatn, rejoin the ring road and head south in a symbolic descent that will have you feeling like you’re heading home as the capital Reykjavik draws closer.
But before we pull up in Iceland’s major city for a final feast, there’s time to stop in Grabrok, four hour’s south of Husavik and the last major stop on Route 1 before you hit Reykjavik.
A protected natural monument, Grabrok is a crater formed by a volcanic eruption some 3000 years ago, and sits just off Route 1’s western leg. Here there are footpaths that take in views of the crater, as well as longer hiking trails if time is on your side. After which, we’re heading home…
End Your Adventure With A Feast In Reykjavik
Iceland’s capital Reykjavik has a thriving foodie scene that belies its relative small size and remote location, with cutting edge ‘New Nordic’ restaurants rubbing shoulders with more old fashioned Icelandic delicacies like Hakarl – that’s fermented shark – or Svio (half a sheep’s head). Whether you choose to go traditional and explore the history of Icelandic cuisine at Matur og Drykkur, or you’re keen on the sound of innovative, Michelin starred fare at Dill, you’ll be spoilt for choice for fine dining in Reykjavik.
With its elegant 19th-century mansions and leafy squares, Príncipe Real offers a more sophisticated alternative to Lisbon’s tourist-heavy Bairro Alto. Named after Queen Maria II’s firstborn son, this hilltop neighbourhood balances bourgeois respectability with bohemian flair. Up there with the gods, it’s a match made in heaven.
The area has transformed over the past decade from a quiet residential district to one of Lisbon’s most coveted postcodes, yet it has managed this evolution without sacrificing a keen sense of local pride and tradition. Unlike the riverside Chiado or the nightlife-focused Bairro Alto, Príncipe Real seems to exude a more relaxed confidence—a place where Lisboetas and visitors mingle in gardens, concept stores, and innovative restaurants without the feeling that you’re merely moving through a tourist circuit.
What makes Príncipe Real particularly special is its dual personality—by day, it’s a haven for design enthusiasts and slow-paced café culture; by night, it hosts some of the city’s most interesting dining experiences and laid-back nightlife options. The neighbourhood sits at the perfect sweet spot between accessibility and discovery—central enough to reach Lisbon’s major sights easily, yet removed enough to feel like you’ve uncovered something beyond the well-trodden path.
Where To Eat
A Cevicheria on Rua Dom Pedro V serves remarkable Peruvian-Portuguese fusion dishes that draw both residents and visitors. Look for the giant octopus sculpture hanging from the ceiling—you can’t miss it. Be prepared to wait; they don’t take bookings but will text when your table’s ready.
For those who find a hankering for Italian cuisine at some point while they’re on holiday (it’s only natural), ZeroZero on Rua da Escola Politécnica slings agreeable Neapolitan-adjacent pizzas cooked in a wood-fired oven. Their garden seating makes for a pleasant retreat on warm evenings, and their wine list showcases small Italian producers alongside Portuguese options.
Sweet tooth? Pastelaria Bénard has been perfecting pastries since 1868. Their pastel de nata might not be as famous as Belém’s, but paired with a bica (Portuguese espresso) on their vintage-tiled terrace, it’s hard to beat.
For modern Portuguese cuisine that respects tradition while embracing innovation, book well in advance for Tapisco. This popular restaurant on Rua Dom Pedro V is run by chef Kiko Martins (the same talent behind A Cevicheria) and brilliantly combines Portuguese petiscos (small plates) with Spanish tapas in a space defined by its striking red bar counter. The prawn croquettes and pork cheeks are particularly memorable.
The neighbourhood’s most unique watering hole must be Pavilhão Chinês on Rua Dom Pedro V, a former 19th-century grocery store transformed into a cabinet of curiosities. Navigate five rooms crammed with military memorabilia, toy soldiers and vintage advertisements while sipping meticulously crafted cocktails. It’s like drinking in an eccentric collector’s private museum.
Head to Quiosque Príncipe Real when the day winds down. Locals call it ‘O Oliveira’ and it’s the perfect spot to catch Lisbon’s golden hour. You won’t find it in many guidebooks, which keeps it authentic. Grab a drink, order a small bite, and watch local life unfold – this place is nothing fancy, just genuine Lisbon charm.
For daytime refreshment, Copenhagen Coffee Lab brings Scandinavian minimalism and serious brewing techniques to Rua Nova da Piedade. Their courtyard catches the afternoon sun perfectly.
For a truly local experience, Gin Lovers & Less occupies the grand ballroom of the Embaixada palace on Praça do Príncipe Real. With over 80 different gins and a regularly updated cocktail menu that showcases seasonal ingredients, it’s the perfect spot to unwind after exploring the shopping galleries in the same building. During summer months, their garden bar becomes one of the neighbourhood’s most enchanting evening spots.
Lost In Esplanada Bar on top of a residential building on Rua Dom Pedro V offers panoramic views across the city from its rooftop terrace. It’s particularly magical at sunset, when the warm light washes over the terracotta rooftops stretching toward the Tagus River.
Just steps away lies the Jardim Botânico (Botanical Garden), a tranquil 10-acre oasis established in 1878. Its tropical glasshouses and dragon trees provide welcome respite from the city’s hills.
Architecture buffs should wander the surrounding streets to admire the district’s pastel-coloured mansions with their wrought-iron balconies and azulejo tilework. The pink Embaixada on Praça do Príncipe Real houses independent Portuguese designers and brands within a restored 19th-century Arabian-inspired palace.
The Reservatório da Patriarcal (Patriarchal Reservoir) beneath Príncipe Real garden offers an unexpected perspective on Lisbon’s history. This underground cathedral-like space supported by 31 pillars once stored water for the surrounding area and now hosts occasional art installations and concerts. The acoustics are remarkable, and the cool underground temperature provides perfect relief on hot summer days.
For a different kind of cultural exploration, visit the São Roque Church at the edge of Príncipe Real. Though unassuming from the outside, the interior is considered one of the most beautiful in Lisbon, featuring exquisite baroque chapels and intricate gilded woodwork that showcases the wealth of Portuguese imperial days.
Just north east of Príncipe Real, art enthusiasts should visit Galeria FOCO on Rua Antero de Quental 55A, a contemporary art space showcasing both Portuguese and international artists in a minimalist setting that allows the works to speak for themselves. Back in the district proper, Galeria São Mamede on Rua Escola Politécnica exhibits established Portuguese contemporary artists in a more traditional gallery environment. Both spaces offer a glimpse into Lisbon’s vibrant art scene beyond the major museums.
Things To Do
Príncipe Real excels in one-off shops that reward unhurried browsing. The aforementioned Embaixada Shopping Gallery houses multiple independent Portuguese designers and craftspeople under one ornate roof. The neo-Arabian palace building itself is worth visiting, with its grand staircase and stained glass, but the carefully curated shops selling Portuguese-made clothing, jewellery, and homewares make it a necessary stop for those seeking unique souvenirs.
For quintessential Portuguese products, it’s worth taking a ten-minute walk south of Príncipe Real to Conserveira de Lisboa Combro on Largo Dr. António de Sousa Macedo 5. This iconic store specialises in Portugal’s finest tinned fish—a culinary tradition elevated to an art form (you’ll want to frame these tins and hang them up!). Their beautifully packaged sardines, mackerel, and tuna make perfect gifts, while their selection of Portuguese olive oils, preserves, and specialty foods showcases the country’s gastronomic heritage. The knowledgeable staff are happy to explain the differences between various preserves and regions.
As evening approaches, catch a performance at Teatro do Bairro, a small theatre at the edge of Príncipe Real that stages contemporary Portuguese plays and occasional English-subtitled productions.
For a hands-on cultural experience, check the schedule at Cozinha Popular da Mouraria just a short walk from Príncipe Real. This cooking school offers workshops where visitors can learn to prepare traditional Portuguese dishes alongside locals. It’s a convivial way to gain deeper insight into Portuguese food culture while creating a meal you’ll enjoy together at the communal table.
Príncipe Real sits atop one of Lisbon’s seven hills, which means spectacular views but challenging climbs. The area itself is compact enough to explore on foot, though sensible shoes are essential on the cobbled streets.
Tram 24 connects to the downtown Baixa district, while the Rato metro station sits at the neighbourhood’s northern edge. For the authentic Lisbon experience, flag down a tuk-tuk for the steep ascent from Bairro Alto—your legs will thank you.
Cycling enthusiasts might be intimidated by Lisbon’s topography, but electric bike rentals have revolutionised this experience. Lisbon Bike Rentals offers e-bikes that make even the steepest inclines manageable, and there’s something deeply satisfying about breezing uphill past struggling pedestrians. The lack of dedicated cycle lanes in much of the city means you’ll need to share roads with cars, but traffic tends to move slowly enough around Príncipe Real to make this less daunting than it might sound.
For those preferring rideshares, both Uber and Bolt operate extensively throughout Lisbon. The narrow streets of Príncipe Real can sometimes make pickup points tricky, so it’s worth walking to main roads like Rua da Escola Politécnica or Rua Dom Pedro V when summoning a car. Alternatively, traditional taxis are readily available and often quicker to navigate the labyrinthine shortcuts through the neighbourhood’s backstreets.
Where To Stay
Let’s be blunt here; Airbnbs are pretty compact in Lisbon, and hotels often prohibitively expensive. Fortunately, for those seeking an immersive local experience, Príncipe Real boasts some of the best accommodation in Lisbon in terms of its rental offerings. The neighbourhood excels in stylishly renovated flats within traditional buildings, where each apartment retains distinctive architectural elements—whether original hardwood floors, decorative ceilings, or azulejo tile panels—while providing modern amenities.
The benefit here is access to your own kitchen, perfect for experimenting with finds from the farmers’ market. The neighbourhood’s rental properties consistently outshine those in other districts thanks to their blend of period features and tasteful contemporary design.
The Bottom Line
Unlike Lisbon’s more tourist-heavy quarters, staying in Príncipe Real means living amongst locals who’ve witnessed their neighbourhood transform whilst preserving its distinctive character. You might arrive as a visitor, but you’ll leave feeling like a temporary resident—surely the greatest achievement of any city break.
Indeed, while other parts of Lisbon may boast more famous attractions or wilder nightlife, few neighbourhoods offer such a perfect microcosm of contemporary Portuguese culture in such a digestible, walkable form. It’s the ideal base for those who prefer to experience a city through immersion rather than checklists.
The enchanting Brera district, sitting pretty in the heart of Milan, is an absolute must-visit for any traveller to Italy’s fashion capital. Taking its name from the Lombard word ‘braida’ meaning ‘green space’, this sophisticated quarter lives up to its etymology with colourful residential buildings sporting balconies overflowing with lush greenery and vibrant flowers. Often called Milan’s artistic soul, Brera offers a delightful blend of cultural heritage and contemporary chic.
The district boasts a rich bohemian history dating back to the late 18th century when Empress Maria Theresa of Austria established the Academy of Fine Arts here in 1776. Throughout the 19th century, the area became a haven for artists, writers and intellectuals who flocked to its affordable studios and atmospheric cafés, infusing the neighbourhood with a creative spirit that persists to this day. This artistic legacy is now celebrated through the prominent Brera Design District project, Italy’s most influential hub for design promotion.
While today’s Brera has evolved to embrace a more upmarket atmosphere, it still maintains its artistic essence beneath the polished façade. The charming cobblestone streets, framed by elegant architecture and those characteristic verdant balconies, provide the perfect backdrop for a truly memorable Italian getaway. Just a short journey from Milan’s iconic Duomo, this compact cultural hub represents the perfect place to spend a leisurely day or two. So, here are 9 IDEAL things to do in Milan’s captivating Brera district.
How To Get There & Where To Stay
The charming Brera district is conveniently accessible from either Lanza or Moscova metro stops. However, to truly absorb the neighbourhood’s distinctive character, walking is highly recommended. For the most rewarding approach, begin at Piazza Scala (near Duomo or Montenapoleone stations) and stroll along Via Verdi, which elegantly transitions into Via Brera, unveiling the district’s treasures at a pace that allows you to appreciate every architectural detail and hidden corner.
Staying for a weekend? Offering an intimate boutique retreat with just four exquisitely appointed rooms, Locanda Pandenus is a good choice. It’s a place that perfectly captures the artistic essence that defines Milan’s dynamic Brera neighbourhood. Each room showcases impeccable art deco styling – think 1930s glamour meets modern Milanese flair. The inn sits above a lively bistro which is open daily from 8am to 11.45pm, creating a seamless connection between your accommodation and the creative heartbeat of Milan’s most artistic quarter.
Looking to settle in Milan’s stylish Brera district for a while and planning to rent a luxury flat in Brera (this is Milan after all)? The carefully curated Nativo collection presents a portfolio of upscale apartment residences with both long and short term rentals, ranging from one to twelve months. Whether you need a sophisticated home base for just a few weeks or plan to immerse yourself in Milanese living for up to a year, this flexibility transforms the typically rigid rental market into something that actually works around your schedule, not the other way around.
Start your exploration of the neighborhood by meandering down Via Fiori Chiari which embodies the essence of Brera’s distinctive character. This picturesque street, whose name translates to ‘Street of Light Flowers’, features a captivating blend of independent boutiques, art galleries, and inviting cafés (more on all of those later) housed within beautifully preserved historic buildings.
By day, the street buzzes with shoppers exploring unique fashion finds and artisanal treasures. As evening falls, the atmosphere transforms as locals and visitors alike fill the outdoor seating areas of restaurants and wine bars.
For a truly special experience, visit on the third Sunday of the month when the street hosts Brera’s famed antique market Mercatino di Brera. Dozens of vendors display an eclectic mix of vintage items, from jewellery and furniture to rare books and curiosities – perfect for sourcing a one-of-a-kind souvenir.
Visit The Basilica Of San Simpliciano
Often overshadowed by Milan’s magnificent Duomo, the Basilica of San Simpliciano offers a more intimate glimpse into the city’s rich religious heritage. Dating back to the 4th century, this ancient church is one of Milan’s oldest and most historically significant religious sites, associated with the venerated St Ambrose.
The basilica’s unassuming exterior gives little hint to the treasures within – most notably the remarkable 15th-century frescoes adorning the apse. The peaceful interior, with its soaring columns and soft lighting, provides a contemplative space away from the district’s livelier spots. Architectural enthusiasts will appreciate the church’s unique blend of Romanesque and early Christian elements, whilst history buffs will value its significance in Milan’s religious development.
Explore The Galleries
A trip to Brera wouldn’t be complete without immersing yourself in its remarkable art scene, starting with the district’s namesake gallery, the Pinacoteca di Brera, the city’s main public gallery. Housing Italy’s second-largest collection of fine art, this magnificent gallery showcases masterpieces from Italian and European artists spanning centuries. Marvel at works by Mantegna, Caravaggio, Raphael and Titian, amongst countless other treasures. For art enthusiasts, the collection’s crown jewel is perhaps Mantegna’s ‘Lamentation over the Dead Christ’, with its remarkable perspective and emotional depth.
Yet Brera’s artistic offerings extend far beyond this prestigious institution. The district is peppered with galleries catering to diverse artistic tastes. Massimo De Carlo represents a pinnacle of contemporary art in Milan, showcasing cutting-edge works by international artists in a beautifully restored historic building. The gallery’s thought-provoking exhibitions rotate regularly, ensuring something fresh awaits each visit.
For those intrigued by modern Italian art with a distinctly unconventional flair, Antonio Colombo Arte Contemporanea presents works that often incorporate elements of pop culture, comics, and street art. The gallery’s carefully curated exhibitions challenge traditional boundaries whilst remaining accessible to art lovers of all levels.
Sculpture enthusiasts should not miss Gipsoteca Fumagalli & Dossi, a hidden gem housing an impressive collection of plaster casts and original sculptural works. The hushed atmosphere and dramatic lighting create an almost sacred space for contemplating three-dimensional artistry in various forms.
Studio Zecchillo offers a more intimate gallery experience, specialising in works on paper including etchings, lithographs, and drawings by both established and emerging artists. The knowledgeable staff are particularly welcoming to visitors curious about printmaking techniques and processes.
Complete your artistic tour at Casa Degli Artisti, a recently revitalised creative hub that serves as both exhibition space and working studios. This cultural centre fosters artistic development through residency programmes and public events, offering visitors a glimpse into the creative process itself rather than merely displaying finished works.
Wander Through The Orto Botanico
After immersing yourself in artistic masterpieces, take a refreshing pause at the enchanting Orto Botanico di Brera. This secret garden, established in 1775 by Empress Maria Theresa of Austria, offers a tranquil sanctuary away from Milan’s bustling streets. Tucked behind Palazzo Brera, this botanical haven features carefully cultivated beds of medicinal herbs, rare plants and seasonal blooms.
The garden’s symmetrical design, enhanced by elegant sculptures and the historic architecture of the surrounding palace, creates a peaceful atmosphere perfect for contemplation. It’s a delightful spot to catch your breath whilst enjoying nature’s artistry. Better still, entry is complimentary, making it one of Brera’s most charming hidden gems.
The garden is open all year round and it’s free to enter.
Indulge In Aperitivo Culture
The Italian tradition of aperitivo was born in the bustling city of Milan in the 19th century. As such, no visit to Milan would be complete without experiencing this beloved ritual, and Brera offers some of the city’s finest establishments for this quintessentially Italian tradition.
Of course, there’s Bar Brea which is in the very heart of the district. Score a table outside and you’ll find that it’s one of the best spots for people watching in the entire city.
Bar Jamaica stands as a living piece of Brera’s bohemian history. Once the preferred watering hole of artists and intellectuals, this historic establishment maintains its authentic charm whilst serving perfectly crafted cocktails and an impressive selection of spirits. The walls adorned with photographs of its famous patrons tell the story of Brera’s artistic legacy, making it as much a cultural experience as a drinking venue.
Wine enthusiasts should not miss N’Ombra de Vin, housed in a 16th-century monastery cellar, offering an extraordinary selection of Italian and international wines alongside superb charcuterie and cheese. Their aperitivo spread is particularly generous, featuring high-quality ingredients that perfectly complement their extensive wine list. The atmospheric stone-walled interior creates an enchanting backdrop for early evening refreshments.
For those with a passion for natural wines, Associazione Salumi e Vini Naturali presents a carefully curated selection of organic and biodynamic offerings in a convivial atmosphere that encourages conversation with fellow oenophiles. Their knowledgeable staff can guide you through unfamiliar varietals and producers, making this an educational as well as pleasurable experience.
The traditional aperitivo hours run between 6 and 9 pm. Order a classic Aperol Spritz or Negroni, then help yourself to the spread of cheeses, cured meats, olives, and various small dishes. The tradition perfectly embodies the Italian approach to dining — unhurried, social, and focused on quality ingredients. It’s also an excellent opportunity to people-watch and absorb Brera’s sophisticated ambiance.
Discover Independent Boutiques
Whilst Milan is globally renowned for its high-fashion credentials, Brera offers a more distinctive shopping experience through its wealth of independent boutiques and concept stores. Fashion enthusiasts will delight in discovering unique pieces from emerging designers alongside carefully curated vintage collections that reflect Italy’s impeccable style heritage.
For those seeking truly special souvenirs, Pettinaroli is an absolute must-visit. Founded in 1881 and still run by the same family, this charming cartoleria stocks exquisite handmade stationery, leather-bound journals, vintage maps, and bespoke printed materials. Its wooden shelves and glass cabinets house treasures that combine artisanal craftsmanship with practical elegance – the perfect memento of your time in Milan’s most artistic district.
Another Brera gem is Il Segno Del Tempo tucked away on Via Fiori Chiari. Step inside and you’re transported into what feels like a collector’s fever dream. It’s full of antiques selected by founders Piero Luigi Carboni and Pierangelo Marengo. What began as their personal gallery of beloved discoveries has evolved into a gorgeous shop full of remarkable pieces.
Il Cirmolo offers a nostalgic journey through 20th century design and ephemera, featuring an eclectic collection of treasures ranging from vintage enamel signs from the mid-1900s to illuminated letters and signage from the latter half of the century.
Beyond these standouts, Brera houses specialist shops selling everything from handcrafted jewellery and artisanal homewares to rare books and locally produced gourmet foods. The district’s shopping experience feels worlds away from the glitzy international brands dominating Milan’s Quadrilatero della Moda. Instead, Brera offers thoughtfully selected merchandise with personal service – often from the shop owners themselves. For design aficionados, the annual Brera Design Week transforms the district into a showcase of innovative Italian craftsmanship and contemporary design.
Eat, Eat, Eat
Brera’s culinary scene beautifully reflects its artistic soul, with establishments ranging from historic trattorias to Michelin-recommended dining destinations. There are many neighbourhood stalwarts serving regional specialities like risotto alla Milanese (saffron risotto), ossobuco (braised veal shanks), and cotoletta alla Milanese (breaded veal cutlet), but it’s worth being picky.
Trattoria Torre di Pisa, a beloved local institution since 1952, offers time-honoured Milanese recipes in an unpretentious setting adorned with vintage photographs. Meanwhile, Al Matarel serves exceptional regional dishes with a focus on fresh, seasonal ingredients – their risotto is particularly noteworthy.
For a taste of classic Lombardy fare, Rosso Brera presents beautifully plated dishes with the warmth and authenticity of a typical Milanese trattoria. The vitello tonnato is particularly good here.
Those seeking more refined culinary experiences should book well in advance for Michelin recommended Locanda Perbellini, where Chef Giancarlo Perbellini’s innovative approach to traditional cuisine has earned critical acclaim. Equally impressive is Daniel Canzian, where the eponymous chef creates sophisticated interpretations of regional classics with meticulous attention to detail and presentation.
Complete your meal in true Milanese fashion with a digestivo – perhaps a local amaro or grappa – whilst watching the sophisticated Brera nightlife unfold around you.
If you indulged a little too much in the aperitivo culture earlier, stop at Crema Alta Gelateria on Via Fiori Chiari for some gelato. This spot has been awarded with 3 Gambero Rosso cones, the highest recognition dedicated to the art of Italian ice cream making. Can’t decide what flavour to have? A scoop of their saffron, lemon and almond gelato always goes down well.
Browse The Mercato Di Via San Marco
For a glimpse into the Brera of yesteryear, make time for the bustling mercato along Via San Marco. While much of the district has embraced an upscale transformation, this weekly outdoor market retains the unpretentious charm and lively atmosphere that characterised Brera during its bohemian heyday.
Every Monday and Thursday, local vendors set up their colourful stalls along this historic street, creating a vibrant tapestry of sights, sounds and aromas. Unlike the curated boutiques elsewhere in the district, the mercato offers an eclectic mix of affordable treasures – from seasonal produce and artisanal cheeses to vintage clothing, handcrafted jewellery and household goods. The market’s diverse offerings attract a wonderfully mixed crowd, with stylish Milanese professionals rubbing shoulders with elderly neighbourhood residents who have shopped here for decades.
Arrive early to enjoy the market at its liveliest and to secure the freshest produce. Take your time wandering between stalls, practise your Italian with the friendly vendors, and perhaps pick up ingredients for an impromptu picnic in one of Brera’s charming squares. The mercato provides not just shopping opportunities but a genuine cultural experience that connects visitors to the district’s more accessible, community-oriented roots – a refreshing counterpoint to the refined galleries and upmarket boutiques that now dominate the area.
Savour Café Culture
No Italian experience would be complete without partaking in the nation’s beloved café culture, and Brera offers some of Milan’s most charming establishments to enjoy a perfectly crafted coffee. Beyond mere refreshment, these cafés represent the district’s artistic soul and provide perfect vantage points for observing local life.
Caffè Fernanda, situated within the Pinacoteca di Brera, offers a uniquely artistic coffee break amidst your cultural explorations. Named after Fernanda Wittgens, the gallery’s first female director, this elegantly designed café features a striking blue velvet banquette beneath Francesco Hayez’s famous painting ‘The Kiss’. More than just a place to rest tired feet, the café itself is an extension of the gallery experience, with carefully considered design elements that complement the artistic surroundings. The coffee is exceptional, and the pastries – particularly the pistachio croissants – are worthy of their artistic setting.
For a café experience that embodies Brera’s creative spirit, Fioraio Bianchi is up there with the best. What began as a florist’s shop has transformed into a café-restaurant. It still has maintained its botanical roots with plants adorning the space, creating a whimsical atmosphere that captivates visitors. The mint-green furniture and delicate floral arrangements provide a perfect backdrop for enjoying their superb coffee and homemade pastries.
The Bottom Line
This charming district offers visitors a perfect distillation of Milan’s finest qualities – artistic legacy, culinary excellence, design innovation and effortless style – all concentrated within a few walkable streets.
Unlike Milan’s more commercial districts, Brera rewards the unhurried visitor. Take time to notice the details – the plant-filled balconies overhead, the artisan at work in a small studio, the elderly locals playing cards in a quiet piazza. These authentic moments, as much as the district’s more famous attractions, are what transform a tourist visit into a genuine Milanese experience.
So, you’ve found the love of your life, and you’re ready to get married? Congratulations! Now comes the hard part; choosing an engagement ring.
Buying an engagement ring can be a daunting task and, let’s face it, although the easiest choice, a classic diamond engagement ring isn’t for everyone. Honestly; it’s just a little obvious. Yep, we hate to break the news but that solitaire setting with a centre stone and a simple band has been done to death – or should that be divorce?
If you’re looking for a way to make this special moment even more memorable, unique, personal and thoughtful, why not personalise your engagement ring instead of getting a style straight out of the Argos catalogue?
With this in mind, here are 8 quirky and unique ways to make that piece of jewellery as one-of-a-kind as your love story. So get that ring size ready because we’re about to dive into a world of creativity and customisation…
Birthstones Galore
News just in; many marrying millennials are giving the finger to diamond rings and opting for previously under-appreciated and undervalued gemstone rings instead. This, of course, makes total sense; why spend many months worth of your salary on a ring, just because it has a diamond in it?
When it comes to choosing a gemstone, what better way to symbolise your union than by incorporating both you and your partner’s birthstones into the engagement ring? This creative twist adds a splash of colour and personal significance to the ring.
Consider having both stones set side by side; we adore the toi et moi style (French for “you and me”), which features two stones instead of one, both in different settings. Or perhaps you’d prefer for a main stone surrounded by smaller accent stones representing your partner’s birth month? It’s up to you!
While gemstones may not be as glittery or as glamorous as a diamond ring, choosing a birthstone ring is way more personal. Moreover, it’s much better than showing everyone how big your diamond ring is – an egotistical move if ever there was one.
Engraving is a timeless way to add a personal message to your engagement ring. Whether it’s a simple “I love you”, the date you met, or a cheeky inside joke, engraving can be a beautiful reminder of your unique bond.
Indeed, an engraved message can add that extra sentimental meaning to your engagement ring, capturing your personal connection as a couple. Plus, every time your partner looks at their ring, they’ll be reminded of that special message, making it all the more meaningful. Find a pre-made piece and have it engraved or get a bespoke piece engraved. The choice is yours.
A Ring That Reflects Your Proposal Or Something Personal
Looking for a unique way to commemorate your proposal? Why not design a ring that reflects the date itself? If you’re proposing in autumn, how about a ring with leaves or other autumnal motifs?Alternatively you could choose a gemstone that marks the month you had your first date .
You could incorporate the place your proposing into the rings design. If you’re planning a beach proposal or beach wedding, consider incorporating shells into the motif of the band. Or perhaps you’re proposing in a garden? Then you might be interested to hear that the imperfections in emeralds are called ‘jardin’ – French for ‘garden’.
Or, what about something even more personal? A couple familiar to this writer who got engaged recently chose a ring with a salt and pepper diamond because they love to cook together. How sweet is that? Oh, and who says engagement rings have to have diamonds or gemstones? If you and your partner love nature, why not consider an engagement ring made of wood – wood rings are said to represent continuous growth and strength, both of which a successful marriage needs.
The possibilities are endless, and the result is a ring that tells the story of your love.
Re-Purpose Heirloom Jewellery
Want to infuse tradition into a modern celebration of love? Then why not repurpose an heirloom piece? Using heirloom jewellery to create a one-of-a-kind engagement ring isn’t only sentimental, but it’s eco-friendly, too.
By re-purposing an existing piece, you’re giving new life to a family treasure while also adding your own unique twist. You can use the original stones in a new setting or melt down the metal to create a brand-new design. Either way, you’ll have a beautiful, meaningful ring with a rich history.
If you’re looking for a ring with more pizzazz than a solitaire but still want something with meaningful symbolism, then a three stone engagement ring (also known as a trilogy ring) might be right up your street. These stunning pieces feature, you guessed it, three stones set alongside each other, typically with a larger centre stone flanked by two smaller ones.
What makes trilogy rings so special is their beautiful symbolism. The three stones are often said to represent your past, present, and future together—a rather lovely sentiment, don’t you think? Others interpret the trilogy as symbolising friendship, love, and fidelity, which, let’s be honest, are the cornerstones of any successful marriage.
The beauty of three stone rings is their versatility. You can mix and match different gemstones to create something truly unique. Perhaps the centre stone could be a diamond (if you must), with your and your partner’s birthstones on either side? Or how about three gradually-sized stones in the same gem for a more cohesive look? The combinations are endless.
A Secret Message Or Symbol
For those who prefer a more subtle form of personalisation, consider incorporating a secret message or symbol into the ring’s design. This could be anything from a hidden engraving on the inside of the band to a small gemstone set in a discreet spot. This way, your partner will always carry a reminder of your love, but it’ll something intimate to just the two of you.
Mix & Match Metals
Who says you have to stick to just one type of metal for your engagement ring? Mixing and matching different metals can create a truly unique and eye-catching design. For example, you could opt for a rose gold band with a platinum setting or combine yellow gold with white gold accents. This modern approach allows you to play with colour and texture, creating a ring that reflects your partner’s individual style.
If you’re feeling particularly adventurous, why not design your own custom engagement ring from scratch? Collaborate with a skilled jeweller to create a one-of-a-kind piece that incorporates all the elements that are meaningful to you and your partner. This might include specific gemstones, metal choices, or even a completely unconventional shape. The sky’s the limit when it comes to custom designs, so let your imagination run wild!
The Bottom Line
Personalising your engagement ring is a fantastic way to make this already special piece of jewellery even more meaningful. By incorporating elements like birthstones, engravings, or custom designs, you can create a ring that tells the story of your love and sets the stage for a lifetime of happiness together.
So go ahead, break away from tradition, and let your creativity shine as you embark on this exciting journey towards marital bliss!
Gone are the days when the only option for wedding catering was a formal, three-course sit-down meal. Today, food stations are no longer an optional extra, but a must have. Indeed, food stations can transform the dining experience of your wedding from the predictable to the memorable. But for connoisseurs of all things culinary, choosing the right food stations for your wedding can be a wonderful opportunity to show off not only your exquisite taste in food, but also your way with presentation and even your personality as a couple.
Before diving into the delicious possibilities, take a moment to consider several practical factors that will influence your food station selections. First and foremost, draw inspiration from your wedding location—a coastal wedding might call for seafood stations, while a vineyard celebration could incorporate local wine and cheese pairings. The season and weather conditions are equally crucial; outdoor summer weddings demand refreshing, heat-stable options like chilled seafood or ice cream stations, while autumn or winter celebrations benefit from warming comfort foods like pie stations or hot chocolate bars.
Consider your venue’s facilities and restrictions—some historic venues have limited kitchen capabilities or restrictions on open flames, which may impact certain food station concepts. Equally important is your guest demographic; consider age ranges, cultural backgrounds, and known dietary requirements when planning. A wedding with many young families might benefit from child-friendly stations alongside more sophisticated adult offerings. Finally, contemplate the flow of your event—strategically position stations to avoid bottlenecks, and consider how they’ll integrate with other elements of your celebration. Selecting food stations that align with these considerations ensures not just delicious cuisine, but a seamless, enjoyable experience for everyone involved.
If you’re contemplating which delectable offerings to include on your special day, read on; here are 15 IDEAL food station ideas for your wedding that will leave your guests talking for years to come.
The Grazing TableCharcuterie & Cheese Station
A lavish spread of cured meats, artisanal cheeses, crusty breads, and accompaniments is a surefire crowd-pleaser. This station works beautifully as a welcome option during drinks reception, encouraging guests to mingle whilst savouring delectable morsels.
For true foodie credentials, consider including a selection of both local and international offerings. Think prosciutto di Parma, Serrano ham, nduja and chorizo alongside a carefully curated cheese board featuring soft, blue, and hard varieties. Rather than simply throwing things onto a board, take time with the aesthetics – create height with slate platforms, use fresh herbs as garnish, and add pops of colour with seasonal fruits.
Accompany your selection with artisan breads, crackers of varying textures, and small bowls of accompaniments – honey drizzled with truffle oil, homemade chutneys, cornichons, and marinated olives. Labels indicating the provenance of each cheese and meat add an educational element that food enthusiasts will appreciate.
For an extra touch of luxury, consider including a station attendant who can shave aged Parmesan or carve wafer-thin slices of Ibérico ham to order, adding theatre and ensuring your guests receive the perfect portion.
Interactive Pizza Station
For a touch of theatre and irresistible aroma, a pizza station with fresh dough being stretched and topped before your guests’ eyes is a winner. The visual spectacle of stretching dough and the satisfying sight of bubbling cheese adds a convivial, casual element to even the most formal of weddings.
Set up a portable stone oven (many catering companies now offer these) and have a pizzaiolo crafting small, individual-sized pizzas to order. Offer guests a choice of bases – classic, wholemeal, or even gluten-free – and an array of toppings from the traditional to the more adventurous.
Consider creating signature pizzas that reflect your story as a couple – perhaps a topping combination from your first date restaurant, or flavours inspired by a memorable holiday destination. Provide small cards explaining these personal touches, turning a simple pizza into a talking point.
To elevate this station further, serve each pizza on a wooden paddle with a pairing suggestion of Italian wine or craft beer. For a truly impressive display, consider flaming pizzas drizzled with grappa or limoncello – a spectacular finish that adds both flavour and flair.
Help Yourself Canapé Stand
Elevate the traditional passed canapés by creating a station where guests can browse and select their own miniature masterpieces. This approach allows for more variety and gives guests the freedom to choose based on their personal preferences. It also means that your guests won’t congregate in one area, waiting for the canapés to be served. Moreover, more canapés means people will likely get less drunk.
Present a selection of hot and cold options on varying heights of platters – perhaps tiered cake stands for sweet items and slate boards for savoury. Include shot glasses of seasonal soup, delicate tartlets, skewers of marinated seafood or meat, and bite-sized versions of classic dishes.
The key to a successful canapé station is meticulous presentation. Each item should be a perfectly formed, one-bite morsel, garnished beautifully and arranged with precision. Consider a colour theme that complements your wedding décor, or organise the display to create an ombré effect – a visual treat before the first bite is taken.
For a luxurious touch, include some premium offerings – perhaps a spoonful of Oscietra caviar on a blini with crème fraîche, or a sliver of wagyu beef with truffle shavings. These special morsels add an element of indulgence without the cost of serving such ingredients as a main course.
A Nostalgic Sweet Station
Channel childhood nostalgia with a candy bar offering an array of sweets, chocolates, and confections. This option doubles as both dessert and favour, giving guests something sweet to take home as a reminder of your special day.
Fill glass jars of various shapes and sizes with colourful treats, chosen to complement your wedding colour scheme. Include a mix of retro classics – rhubarb and custards, sherbet lemons, cola bottles – and more sophisticated offerings like artisan nougat, hand-made truffles, or French macarons. For the best price, visit an online shop like Zippy Sweets, otherwise you’ll find yourself forking out a lot of money on the high street.
Provide small bags or customised boxes for guests to fill, perhaps customised with your names and wedding date. Add scoops, tongs, and other serving implements to keep things hygienic, and consider having an attendant for younger guests to ensure they don’t overindulge before the dancing begins.
Enhance the visual impact with levels and lighting – place some containers on cake stands or vintage books, and use fairy lights or small spot lights to make the sweets glitter enticingly. Add decorative elements that tie in with your overall wedding theme – fresh flowers, organza ribbons, or sparkly accents can all elevate a simple sweet table to a stunning focal point.
For a sophisticated twist on this playful concept, consider including some boozy options for the adults – perhaps champagne truffles, gin and tonic gummies, or rum-soaked chocolates – alongside the traditional favourites.
Gourmet Burger Bar
Nothing says crowd-pleasing quite like a gourmet burger station. This versatile option can be dressed up or down depending on your wedding style, making it suitable for everything from festival-themed celebrations to elegant evening receptions.
Offer a selection of patties—beef, chicken, fish, and vegetarian/vegan options—alongside an array of artisanal breads and accompaniments. From classic cheese and pickle to more exotic toppings like truffle mayo or kimchi, the possibilities are endless.
For maximum impact, have chefs cooking patties to order on a visible grill, filling the air with tempting aromas. Provide guests with a ‘burger passport’ where they can tick their choices of patty, bun, cheese, sauce, and toppings, ensuring each creation is precisely to their liking.
Elevate the humble burger by offering unexpected gourmet additions – perhaps a foie gras topping option, a spoonful of lobster salad, or shavings of summer truffle. Serve alongside triple-cooked chips in miniature fryer baskets, or sweet potato fries with smoked sea salt for an indulgent accompaniment.
Complete the experience with a selection of craft beers or a flight of cocktails designed to complement the flavours of the burgers. A blackberry and thyme gin fizz or a smoky bourbon-based drink can transform this casual food into a sophisticated gastronomic experience.
Vibrant Taco Station
Transport your guests to the sun-drenched streets of Mexico with a vibrant taco station that delivers both theatrical preparation and personalised flavour combinations. This versatile option works brilliantly for both daytime receptions and evening festivities, offering substantial fare that doesn’t feel overly formal.
Create an authentic experience with a focal point of handmade corn tortillas being pressed and cooked to order on a traditional comal (griddle). The aroma alone will draw guests to this station, while the visual spectacle of seeing the fresh tortillas bubble and brown creates an engaging atmosphere. For larger gatherings, pre-pressed tortillas can be finished on the griddle to maintain the experience without causing delays.
Offer a thoughtfully curated selection of fillings that caters to various preferences. For meat options, consider slow-cooked pulled pork carnitas with crackling edges, tender adobo-marinated chicken, or chargrilled flank steak with a kiss of smoke. Vegetarian and vegan guests will appreciate roasted sweet potato with chipotle, crispy cauliflower with cumin and lime, or traditional rajas (poblano pepper strips with cream). Seafood enthusiasts might enjoy chilli-lime shrimp or grilled white fish with pineapple salsa.
The magic of a taco station lies in the accompaniments. Arrange colourful bowls containing finely diced white onion, fresh coriander, pickled red onions, various salsas ranging from mild pico de gallo to fiery habanero, crumbled queso fresco, lime wedges, sliced avocado or freshly made guacamole, and Mexican crema. The vibrant colours create a feast for the eyes before the first bite is taken.
Enhance the atmosphere with thoughtful styling – perhaps terracotta serving dishes, colourful Mexican blankets as table runners, paper bunting in bright colours, and atmospheric lighting from hurricane lamps or LED-powered paper luminaries. For an extra authentic touch, serve accompanying beverages in traditional Mexican glassware – perhaps horchata (a refreshing rice drink) for non-drinkers and perfectly balanced margaritas for those imbibing.
Staff your station with knowledgeable servers who can guide guests on traditional combinations or suggest pairings based on personal preference. This interactive element transforms a simple meal into a culinary journey and creates natural conversation starters as guests compare their creations.
For an extra flourish, consider adding freshly fried tortilla chips with a selection of dips – guacamole, salsa roja, and queso fundido – as a complementary grazing option alongside the main taco offerings. This thoughtful addition ensures guests can nibble continuously even as they wait for their personally crafted tacos to be prepared.
Luxurious Oyster Bar
Few food stations speak of opulence and indulgence quite like a freshly shucked oyster bar. This sophisticated offering brings a touch of coastal elegance to your wedding celebration, creating a memorable gastronomic experience for seafood enthusiasts.
Position your oyster bar in a prominent location, perhaps atop a table draped in crisp white linen and adorned with crushed ice, seaweed, and maritime decorations – think weathered rope, tiny glass buoys, or delicate shells. The visual presentation should evoke the fresh, briny essence of the sea.
Variety is crucial when selecting your oysters. Consider offering a thoughtfully curated selection from different regions – perhaps briny Atlantic varieties, creamy Pacific options, and some local favourites if available. Each type brings distinct flavour profiles that allow guests to embark on a tasting journey. Small cards describing each variety’s origin and tasting notes add an educational element that sparks conversation.
An expert shucker in smart attire, deftly opening each oyster to order, brings theatrical flair to the proceedings. Not only does this ensure optimal freshness, but the mesmerising skill of a professional oyster shucker becomes a performance in itself. Guests can watch as shells are expertly prised open, revealing their glistening treasures within.
Accompany your oysters with an array of carefully considered garnishes – mignonette sauce with shallots and champagne vinegar, classic cocktail sauce, freshly grated horseradish, lemon wedges, and perhaps some more adventurous options like a passion fruit granita or cucumber relish. Tiny pipettes filled with smoky whisky or vodka allow guests to add a splash directly onto their oyster for an elevated tasting experience.
Complete the presentation with elegant silver trays of complementary nibbles – brown bread with seaweed butter, small shots of chilled cucumber soup, or delicate blinis with caviar. Champagne is the classic pairing, of course, but consider also offering a crisp, mineral-forward white wine or even a dry stout to complement the briny flavours.
For guests less familiar with oysters, having your shucker offer guidance on tasting techniques – the importance of appreciating the liquor, the gentle chew to release flavours, the ideal sipping order from mild to strong – transforms this into more than mere consumption; it becomes a gastronomic education.
An oyster bar creates a moment of refined luxury within your wedding celebration – a talking point that will have guests reminiscing long after the day has passed.
Miang Kham Station
Introduce your guests to one of Thailand’s most elegant finger foods with a Miang Kham station. This traditional Thai delicacy, which translates to “one bite wrap,” offers a perfect blend of sweet, sour, salty, and spicy flavours all contained in a single, beautiful bite.
Set up the station with fresh betel or cha-plu leaves (though collard greens or spinach leaves can substitute) arranged in concentric circles. Surrounding these, place small bowls containing the classic components: roasted peanuts, toasted coconut, small lime wedges (with rind), finely diced ginger, red chillies, tiny dried shrimp, and shallots. At the centre, position a bowl of the star attraction – the special palm sugar-based sauce infused with galangal, shrimp paste, and fish sauce that brings the whole creation together.
The interactive element is what makes this station so special. Guests create their own wraps, placing small amounts of each ingredient onto a leaf before folding it into a small parcel and dipping it into the sauce. The result is an explosion of complementary flavours and textures in a single bite – crunchy, chewy, soft, spicy, sweet, sour, and umami all at once.
For authenticity, decorate the station with orchids and banana leaves, and have attendants in traditional Thai dress explain the cultural significance of this dish, often served at celebrations. Wooden platters and ceramic bowls enhance the presentation and lend an air of rustic elegance.
To elevate the experience further, consider offering a complementary Thai-inspired cocktail – perhaps a lemongrass and ginger martini or a cucumber and basil cooler – that will refresh the palate between bites. This station provides not only a delicious snack but also a cultural conversation starter that will have guests comparing their personal flavour combinations throughout the evening.
Pani Puri Station
For something a little different, a Pani Puri station brings the vibrant street food of India to your wedding. These hollow, crisp balls filled with spiced potato, chickpeas, onions, and tangy tamarind water create an explosion of flavour in each bite.
The interactive nature of this station adds a memorable element to your celebration – guests crack the top of the puri, fill it with their choice of stuffing, then pour over spiced water before popping the entire creation into their mouth in one go. The resulting burst of flavours provides not just sustenance but entertainment.
Have a server demonstrate the technique and then assist guests in creating their own perfect pani puri. Offer different levels of spice in the water, from mild to fiery, ensuring everyone can enjoy this experience regardless of their heat tolerance.
Enhance the authenticity with vibrant decoration – marigold garlands, brass serving vessels, and traditional Indian music playing softly in the background. Provide refreshing mint and cucumber water on the side to cool palates between bites.
For guests less familiar with Indian cuisine, include small cards explaining the cultural significance of this popular street food and the traditional way to enjoy it – a thoughtful touch that adds an educational dimension to the culinary experience.
Decadent Dessert Station
Sweet tooths will be delighted by a dedicated dessert station offering a variety of treats beyond the traditional wedding cake. The dessert course provides an opportunity for real visual impact – think towers of profiteroles, cascading chocolate fountains, and jewel-like tarts glistening under soft lighting.
Consider a selection of miniature classics—crème brûlée, chocolate mousse pots, lemon tarts—alongside more contemporary options like cookie dough or brownie bites. The key is variety in both flavour and texture – something creamy, something crunchy, something fruity, and something chocolate (because there’s always someone who only wants chocolate).
Presentation elevates this station from good to extraordinary. Use antique cake stands, marble slabs, or even illuminated ice blocks as serving platforms. Incorporate edible flowers, gold leaf, or spun sugar for decoration, turning simple desserts into works of art.
For an interactive element, include a ‘finishing station’ where guests can add their own toppings to ice creams or custards – perhaps warm salted caramel sauce poured from silver jugs, clouds of Persian fairy floss (pashmak), or a selection of praline crumbs and brittle.
Don’t forget to consider dietary requirements – ensuring there are vegan, gluten-free, and nut-free options means everyone can indulge in a sweet ending to the meal.
A Homely Sweet Pie Stand
Celebrate British tradition with a table laden with sweet pies in various sizes. This homely, comforting option brings a touch of nostalgia to proceedings and works particularly well for autumn or winter weddings when guests crave something warming.
From individual tartlets to large pies for sharing, offer classics like apple and blackberry, lemon meringue, or banoffee alongside more unusual flavours like rhubarb and ginger or dark chocolate and salted caramel. The key to an impressive display is variety in both size and appearance – some with lattice tops, others with crumble, some glazed to a high shine, others dusted with icing sugar.
Serve with dollops of clotted cream, custard, or ice cream for a truly indulgent experience. For an interactive element, consider offering warm sauces in small copper pans – perhaps a vanilla-flecked crème anglaise or a rich chocolate sauce – that guests can pour over their chosen slice.
Stack your pies on vintage cake stands of varying heights, interspersed with candles in antique holders and seasonal decorations – autumn leaves, spring blossoms, or winter berries depending on your wedding date. A handwritten chalk board listing the various flavours adds a charming, personal touch.
For a final flourish, consider offering small boxes so guests can take a slice home – the perfect midnight snack after a night of celebration.
Artisanal Ice Cream Stand
Nothing delights guests at a summer wedding quite like an artisanal ice cream station. When the temperature rises and dancing feet need cooling down, this refreshing treat provides the perfect sweet interlude to re-energize your celebration.
Set up vintage ice cream carts or create a mock parlour complete with striped awnings and elegant glass dishes. Offer a selection of both classic and innovative flavours – perhaps vanilla bean, strawberry and cream, and chocolate alongside more adventurous options like lavender and honey, salted caramel, or gin and tonic sorbet.
For true luxury, consider including gelato made on-site with liquid nitrogen, creating a spectacular smoking display as each batch is freshly prepared. The rapid freezing creates exceptionally smooth ice cream with intense flavour, and the theatrical element becomes a talking point.
Enhance the experience with a ‘build your own sundae’ section where guests can add their choice of toppings – fresh berries, crushed cookies, toasted nuts, honeycomb pieces, and a selection of sauces from warm chocolate to zingy fruit coulis. Provide waffle cones, sugar cones, and cups to accommodate all preferences.
For an adult twist, offer liqueur pairings or booze-infused flavours – perhaps a champagne sorbet, rum and raisin, or amaretto ice cream. These sophisticated options elevate a childhood treat into an indulgent grown-up experience perfectly suited to your special day.
Instagrammable Doughnut Wall
For a wedding food station that’s as photogenic as it is delicious, consider the ever-popular doughnut wall. This vertical display of sweet treats has become a modern wedding classic for good reason – it combines visual impact with crowd-pleasing indulgence.
Create your doughnut wall using a large wooden board or frame, painted to match your wedding colour scheme. Insert small wooden pegs or decorative hooks in a symmetrical pattern, spacing them appropriately to hold each doughnut without crowding. Position the wall in a well-lit area where it can serve as both refreshment station and photo opportunity for your guests.
The true artistry lies in your selection of doughnuts. Consider commissioning a variety of artisanal offerings in different flavours, sizes, and decorative finishes that complement your wedding palette. Classic ring doughnuts work particularly well for hanging, but don’t feel limited – filled varieties can be displayed on complementary platters at the base of the wall for additional variety.
For a luxury touch, work with a specialist baker to create bespoke flavours that tell your story as a couple – perhaps incorporating your favourite desserts, cocktails, or significant locations into the doughnut designs. Imagine a Pimm’s-infused summer doughnut, a tiramisu-inspired creation, or a citrus offering named after your honeymoon destination.
Elevate the display with thoughtful details – fresh flowers or greenery woven between the doughnuts, subtle fairy lighting, or personalised tags describing each flavour. A hand-lettered sign with a clever phrase like “Donut Ever Let Go” or “Love Is Sweet” adds charm and creates another photo opportunity.
Consider timing this station strategically – perhaps unveiling it after the wedding breakfast as dancing begins, when guests are ready for a sweet energy boost. Alternatively, box up doughnuts as favours for departing guests, providing a delightful reminder of your celebration for the journey home.
For an interactive element, include a selection of dipping sauces – perhaps white and dark chocolate, salted caramel, or fruit coulis – alongside edible toppings like crushed nuts, freeze-dried berries, or gold leaf, allowing guests to customise their chosen doughnut for a bespoke treat.
Refreshing Drinks Station
For a non-alcoholic option that’s far from boring, create a station dedicated to sophisticated soft drinks and mocktails. In the midst of wedding celebrations, a thoughtfully designed refreshment stand offers guests a chance to rehydrate and relax between dance floor sessions.
Include a selection of fresh fruit-infused waters in elegant dispensers—think cucumber and mint, lemon and raspberry, or orange and rosemary—alongside premium sodas and cordials. For a more substantial offering, include mocktails designed to be as visually appealing and complex in flavour as their alcoholic counterparts – perhaps a virgin mojito with muddled lime and mint, or a strawberry and basil smash.
Presentation elevates this station from functional to festive. Use quality glassware, fresh garnishes, and perhaps even edible flowers to add a touch of luxury. Clear signage with descriptions of each drink will help guests navigate the options, and having dedicated staff to assist with any questions ensures a smooth operation.
Consider seasonal adaptations – cooling cucumber and melon in summer, warming spiced apple in winter – and don’t forget practical touches like eco-friendly straws and plenty of napkins. Position this station centrally, perhaps near the dance floor, to ensure guests stay hydrated throughout the celebrations.
DIY Cocktail Bar: Aperol Spritz Station
For those who do indulge, a DIY Aperol Spritz station brings a touch of Italian aperitivo culture to your celebration. The vibrant orange hue of this popular drink adds a splash of colour to proceedings, and the simple preparation makes it ideal for a self-serve station.
Provide bottles of Aperol, prosecco, and soda water, along with slices of orange for garnish. Include clear instructions for the perfect ratio (typically 3 parts prosecco, 2 parts Aperol, 1 part soda water), and perhaps offer variations like a white spritz (using white wine instead of prosecco) or a rosé version for those who prefer something different.
Elegant wine glasses are a must, and ice buckets should be regularly replenished to ensure drinks remain perfectly chilled. Consider including some Italian-inspired snacks alongside—olives, breadsticks, or small pieces of focaccia—to complement the bitter-sweet flavour of the Aperol.
For a truly impressive display, create a backdrop reminiscent of an Italian riviera – perhaps a wall of artificial greenery interspersed with citrus fruits, or vintage Italian travel posters. Position this station to catch the evening light if possible, as the sunset glow through the orange liquid creates a magical effect.
Add a touch of luxury with personalised stirrers or cocktail napkins bearing your names and wedding date – a small detail that shows thought and care in every aspect of your celebration.
The Bottom Line
When planning your wedding food stations, remember that they should reflect your personality as a couple and the atmosphere you wish to create. Whether you opt for sophisticated elegance or playful nostalgia, the key is attention to detail and quality ingredients.
Consider the flow of your wedding day when deciding which stations to include – lighter options during the welcome drinks, more substantial fare for the main meal period, and perhaps something sweet or comforting for later in the evening when dancing has worked up an appetite.
Work closely with your caterers to ensure each station is not just delicious but visually stunning and practically manageable. Remember that the best food stations combine delectable offerings with interactive elements and beautiful presentation, creating a multi-sensory experience that guests will remember long after the last dance.
May your wedding be as delicious as it is memorable, and may your food stations be the talking point of many gatherings to come. Congratulations!
British Muslims are finding that Umrah, one of Islam’s most sacred pilgrimages, is becoming increasingly expensive. In 2024, over 16.9 million people performed Umrah, setting a record for religious tourism. With more than 14,000 Google searches per month from Brits looking for Umrah solutions, there’s clearly a significant interest in making this spiritual journey more accessible and affordable.
Ufuk Seçgin, a travel expert and cofounder and CMO of Halalbooking.com, has shared comprehensive insights on what to consider when planning your trip. Whether you’re a first-time pilgrim or looking to make your next Umrah more cost-effective, these expert recommendations will help you navigate the planning process with confidence.
Understanding The New eVisa System
Since the Saudi Arabian government introduced eVisas for British passport holders, this has transformed the Umrah planning process. This digital innovation has saved travellers thousands of pounds because pilgrims can now apply online within minutes, without relying on travel agents who often charge substantial fees for visa processing.
The eVisa has been a welcome addition for tourists and pilgrims alike, allowing multiple entries within a year and making it the perfect option for those considering an Umrah trip. This system is part of Saudi Arabia’s broader Vision 2030 initiative, which aims to diversify the economy beyond oil dependence and enhance the tourism sector.
To apply for an eVisa, British citizens need only visit the official Saudi visa portal, upload the required documents (including a passport-sized photo, passport details, and travel information), pay the processing fee, and typically receive approval within 24-48 hours. This streamlined process eliminates the need for embassy visits or postal applications, making the first step of your Umrah journey considerably smoother.
Strategic Timing: When To Book Your Umrah
It is always best to book your hotel and flights as early as possible—ideally 4-6 months before your intended travel date. Many pilgrims think that waiting until the last minute will help them snag a better deal, however, this misconception can lead to disappointment and significantly higher costs.
Booking early ensures you get the best possible deals on flights and accommodation while avoiding the risk of missing out on hotels in prime locations. Airlines typically release their lowest fares months in advance, with prices gradually increasing as the departure date approaches. Similarly, hotels near the Haram offer early booking discounts that disappear as occupancy rates rise.
The timing of your visit also matters significantly. While Umrah can be performed year-round (unlike Hajj, which occurs during specific dates), certain periods are considerably more crowded and expensive. Peak seasons include Ramadan, school holidays, and the months immediately before and after Hajj. If flexibility allows, consider travelling during quieter periods such as Muharram or the middle of Sha’ban, when both flights and accommodation are typically more affordable.
Location Matters: Choosing The Right Accommodation
When it comes to accommodation, proximity to the Haram is paramount. On location, it is important to be as close to the Haram as possible. At peak times, the traffic in and around the Haram can be extremely dense, adding potentially hours onto your journey time.
Booking a hotel near the Haram negates the danger of being stuck in traffic and contributes towards a stress-free experience. So when you’re looking for hotels in Madinah or Makkah, location should be your primary consideration. Halalbooking’s unique Umrah filters allow you to find hotels with Haram view rooms, which can enhance your spiritual experience by maintaining visual connection with the sacred sites.
While hotels closest to the Haram command premium prices, they offer significant advantages beyond convenience. They allow you to perform the five daily prayers at the mosque with ease, provide quick access for additional Tawaf (circumambulation of the Kaaba), and reduce the physical exertion of walking long distances in what can be challenging weather conditions.
For those on a tighter budget, consider hotels within a 10-15 minute walking distance, which offer a reasonable compromise between cost and convenience. Some visitors also opt for apartments rather than hotels, particularly for family groups, as these can provide more space and self-catering facilities at a lower cost per person.
Packing Essentials: What To Bring On Your Umrah Journey
When packing for Umrah, it can be difficult to know what to bring, but there are certainly some essentials you shouldn’t forget. For men, the Ihram garments—two simple, seamless white cloths—are the most critical items. These must be worn during the Umrah rituals and should be packed in your hand luggage in case checked baggage is delayed.
Other essentials include:
A light, portable prayer mat for use during travel
Comfortable, durable sandals or slip-on shoes that can be easily removed when entering mosques
A refillable water bottle for Zamzam water, which pilgrims typically collect and consume during their stay
Modest, lightweight clothing suitable for the local climate (which can be extremely hot)
Basic medications, including pain relievers, anti-diarrhoeal medicine, and any prescription medications
A small umbrella or sun hat for protection from the intense sun
Unscented toiletries and hygiene products (as scented products are prohibited while in a state of Ihram)
Make sure you download the Nusuk app, which has become an indispensable tool for pilgrims. This official application allows you to book an Umrah permit, view prayer times, navigate the holy sites, and access emergency services if needed. Some pilgrims also find it helpful to download offline maps of Makkah and Madinah, translation apps, and Quran applications for reference during their journey.
DIY Umrah vs. Package Tours
Whilst some find packages convenient, they can feel impersonal and restrict your freedom to travel when and where you want. If you plan your own DIY Umrah trip, you can make time to discover hidden gems, such as the Cave of Hira, Jannat al-Mu’alla (where many members of the Prophet’s (pbuh) family are buried), and the newly opened museums in Makkah and Madinah.
A DIY approach gives you the flexibility to:
Choose flight times that suit your schedule rather than being constrained by group bookings
Select accommodation based on your specific preferences and budget
Extend your stay or change locations without being tied to a fixed itinerary
Visit additional sites beyond those included in standard package tours
Dine at restaurants of your choosing rather than being limited to hotel buffets
The Bottom Line
Opting for a DIY Umrah experience in Saudi Arabia can save pilgrims hundreds of pounds, but it’s important to make sure everything is planned meticulously so you can travel without stress. The introduction of eVisas has made the process significantly more accessible for British Muslims, opening up opportunities for more frequent and affordable spiritual journeys.
By booking early, choosing accommodations strategically, packing appropriately, and leveraging local travel options, pilgrims can create a more personalised and cost-effective Umrah experience. The spiritual benefits of this sacred journey are immeasurable, and with careful planning, the logistical and financial aspects need not be overwhelming.
For a city of such great culinary diversity and choice, Mexico seems to be less enthusiastically represented in London than many of the world’s other great cuisines. Or so the recent culinary narrative in the Capital goes…
Fear not though, as this is more a journalistic trope than a reflection of London’s current dining darlings. Nope, there’s far more to this scene than sombreros and several shots of Tequila. Sure, there’s outlets of the chain Wahaca on every corner, offering approachable Mexican fare to hungry Londoners wanting convenience and efficiency. Entry level stuff, maybe, but a decent feed nonetheless.
Scratch the surface just a little more inquisitively though, and things get very interesting indeed. Invigorated by a string of quality taqueria openings in recent years, London’s Mexican restaurant scene has announced itself more assertively of late than a particularly raucous Mariachi band. So, read on for our roundup of the best places to great Mexican food in London.
Cavita, Marylebone
Ideal for fine Mexican dining from a chef with Pujol pedigree…
With an alumni of both Pujol and El Bulli on the stoves, and a dining room designed by Camila Rodrigues of the esteemed design team at COR London, what could possibly go wrong?
In a textured, tactile room that positively glows as you enter it – full of natural stone elements, exposed bricks rendered white and plenty of primavera wood trim – some of the most wholesome, utterly delicious Mexican food is being served.
It’s the first solo project from esteemed Mexican chef Adriana Cavita and she’s a chef who pulls no punches, with a tight menu divided into raw bits, appetisers, street food, sharing and side dishes.
From that raw bar, the aguachile’s base of chilled watermelon takes this always-revitalising dish into indispensable territory, a fine foil for some of the more protein-heavy headliners that follow.
The signature smoked beef shin quesabirria featuring slow-cooked beef shin and raclette cheese inside house-made corn tortillas, fried to golden perfection on the plancha, has got to be our favourite thing on the menu. Complete with a shell of caramelised cheese and served alongside a viscous veal consomme for dipping, it requires a certain amount of energy to take down, particularly with sharers still to come, but it’s a glorious tussle we’d happily take a round two for. With a dish this messy…hands is the only way to go!
When the sharing pulpo a las brasas does hit the table, heaped charred tentacles intertwining, reinforced by blistered, sweet spring onions and cactus slices, it’s an intimidating proposition. But once portioned and placed on the most delicate of house-pressed tortillas, it’s ethereal.
You might have guessed by now that we didn’t have room for dessert, but we’re told they’re excellent by friends that did. Think chocolate chipotle chile lava cake and wild cherry ice cream, for starters. Sorry, that makes no sense; for desserts.
Still, there’s always room for a digestiv of sorts, in the restaurant’s basement mezcalaria Mayahuel, to help move things along.
And with that, we’re moving on, just down the road, and to KOL…
KOL, Marylebone
Ideal for tasting how British ingredients transform into Mexican masterpieces…
You could certainly make a case for Marylebone being London’s very own Little Mexico. Actually, you couldn’t, that’s nonsense, but the district does boast not one but two of arguably the best Mexican restaurants outside of El Tri.
Santiago Lastra, the head chef and co-owner of Kol, certainly has some pedigree, having, with chef Rene Redzepi, masterminded Noma’s critically acclaimed Mexican iteration back in 2017.
Here, his vision of celebrating the finest British ingredients using both traditional Mexican cooking techniques and a fair few modern flourishes is executed flawlessly. Or rather, it feels flawless now; in reality, the restaurant’s opening was a rocky one, with successive lockdowns preventing Kol from getting off the ground as smoothly as it deserved.
What does make sense is the concept here, with ingredients traditionally so closely intertwined with Mexican food culture here substituted out for their broadly British equivalents. So, that’s an innovative pistachio puree replacing avocado, sea buckthorn bringing the acidity for Kol’s now iconic langoustine tacos, and a dairy farmer in Kent producing Oaxacan-style cheese for the restaurant.
All this wouldn’t matter if the food wasn’t as downright delicious as its inspiration across the Atlantic, but the recent main event here, of lamb barbacoa, freshly made tortillas and a selection of intricately composed condiments, was as straightforwardly satisfying as you’ll find in any restaurant with designs on the top awards in the culinary world.
With a fascinating wine list that draws on some of the unsung heroes of Central and Eastern Europe, Kol is already one of London’s top tier dining experiences. We can’t wait to see where they go next.
At the tail end of last year, the more casual follow-up to KOL, Fonda, opened its doors. It’s already received several fawning reviews. We’ll check it out when the fuss dies down.
Ideal for Sonoran-style flour tortillas in an intimate Stokey setting…
If you’re on the hunt for the best Mexican food in London (you are, that’s why you’re here), then look no further than Sonora Taquería in Stoke Newington. This cherished London gem (how long before we can call it an ‘institution’?), run by Michelle Salazar de la Rocha and Sam Napier, has quickly become a beloved spot for taco enthusiasts across the city. After closing their wildly popular food stall in London Fields in 2023, the duo has finally opened their first brick-and-mortar restaurant on Stoke Newington High Street.
Sonora Taquería’s journey is a testament to the power of perseverance and community support. After facing an absurd legal challenge from another London-based, British-run Mexican restaurant over the use of the word ‘taqueria’, Michelle and Sam emerged victorious, backed by over 130,000 supporters. This victory, coupled with a successful crowdfunding campaign, allowed them to transition from their Netil Market stall to a permanent location in Stokey, which is where we’re dining now (and, to be honest, most weeks).
The menu at Sonora Taquería is a celebration of Sonoran cuisine, featuring an outwardly straightforward menu of tacos and quesadilla, plus a couple of sides. The beef barbacoa is perhaps our go-to order, an impossibly rich affair that’s still got all those wibbly-wobbly bits left in. A little diced white onion sends it on its way. At £4.50, you’ll want to order several. For an additional 50p, you can add a grilled cheese crust, which quickly becomes all of the best parts of the days old cheddar in your Brevil machine. It’s glorious stuff.
Vegetarians are certainly not abandoned in all this predatory feasting, with the grilled cactus leaf taco a real highlight, whatever your dietary stripes. The tortillas (flour, in the Sonoran style) are made in-house and as fragrant as you like, with just the right amount of chew; the perfect vessel for the expertly judged fillings (toppings? Who knows?).
There’s even horchata, which, contrary to popular belief, can’t only be consumed in December. In fact, it’s blissful on London’s more humid days.
Inside, the setup is simple and unfussy, a little Echo Park with a few scattered chairs and stools. If you prefer to dine al fresco, you can take your tacos to nearby Abney Park for a picnic.
Opening hours at Sonora Taquería remain tight, from just midday until 4pm, Thursday to Sunday, but that exclusivity is part of the charm, we think.
Ideal for tacos with 90s hip-hop beats in Leytonstone’s latest culinary pilgrimage spot…
Leytonstone is now London’s culinary mecca, a place of pilgrimage for those who pledge allegiance to TopJaw and those who worship at the altar of flavour equally. The reason? Two esteemed, hyped restaurants that both occupy the neighbourhood’s High Road; Singburi and Homies on Donkeys.
The latter, a freshly relocated taqueria and bar spearheaded by the dynamic, Tijuana-raised duo Sandra Bello and Chef Erik “Smokey” Bautista, has garnered rave reviews for its unapologetically bold flavours and hip-hop-heavy vibes.
Open from Tuesday to Saturday, is a sanctuary for lovers of Mexican street food, where graffiti-clad walls and 90s hip-hop beats create an atmosphere as lively as their food.
The vibe is, of course, an integral part of what makes Homies on Donkeys stand out. The taqueria is designed to evoke the spirit of a suburban skate park, with Biggie blasting and decor offering flashbacks of a recent, terrifying acid trip we endured.
The food here is just as energetic, with flavours dialled up to 11. Tacos come in twos, so bring a lover and get messy with the carnitas, which have enough pork fat running off them to render a black T-shirt translucent, a bit like that part off The Simpsons where Homer gets huge. These tacos, just like Homer in that episode, are bloody gorgeous. The bone marrow and braised chuck – the headliner, served with four corn tortillas – is equally indulgent.
Perhaps the best taco here is also the most simple; a mushroom barbacoa number with roast tomato salsa and sweet onions. It’s deep, sure, but with piquancy and bite, and a bouncy mouthfeel that is just so satisfying. At £8.50 for two, it’s also the cheapest taco on the menu.
Whichever way you do it, order the salsa tasting platter (£5) alongside, as there are acidic notes throughout that help lighten and enliven the procession of tacos. It’s essential.
When beloved London Fields taco joint Sonora Taqueria announced their closure in July of 2022, citing the need for a larger, permanent home, the city’s Mexican food aficionados were devastated. Sonora had quickly earned a reputation as being one of the few places in London where you could get a truly great taco without having to first endure a speech on nixtamalization and a wine flight.
The disappointment quickly abated when just three months later it was announced that, firstly, a permanent site had been found in Stoke Newington (now open, and on this list, too!), and secondly, the dynamic duo behind Sonora, Michelle Salazar de la Rocha and Sam Napier, would be popping up at Central London’s thriving Arcade Food Hall, with their new creation, Mexa.
To absolutely no one’s surprise, Mexa, a term of endearment in Mexico, has been a massive hit. What was originally intended to be a perfect 50:50 split between raw fish dishes and meat-laden tacos has very much given way to the latter, the menu now a carnivore’s dream, with the pork carnitas with properly piquant salsa verde a highlight.
The main event, though, is without doubt the lamb birria, served alongside a rich lamb consomme wearing its very best phytol perfume. You’ll definitely ruin your favourite T-shirt taking this one down, but it’ll be worth the trip to Primark afterwards.
Ideal for tacos al pastor that send fat running down your arms…
In this unassuming taqeuria (are we allowed to write that word without getting sued?) on Rotherhithe New Rd, next door to a dental practice whose sign looks in good need of a whitening treatment, La Chingada has quietly been churning out some of London’s best Mexican food for several years now.
We say ”quietly” owing to its backwater Surrey Quays location, but the decor is anything but, its fluorescent pinks and light blues a visual barrage as you enter. Neither are the flavours muted here, with salsas that don’t so much pack a punch as give you a good hiding, and a chef who isn’t afraid of the transformative power of animal fat. Plenty and plenty of animal fat…
Feel the power in the exemplary tacos al pastor, piled high on corn flour tortillas that can barely take the weight, the pork’s achiote paste marinade mixing with its rendered fat and going fucking everywhere after a single puncturing bite. It might all be a bit too unctuous if the meat itself hadn’t caramelised and crisped on its slowly rotating spit, bringing the textural contrast your trigeminal nerves just long to lap up.
Keep lapping in true taqueria style on an imported Jarritos soda or two, and then go and get your teeth done next door. The perfect South East London evening, we think…
There is now a second La Chingada in Euston. Rejoice!
Ideal for short-rib tacos with bone marrow that still makes Instagram feeds swoon…
El Pastor is from the The Hart Brothers, who have pretty much perfected no reservations, counter-seating tapas bars with Barrafina. Fresh, vivacious food with all the hustle, bustle, chatter and cheer of their previous joints makes El Pastor one of our favorite taquerias in town.
With outposts now also in Soho and Kings Cross, there’s no denying El Pastor’s popularity with the masses, too, but with many fond memories formed, it’s to the inaugural joint in London Bridge that we always find ourselves returning.
The menu is primarily taco-led, although quesadillas and a few sides also make an appearance. The sharing short-rib, cooked until falling apart, served with a serious seasoning mix of sugar, salt and spices, has been on the menu since day-dot is a must try. It was one of those knockout dishes that appears on lists and Instagram feeds alongside eulogies for the rest of the year. You’d be crazy not to add bone marrow for an extra three quid – it made a near perfect dish even better.
Oh, and when it’s on the specials, order the pescado frito, which sees seabass fried with bite-sized filetitos. It’s a visual treat that tastes as good as it looks. And it looks bloody great.
The have a second branch in Soho on Brewer street.
Ideal for beef suadero tacos so unctuous they border on the erotic…
Tacos Padre, a stall inside Borough Market slinging out some truly superb tacos, is the second most recent opening on our list, but one which has felt right at home in this corner of London right from the off.
Chef Nick Fitzgerald has some serious credentials within the world of Mexican food; he’s previously worked at Mexico City’s Pujol, consistently named the best Mexican restaurant in the world, as well as London’s excellent Breddos Tacos.
At Padre, the tortillas are made fresh daily – a must if you’re to call yourself the ‘daddy’ – with tacos generously adorned with slow-braised, super-unctuous meaty fillings (or should that be ‘toppings’? Who knows).
Yep, it really is all about the meat here, with the beef suadero spun through with aged beef fat bringing so much mouthfeel it’s a vaguely erotic experience. The pork cochinita is similarly arousing.
Though it’s a largely stand-and-lean affair at lunchtimes, with a reduced ‘taqueria’ style menu holding people upright, in the evening Tacos Padre spreads its wings a little, with tables set up outside the stall and a fuller spread on offer. Whichever time you choose to rock up, you will be fed very well here.
Ideal for globally-influenced Mexican food that throws authenticity out the window…
Like many of the best (relatively) recent restaurant openings in London (think Som Saa, Bao….) Breddos started out small and temporary; a makeshift taco shack with residencies and pop-ups across the capital that soon turned into something much bigger.
Now there’s several of them – the original in Clerkenwell, one in Liverpool, and a couple in Oslo, Norway, all charming in their own way.
Design by IDEAL image via Breddos Tacos website
Though the owners have travelled through Mexico extensively and been influenced by the many roadside taquerias and traditional restaurants found along the way, authenticity isn’t exactly on the menu here, but it’s a meaningless descriptor at the best of times, so let’s instead just embrace the deliciousness, hey? Expect makrut lime, seaweed and caviar rubbing shoulders with the usual suspects on an eclectic line up of always tasty grub.
Ideal for grasshopper-topped guacamole in London Bridge’s liveliest dining room…
There’s been plenty of discourse in recent months about the state of Mexican food in the UK, made all the more fervent by a poorly-pitched episode of Great British Bake Off ‘celebrating’ the country’s cuisine.
But to be dismissive of the standard of Mexican restaurants here would be to do a disservice to Santo Remedio, a boisterous, beautiful place to enjoy some of the best food in the vicinity of London Bridge Station.
Design by IDEAL image via Santo Remedio Instagram
The first thing that hits you when you walk through the door is the noise, in the best possible way, of course. This is a restaurant where big groups congregate, converse animatedly and put away quite a few margaritas; if you ever want to witness the restorative nature of a busy, buzzing restaurant, you should head here, make no mistake.
The food certainly isn’t an afterthought to the atmosphere. The signatures here – a grasshopper topped guacamole, with the insect bringing both crunch and a distinctive, floral citrus hit, and a tempura soft shell crab taco, which is a textural delight – are just that for a reason. But don’t miss the sharing seabass a la Talla (a traditional dish from Acapulco) either, which comes adorned in both red and green salsas, and is delicious as it is eye-catching.
Santo Remedio has another restaurant in Shoreditch and at the weekend, both venues offer a popular bottomless brunch, which sees margaritas, wine, beer and cava freely flowing for ninety minutes, All you have to do is order a dish or two off the menu. Go on then, you’ve twisted our arm…
Address: 35B, Arch, 85B Southwark Bridge Rd, London SE1 0NQ, United Kingdom
Ideal for working through a ridiculously long tequila list while the night slips away…
Hailed as ‘one of London’s best nights out’, La Bodega Negra is a mix between underground speakeasy restaurant and tequila bar. And what a perfect combination that has turned out to be. The menu offers the usual suspects; tacos and tostados, but anything off the grill is particularly good.
While the food is excellent, it’s mostly the atmosphere we come here for. The tequila and mezcal list is ridiculously long, and a night attempting to get through it is a righteous, riotous night indeed.
Ideal for a Mexican fiesta overlooking Chelsea’s cactus gardens…
Step into Chelsea’s Mezcalito, with its sombreros swinging from the ceiling, Day of the Dead-adorned tumblers, and thrusting King’s Road clientele, and you might be forgiven for thinking that you were here for a good time, not for a delicious one.
But to make that assumption would be to underestimate the fine Mexican food being served here, which, at its best, is as vital as the Tulum-inspired terrace during a MIC Christmas party.
The sea bass ceviche is a case in point. Pitch perfect in its balance of salt and lime, the thin slices of fish are taut and dynamic, revealing that they’ve been dressed only minutes before serving, as it should be.
On the opposite end of the scale but equally telling of the busy work going in the kitchen, we’re told that the restaurant’s empanadas are all baked to order, and will take 20 minutes accordingly. They arrive pert and plump, with a chalky pastry that only the best empanadas possess, and a shredded chicken and chimichurri filling that’s generous to a fault, but quite delicious.
Best of all are the signature brisket barbacoa quesadillas, which hit the table as a stack of four positively heaving with spiced, shredded beef and the kind of oozing, hotter-than-the-sun cheese that should carry a health warning. Superb.
For a place overtly determined to have you stumbling back out into Chelsea in full song, the cocktails – named after reggaeton chart-toppers – are, unsurprisingly, a hit, too. The Titi me Pregunto, with its assertive mix of Codigo Blanco tequila, chilli and lime, was the pick of the bunch for us, but that might be because we’re a little bit in love with Bad Bunny.
For something more straightforward, choose from the restaurant’s selection of over 450 mezcals (one of the largest collections in Europe), or let them do it for you, with a three glass flight of the good stuff, starting at £25 per person.
Either way, enjoy those drinks looking out over the dense cactus selection in the neighbouring Chelsea Gardener plant centre, and you’ll feel like you’ve been whisked away somewhere altogether more tropical.
As the daffodils begin to bloom and the days grow longer, the unmistakable signs of spring are upon us here in the UK. While the milder weather may tempt you to forget about your central heating system until the leaves start to fall again, spring is actually the perfect time to ensure everything is in working order.
After all, as the old adage goes, “Fix the roof while the sun is shining.” Here are seven central heating issues that you should address now to ensure a cosy home when the chill returns.
1. Unusual Noises From The Boiler
What’s that noise? Do you hear it? A rumbling, spluttering, deeply concerning crescendo coming from the basement? Better go investigate…
Broken. Boiler. Never have two words struck more fear into the careful, conscientious homeowner than these. Nightmare stories about spiralling costs, lengthy repair jobs and cold showers in the depths of winter linger long in the memory, and as such, any unusual sounds or activity from your boiler rings immediate alarm bells.
A boiler should operate with a quiet hum. If yours has started to make banging, whistling, or gurgling noises, it’s trying to tell you something isn’t right. Often, these sounds can indicate air in the system, low water pressure, or limescale build-up. Ignoring these noises can lead to more serious problems, such as a pump failure, which can be both inconvenient and costly to repair.
Simple Check: Listen to your boiler during operation. It should emit a steady, low hum. If you hear banging, whistling, or gurgling, take note of when these sounds occur and their frequency.
The Solution: Call a professional to investigate the cause of the noise. It could be something as simple as air in the system or as complex as a limescale build-up. A certified engineer can diagnose and rectify the issue, often with a system bleed or a chemical flush.
2. Thermostat Issues
Is your thermostat playing up? Perhaps it’s not responding or showing incorrect readings. As Just Service Group, who offer regulation-compliant boiler services in Wandsworth, tell us, a malfunctioning thermostat can lead to over or under-heating your home, resulting in discomfort and wasted energy. It’s essential to address this issue promptly, as it can also be a sign of electrical problems within your heating system.
Simple Check: Check if your thermostat responds when you adjust the settings. Also, compare its temperature reading with a separate room thermometer to see if they match.
The Solution: If the thermostat is unresponsive or inaccurate, it may need recalibrating, new batteries, or replacing. A heating engineer can provide a precise diagnosis and solution, ensuring your heating system responds correctly to your adjustments.
Leaks from your boiler or heating system should never be ignored. Not only can they lead to water damage in your home, but they can also be symptomatic of internal issues, such as corrosion or a faulty pressure valve. Small leaks can quickly become big problems, so it’s best to get them fixed while they’re manageable.
Simple Check: Regularly inspect around your boiler and radiators for any signs of water leakage. Even small, consistent drips should be taken seriously.
The Solution: Identify the source of the leak and have it repaired by a professional. Leaks can be a sign of wear and tear or a faulty component, which will need replacing to prevent further damage.
4. Pilot Light Problems
If your boiler’s pilot light is frequently going out or appears yellow instead of blue, it could be a sign of a carbon monoxide leak. This is a serious safety concern, as carbon monoxide is a deadly, odourless gas. Ensure you have a working carbon monoxide detector in your home and get a Gas Safe registered engineer to do a boiler emergency call out immediately.
Simple Check:
Observe the colour of your boiler’s pilot light. It should be a strong blue flame. If it’s yellow or orange, this could indicate incomplete combustion.
The Solution:
A discoloured pilot light requires immediate attention from a Gas Safe registered engineer, as it could be a sign of carbon monoxide. Do not attempt to fix this yourself.
5. Rising Energy Bills
Whilst of course we should caveat this one quite substantially as energy bills have been rising significantly in recent years through no fault of your boilers, if your energy bills are shooting up without a corresponding increase in usage, your central heating system may be losing efficiency. This can be due to a variety of issues, from outdated boilers to poor insulation. Investing in maintenance or upgrades now can save you money in the long run and reduce your carbon footprint.
Simple Check: Compare your current energy bills with those from the same period in previous years. Also, listen to your boiler – if it’s working harder than usual, it may be less efficient.
The Solution: Have a heating engineer conduct a full system inspection. They can recommend actions such as insulating pipes, upgrading your boiler, or installing a more efficient thermostat to help reduce your energy consumption. A smart meter may also help pinpoint the problem.
If you’ve noticed that your radiators aren’t heating up as they should, or there are cold spots even after bleeding them, there could be a build-up of sludge or debris in the system. This can prevent the efficient circulation of hot water. Power flushing the system can clear these blockages and restore your radiators to their full heating glory.
Simple Check: Feel your radiators when the heating is on. They should be evenly warm. If you find cold spots, especially at the bottom, this could indicate sludge build-up.
The Solution: Bleeding your radiators can remove trapped air, which may solve the problem. If cold spots persist, a professional power flush might be necessary to clear out the sludge and get your radiators back to optimal performance.
7. Boiler Pressure Problems
The pressure gauge on your boiler should generally be between 1 and 1.5 bar. If it’s too high or too low, it can affect the performance of your heating system. Low pressure can be caused by leaks or recently bled radiators, while high pressure might be due to overfilling or a fault in the pressure relief valve. Both scenarios warrant a professional inspection and possible maintenance.
Simple Check: Regularly check the pressure gauge on your boiler. It should read between 1 and 1.5 bar. If it’s outside this range, there’s an issue that needs addressing.
The Solution: For low pressure, try repressurising your system according to the manufacturer’s instructions. If the pressure is too high or you’re unsure, call a professional. They can check for leaks or faults and adjust the pressure accordingly.
8. Faulty TRVs (Thermostatic Radiator Valves)
TRVs are essential components that regulate the heat output of individual radiators, allowing you to control the temperature in each room independently. Over time, these valves can become stuck, unresponsive, or develop faults that prevent them from functioning correctly. When TRVs fail, you may notice some rooms becoming uncomfortably hot whilst others remain chilly, leading to inefficient heating and unnecessary energy consumption.
Simple Check: Try rotating your TRVs to different settings and monitor if the radiator temperature changes accordingly. If the valve is stiff, doesn’t rotate smoothly, or the radiator temperature doesn’t respond to adjustments, your TRV may be faulty.
The Solution: In some cases, a stuck TRV can be fixed by fully opening and closing it several times to dislodge any debris. However, if the valve remains unresponsive, it’s best to have a heating engineer replace it. Modern TRVs offer improved efficiency and more precise temperature control, making them a worthwhile upgrade that can enhance your comfort and potentially reduce your heating bills.
The Bottom Line
While the allure of spring may draw your attention away from your central heating system, it’s the ideal season to address any issues. By taking action now, you can ensure that your system is efficient, safe, and ready to keep you warm when you need it most. Remember, maintaining your central heating is not just about comfort; it’s about safety and efficiency too. So, don’t put off those repairs; your future self will thank you when the autumn winds start to blow.
Without wishing to sound too dismissive of an industry that’s clearly on its valedictory meal, reviews of post-COVID restaurant openings in the UK have been remarkably concentrated in recent times, with critics alighting at Farringdon Station with impressively predictable regularity.
Bouchon Racine, Brutto, Morchella and Cloth have all graced the pages (‘touched the cloth’?) of virtually every national newspaper in recent times — a convergence that has only served to prove what London’s culinary cognoscenti already knew: that Farringdon is now the epicentre of the capital’s food scene.
As you emerge blinking from the bowels of the station, you might wonder why. Farringdon, on first inspection, isn’t up to much, more well known for its transport links and office blocks than its restaurants. But scratch the surface just a little and you’ll find a series of places that are casually, quietly, of the highest quality. Admittedly, they’re all singing from the same chalkboard, so to speak, but the tone remains harmonious.
Whether you’re after a leisurely business lunch, a pre-train pit stop, or a destination dinner worthy of advance booking (that’s if you can get a reservation at all), the patchwork of Farringdon, Clerkenwell and Smithfield is where it’s at for a good feed. With that in mind, here are the best restaurants near Farringdon.
Quality Wines, Farringdon Road
Ideal for small plates and stellar wines in an intimate setting…
What began as a wine shop attached to Quality Chop House (more of those guys in a bit) has evolved into one of Farringdon’s most cherished places to eat; an intimate restaurant with a weekly-changing blackboard menu that defies easy categorisation.
Sure, the wine merchant aspect still remains, but punters are now more likely to be pitching up for a taste of chef Nick Bramham’s absurdly satisfying cooking than they are a bespoke bottle to go. Indeed, from a tiny open kitchen, the chef defies the conventional restaurant approach to the most gratifying ends.
His Mediterranean-inspired plates, increasingly leaning Greek rather than French, Spanish or Italian – appear deceptively simple but reveal a profound understanding of flavour and produce – think white asparagus vinaigrette that sings with seasonal freshness, or braised pork belly with cime de rapa and salsa verde that’s so much more than the sum of its parts. Occasionally, a whole crispy pig’s head will appear on the menu, a result of that pork dish having, you know, a body beyond the belly. If so, order it.
There’s a quiet intelligence to the cooking that feels liberated from kitchen dogma, producing food that’s both deeply considered and utterly approachable. No unnecessary flourishes, no cheffy ego – just perfectly judged dishes. Their famous gildas are alone worth a visit, but it would be madness to stop there. For lunchtime value, the Express Lunch might feature veal and pork meatballs done in the Italian American style, red sauce piled on top of spaghetti, and accompanied by a glass of wine, beer or soft drink, all for £15. It might just be the best deal in central London. Or, come to think of it, the country. It’s served from midday through to 2:15.
Don’t sleep on the sandwiches, either. Bramham is a connoisseur of the well-judged sarnie, and at Quality Wines they appear seasonally and sell out fast, giving them a real air of exclusivity which is partly genius marketing, but partly borne of the necessity of a truly small kitchen space. His salame rosa and butter panino – a butter-fried milk bun sandwiching layer upon layer of of salame rosa and salted butter – makes an annual return every year and is on now. Get it while you can.
Another sandwich you’ll see sporadically here is the lobster roll, in which the steamed lobster meat is served pleasingly chunky, bound together by a piquant champagne mayonnaise and served in a milk roll. Only 20 are served a night, with that number diminishing fast as diners order a second after a single bite of their first. They’re that good.
The wine selection, curated by Marcos Spyrou and Emidio Russo, balances established producers with exciting newcomers, focusing on smaller, sustainable vineyards. Bottles line the walls from floor to ceiling, candles flicker and cast shadows on intimate corners, all creating an atmosphere that feels both special and casual simultaneously. Staff share their knowledge with genuine enthusiasm rather than snobbery, happy to guide you to something new or pour a taste if you’re unsure.
That theme continues if you’re perched at the counter looking over the open kitchen. We’ve come away from several meals here with photos and screenshots of the restaurant’s recipe folder (caponata, portokalopita, their pastis butter) provided by Bramham. Needless to say, we’ve never quite done them justice at home.
Despite its growing reputation among those in the know, Quality Wines maintains a disarming lack of pretension, feeling more like a friend’s living room than a hotspot restaurant. It’s one of Farringdon’s – and London’s – very best restaurants.
Ideal for nose-to-tail British cuisine and the famous bone marrow salad…
The stark white dining room of St. John, housed in a former smokehouse near Smithfield Market, speaks volumes about its philosophy even if you didn’t know the history and ethos of this storied restaurant – here, it’s all about the food.
Their emblematic bone marrow and parsley salad – a hunk of roasted marrow with sourdough toast, a parsley salad and, that’s about it – remains a pilgrimage-worthy dish, but from a crowd pleasing menu, it’s certainly not the only highlight. The daily-changing menu features everything from devilled kidneys to seasonal game, with each dish showcasing Henderson’s uncanny ability to coax extraordinary flavour from seemingly ordinary, often forgotten ingredients.
One of the best dishes we’ve had here in recent times was also, perhaps, the most simple; slices of pig tongue that had been brined then braised, served sliced thick with a spiced chutney of Bramley apple, the fruit chosen for its assertive tartness. A wise choice, indeed. Perhaps even better was the deep-fried tripe, arriving like little sheets of honeycomb that had been taken a touch too far, all bronzed and crunchy, bitter and funky. Apparently, they come from the only offal stall left at nearby Smithfield Market – long may that stall remain open.
Anyway, if you don’t end with the madeleines served warmed from the oven – allow for 15 minutes – then you should hang your head in shame as you exit. Or, were you just bowing gently as a sign of respect for a gastronomic institution?
Come back inside and have a drink before you go. The exclusively French wine list includes their own label wines by the glass (£8.75), poured by staff who know their stuff. Just prepare yourself for the notoriously challenging acoustics – this might be one of the loudest fine dining experiences in town, but that seems a small price to pay for what many consider the world’s most influential restaurant of the past three decades.
Ideal for unpretentious, hearty French cuisine that transports you to Lyon…
Chef Henry Harris knows a thing or two about gutsy, hearty, balls-to-the-rose-blush-wall French bistros, having earned his reputation at Knightsbridge’s Bibendum and later at his own acclaimed Racine in South Kensington.
After several years away from the London restaurant scene, his return with Bouchon Racine in 2022 was greeted with enthusiasm by those who had missed showing off their exquisite, unpretentious taste via his perfectly judged Gallic cooking.
To be fair, it showed up fully formed in Farringdon, perched above The Three Compasses pub, with Harris recreating a slice of Lyon with an air of authenticity that comes from decades of myopic dedication to French culinary traditions.
The daily-changing blackboard menu showcases Harris’s talents to the full in a boisterous room that encourages lingering and, frankly, more boozing – perhaps over cured ham from heritage breed black pigs, a perfectly executed grilled veal chop with roquefort butter, or rabbit in mustard sauce. Whichever way you play it, you’ll find a celebration of French bouchon classics without unnecessary ‘elevation’ or ‘refinement’, focusing instead on quality ingredients and precise technique.
Like many restaurants in the area sharing proximity to Smithfield, nose-to-tail is alive and well at Bouchon Racine. You’ll sometimes find suckling pig on the menu, or Rognonde veau sauce Madère – a simple dish of veal kidney, Madeira cream sauce and pomme puree. Don’t miss their country pork pâté either, a technically precise but simultaneously rugged piece of work. Ground pigs liver and belly are dotted with little cubes of fat, giving way to a gorgeous juicy texture and a rough mosaic pattern in each slice.
Wines here are exclusively French, thoughtfully selected to match the food, with plenty available by the glass for under a tenner. In a dining landscape increasingly dominated by restaurant groups and corporations, Bouchon Racine feels refreshingly independent – a passion project from a chef who understands that sometimes, the old ways are the best ways.
Ideal for sophisticated ‘Britalian’ cuisine in one of London’s most beautiful dining rooms…
Luca’s elegant green-fronted exterior on St John Street sets the tone for what awaits inside – a world of understated luxury with copper-topped bars, bottle-green banquettes and a stunning courtyard that transports you straight to the rarefied climes of Lombardy.
This Michelin-starred restaurant from the team behind The Clove Club (Daniel Willis, Johnny Smith, and chef Isaac McHale) has mastered what they – and, to be fair, lots of other folk, increasingly – call ‘Britalian’ cooking. That is, British produce prepared with Italian techniques. At Luca, under the day-to-day guidance of head chef Robert Chambers, the kitchen turns out consistently refined yet approachable dishes that have earned the restaurant its stellar reputation.
Their legendary Parmesan fries – crisp, salty morsels that have developed a cult following – are the perfect way to start your meal. Follow with another mainstay dish and menu stand-out; Roast orkney scallops with Jerusalem artichoke and ‘nduja, before getting into the exemplary, oh-so satisfying pasta. Both Cornish crab linguine and agnolotti with rich game ragu have hit the spot recently.
Whichever way you play it, you’ll find a menu that’s highly seasonal, shifting with the calendar to showcase the finest ingredients at their peak. Come autumn, the kitchen goes truffle crazy with a dedicated white truffle menu featuring creative dishes like steamed white alba truffle and honey sponge pudding with mascarpone custard. Late winter into spring brings delicate plates of cured brill with radishes, blood orange, wild garlic and cedro, and as spring fully arrives, you’ll find Hebridean lamb accompanied by spiky artichoke, bagna cauda, pine nuts and puntarelle. The latter dish is just around the corner, we hope.
The primarily Italian wine list offers interesting diversions for the adventurous, with staff eager to guide you through the selections (I guess they would be, when the cheapest bottle is £55, a 2022 Lugana Ca’ Lojera, no less). Luca’s not cheap, it’s fair to say. At £200 or so per person for the full experience, Luca is positively, prohibitively expensive, but the cooking’s unwavering commitment to quality somewhat justifies the price tag.
And if you can’t quite justify it, there is a cheaper set ‘bar express menu’, which sees two courses priced at £32, three at £38. Indeed, the different pockets of space within the restaurant offer a diversity of atmosphere – from that more casual bar area at the front to the intimate dining room at the back – making Luca suitable for numerous occasions, from important client dinners to romantic celebrations.
Ideal for an intimate omakase experience that rivals Tokyo’s finest…
Securing a seat at Sushi Tetsu requires military-grade planning and lightning-fast reflexes – bookings are released only at specific times and vanish within minutes, giving the Glasto T-dayers F5-related PTSD. Fuck that’s an ugly participle clause…
Anyway, this seven-seat sushi counter, deep down a tight Clerkenwell alley that feels so appropriate for the relative size of the operation, rewards the persistent with an omakase experience that rivals Tokyo’s finest. Or, that level just below Tokyo’s finest; ‘Tokyo’s second finest-tier’? Nah…
Chef Toru Takahashi crafts each piece moments before it reaches your plate, applying a precise amount of wasabi or soy to perfectly aged fish atop warm, seasoned rice. There’s no menu as such – just a progression of nigiri and sashimi, each more exquisite than the last, served directly across the counter by the chef himself.
The tiny space means you get to watch Takahashi-san’s masterful knife skills up close, as well as counting the eyelashes of your neighbouring diner (don’t do that, that’d be weird). His wife Harumi oversees the dining room with graceful efficiency, ensuring water glasses are never empty and sake cups are always full.
At around £190 for the full omakase and three hours of your time, this is special occasion territory (though not the kind of special occasion where you wear your best perfume, we should caution), but the craftsmanship, quality of ingredients and personal attention make it worth every penny. For sushi aficionados, there’s simply nowhere better in London.
Ideal for an otherworldly atmosphere and creative seasonal cooking…
Sessions Arts Club feels like stumbling upon a secret you can’t wait to share. That is, if the restaurant hadn’t been reviewed extensively just as COVID restrictions were lifting and people were absolutely delirious on the idea of escapism.
To be fair, it is a gorgeous dining room. Entering through a curtained doorway and ascending in a rickety brass lift, you emerge into a vast, soaring space with distressed walls, moody lighting and an undeniable sense of faded grandeur. No wonder it was so intoxicating as an antidote to months of being locked down.
Things have changed a little since then, with chef Florence Knight – the heart and soul of the operation – moving on and former sous chef Abigail Hill stepping up. A spare, seasonal sensibility remains, with uncomplicated but thoughtful plates taking influence from British, French and Italian traditions. Asparagus with a pool of re-emulsified brown butter might share a table with a butterflied red mullet and a sauce of its liver, each dish showing restraint and a deep understanding of flavour. Indeed, the kitchen has a natural affinity with seafood – the fish dishes are always worth exploring, though it’s a damn shame the squid, tomato and calamarata dish is no longer on the menu. Desserts, too, are fabulous.
Red mullet, violino & crabAsparagus and brown butter Mussel, potato & saffron
A glass of champagne on the delightful rooftop terrace is the perfect prelude to dinner on warmer days. The wine list leans towards low-intervention bottles, while the cocktail menu offers creative mixes that complement the food beautifully. Ours is a melon martini, if you’re asking.
Despite its rapid ascent to ‘hot ticket’ status, Sessions Arts Club maintains an uncomplicated approach to hospitality – service is relaxed and graceful, and the overall vibe is one of effortless cool rather than studied trendiness. It’s not cheap, but the combination of breath-taking setting and accomplished cooking will give you a meal that lingers longer in the memory than the time it takes to pay off your credit card.
Ideal for quintessentially British cooking and those legendary confit potatoes…
The original Grade II-listed dining room of Quality Chop House, with its uncomfortable-looking wooden pews (not just ‘looking’, come to think of it), has been serving Londoners since 1869. The current iteration, under the stewardship of Will Lander and Daniel Morgenthau’s Woodhead Restaurant Group since 2012, brilliantly balances heritage with modernity, creating a restaurant that feels both timeless and contemporary. Head chef Shaun Searley has been at the stoves here for almost as long – an unusual longevity in the restaurant world that shows in the kitchen’s consistent excellence.
Let’s talk about the legendary confit potatoes first – thinly sliced layers, compressed, confit, then deep-fried to create something simultaneously crisp, tender and utterly addictive. These alone have achieved a kind of cut-through cult status among London’s food lovers – not only on TikTok and Insta, but also in the broadsheets – in a way few other dishes have.
Beyond the potatoes, expect – unsurprisingly – impeccably sourced meat from ‘butcher to chef to plate’ (they have their own in-house butcher), whether that’s an Aberdeen Angus bone-in ribeye or a Barnsley chop, the latter a perennially under-rated but prime cut of lamb and a go-to tip from the waiters.
The menu changes daily based on what’s been delivered that morning, reflecting a genuine commitment to seasonality rather than lip service to the concept. And, reassuringly, it’s not only about the meat here – these guys have a wicked way with fish, too. A recent dish of skate wing was served, rather unconventionally, with a chicken and tarragon peppercorn sauce that was wonderful. The weekday set lunch menu remains an absolute steal, with three courses clocking in at £29.
It’s in the snack section where things get inventive. The Brixham turbot head has steadily become a house favourite, and for good reason; the varying textures reveal themselves as you explore: supple flesh around the jaw gives way to substantial meat in the cheeks. That would be reward enough, but the liberal dousing of house-made Szechuan sauce – a thoughtful blend of reduced jus, fresh ginger, garlic, and aromatic Sichuan peppercorns – makes things truly compelling.
QCH exemplifies how traditional British dining can be given a gently contemporary touch without losing its soul – comforting, expertly executed dishes that know, first and foremost, that you’re here to be fed. You might want to bring your own blow-up cushion in your hand bag, though…
Ideal for creative small plates and an atmospheric historic setting…
Down an alleyway in a row of houses that survived the Great Fire of London sits Cloth, a wine-led restaurant that has quickly become a local favourite since opening in the spring of 2024. The space – previously Betjeman’s Wine Bar, named for the poet who lived upstairs – combines historical charm with contemporary comfort.
Wine specialists Joe Haynes and Benedict Butterworth have teamed up with former Lasdun head chef Tom Hurst to create a dining experience that feels laid back enough for a long, languid and liquid-y lunch with a pal, and intimate enough for a dinner with a lover. The acoustics suit both – raucous and hushed sound equally good here.
Seasonal small plates form the core of the menu – pig’s head croquettes with apricot ketchup, delicate cappelletti with ricotta and pecorino, or Cornish pollack with Tokyo turnips. The cooking demonstrates precision without preciousness, allowing the quality of ingredients to shine through. We think we might have said that about every place on this list so far, bar Sushi Tetsu – and who said London’s dining scene was homogenising into one, tedious Britalian wine bar?
Speaking of wine, the list at Cloth reflects the owners’ background, focusing on small producers with a whole separate menu dedicated to by-the-glass options. The 40 page list proper is impressively broad, with carefully chosen bottles from across Europe – from crisp Grüner Veltliners from Austria’s Wagram to aged Barbarescos from Piedmont, and everything in between. Their Champagne selection leans toward smaller grower-producers rather than big houses, while the lengthy Burgundy section reveals the owners’ particular passion.
Those looking to splurge can find rare treasures like 1991 DRC Romanée-St-Vivant, while more modest budgets are well-served with interesting options under £60 (yes, we realise that’s still a lot).
Ideal for the legendary steak sandwich and pioneering gastropub vibes…
When The Eagle opened in its current form in 1991, it changed the London food scene forever, pioneering the modern gastropub concept that aimed to ‘elevate’ pub dining while maintaining an authentic pub atmosphere. Three decades later, this high-ceilinged corner room with its open kitchen, mismatched furniture and relaxed vibe continues to demonstrate why the original is often the best.
It’s a humble steak sandwich that made The Eagle famous. And for good reason – flash-fried onglet steak soaks into a ciabatta roll with a little layer of lettuce, onions and hot sauce, and it’s perfectly executed time after time. The daily-changing menu, chalked on the blackboard above the bar, might include Spanish and Portuguese-influenced dishes alongside British classics, all prepared in the open kitchen in full view of the punters and pint-ers.
Napoli sausages also make a frequent appearance on the menu – whether served with with spiced tomato and lentils, or sprawled over butter beans. The kitchen has a tidy hand at grilling fish, too, often served whole and a simple salsa or salad; it’s got to be one of the most wholesome lunches you can find in the city.
Drinks keep things straightforward with good beers on tap and a concise wine list that complements the robust food. Don’t expect reservations – The Eagle operates a first-come, first-served policy that creates a democratic, egalitarian atmosphere where local office workers rub shoulders with visiting food tourists. Come early or be prepared to wait, especially at lunchtime when the queue can stretch out the door.
Ideal for live jazz and timeless French bistro classics…
A few staggers and stumbles down a cobbled mews off Charterhouse Square, Le Café du Marché has been transporting diners to southern France for over four decades. And then spitting them back out, disappointed to find they’re still in London, it should be added.
This fiercely independent, family-run restaurant defies the capital’s ever-shifting landscape with its unwavering commitment to tradition. The restaurant unfolds across two levels, where exposed brick walls and wooden beams frame white-clothed tables bathed in soft light. As evening descends, live jazz drifts through the space, seasoning everything with a sense of wistful escapism.
The kitchen celebrates provincial French cuisine with reverence rather than reinvention. Soupe de poissons arrives with all the expected accompaniments and absolutely no surprises, coq au vin delivers its deep, comforting complexity and nothing more, and the tarte tatin is just as burnished as it’s meant to be. Each dish speaks to the restaurant’s philosophy: respect the classics, source quality ingredients, and execute them with precision.
There is, of course, French wine, the house 2023 Cuvee Garrigue Languedoc available by the glass for £7 (or bottle for £36) eminently neckable. If your enthusiastic eating of that fish soup doesn’t run the white tablecloth, your increasingly brazen pouring of that house wine will. It’s that kind of convivial place.
Ideal for Mediterranean flair in a grand Victorian setting…
Admittedly, this one doesn’t quite qualify as one of the best restaurants really close to Farringdon, seeing as it’s a 10 minute walk away from the station, but Morchella is too good to miss off this list.
The sophomore venture from the team behind Newington Green’s acclaimed Perilla, this restaurant opened in early 2024 in an imposing former Victorian bank just off Exmouth Market and hit its stride-immediately. A year later it holds a Michelin Bib Gourmand.
Rather than pledging allegiance to a single Mediterranean nation, the kitchen draws inspiration from the entire sun-drenched coastline. Executive Chef Ben Marks and head chef Daniel Fletcher craft dishes like their celebrated salt cod churros with romesco, delicate spanakopita parcels and mussel pil pil – all must-orders here.
A recent dish of Greek salad with black olive dressing was the true showstopper, though, showcasing the inventiveness of a confident kitchen hitting its stride. Here, your usual Greek salad components are stuffed into a tomato which has been blanched and then blowtorched. A visually striking black olive dressing is then poured over, bringing theatre to the humble salad. Most importantly, it tasted bloody good.
The space impressively retains its architectural heritage, with soaring ceilings and original features now complemented by natural wood finishes and thoughtful design touches like hidden cutlery drawers in each table. A central horseshoe bar embraces the open kitchen, offering counter dining for those who enjoy watching chefs at work. Hey, when they’re this nifty, who doesn’t?
Wine enthusiasts will appreciate co-owner Matthew Emmerson’s exclusively European list, organised helpfully by flavour profile (‘coastal’, ‘classic’ or ‘funky’). A separate walk-in wine bar makes Morchella accessible even without a booking, serving the full snack menu alongside an impressive selection of bottles.
With a ‘chef’s choice’ menu of the restaurant’s signature dishes priced at just £60 per head, the restaurant is great value, particularly in this affluent part of town.
Russell Norman’s final project before his untimely passing stands as perhaps his most complete expression of his deep understanding of what makes a restaurant tick. In the case of Brutto, that alchemy is the ability to create spaces that feel simultaneously brand new and timeless. Now lovingly stewarded by his widow Jules and son Ollie, Trattoria Brutto continues to channel both Norman’s and the Florentine spirit with faithful devotion.
The now-legendary £5 Negronis (a minor miracle in modern London) might initially draw you in, but it’s the immersive environment that compels you to stay. Red gingham tablecloths, sepia-toned photographs, and honey-coloured lighting conspire to transport you directly to Tuscany. The illusion is so complete that you half-expect to see Italian silver screen icons holding court in the corner.
The menu champions Tuscan rusticity with confident simplicity (and, like many of the team’s favourite trattorias, no fish). Coccoli — those pillowy, deep-fried dough clouds served with creamy cheese and paper-thin prosciutto— are just the right bedfellows for that Negroni, the penne alla vodka the version that all others should be judged by.
Next up, and because it’d be rude not to, the bistecca alla Fiorentina arrives with intimidating heft, a perfectly charred exterior that gives way to a perfectly pink (close to blue, quite honestly) interior that showcases the kitchen’s understanding that premium ingredients require restraint. There’s only a handful served each day, chalked off as service progresses, so it’s recommended you order the bistecca when you arrive if that’s the main reason you came. It’s got that pleasingly chewy texture that reveals the faintest of blue cheese notes, a note that’s washed away with another slug of Negroni. Yep, we’re drinking Negroni through this whole meal; the cheapest bottle of red here is £36.
For a taste of Brutto’s beef without the commitment to a whole T-bone, consider the rosbif con patate. On the menu since day one. here slices of beef loin are served rare and beautiful, accompanied by nothing more than some very, very good roast potatoes.
Bistecca alla Fiorentina Rosbif con patateTortellini in brodo
Securing a table requires similar planning and persistence—bookings disappear fortnightly with alarming speed—but the bar’s walk-in policy offers some hope for spontaneous diners. These counter seats might actually be the most coveted in the house, to be fair, offering prime views of the controlled chaos and gorgeous dining room at odds with the name of the restaurant (don’t bother searching on Google – it means ‘ugly’).
This isn’t an approximation of Italy; it’s a corner of Florence somehow transported to EC1. Or, a corner of 50100 transported to Farringdon. Or, a corner of Florence in Farringdon. Or, Farringdon’s own little corner of Florence. Hmm, not sure why we’re suddenly malfunctioning here…
Ideal for underground wine discoveries in atmospheric Victorian arches…
…Christ, let’s close with a stiff drink. Descend beneath Holborn Viaduct and discover one of London’s most atmospheric vinous sanctuaries. The Winemakers Club inhabits a labyrinth of 150-year-old arches that feel more cinematic than commercial—raw brick vaults illuminated by flickering candlelight, with bottles commanding every available surface.
While many places attempt to be all things to all people, The Winemakers Club embraces a singular focus: exceptional wines at honest prices in surroundings that could not exist anywhere else in London. The carefully curated selection celebrates vignerons and regions that prioritise quality and integrity over marketing, with staff who share their knowledge with evangelical enthusiasm rather than sommelier pretension.
The food follows this philosophy of deliberate restraint—exceptional cheese and charcuterie boards showcase carefully selected artisanal producers. Provisions supplies the cheese, Cobble Lane Cured provides the charcuterie, and the bread comes from St. John’s Bakery, completing a thoughtful offering that complements rather than competes with the wine. When it’s on the menu don’t miss the raclette toastie, which achieves the perfect complementary balance to a glass of bracing minerality. The emphasis of course remains resolutely on what’s in your glass, allowing the meticulously selected bottles to command centre stage.
Visit during quieter moments and you’ll find no better spot in the area for a date, with the architectural quirks of the space creating natural alcoves for private exchange. When the arches fill with the energy of a busy evening, communal tables foster spontaneous connections between neighbouring wine enthusiasts. Just don’t let the covetous bastards take too big a bite of that toastie. We’ve been there, and the conclusion was unseemly.
There’s something satisfying about knowing precisely where your food has come from. Not in that vague ‘local and seasonal’ way that’s become standard restaurant PR speak, but actually being able to pinpoint a specific patch of Scottish soil and say, “That’s where my steak was raised.”
At Origin City, a recent addition to Farringdon’s increasingly impressive (and meaty) dining scene, they’ve taken this concept to its logical extreme by owning the bloody farms themselves.
This handsome establishment opposite Smithfield Rotunda Garden is a succinct expression of the Landsberg family’s obsession with provenance – their own heritage breeds (Black Aberdeen Angus, Tamworth pigs, and Texel lamb) are reared on their 600-acre organic farm on the shores of Loch Striven in Argyll, and a dedication to GMO-free, sustainable farming forms the bedrock of the restaurant’s pasture-to-plate philosophy. Talk about vertical integration.
One might be tempted to say all this hard husbandry work is a bit much when you’ve got one of the country’s most famous meat markets just a couple of minutes walk away, but the proof is in the white pudding, and the one at Origin City is excellent.
The dining room has been accused by some of lacking vibes, but on a recent warm Friday evening when we visited there was a good hum about the place. It’s all about Scottish ingredients cooked with French techniques, and there’s something of the Auld Aulliuance about the decor too, with tweed banquettes, burgundy chairs, and flourishes of gold and bronze hinting at a royale elegance. White tablecloths, as is the Smithfield way, feel unapologetic in an era where many have abandoned them.
The walls, some covered in handsome wool (one can only assume shawn from the family’s sheep), help improve acoustics – a thoughtful detail for comfortable conversation. Artwork depicting the family’s Provençal vineyard, Château De La Cômbe, adds a personal touch.
Executive Chef Graham Chatham, with 35 years of experience at esteemed restaurants like Rules and The Langham, has created a menu that celebrates nose-to-tail eating with serious flair. His mantra of ‘great taste, no waste’ is evident throughout the menu, where all meat is butchered in-house, and they make almost everything themselves, from charcuterie to sausages and beyond.
The Black Angus steak tartare with bitter leaves is impeccably prepared – hand chopped and enthusiastically seasoned, just as it should be – while the cold roast hogget with anchovy dressing comes across like a funkier, more farmyardy cousin of the classic Piedmotese vitello tonnato. It’s inspired.
Don’t miss the grilled Scottish langoustines with garlic and herb butter – a signature that alone justifies the journey (theirs and yours). They arrive halved and in a pleasingly chaotic pile, melted butter pooling at the sides and with an old-school half lemon wrapped in muslin, for those who can’t stand to see a pip hit the plate.
Mains are fully formed and gutsy, usually featuring a couple of different cuts from the same beast, one blushing pink and premium, the other turned into a sausage, braise or mini-pie. Sauces boast real clarity of flavour, and are protein-specific rather than something generic and overly reduced. It’s this kind of attention to detail that sets the restaurant apart.
The Sunday roast is a good shout if all your roasting trays need washing up and your mum’s version requires a train ride that you’re not willing to take hungover. The highlight is three gorgeous blushing slabs of Blank Angus topside, a Yorkie so flamboyant you’ll want to wear it as a hat, and a handful of spuds roasted in dripping until golden. True to form, there’s a tangle of sticky braised short rib buried under that Yorkie. It’s great value for just £25.
From the family’s own organic vineyard in Provence, Château De La Cômbe features prominently on the wine list and keeps prices relatively low, in this economy and city. Their ‘grape-to-glass’ approach means you’re getting proper French wines at prices that won’t make your credit card spontaneously combust, with bottles starting from £24 and rarely exceeding £58. Interestingly, all of the signature cocktails use Origin’s own vermouth, a byproduct of the wine from their vineyard.
The service staff performs a delicate dance between formality and friendliness. They’re knowledgeable enough to explain the precise Scottish hillside where your dinner grazed but won’t make you feel like an idiot for asking what hogget actually is. On Sundays, a charming complimentary non-alcoholic Bloody Mary cart sometimes makes the rounds, adding a special touch to the start of your meal but not perhaps dusting off that hangover as much as a boozy one would.
Having earned 2 AA Rosettes last year, Origin City has the makings of a London institution. It’s refreshing to find a restaurant that delivers on the farm-to-table promise without relying on the phrase as a marketing crutch.
