We don’t think it’s much of an understatement to say that ‘adulting’ can be tough. There are bills to pay that we hadn’t even heard of in our youth. Bones, joints and muscles ache that, erm, we weren’t even aware of in our youth. And as Ezra Koenig once wrote, most probably of the trials and tribulations of adulthood, ‘’every time a problem ends, another one begins’’.
But perhaps even trickier to negotiate as a newly-minted adult are the routine hurdles and obstacles that stalk our everyday. How do you properly clean your cleaning equipment? Who is responsible for replacing the fire alarm battery in the communal hallway? What artwork will make your home look both cutting edge and mature? And how exactly do you frame, hang and display that carefully chosen artwork to show it off but not look like you’re showing off?
We’re here to deal with that latter consideration today; here’s how to frame, hang and display your artwork to catch the attention of guests.
The Right Size & Colour Of Frame
As the German-born theoretical physicist Albert Einstein once said, ‘’the framing of a problem is often far more essential than its solution.’’
And you know where we’re going with that quote. Indeed, the frame is as important as the art within it; the right choice of frame has the ability to contribute to the artistic merit of a room in its own right. Because of this, it’s essential that you pair the frame not only to the picture within it, but also to the wall and room that surrounds it.
Size matters, too. Or, more accurately, the border between frame and picture matters. Ideally, you actually want your picture to be framed twice; firstly, by a border of plain, block colour – usually white – and secondly, by the frame itself.
This can only be achieved with the requisite accuracy by getting made-to-measure frames. Just a couple of centimetres in either direction can be the difference between perfect framing and something that looks sloppy and incongruous.
You’ll also want to make sure the actual hook holding the frame in place is sturdy and incongruous, to ensure the picture hangs perfectly and doesn’t look protracted from the wall. Generally speaking, drywall screws are advisable here, though if you’re in a rental property you’ll want to check with your landlord that you’re allowed to use them.
The visibility of your carefully chosen, expertly framed artwork matters, too. You want your guests to notice your art and for it to catch their attention, sure, but you don’t want your pictures or photos to look too showy and deliberate, as that might come across as pretentious.
You wouldn’t place a sculpture slap bang in the middle of your living room, after all, and neither should your artwork be positioned front, row and centre of your wall. Think about where guests will most likely place themselves. In living rooms, for instance, people will most likely be sitting rather than standing, so make sure your art is hanging low enough to be at eye level when seated.
Your instinct may be saying ‘go high’, but in fact, your focal piece will look best at eye level. To get this right, use furniture to help you measure up. As a rule of thumb, the bottom of your artwork, or its frame, should be about 8-16 inches above the table or sofa. The same applies if you’re hanging a series of pieces – the lowest level piece should sit in the same place, and then you can stack upwards from there. Easy!
In rooms where people tend to stand, adjust the height of your hanging art to be at standing eye-level, accordingly. This will be particularly true in your hallways and kitchen.
Consider scale, too. Should you be hanging a piece of art above a sofa, for instance, you should ensure it’s at least two-thirds the size of the chair, otherwise, it will end up dwarfed by the furniture beneath it.
Synergy Or Snarl?
Some may prefer a wall, room or even whole home whose art is in perfect synergy, all relating to one theme and speaking of a singular style or even single artist, whether that’s Van Gogh prints or doodles you’re kids have drawn, blown-up and framed. Others might opt for a spirit of organised chaos, with disparate themes complementing each other rather than clashing.
For single walls, it’s probably best to go for the former, and ensure the themes of your artwork are relatively connected. If you have everything from abstract paintings to photographs of dogs next to each other, the overall aesthetic of the room will feel jarring.
That said, if you’re going for that ‘carefully cobbled together’ vibe, it’s a good idea to at least marry random pieces of artwork with other items in the room. Or even the whole house, if you’re thinking big. Try picking out a colour or two from the artwork, and then add hints of these tones in the soft furnishings of the room – like a vase, cushions, coasters or ornaments reflecting the colors cape of the art. This will tie everything together visually in a really neat, sophisticated way.
Use A Spirit Level
One of the most common mistakes when hanging artwork is not ensuring it is perfectly level. A spirit level is an essential tool for this task. Place the level on top of the frame and adjust until the bubble is centred. This will ensure your artwork hangs straight and looks polished. For larger pieces, it might be helpful to use a longer spirit level to ensure accuracy across the entire width of the frame. Additionally, check the level both horizontally and vertically to make sure the frame is not only level but also plumb.
Opt For Picture Hanging Systems
For a more flexible and less invasive approach, consider using a picture hanging system. These systems typically involve a rail that is mounted on the wall or ceiling, with adjustable hooks and cords that allow you to easily change the height and position of your artwork without making additional holes in the wall. This is particularly useful for those who like to frequently update their displays.
Picture hanging systems are also ideal for gallery wall art, as they allow for easy rearrangement and can support multiple pieces of varying sizes and weights. Look for systems that offer adjustable tension cords and hooks that can support the weight of your heaviest frames.
Use The Right Hardware
The type of wall you have will determine the best hardware to use. For plaster or drywall, use picture hooks or anchors that are rated for the weight of your artwork. For brick or concrete walls, masonry screws or wall plugs are necessary. Always ensure the hardware can support the weight of your frame to prevent accidents.
When dealing with particularly heavy pieces, consider using two hooks spaced evenly apart to distribute the weight more effectively. Additionally, for drywall, toggle bolts can provide extra support for heavier frames.
Consider Lighting
Proper lighting can dramatically enhance the appearance of your artwork. Picture lights, track lighting, or adjustable spotlights can be used to highlight your pieces. Ensure the lighting is not too harsh and does not create glare on the artwork. LED lights are a good choice as they do not emit UV rays, which can damage art over time.
When positioning lights, aim for a 30-degree angle from the light source to the artwork to minimise glare and shadows. For larger pieces, consider using multiple light sources to ensure even illumination. Dimmable lights can also be beneficial, allowing you to adjust the intensity based on the time of day and the ambiance you wish to create.
Use A Template
Creating a paper template of your artwork can help you visualise the placement before committing to a spot. Cut out pieces of paper to the size of your frames and tape them to the wall. This allows you to experiment with different arrangements and heights without making any holes.
For gallery walls, this method is particularly useful as it helps you plan the overall layout and spacing. Once you are satisfied with the arrangement, you can mark the positions of the hooks or nails directly on the template, ensuring precise placement when you hang the actual frames.
Mind The Spacing
When hanging multiple pieces, the spacing between them is crucial. A general rule of thumb is to leave about 2-3 inches between smaller pieces and 4-6 inches between larger ones. This ensures each piece has enough breathing room and the overall display looks cohesive. For a more dynamic arrangement, you can vary the spacing slightly, but be mindful of maintaining a balanced look.
When creating a gallery wall, start with the largest piece as the focal point and arrange smaller pieces around it, ensuring consistent spacing throughout.
Secure With Museum Putty
To prevent frames from shifting or tilting, especially in high-traffic areas or homes with children and pets, use museum putty. This adhesive putty can be placed on the back corners of the frame to keep it securely in place. Museum putty is also useful for securing objects on shelves and mantels, providing an extra layer of security. When applying the putty, use small, evenly sized pieces and press firmly to ensure a strong bond. This will help keep your artwork aligned and prevent any accidental bumps from causing it to tilt or fall.
Don’t Neglect That Personal Touch
Whilst we’re all desperate to show off our exquisite, esoteric taste in art, there’s a danger that in doing so, you neglect the personal flourishes of domestic art that makes a house a home.
You might not think that there is much point in displaying personal photos, but there is. If you have pictures of members of your family, either past or present, hanging up in your house, visitors will immediately feel more at home. And let’s face it; the photo of you from twenty years ago with that haircut is a far more engaging conversation starter for guests than another art deco print.
Another benefit of hanging up family photos is that it can liven up an otherwise dull area of your home. For example, if you have a hallway that looks like there’s something missing and a big piece of art won’t fill the void, hanging up some family photos can make the space feel more complete and inviting without you having to opt for a brash, showy piece of art. Beautiful!
In an age of overtourism and Instagram hotspots, true hidden gems have become increasingly rare. Yet across Europe, there remain extraordinary places that have resisted the pull of mass tourism—partly because they refuse to accommodate the conventional traveller.
These are destinations where the journey itself becomes part of the adventure, where the absence of motorways and railway stations keeps the crowds at bay, and where the reward for your efforts is an authenticity rarely found in today’s well-trodden tourist trails.
Kalsoy’s Kallur Lighthouse, Faroe Islands
At the northern tip of the slender island of Kalsoy sits the Kallur Lighthouse, perched dramatically atop vertiginous cliffs that plunge into the churning North Atlantic. The lighthouse overlooks some of the most spectacular coastal scenery in the Faroes.
It’s not just about the scenery – these cliffs are packed with seabirds during summer—thousands of puffins, storm petrels, and guillemots nest along the rocky ledges. Bring binoculars if you’ve got them!
There’s nothing quite like breathing in the briny North Atlantic air from this vantage point, shutting your eyes and hearing nothing but the calls of sea birds, the growling of the wind and the crashing of waves. However, don’t shut your eyes for too long as you’ll want to see that scenery and those birds.
The weather here changes by the minute. One moment you’re squinting against brilliant sunshine, the next you’re dodging rain squalls that seem to appear from nowhere. When the mist rolls in and the light breaks through, rainbows appear like magic across the landscape.
The island itself, nicknamed the flute for its long, narrow shape punctuated by tunnels like finger holes, has no hotels and just four tiny villages with a combined population of fewer than 100 residents. The whole island is less than 20 kilometres long but feels like its own separate world.
Getting there: Getting there isn’t exactly straightforward. First, take the small ferry from Klaksvík (which doesn’t run in bad weather, incidentally), then a local bus or taxi to the northernmost village of Trøllanes. From there, it’s a challenging hour-long hike across private farmland (permission required) and along precarious clifftops. There’s no proper path marked, just a rough track across the fields where sheep wander freely. The lighthouse keeper’s cottage isn’t open to visitors, but the panoramic views of neighbouring islands and the turbulent sea below make this journey worthwhile.
You won’t find La Graciosa (the Spanish for the graceful) in many guidebooks, which is exactly how the locals like it. This tiny volcanic island sits just off Lanzarote’s coast, officially joining the Canary Islands family only in 2018, though it’s been quietly doing its own thing for centuries. Indeed, while millions flock to Tenerife and Gran Canaria , this neighbouring island remains largely untouched. It’s one of the Canary Islands best kept secrets.
La Graciosa was only connected to electricity in the 1970s and remains free of paved roads. Its stark volcanic landscapes, pristine beaches, and crystalline waters represent the Canaries as they once were, before mass tourism transformed the archipelago.
With less than 750 inhabitants, the island is home to two small picturesque villages, Pedro Barba and Caleta del Sebo, nearly all of them reside in the latter. Here you’ll find a handful of small guesthouses and apartments to rent, a few cafés serving fresh fish, plus the essentials: a supermarket, a church, and even a discoteca for weekend nights. Pedro Barba is mostly made up of summer homes, with only a handful of permanent residents.
If you’re a cycling enthusiast, a visit to the island could be the ideal getaway. It’s been attracting a handful of cyclists and triathletes for a while now, drawn to its dirt roads, flat terrain and other-worldly scenery.
Getting there: Fly to Lanzarote, then travel to Órzola in the north. From there, take the small ferry (30 minutes) to Caleta del Sebo, Graciosa’s only town. Once on the island, transport options are limited to bicycles, walking, or hiring one of the few 4×4 taxis that navigate the sandy tracks. The island’s remoteness is preserved by a strict limit on visitor numbers.
Saint Kilda Archipelago, Scotland
The most remote part of the British Isles, the St Kilda archipelago lies 64km west of the already isolated Outer Hebrides. It’s Britain’s loneliest place, abandoned in 1930 when the last 36 residents finally gave up battling the Atlantic. The statistics alone speak to Saint Kilda’s otherworldly remoteness: further from civilisation than anywhere else in the British Isles, it’s closer to Iceland than to London.
Today, Saint Kilda serves as a living museum and research station. The National Trust for Scotland maintains the village ruins and operates a small research facility studying everything from climate change to seabird behaviour. Military personnel from the nearby radar station provide the only year-round human presence, maintaining equipment that tracks objects in the North Atlantic skies.
The human story here is extraordinary—archaeologists have found evidence of 4,000 years of continuous habitation. Islanders developed unique skills, scaling impossible cliffs to harvest seabirds and eggs. They even had a postal service: messages tied to wooden boats and launched into the Atlantic currents.
Getting there: Day trips run from Harris and Lewis during summer months, but these are frequently cancelled due to Atlantic storms. For those with deeper pockets, you can book a private jet to Benbecula in the Outer Hebrides and arrange a private boat transfer from there, weather permitting.
For a more immersive experience, volunteer work parties with the National Trust for Scotland offer the chance to stay on Hirta for one or two weeks, assisting with conservation work while experiencing the wild beauty of this extraordinary place firsthand. Be warned: the crossing is notoriously rough, with seasickness virtually guaranteed.
Svaneti Towers, Ushguli, Georgia
Tucked away in Georgia’s remote Svaneti region, Ushguli clings to the mountainside at over 2,000 metres above sea level. It’s one of Europe’s highest year-round communities, and walking through its narrow lanes feels like stepping back centuries.
The village’s most striking feature is its collection of medieval watchtowers, known as the Svaneti Towers. Around 30 of them dot the landscape like stone sentries. The towers come in all shapes and sizes – some squat and sturdy, others reaching skyward like stone fingers. As the sun sets, their honey-coloured stonework glows against the pristine mountain backdrop.
Local families built these between the 9th and 12th centuries as refuges during the constant raids that plagued the region. When enemies approached, whole families would grab their valuables and climb to the tower tops, waiting out the danger in relative safety.
Today, Ushguli has found a gentler way to make a living. Many villagers rent out spare rooms in their homes for just a few pounds a night, while others let visitors pitch tents in their gardens. The Georgian hospitality is unrivalled and locals will feed you hearty Georgian fare—think cheese-stuffed khachapuri bread, rich stews, and local wine to wash it all down.
Despite being designated a UNESCO World Heritage site, the village hasn’t lost its authentic feel. Families dig for potatoes at the foot of towers, a couple of tiny museums offer glimpses into traditional Svan life, with the ethnographic collection showing how families once lived in these stone houses. The setting, surrounded by snow-capped peaks and ancient towers, feels almost mythical—like something from a medieval legend that somehow survived into the modern world.
Getting there: The Greater Caucasus Mountains are a hiker’s dream and many hike the Transcaucasian Trail which spans 932 miles across Georgia, Armenia and some of Azerbaijan. This medieval defence tower is one of the stops offs on this trek
If you’re going by car, the drive from Tbilisi up to the Upper Svaneti region is a bone-rattling journey along rutted mountain roads. The journey requires a sturdy 4×4 vehicle and a local driver familiar with the treacherous unpaved track, which becomes impassable in winter. Alternatively, multi-day horse treks through the mountains offer an authentic experience of this extraordinary region.
The Blue Cave, Kastellorizo, Greece
Kastellorizo sits alone in the far eastern Aegean, closer to Turkey than to anywhere else Greek. It barely registers on most maps, which is precisely why it’s remained unspoilt. Indeed, Kastellorizo feels worlds away from the popular Greek islands and lying just 2km from the Turkish coast, you’d think you could swim there if the currents weren’t lethal.
What was once a thriving sponge-diving community of 10,000 is now home to just 500 residents. Sailing into the harbour feels like discovering a secret. The tiny port town—also called Kastellorizo, or simply ‘Chora’ — unfolds like a perfectly preserved postcard. Pastel-coloured houses crowd the waterfront, while the crumbling remains of a Venetian fortress watch over an old Ottoman mosque from the hillside above.
There’s not much to do here in the conventional sense, which is precisely the point. You can wander the empty plateau above town, catching glimpses of Turkey’s coastline just across the water. Its star attraction is the Blue Cave, larger than Capri’s famous grotto and illuminated by an otherworldly blue light created when sunlight refracts through the crystal-clear water. Locals call it ‘phokiali’ (Greek for seal’s refuge).
Aside from a trip to the Blue Cave, the food alone justifies the journey. Harbourside tavernas serve whatever the fishermen brought in that morning—grouper, sea bass, sometimes lobster—along with local delicacies like bright orange sea urchin roe.
Getting there: There are infrequent flights to Kastellorizo from Rhodes or a long ferry journey from the mainland. The Blue Cave is accessible only by small boat, and only when sea conditions permit.
Foula, Shetland Islands, Scotland
Rising from the tempestuous waters of the North Atlantic like some ancient fortress, Foula stands as one of Britain’s last bastions of true isolation. This wind-scoured island, whose Old Norse name translates to ‘bird island’, sits in splendid solitude thirty kilometres west of Shetland’s mainland, closer to Norway than to London and feeling every bit as remote as its coordinates suggest.
Home to just thirty hardy souls who’ve chosen to make their lives on this 13-square-kilometre chunk of rock and peat, Foula operates according to its own rhythms and rules. The island still follows the old Julian calendar, celebrating Christmas on January 6th—a quaint tradition that speaks to Foula’s stubborn resistance to outside influence.
The landscape here is nothing short of spectacular. Five dramatic hills dominate the terrain, their peaks often shrouded in mist that rolls in from the Atlantic without warning. But it’s the Kame of Foula that truly takes your breath away—a sheer cliff face that plunges 376 metres straight into the churning sea below, making it one of Britain’s highest sea cliffs and a sight that humbles even the most seasoned traveller.
Great skuas (locals call them bonxies) nest here in massive numbers and have zero fear of humans. They’ll dive-bomb your head if you get too close, whilst puffins provide comic relief as they tumble about in the fierce winds. June through August is prime time for seabirds, though the weather is temperamental to say the least.
Getting there: Reaching Foula requires patience, flexibility, and a strong stomach. The ferry “Good Shepherd IV” operates three times weekly from Walls on Shetland’s west mainland, but rough seas frequently force cancellations. The crossing takes two and a half hours in good conditions.
Alternatively, a twice-weekly eight-seat plane from Tingwall Airport offers spectacular views but is equally at the mercy of Foula’s notoriously changeable weather. Visitors should be prepared for the possibility of extended stays if transport links are disrupted.
Seceda Ridgeline, Dolomites, Italy
In the heart of South Tyrol, where Austrian sensibilities blend seamlessly with Italian passion, the Seceda ridgeline presents some of the most otherworldly mountain scenery in all of Europe. This razor-sharp chain of pale limestone peaks, sculpted by millions of years of geological drama, creates a skyline so surreal it appears almost computer-generated against the endless blue Alpine sky.
Seceda’s serrated ridgeline stretches for kilometres, each peak more dramatic than the last. The famous knife-edge formations—known locally as the Teeth of Seceda—create a horizon that looks like the spine of some sleeping dragon.
Local Alpine huts, or rifugi, dot the landscape like tiny refuges from another era. These mountain shelters serve hearty South Tyrolean fare—think speck and cheese plates, warming goulash, and strong Alpine schnapps—whilst offering basic accommodation for those brave enough to spend a night amongst the peaks. Sunrise from Seceda’s ridgeline, watched from the warmth of a rifugio with a steaming cup of coffee in hand, ranks among Europe’s most spectacular natural shows.
Getting there: While cable cars operate in summer and winter seasons from Ortisei, the most rewarding approach is on foot. Hiking from the villages of the Val Gardena requires substantial effort and proper equipment but offers constantly changing perspectives of these magnificent mountains. For the truly committed, booking a night at one of the mountain rifugi (huts) allows you to experience dawn breaking over the ridgeline—a moment of transcendent beauty shared with just a handful of other adventurers.
Covão dos Conchos, Serra da Estrela, Portugal
Deep in Portugal’s highest mountain range, the Serra da Estrela, sits one of Europe’s most peculiar and photogenic structures – a seemingly bottomless hole in the middle of a pristine mountain lake. The Covão dos Conchos looks like something from a fantasy novel: a perfectly circular opening in the lagoon’s surface that swallows the water in a mesmerising vortex before sending it through a 1,500-metre tunnel to the Lagoa Comprida dam.
Built in 1955 as part of a hydroelectric scheme, this ‘bellmouth spillway’ was engineered to prevent flooding, but it’s since become an accidental work of art. The structure sits at 1,400 metres elevation, surrounded by rocky outcrops and the barren, windswept beauty of Portugal’s highest peaks.
The lake itself changes character with the seasons. In spring, snowmelt fills it to the brim and the spillway roars with power. By late summer, water levels drop and the full height of the concrete funnel becomes visible – a stark industrial intrusion in an otherwise untamed landscape. When morning mist rolls across the water’s surface, the whole scene takes on an eerie, otherworldly quality.
The surrounding Serra da Estrela Natural Park is Portugal’s largest protected area, home to endemic flora including the rare Serra da Estrela narcissus, and fauna like Iberian wolves (though you’d be exceptionally lucky to spot one). In winter, this is Portugal’s only ski resort area, but in the warmer months it transforms into a hiker’s paradise.
Getting there: From the nearest town of Manteigas, it’s a challenging 11-kilometre trek through rough mountain terrain with no marked trails for much of the route. A 4×4 can get you somewhat closer along rutted dirt tracks, but the final approach must be made on foot across boggy ground and over rocky outcrops. GPS coordinates are essential, as there’s virtually no signage and the lake sits in a remote bowl invisible until you’re almost upon it. Weather changes rapidly here – bring layers and waterproofs even in summer. This is not a walk for the unprepared.
The Bottom Line
These destinations offer something increasingly precious in our hyperconnected world—genuine remoteness and the deep satisfaction that comes from reaching places that demand effort and commitment. They remind us that sometimes the most memorable travel experiences are those that can’t be reached by simply stepping off a tour bus or following the crowd. In an age of overtourism, these hidden corners of Europe protect their secrets by remaining gloriously, determinedly difficult to reach.
As the clocks have gone back and the evenings draw in, November’s chill has well and truly settled over the UK. With frost coating the windows and dark mornings making it tempting to stay bundled under the duvet, getting children active during the colder months can feel like an uphill battle. But keeping kids moving through winter isn’t just about burning off energy; it’s crucial for their physical health, mental wellbeing, and immune systems during cold and flu season.
The challenge, of course, is that the activities that come naturally in summer (impromptu garden play, trips to the park, after-school football in the light evenings) suddenly require considerably more effort when temperatures plummet. But with a bit of creativity and planning, winter can be just as active as the warmer months, and potentially even more fun.
Make The Most Of Daylight Hours
With sunset now arriving before 4:30pm, maximising daylight becomes essential. Weekend mornings are your friend here; get the kids out early for activities when there’s still light and (marginally) warmth. A Saturday morning walk in the woods, a bike ride through the local park, or even a trip to feed the ducks can set an active tone for the weekend.
For weekdays, consider the after-school window carefully. Even if it’s already dark by the time you collect them, a quick blast of outdoor activity (even just 15 minutes of running around the garden or playing chase under the porch light) can help discharge some of that pent-up classroom energy before dinner.
Layer Up & Embrace Outdoor Play
British weather shouldn’t be an excuse for staying indoors. The Scandinavians have long embraced the philosophy that there’s no such thing as bad weather, only inappropriate clothing. Invest in proper waterproofs, warm layers, and decent wellies, and suddenly those damp, grey November days become opportunities for puddle jumping, mud pie making, and woodland adventures.
Nature doesn’t shut down for winter; it transforms. Make the seasonal changes part of the adventure by going on leaf-collecting walks to create art projects at home, looking for signs of animals preparing for winter, or seeing how many different types of fungi you can spot. The engagement with nature adds an educational element to the physical activity, making it feel less like forced exercise and more like exploration.
Create Indoor Active Zones
When it genuinely is too grim outside, you need backup plans. Transform part of your home into an active space, though this doesn’t require expensive equipment. A few cushions become an obstacle course, hallways turn into bowling alleys with plastic bottles and a soft ball, and doorframes can accommodate pull-up bars for older children.
Dance sessions are brilliantly effective for burning energy indoors. Let the kids choose the music (within reason) and have impromptu kitchen discos before dinner. Alternatively, yoga and stretching routines designed for children can help with flexibility and body awareness while keeping them moving when space is limited.
Sometimes, the best way to ensure regular activity is to commit to structured classes. Signing up children for football classes for kids provides consistent weekly exercise, develops skills, and offers social interaction during months when outdoor play is less appealing. The commitment of a paid class also provides motivation when motivation is otherwise lacking; you’re far more likely to get everyone out the door for something you’ve booked and paid for than for an impromptu park visit.
Look beyond traditional sports, too. Trampolining centres have boomed in recent years, swimming pools offer respite from grey skies, and climbing walls cater to various age groups and abilities. Many leisure centres run winter holiday programmes specifically designed to keep children active during half-term breaks.
Make Use Of Free Local Resources
Most communities have more free active resources than parents realise. Local parks often have outdoor gym equipment suitable for older children and teenagers, while many councils maintain all-weather sports courts where kids can play basketball or tennis regardless of the weather. Some areas have parkrun junior events (free, timed 2km runs held on Sunday mornings) that combine activity with a sense of achievement.
Libraries frequently host active story sessions for younger children that incorporate movement and dance, and community centres may run free or low-cost activity sessions during school holidays. It’s worth checking your local council website for what’s available in your area.
Active Indoor Alternatives
When outdoor plans are genuinely scuppered by weather, think creatively about indoor alternatives. Soft play centres are the obvious choice for younger children, but don’t overlook ice skating rinks, bowling alleys, and indoor adventure centres that offer climbing, zip lining, and obstacle courses.
Museums and larger attractions often involve more walking than you’d think. A trip to a science museum or historic house with extensive grounds can easily clock up several thousand steps while keeping children engaged and learning.
Cooking & Baking: Active Kitchen Time
Don’t underestimate the physical activity involved in cooking and baking with children. Kneading bread dough provides an excellent arm workout, whisking ingredients builds strength, and the standing, reaching, and movement required for meal preparation all contribute to daily activity levels. Beyond the physical benefits, cooking offers practical life skills and can be genuinely engaging for children who might resist more traditional forms of exercise.
Winter is the perfect season for baking projects. Making bread from scratch requires proper kneading (at least 10 minutes of arm work), while biscuit and cookie recipes involve rolling, cutting, and decorating. Older children can tackle more complex recipes like homemade pizza dough or cinnamon rolls, which require physical effort to work the dough properly.
Encourage children to take ownership of entire meals. Let them plan a family dinner, help with the shopping list, and then lead the cooking process. The physical activity of chopping vegetables, stirring pots, and preparing ingredients adds up, and the life skills gained are invaluable. For younger children, simple tasks like washing vegetables, tearing herbs, or mashing potatoes all involve movement and coordination.
Baking also creates natural opportunities for maths practice (measuring ingredients), science learning (watching dough rise, understanding how heat changes food), and following sequential instructions. The reward of eating something they’ve made themselves provides immediate gratification that reinforces the activity.
Consider setting monthly cooking challenges: perhaps mastering a new cuisine each month, trying a different baking technique, or working through a children’s cookbook together. These projects give structure to darker evenings and provide alternatives to screen time whilst keeping hands and bodies busy.
Set Active Challenges
Children often respond well to gamification. Create a winter activity bingo card with different activities to tick off; maybe they need to do star jumps in five different outdoor locations, or complete a certain number of garden laps before the end of November. Fitness trackers or step-counting apps can work well for older children, giving them concrete goals and visible progress.
Family challenges work too. Perhaps everyone tries to walk 100 miles before Christmas, or the family collectively aims for a certain number of active minutes each week. Making it collaborative rather than competitive keeps it fun and motivates everyone, adults included.
Consider The Weather, Not Just The Temperature
Remember that British winter weather varies enormously. A cold, bright day is often more pleasant for outdoor activity than a mild, drizzly one, so check the weather each morning and be flexible with plans. If there’s a break in the rain or a rare sunny spell forecast, take advantage of it, even if it means shuffling other plans around.
Equally, don’t assume every winter day will be miserable. We often get beautiful crisp mornings perfect for outdoor play, and children generally cope with cold far better than adults expect, especially once they’re moving.
The Mental Health Bonus
Beyond the obvious physical benefits, keeping children active during winter months has significant mental health advantages. Seasonal affective disorder doesn’t only affect adults; children can experience low mood and energy during darker months, too. Physical activity, particularly outdoors, helps regulate mood, improves sleep, and maintains energy levels through winter.
Getting outside also provides essential vitamin D exposure during months when it’s in shorter supply. Even on overcast days, outdoor light levels are higher than indoor lighting, which helps regulate sleep patterns.
The Bottom Line
The key to winter activity is consistency rather than intensity. Regular, moderate activity beats sporadic intense exercise, and building active habits now sets patterns that last throughout childhood and beyond. Yes, it requires more effort than summer’s spontaneous outdoor play, but the rewards (healthier, happier, better-sleeping children) make it entirely worthwhile.
Once upon a time, British Baker reported that us Brits haven’t exactly embraced the pumpkin pie (preferring our traditional apple crumbles and treacle tarts, thank you very much).
That was seven years ago, and how times have changed since. Lately, we’ve gone absolutely mad for pumpkin spice in all its glorious forms. Pumpkin spice lattes? Can’t get enough. Pumpkin spice candles? Obsessed. And in nearly every major supermarket this autumn, you can find cans of pumpkin pie filling. If you’re not yet a convert, consider this your gentle nudge to give it a proper go.
Here’s the thing – if you’re a fan of a good custard pie, you’ll almost certainly love pumpkin pie. It’s not that different, really. The texture is the same; the only real difference is the addition of that gorgeous autumnal pumpkin flavour and those warming spices.
There are of course other pies on the menu for Thanksgiving, including pecan, apple and even the odd key lime pie if you want more of a refreshing finale. So, whether you’re hosting a full-blown Thanksgiving feast (turkey and all the trimmings included), or simply fancy a slice of something sweet and seasonal with your afternoon coffee, the capital’s pie game has evolved considerably in recent years, and is here to help. From flaky-crusted pumpkin numbers to sticky-sweet pecan perfection, here’s where to find the best Thanksgiving pies in London.
Hummingbird Bakery, Notting Hill
Ideal for when only the American bakery OG will do…
We had to start here, didn’t we? There’s nowhere better than London’s favourite American bakery for a Thanksgiving pie. Their pumpkin pie has been on the menu since Hummingbird first opened their doors back in 2004, and come late November, every American expat in Notting Hill (of which there are many) makes a beeline for this place like it’s the Macy’s Parade itself. You can spot them from a mile off – that look of desperate homesickness mixed with pure pie-induced joy, probably muttering something about missing their mum’s cooking.
The Hummingbird’s 8-inch pie is priced at £34, which isn’t cheap, but this is the benchmark against which all other pumpkin pies should be measured in London. The filling has that slight wobble and delicate hint of spice – just as the best ones should be. It’s even better served warm. A word to the wise though: be careful not to over warm your pie in the oven – pumpkin custard can easily overcook and lose that perfect texture.
Hummingbird’s pecan pie is almost as good. Crunchy pecans and a golden pastry pie crust make for a dessert that tastes simply decadent when warmed and topped with cold pouring cream. Wonderfully gooey and nutty and made to an authentic North Carolina recipe, the texture of this particular version is undeniably superior to most pecan pies you’ll find elsewhere.
Nothing hits the spot quite like their golden apple pie, either. Classically delicious and packed with fruit, Hummingbird’s 8-inch apple pie delivers exactly what you want from this British-American hybrid – a tart, sweet fruit filling that hasn’t been thickened into submission, encased in pastry that actually tastes of butter rather than commercial shortening. Heaven.
Locations: Multiple locations across London including Notting Hill, South Kensington, Soho, and Spitalfields
Panzer’s Delicatessen, St John’s Wood
Ideal for pies from a legendary New-York style deli doing Thanksgiving right…
Panzer’s is a St John’s Wood institution that has been around since 1944, opened by two refugees – Mr. Panzer from Austria and Mr. Vogl from Czechoslovakia. While the deli is famous for hand-sliced Scottish smoked salmon and freshly baked bagels all year round, come autumn they turn their considerable baking expertise to pumpkin pie.
The filling here strikes that difficult balance between spice and subtlety – here pumpkin puree is blended with caster sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves, without any single flavour dominating. It’s perfectly judged. The pastry work benefits from decades of baking experience, and it shows – there’s a good snap to the base. Although best served warm, the pumpkin pie is equally good chilled if you’re one of those people who prefers cold pie straight from the fridge. A dollop of whipped cream wouldn’t go amiss either way.
Their pecan pie deserves equal billing. That generous layer of pecans on top delivers a burst of pecan crunch, whilst underneath sits a gooey, caramelised filling that walks the line between sweet and too-sweet with impressive precision.
While you’re here, stock up on other Thanksgiving essentials; you can get your hands on everything from Jiffy Corn Muffin Mix to Pepe Saya Butter, the latter great for pepping up your candied yams. Oh, and Panzer’s also sells The Kelly Bronze turkey – widely considered the Rolls-Royce of British turkeys. You might as well sort your entire feast in one fowl swoop, then.
That, or you can let Panzer’s do the cooking; they host an annual Thanksgiving Lunch on the last Wednesday and Thursday of November.
Konditor’s pumpkin pie delivers exactly what you want from this Thanksgiving classic – creamy pumpkin filling bursting with traditional spices and set in a buttery shortbread base. It’s a taste of pure Americana, and at £32 for a 6-inch pie that serves 6 generous portions, it’s actually decent value compared to some of the eye-watering prices elsewhere on this list.
Don’t stop at the pumpkin-based classic, though. Konditor’s toffee apple crumble is a proper autumn showstopper – shortbread pastry filled with fresh Bramley apples, topped with vanilla crumble and a swirl of rich toffee sauce. Technically this one is more British than American, but no matter what side of the pond you come from, it’s the kind of dessert that makes you want to grab a spoon and abandon all pretence of sharing.
And for the pecan pie devotees? Konditor delivers an American classic for Thanksgiving with Californian pecans combined with a gooey caramel filling, baked into their buttery shortbread base. It won this year’s Great Taste Awards – the proof is in the pudding, indeed.
One of the great things about a pecan pie is that the sweet intensity of the dish is so pronounced that you only need a small slice (much like our own treacle tart). We’re told that this 9- inch pie serves up to 8 generous portions. However, in our humble opinion, this pecan pie will likely feed twice as many people as you’d expect. That said, whether those portions remain ‘generous’ depends entirely on your self-control when faced with sticky-sweet pecan perfection.
With locations in Waterloo (their original flagship store), Holborn, and the City, plus London-wide delivery, Konditor makes it easy to get your Thanksgiving pie fix wherever you are in town.
This American cafe and bake shop is based on the ground floor of the Lyric Theatre in Hammersmith, opening out onto Lyric Square – a lovely spot to grab a slice of pie and watch the world go by. Billing themselves as authentic American soul food, Outsider Tart’s pies certainly hit the spot. Their 9-inch pumpkin (which has a really pumpkin-y filling) and pecan pies clock in at £33.75 and both have beautiful golden-brown crusts with a nicely crimped edge, which is all you could ask for, really.
Can’t make it to Lyric Square, Hammersmith? No worries – every week the team at Outsider Tart spread the love by bringing their delicious baked goodies to markets at King’s Cross Station, Euston, Canopy and Greenwich Station. The beauty of tracking them down at markets is the thrill of the chase, really. Check out their socials for market schedules, and maybe text ahead to reserve if you’re dead set on a particular flavour.
At £49.95, Gaya’s pumpkin pie isn’t a casual midweek dessert purchase – it’s a Thanksgiving statement. It’s worth the splurge; a rich, slow-baked spiced pumpkin custard filling encased in a flaky all-butter pie crust, topped with sweet maple whipped cream and toasted pumpkin seeds.
The toasted pumpkin seeds are a particularly nice touch – that textural contrast between the silky custard filling and the nutty crunch is chef’s kiss. If you’re hosting and want to genuinely impress rather than just feed people, this is your move. Worth every penny, particularly if someone else is paying. This pie makes the perfect end to your Thanksgiving dinner or other autumnal festivities, and looks absolutely stunning as a centrepiece.
Gaya’s is only open to the public on Fridays and Saturdays. However, you can order the pumpkin pie online and collect it – also available for local delivery.
Ideal for home delivery only pies with an incredible backstory…
Beverly Hills is a delivery-only place based in Camden, with an intriguing past, so stick with us here as owner Rosa de Souza’s story is well worth knowing. To cut a long story short, Rosa was a young migrant and refugee displaced by political turmoil in Tanzania in the 1970s, moved to London in the ’90s, and now has a baking empire.
She has had quite the career, working as a patisserie supplier to London’s leading luxury department stores – we’re talking Harrods, Harvey Nichols, Fortnum & Mason and leading London luxury hotels. Oh, and her bakery has delivered gifts to all the UK prime ministers of the last 20 years, provided treats for the Royal Family and Royal Births, and counts music, film, TV and sports stars amongst its clientele.
That’s some heritage, and you can taste it in the signature 11-inch pumpkin pie, which features a sweet pastry base coupled with perfectly seasoned pumpkin custard. The pecan pie here is equally famous – with a golden syrup base, sweet pastry crust and a coating of the finest pecans. Both pies are ideal for Thanksgiving, Christmas, or literally any Tuesday when you fancy treating yourself. As they say at Beverly Hills “Any time is pie time!”. It’s hard to argue with that philosophy, really.
And whilst it’s not strictly a pie (we know, we know), their apple and cinnamon cake deserves a mention. An incredibly tasty, moist, traditional apple sponge topped with freshly picked Bramley apples, seasoned with vanilla and cinnamon, it’s perfect for dessert whether served cold or hot with cream or custard. Sometimes the best things aren’t quite what you were looking for.
Ideal for American pies from a New York via London institution…
This Covent Garden institution has been serving up proper American comfort food for decades (since 1977, in fact) and their New Yorker’s pecan tart with vanilla ice cream is more or less a permanent fixture for good reason; it’s superb. Coming as an individually portioned pie, the pecan crunch is the perfect contrast to its gooey richness. Joe Allen’s warm apple pie with custard is another crowd-pleaser – a beautiful collision of British custard meeting American apple pie in perfect harmony.
It’s theatre district dining done right, ideal for a post-show dessert that feels both indulgent and nostalgic. Sit at the bar, order a piece of pie without irony and wash it down with one of their classic American cocktails.
Should you wish to have more than just a pie, you can get tickets for Joe Allen’s full-on Thanksgiving feast at just £65 a person, which ends with a choice of pumpkin pie, warm apple pie or a traditional New York baked cheesecake with a seasonal fruit compote. Could that mean cranberries? Your guess is as good as ours.
Christopher’s is a classic American restaurant in the heart of Covent Garden (there must be something in the water here). A regular on the dessert menu here when autumn comes around is the pecan pie, which comes with salted caramel ice cream and candied pecans. The rich crumbliness of the pastry with the nutty-forward topping and caramel sweetness – it’s pure pecan pie perfection.
If you’re desperately craving just a slice of that sticky-sweet pecan hit, this is the place to come. Christopher’s is a pie that is well and truly dressed up – presented in dessert form rather than just a slice of pie. The salted caramel ice cream is a nice touch – the salt somehow cutting through the sweetness just enough to make you feel like you could probably manage another slice. Probably. Possibly. Hang on, it’s just hit us; perhaps not. Anyway, the chopped nuts on top of the pie and on the side are another nice touch, adding body and that all-important nuttiness to every bite. Yep, this is a pecan pie where the pecans do most of the talking.
Ideal for a Thanksgiving trio of pies from a Michelin-starred chef…
Michelin-starred chef Wolfgang Puck’s American steak restaurant brings serious credentials to their Thanksgiving offerings. The menu features a quintessentially American trio of pies: pumpkin pie with cranberry compote, pecan pie with whipped crème fraîche, and for something more refreshing, a key lime pie to round off the feast.
Now, about that price. At £210 per person for the full Thanksgiving experience, this is decidedly not your average Thursday night supper. But if you’re the sort for whom that figure doesn’t immediately induce mild palpitations, this Mayfair destination delivers the complete American feast with all the bells, whistles, and probably a small parade tucked away somewhere.
Is it worth it? Well, that rather depends on who’s picking up the bill, doesn’t it?
Whether you’re a Thanksgiving purist who takes their pumpkin pie very seriously indeed, or just someone who enjoys a good slice of something sweet and seasonal (aren’t we all?), London’s autumnal pie scene has properly matured in recent years. From market stalls to Mayfair dining rooms, from delivery-only operations run by baking legends to neighbourhood bakeries perfecting their crusts, there’s a Thanksgiving pie out there for every budget, every occasion, and every craving.
Just remember to order ahead if you’re not dining in. These beauties have a habit of selling out faster than you can work out how to pronounce “pecan” (is it pee-can or puh-kahn? The eternal question). Happy pie hunting!
Las Palmas, the bustling cosmopolitan capital of Gran Canaria, is arguably the gem in the Canary Islands’ sparkling crown. Located in Gran Canaria’s leafy north and with year-round sunshine, golden beaches, historical sites and mouthwatering cuisine, this vibrant city offers a pleasing variety of experiences to suit just about every traveller. If you’re planning a visit to this Spanish paradise, here are 12 of the best things to do in Las Palmas, Gran Canaria.
Stroll Along Las Canteras Beach
One of the world’s top urban beaches, Las Canteras offers over three kilometres of golden sand and crystal-clear waters. This is a perfect spot for a morning jog, a leisurely walk, or even a sunset picnic. The bustling promenade lined with local restaurants and vibrant cafes is perfect for people-watching or sampling local Canarian dishes. It’s also an area with one of the best holiday rentals in Gran Canaria, boasting both luxury accommodation options and more budget-friendly places.
Visit The Casa de Colón
Dive into history by visiting the Casa de Colón, where it’s believed Christopher Columbus prepared for his voyage to the Americas. This beautiful Canary-Island-style house serves as an intriguing museum, showcasing exhibits on pre-Columbian cultures, navigation history and Columbus’s journey.
Explore Vegueta – The Old Town
A walk through the narrow, cobbled streets of Vegueta is like stepping back in time. This UNESCO World Heritage site, lined with colourful colonial houses, charming Spanish architecture, and the stunning Santa Ana Cathedral, offers a glimpse into the city’s rich history and culture.
Experience Local Cuisine At Mercado De Vegueta
Nestled in the heart of the old town is the bustling Mercado de Vegueta. This traditional Canarian market is a food lover’s paradise. Here, you can sample a wide array of local produce, traditional cheeses, artisan breads, and fresh seafood.
Fine Dining, Gran Canaria Style
After sampling some local, traditional food at Mercado de Vegueta, we thought we’d explore some of Las Palmas’s options for fine dining. Home to an innovative, forward-thinking take on Canary Islands cuisine, Michelin-starred restaurant Tabaiba is the place to be. Other culinary highlights in the capital include Bevir, De Contrabando, Qué Leche and El Santo.
Hike The Caldera De Bandama
For nature and hiking enthusiasts, Caldera de Bandama, a volcanic crater located just outside the city, is a must visit. The panoramic views from the top are extraordinary, and the trail leading down to the bottom of the crater presents a unique flora and fauna landscape.
Enjoy Shopping On Calle Mayor de Triana
Fashionistas will enjoy a stroll down Calle Mayor de Triana, a pedestrianised street boasting stylish boutiques, shops, and department stores. This shopping street, lined with historic buildings and welcoming terraces, adds a special charm to the shopping experience.
Discover The Jardín Canario
The Jardín Canario, also known as the Canarian Botanical Garden, is home to a vast array of indigenous plants. This verdant haven of tranquillity is perfect for a leisurely walk or a quiet moment of reflection, amidst nature’s beauty.
Visit The Elder Museum Of Science and Technology
This interactive museum offers an educational adventure for both children and adults. With a range of exhibits on science, technology and the cosmos, the Elder Museum is a fun and informative way to spend a day.
Attend A Concert At The Alfredo Kraus Auditorium
To end your day, attend a live concert at the Alfredo Kraus Auditorium. This unique, wave-shaped building is an iconic part of the Las Palmas skyline, offering an eclectic programme of music, film and cultural events.
Experience The Underwater World At Poema Del Mar Aquarium
Situated near the port where many Canary Islands cruises dock, Poema del Mar is one of the most advanced aquariums in the world. It’s a popular first stop for passengers arriving by sea — and by going on a Canary Islands cruise, you’re sure to make an everlasting memory, whether that’s watching whale pods off Tenerife or island-hopping between volcanic landscapes.
The aquarium houses marine species from ecosystems across the globe, but the standout is the ‘Deep Sea’ exhibit: a 36-metre curved window that makes you feel properly submerged.
Get A Panoramic View Of The City From Mirador De Las Palmas
No trip to Las Palmas is complete without a visit to the Mirador de Las Palmas. This viewpoint offers an expansive panorama of the city, including the bustling harbour, historic districts, and the expansive sea. It’s an excellent spot for photographers and anyone wishing to appreciate the city’s beauty from a bird’s eye view. And it’s from that keen vantage point that we’re going to bid you farewell; we think we’ll stay here a while.
Bangkok’s Khao San Road is known across the globe as being the meeting point of the world’s backpacker community – with all the ephedrine heavy buckets, poorly rolled joints, and questionable ukulele performances that entails.
Though its status today feels almost self-perpetuating, the hugely iconic strip – actually just 400 metres in length – has been through many iterations in its illustrious, often infamous past.
Just 150 years ago, Banglamphu, the district where Khao San Road does its thing, was the epicentre of the world’s rice trade, with traders ferrying rice from markets in the area along the district’s dirt tracks and alleys to canal boats waiting on the Chao Phraya River, ready to transport the revered grain further afield.
As CNN explain of Khao San Road; ‘’the cobbled strip wasn’t grand enough to be named after a historic Thai figure or nation-building principle, unlike other city thoroughfares, so it was simply called Soi Khao San (Milled Rice Lane).’’
Fast forward a century to the 1970s, and Bangkok had become a major focus of the South East Asian ‘hippy trail’, with savvy locals seeing an opportunity, and opening up small guest houses in and around Khao San Road to bring in tourists, its proximity to the Grand Palace, the affordable Chao Phraya River transport network, and tight knit, traditional streets appealing to travellers seeking something ‘authentic’.
By the mid ‘90s, Khao San Road was a heaving mix of hedonistic travellers, lost souls, and curious voyeurs, here for swapping tales over bargain drinks and, often, other easy to come-by vices.
Then, The Beach happened, with the cult Alex Garland book adding to the notoriety of the strip, the first seven chapters set on Khao San Road.
At the height of the road’s powers – just before the pandemic changed everything – Khao San Road was receiving a whopping 50’000 tourists every single day during high season, before the Bangkok Metropolitan Authority announced a $1.6 million investment to turn it into an ‘’international walking street’’, with all the regulation and gentrification that implies.
Roads would be repaved, the number of vendors curbed (in more ways than one), and curfews on its bars and clubs more strictly enforced.
Then COVID hit, decimating business, and Khao San Road became a ghost town, affecting bars, guest houses, and the surrounding neighbourhood’s once prosperous street food vendors.
They’re arguably returning to a gentrified version of the once wild thoroughfare. The cannabis consumption is now government-approved (kind of), most of the buckets replaced with cocktails, the ukulele with tasteful, meandering jazz, and the crowd a little older and wiser.
Of course, come night, the main still drag begins to swell with a sea of late night revellers. Local bar promoters line the street, beckoning you in with deals on buckets and balloons. Hawkers still sell tourists scorpions on sticks, and now crocodile meat, too, which has actually become popular with locals as pork prices surge. However, it’s not quite as raucous as it once was.
Fortunately, the shophouses and street food vendors of Banglamphu have come roaring back, with woks fired up and grills burning. We couldn’t be happier.
If you’re looking for the very best eating options in the area, then it’s advisable to stray a little away from the famous strip, instead embracing the surrounding streets in search of a properly good supper. With that in mind, look no further than our guide to the best Thai street food close to Khao San Road, Bangkok.
Khun Lek Porridge, Atsadang Road
Though Khun Lek may be prosaically known as a ‘porridge restaurant’, there’s plenty more than just a sustaining bowl of the good stuff to be found at this canteen-like establishment a ten minute walk south from Khao San Road.
Khun Lek Porridge serves bowls of rice congee (khao tom), with simple, totally delicious trays of curries and stir-fries, pickles and steamed vegetables, laid out for customers to have spooned over a plate alongside. Well, two plates actually – pink ones are 10 baht and blue ones (usually more protein heavy) are 20, with the rice soup itself just 3 baht and the ice water free.
For the traveller eating around Bangkok on a budget, this is a fantastic option; you won’t pay more than 50 baht (£1.20) for the privilege of a properly nourishing feed. Don’t miss the salted duck egg salad or clams stir-fried in chilli jam; just delicious.
Chef Andy Yang has some serious pedigree, having won a Michelin star for his New York restaurant Rhong Tiam back in 2010 and, more recently, with Table 38 back in his native Bangkok. Though both have now sadly closed, you’ll find the same smart cooking sensibilities of chef Yang at Pad Thai Fai La Tu, a five minute walk from Khao San Road.
The signature dish here is the pad Thai moo yang, which sees grilled slices of pork neck laid invitingly over a bed of Thailand’s famous noodle dish. Regarded as one of the best pad Thais in Bangkok, this one is not to be missed if hunger hits while you’re on Khao San Road.
Image Via Pad Thai Fai La TuImage Via Pad Thai Fai La Tu
Kim Sia, Tanao Road
If you’ve ever seen the image of an ornate green bowl on the facade of a Bangkok shophouse, inside a good feed is likely to be found. That’s because it’s the emblem of Thai’s own version of the Michelin Guide, Shell ShuanShim; an indicator of fresh food and high quality cooking.
Kim Sia is one such acclaimed place, and at this small shophouse just off Tanao Road you’ll find a fantastically light bowl of clear soup, a noodle of your choice, and the restaurant’s house-made fish balls, all for just 40 baht. For an extra 10 baht, you’ll want to add some deep-fried wonton sheets, which bring crunch and savour to this most delicate of dishes.
The beauty of Hero Moo Plara lies in its timing. Open 24 hours a day, this Isaan grill near the entrance of Khao San Road serves grilled meat skewers when you need them most, whether that’s a post-party stumble at 3am or lunch after exploring the Grand Palace.
The setup is straightforward: charcoal-grilled pork and beef skewers served with sticky rice, fresh cabbage, and cucumber. What elevates this beyond standard moo ping is the dipping sauce, which is spiked generously with pla ra (fermented fish). That funky, pungent sauce gives the whole affair its character, the kind of intensely savoury punch that divides diners into camps of devotion or retreat.
The pork skewers arrive with decent char from the grill, fatty enough to stay juicy, whilst the beef holds its own alongside. Everything’s cooked to order over charcoal, giving you that smoky edge that defines good street food grilling. The sticky rice does its job soaking up the sauce, and the raw vegetables provide necessary crunch and relief between bites.
Service is brisk, prices are street food rates (a set of pork and beef skewers, and sticky rice is just 100 baht), and despite the proximity to tourist central, the crowd skews heavily local.
Address: Talat Yot, near the entrance of Khaosan Road, Bangkok 10200, Thailand
Sae Phun, Mahannop Road
Another street food staple done with real grace and character close to Khao San Road is the chicken stew with rice served over on Mahannop Road, at the esteemed Sae Phun.
With almost 100 years of experience and queues that stretch for seemingly as long, the recipe here (the grandfather of the family’s) is a closely guarded secret, and it’s easy to understand why; for a dish so simple, there’s real magic sprinkled over this version, with the gravy glossy and umami-heavy.
Order yours with a side of fried slices of lap cheong Chinese sausage and a deep-fried egg, and luxuriate in comfort food in its purest form.
Read: The best Thai fine dining and Michelin-starred restaurants in Bangkok
Kuay Tiew Ped Yang Banglamphu (Original), Chakrapong Road
Another shophouse with a proud history – and one of the best places to eat near Khao San Road – is Kuay Tiew Ped Yang Banglamphu (Original).
Yep, you know when a street food vendor puts ‘Original’ in the title, there’s been some serious imitation/flattery of their signature dish going on. The signature dish in question? Roasted then braised duck, served over egg noodles and all bathing in a five-spice rich soup given sweetness via oyster sauce and both dark and light soy. All yours for just 70 baht.
Even those with the most rudimentary grasp of the Thai culinary canon will be familiar with tom yum gung, the hot and sour prawn soup ubiquitous across The Kingdom.
What visitors to Khao San Road might be surprised to hear is that one of the city’s finest renditions is found just a shell’s throw away on Kraisi Road.
Here, at Tom Yum Gung Banglamphu Original (there it is again), you’ll find just a clutch of streetlevel metal tables and brightly coloured stools, and a big vat of aromatic stock bubbling gently right in the middle of the street.
Order verbally (we’re yet to see a menu here), and uncle will make you a fresh bowl to order, spooning a ladleful of soup base into a new pan brimming with freshly bruised aromats, including makrut lime leaf, lemongrass, galangal and, of course, chillis. River prawns are added before the final seasonings of fish sauce and lime and, just like that; streetside ambrosia.
If you’re craving your fix of Thai Muslim food close to Khao San Road, then Aheesah Roddee, just a few hundred yard’s away on Tanee Road, is arguably your best bet.
The star dish here is the khao mok neua, the Thai version of biriyani here served with beef that’s been braised low and slow, as well as a nourishing oxtail soup for those who haven’t had their fill of protein yet. A few slices of cucumber and the classic accompaniment of a verdant, vinegar-spiked dipping sauce see you on your way.
Stop! We certainly wouldn’t let you leave Aheesah Roddee without first ordering a few chicken satay sticks; have them go as you stroll back to Khao San Road, making those eating on the main drag very jealous indeed.
We finish up with dessert, at the celebrated Kor Panich right next to Bangkok’s Grand Palace. Here, there’s no danger of the paradox of choice rendering you silent; though Kor Panich does several sticky rice based desserts superbly, it’s especially famous for its unparalleled mango sticky rice.
An 80 year old family recipe sees the most perfectly pandan-scented sticky rice given the sweet/salty treatment so beloved of Thai dessert-makers via seasoned coconut cream, with more of that cream served in a jug on the side for extra indulgence. Only the most ripe of elegantly peeled Thai mangos complete the plate.
You might want to sit down for this one (seating is available in the old shophouse); it’s pure nectar.
And with that, our eating here is done. But not before to Bangkok’s hippest neighbourhood Ari, for some superb som tum and seafood at Lay Lao. Care to join us?
Have you ever noticed how scents linger in your kitchen, both good and, erm, not so good? Last night’s roast turbot can quickly become tomorrow’s loitering odour, whilst lunchtime’s confit garlic on toast isn’t far from being tonight’s guest who’s outstayed their welcome.
And don’t get us started on the fruit bowl. Seemingly a still-life at first glance, flip that satsuma over and there’s mayhem lurking underneath.
Sometimes, homeowners can be inured to these lingering scents, noseblind to the stench that their kitchens are giving off. That’s why keeping your kitchen smelling fresh and clean preemptively and proactively is so important, particularly in these colder months when windows remain resolutely closed and ventilation is reduced. Anyway, here’s how to do just that.
Act Quickly
Let’s start with the absolute basics: the golden rule for preventing kitchen odours is to address spills and messes immediately. Wipe up that splattered tomato sauce whilst it’s still fresh, rather than letting it bake onto the hob during your next cooking session. The same goes for the inside of your microwave – that exploded pasta sauce might seem harmless now, but leave it a few days and you’ll have a pungent problem on your hands. A quick wipe-down after cooking takes seconds but saves you from a much bigger cleaning job (and lingering smells) later on.
Proper Ventilation
Though it’s perhaps best filed under the ‘cure’ rather than ‘prevention’ column, ensuring proper ventilation in your kitchen is the key to eliminating odours. Install a range hood or exhaust fan above your stove to capture and remove cooking fumes and smells. Make it a habit to turn on the fan or open windows while cooking to allow fresh air to circulate. Simples.
Don’t overlook your air vents themselves, which can accumulate dust, grease, and grime over time, reducing their efficiency and potentially contributing to stale air in your kitchen. Consider investing in quality air vent covers that are easy to remove and clean regularly. A quick wipe-down of these covers every few weeks will ensure your ventilation system is working at its best, allowing fresh air to flow freely and cooking odours to escape efficiently. It’s a small detail that can make a significant difference to your kitchen’s air quality.
Deep Cleaning
Regular deep cleaning is crucial for maintaining a fresh-smelling kitchen. Pay attention to the following areas, especially:
Appliances – Clean your oven, microwave, refrigerator, and dishwasher regularly to prevent food residue and spills from causing unpleasant odours. These kitchen appliance cleaning tips will offer more insight on that most thrilling of topics.
Countertops – Wipe down countertops with a mild detergent to remove any lingering food smells.
Sink & Drain – Keep your sink clean and free from food debris. Regularly flush your drain with boiling water and baking soda to prevent any build-up that can cause foul odours. We’ll dive a little deeper down this particular plughole a little later on, by the way.
Rubbish Bin – Empty your bin regularly and clean it thoroughly, inside and out, to avoid unpleasant smells, perhaps soaking the offending article in a mix of bleach and warm water every few days. Consider using bin bags with odour-absorbing properties, too.
Odour Absorbers
Utilise natural odour absorbers to neutralise unpleasant smells in your kitchen, which isn’t only more affordable than regular cleaning products, but is also better for both your health and the environment.
Baking Soda – Place an open box of baking soda in your fridge to absorb any lingering food odours. You can also sprinkle baking soda in your bin and sink to eliminate unwanted smells.
White Vinegar – Wipe down surfaces, such as countertops and cutting boards, with a solution of white vinegar and water to neutralise odours.
Coffee Grounds – Keep a small bowl of coffee grounds on your countertop to absorb strong smells, like fish or garlic.
Indoor Plants – Place indoor plants, such as popular culinary herbs or aromatic flowers, in your kitchen to add a natural fragrance and improve air quality. Plus, when you need a little rosemary, all you have to do is reach over and pluck!
Simmer Potpourri – Create a simmer potpourri by boiling a mixture of citrus peels, cinnamon sticks, and cloves in water. This will infuse your kitchen with a refreshing aroma.
One of the most common culprits behind a smelly kitchen is an unclean, clogged drain. Food particles, grease, and other waste can accumulate in your sink drain over time, causing foul odours to rise from your sink. Regular drain maintenance is crucial in keeping your kitchen smelling fresh.
It’s essential to avoid clogging your drain inadvertently if you’re to keep your kitchen smelling fresh. They recommend that to avoid clogging your kitchen sink and drains, you should always scrape food scraps into the trash or compost bin instead of letting them go down the sink. Regularly pour hot water or a mixture of hot water and vinegar down the drain to break down and flush away any buildup. To catch larger pieces of debris, consider installing a drain screen or strainer.
Finally, dispose of oils and other fats in a responsible manner, rather than pouring them down the sink hole (or in your toilet!). If not, you may well cause a fatberg to form, which can lead to some seriously smelly situations emanating from your drains.
Regularly Refresh Soft Furnishings
Fabrics in your kitchen – tea towels, oven gloves, curtains, and even chair cushions – are surprisingly effective at trapping cooking odours. Make it a habit to wash these items weekly, particularly tea towels which can harbour bacteria and develop that distinctive musty smell.
For curtains and cushion covers, a monthly wash should suffice, though if pets have been hanging around on them, make it significantly more regular. Between washes, hanging these items outside for a few hours can help freshen them naturally. If you’ve got a particularly pungent cooking session planned (we’re looking at you, fish curry), consider removing fabric items from the kitchen beforehand.
Mind Your Wooden Items
Wooden cutting boards, utensils, and countertops can absorb strong odours, particularly from onions, garlic, and raw meat. To keep these items fresh, rub them with half a lemon and coarse salt, scrubbing gently in circular motions. The citric acid helps neutralise odours whilst the salt acts as a gentle abrasive. Leave the mixture on for a few minutes before rinsing with warm water and drying thoroughly.
For particularly stubborn smells, create a paste of baking soda and water, apply it to the wooden surface, and let it sit overnight before rinsing. Regular oiling of wooden items with food-safe mineral oil will also help create a protective barrier against odour absorption.
The Bottom Line
A fresh-smelling kitchen will not only enhance your cooking experience but also make your entire home more inviting. Enjoy a pleasant, clean and green kitchen every day with these tips. We can’t wait to be invited round to your next dinner party!
Though Bath has long been associated with affluence and a certain tendency to the high-falutin, as well as it being one of the UK’s most attractive places for both domestic and international tourism, its restaurant scene has only recently begun to match the city’s fine reputation.
But over the past ten years or so, Bath’s culinary map has become populated with a string of restaurants where the cooking is confident, the prices are reasonable, and the vibes more in tune with what’s happening in London than perhaps any other city of its size here in the UK.
That said, amongst all the hip, happening openings, sometimes all you really want is a pizza. Should you be in Bath and wondering where to eat the best pizza, we’ve got you covered…
The Oven
Ideal for authentic canotto-style Neapolitan pizzas with the occasional twist on a topping…
This little corner of South West England isn’t too blessed with seriously good pizza options, so we’ll jump right in with The Oven, which is, in our minds, the premium pizza spot in the city.
The oven in question, central to the restaurant not only in name but in its prime position in the dining room, is manned by pizzaioli Fabrizio Mancinetti, with the pizzas here loosely based on the Neapolitan canotto style.
Translating as ‘dinghy’ and defined by their imposing, inflated crusts, the dough at The Oven boasts the requisite heft to carry some generous toppings, whether that’s the Sicilian sausage, mushrooms and toasted walnuts, or the goat’s cheese, caramelised red onion, rocket and pine nuts. Yes, nuts on a pizza; trust us, it works.
Ideal for romantic date nights over upscale Italian-American pizza…
Bath’s Bosco bills itself as being ‘inspired by the best pizzerias of Naples and New York’. Having spent plenty of time in the former, we’d venture that Bosco has little in common with the rustic restaurants of Dalle 500 Cupole.
The vibe here, with its marble counter seating, dark wood and brass, instead calls to mind a New York speakeasy.
The pizzas – the bit you’re here for, of course – land somewhere in between the two cities, boasting more structural integrity than a Neopolitan, sure, but also drier than a keenly adorned New Yorker. There’s a central wood-fired oven at play, and the resultant puffy crusts, blistered and burnished in all the right places, make for an eminently satisfying eating experience.
Indeed, on its day these are fine pizzas indeed, boasting premium ingredients imported from the markets of Milan and Rome. Owing to that tendency towards the dry we mentioned, the best pizzas to order here are those that are a little more fully loaded. A case in point is the excellent Calabria, which is hot from ‘nduja and lusciously, liberally anointed with both mascarpone and fior di latte. The tomato base and roasted red onions bring some much needed sweet piquancy. It’s a fine pizza; arguably the best in Bath, quite honestly.
Owing to the dimmed lights and hushed tones of the place, Bosco is one of the city’s most romantic spots for a date night. During the day, the courtyard, a perfect sunspot, thrums with activity, cheer and chatter. The excellent house negronis certainly do no harm whichever way you’re playing it.
Ideal for authentic New Haven-style pizzas from Bath’s cult bakery…
The ground floor at 59 Walcot Street has long been synonymous with some of Bath’s finest sourdough and cinnamon buns that inspire queues around the block and visits from abroad. But as the sun sets, this space undergoes something of a transformation, morphing from artisan bakery into pizzeria, where the same meticulous approach to grain and fermentation gets applied to 18-inch New Haven-style pies.
For the uninitiated, New Haven pizza – or ‘apizza’ as it’s known in the Connecticut vernacular – is all about the crust. Think thin, charred, and chewy, baked at blistering temperatures with a minimal hand on the toppings. It’s a style that relies heavily on ingredient quality, which is precisely where Landrace excels. They mill their own flour from British grains, mushrooms are wild and foraged locally, and they even commission their pepperoni from Westcombe, ensuring every element traces back to proper provenance.
The menu is refreshingly tight. The Little Rendezvous keeps things classic with San Marzano tomato, fior di latte, pecorino and oregano (£25), whilst The Paolo ups the ante with Westcombe pepperoni and grana padano (£35). The Funghi e Bacon – wild mushrooms, bacon, leeks, fior di latte, mushroom cream, rosemary and garlic oil – demonstrates how well this sturdy, wholesome dough handles richer toppings (£32). We’re sure by now you’re raising your eyebrows at those prices, but these are huge sharing pizzas, needing their own plinth to fit on the table and feeding two or three quite capably.
A word to the wise: if you’re dining as a group of four, consider ordering your pizzas sequentially rather than all at once. New Haven-style pizza really sings when it’s piping hot from the oven – that’s when the char and chew are at their best – so staggering your order means everyone gets to enjoy each pie at its optimal temperature and texture. You can order your pies half-and-half, incidentally, which adds to the fun. Anoint it all with the Landrace’s house-made hot honey – a blend of local summer honey and ring of fire chillies from a Bradford-on-Avon grower – is worth adding to absolutely everything.
Note that this isn’t a walk-in-and-grab-a-slice operation. Pizzas are sold whole to sit-down diners on a walk-in basis, though collection (you need to order in advance) is available, too. Either way, pair your pie with one of the organic lagers from Devon’s Gilt & Flint, or go for their rough and ready chilled Sangiovese from Tuscany. Finish up with the house tiramisu, which is ethereally light but somehow still structurally sound, and a damn fine way to end any meal.
This feels like pizza with a pedigree, and we love it.
Ideal for popular, approachable pies in historic Victorian railway surroundings…
Housed in the historic Green Park station – now populated with a whole host of great independent traders – comes Bath Pizza Co., a simple, walk-up to the window affair that happens to sling some of the best pizzas in town.
The now-closed landmark that houses these excellent pizzas boasts an elaborate Victorian railway glass roof, offering shelter from the elements when the semi-alfresco nature of the dining here is threatened by rain. They even have massive heaters for those feeling the cold during winter. That said, when the sun is shining, there’s nowhere more pleasant to eat in Bath.
In case there’s any danger of you forgetting the history of your illustrious surrounds, you’ll find Bath Pizza Co. right next to the old ticketing hall, though dining carriage fare this ain’t.
Instead, these guys were not only National Pizza Awards finalists in 2021, but were also named the ‘Independent Pizza Restaurant of the Year’ by the Pizza, Pasta & Italian Food Association (PAPA), the only formal trade body in the UK representing the Italian food and drink industry.
That’s some serious pizza pedigree, but you’ll be pleased to hear that this is a casual dining spot, with no bookings required. Get yourself a drink from the next door Brasserie Bar and settle in for a great pizza with a side order of history!
Address: Green Park Station, 2-3 Westmoreland Station Rd, Bath BA1 1JB
Ideal for digestible, dietary-friendly pizza bases…
Dough Pizza, close to Bath’s historic Pulteney Bridge, offers a different proposition to the traditional pizzas (or rather, bases) so far installed on our list, in that it’s a customisable affair, allowing diners to choose from a variety of inventive, inclusive doughs, including hemp, seaweed, turmeric and a gluten-free option, all of which appear on the ‘Specials’ section of the menu.
A family-run operation with roots in Puglia, the pizzaiolo here is Emiliano Tunno, a man with pedigree in inventive pizzeria openings across the world, and a mission to make pizzas accessible to all, regardless of their dietary requirements or preferences. We just love the V for Vegan, which sees a khorasan wheat dough topped with vegan cheese, beetroot ‘carpaccio’, courgettes and capers. It’s wonderful.
For a quick, grab-and-go lunch, the pucce – a type of warm southern Italian sourdough bap – are excellent here, too. Divided into regions, our favourite is the Sorrento, which features grilled peppers, aubergines and courgettes, fior di latte mozzarella and rocket. Just delicious.
You’ll find a second branch on Kingsmead Square.
Address: 14-16 The Corridor, Bath BA1 5AP, United Kingdom
Address: 9 Kingsmead Square, Bath BA1 2AB, United Kingdom
Ideal for casual pizza and pints in a classic pub garden…
We end our tour of the best pizzas in Bath in the garden of the Bell Inn, enjoying a slice from what is quite possibly the smallest pizzeria on the planet.
Run (or should that be ridden?) by Angel Ganev, this portable pizzeria sees the budding pizzaiolo pull a miniature oven across the city, delivering pizzas to the hungry masses. Currently stationed at Walcot Street’s Bell Inn, flavours are refined and simple (we imagine there’s not much fridge space for more elaborate toppings!), with the sobrasidita a particular favourite in the IDEAL office. We always add some sliced jalapenos – you should, too!
Pair it with a pint of the pub’s excellent, CAMRA-approved real ale, and settle in for an evening of good drinking and eating.
Address: 103 Walcot St, Bath BA1 5BW, United Kingdom
Ideal for reliable, wallet-friendly sourdough pizzas with a little railway arch ambiance…
The curved iron walls and exposed brick of Bath Spa station’s railway arches now house Franco Manca, where the rumble of trains overhead adds to, rather than detracts from, the space’s raw appeal. Yes, it’s a chain. And yes, an ever-accelerating omnipresence has lead to a kind of standardisation where the standard is noticeably lower than the Brixton Market days of 2008, when their first site’s dedication to faithfully Neapolitan pizza helped kick-start London’s pizza renaissance. But this is still a decent pizza, and one at a remarkably good price-point in today’s economy.
The setup here is stripped back – both in decor and menu. Seven pizzas plus a specials board might seem sparse, but that focus helps keep costs down. Their sourdough bases, proved for 20 hours and fired at 450 degrees in their hulking Neapolitan ovens, have a distinctive tang that’s impossible to fake. The resulting pizzas sport those telltale charred bubbles that pizza geeks obsess over, while remaining light enough that you won’t need to be rolled out the door.
At £6.95 for their most basic pizza, the prices feel like they’ve time-travelled from 2010. The no. 2, their margherita (upgrade to buffalo mozzarella for £3 if you’re feeling flush), proves they can do the classics well, even if it isn’t the finest pizza you’ll ever eat. They get a touch more experimental; Franco’s Favourite features an Amatriciana sauce base, crispy pancetta and pecorino romano D.O.P, and is enjoyably salty.
The terrace in Brunel Square might even catch the evening sun, while you keep one eye on your train and one on the pizzaioli spinning dough.
The Real Italian Pizza Co: A short stroll from the historic Roman Baths, this compact, family-run pizzeria probably won’t give you the best pizza of your life, but if it’s pizza you’re craving (you are; that’s why you’re here) and you can’t get a seat at another restaurant on a tourist-filled day in Bath, then The Real Italian pizza Co will do the job.
Open since 2007, the British-Italian ownership duo of Timothy Coffey and Francesca Addabbo aimed to showcase the pizzas of Addabbo’s childhood in Italy; crisp, light and satisfying.
Image via The Real Italian Co
16 years on, we think it’s safe to say they more or less succeeded in their mission, with a second Real Italian Pizza Co. now open in nearby Cardiff. Try their take on a Full English Breakfast in pizza form (yes, really), which sees Italian sausage, bacon, mushrooms and a fried egg sitting atop the restaurant’s signature tomato sauce and naturally leavened, quick-fired dough. Thankfully, no baked beans make it onto this one.
And if, somehow, you’ve still got room for another course or two, do check out Upstairs at the Landrace, which is only a short walk from all of our selections here (and, indeed, above one of them!), and a brilliant restaurant indeed.
Bristol’s restaurant scene is rightly revered, with Michelin-starred restaurants rubbing shoulders with thriving food markets, and top tapas bars found housed in shipping containers, all with access to some of Britain’s finest produce, right on the city’s doorstep. It’s a heady mix, indeed.
No wonder Bristol was in 2022 named as one of the world’s top 20 food destinations by Travel Mag. It should come as no surprise, then, that the city is home to some mighty fine pizzas, and today, we’re exploring the very best of them.
So, without further ado, here’s our guide on where to find the best pizza in Bristol.
Bertha’s, Wapping Wharf
Ideal for sustainability-focused pizzas with playful, unconventional combinations…
Though Bertha’s opened its doors in Wapping Wharf in August of 2016, the journey of Bertha’s to a fully fledged pizzeria began much earlier, in 2010, as a street food operation serving pizzas from a converted yellow Land Rover to the hungry masses of food festivals and other local events.
Fast forward 13 years, and the pizzeria sits proudly at The Old Gaol Stables at the top of Gaol Ferry Steps, slinging dozens of delicious sourdough pizzas every day. It’s a hugely welcoming place, with co-owner Kate Faragher describing Bertha’s as a friendly neighborhood restaurant that aims to serve simple, affordable food and support local, sustainable producers. What more could you want?
If you think pineapple doesn’t belong on a pizza and you’re a traditionalist to the core, then you’re in for a delicious shock. The playful flavour creators at Bertha go for combinations that you won’t find at your traditional pizzeria and the specials board here is always exciting; think smoked haddock pizza or even a topping featuring sweet and giving peaches.
They also feed vegans very, very well and, again, it’s to the special boards the plant-based pizza lovers among us should turn. On our last visit, spiced roasted beetroot and feta became best friends – the perfect balance of sweet and salty all in one bite.
That said, we’re especially big fans of the Meat & Heat pizza here, which sees the ever trendy chilli honey drizzled over a pepperoni pizza, the spiced, cured sausage made using Gloucester Old Spot; it’s just divine, though you might want to pack a few Rennie for afters.
Pair this one (the pizza, not the antacid tablet) with a lazy, hazy Keller Pils lager from local brewers Lost & Grounded and you’ve got yourself a meal of yeasty deliciousness.
Can’t make it to the restaurant? They have their own frozen range that is stocked in delis, butchers, farmshops and more across Bristol. These restaurant-grade frozen pizzas are an authentic taste of Bertha’s – that’s a proper sourdough base and premium ingredients – just finished in your oven, not theirs.
Ideal for refined ‘Britalian’ pizzettas and takeaway pizzas from intimate neighbourhood restaurant…
Sonny Stores, a family-run restaurant in Bristol serving what’s come to be called ‘Britalian’ food by some, opened its doors during the turbulent times of September 2020. Founded by husband and wife team Mary Glynn and Pegs Quinn, the business was initially conceived as a lockdown delivery-only pizza service called The Lockdown Pizza Company. And what great pizzas they were…
As the national lockdown came to an end, Sonny Stores evolved with the aim of becoming a welcoming space for the community to enjoy a delicious range of seasonal Italian food, made using quality British ingredients. With Mary’s background in hospitality and events management and Pegs’ experience in cooking, particularly Italian cuisine, they have successfully established Sonny Stores as a hugely popular casual dining destination in suburban Southville.
Though the building itself may be intimate, it houses a genuinely superlative dining experience, with dishes crafted by a talented team led by head chef Peg who is a River Café alumnus. Michelin recognition may well soon follow.
That deep, implicit understanding of both Italian food and the art of open-hearted hospitality is apparent in the crowd pleasing pizzetta sold at Sonny Stores. These dinky, dinghy shaped things boast the puffiest of crusts, the most blistered of surfaces, and the most straightforward but well-considered toppings, whether that’s a simple marinara topped with Don Bocarte Cantabrian anchovies, or a provolone ‘rarebit’ pizzetta topped with an egg yolk for extra ooze. Just delicious.
As with Flour and Ash, Bristol-phile Jay Rayner has enjoyed eating here, saying that ‘’they get things absolutely right’’. They most certainly do, and we can’t wait to see what the future holds for this most beloved of Bristol neighbourhood restaurants.
And this just in: Sonny Stores (as per an announcement on their Instagram account) has just revealed that you can order their beloved, larger takeaway pizzas on Uber Eats from The Hatch. Our favourite is Tuscan sausage with burnt onions.
Brislington’s got itself a proper Neapolitan pizzeria, on a barren stretch of residential road that doesn’t exactly feel like it needs one. Scrap that – Birchwood Road feels like just the kind of place for it. L’oro di Napoli does the southern Italian thing without any fuss – puffy crusts with the requisite char, imported ingredients that meet the ol’ AVPN criteria, and a vibe both in the room and on the plate that isn’t trying too hard. With pizza this good, they don’t really need to.
The arancini make a good start if you’re hungry, stuffed with Neapolitan ragù and provola and as heavy as a newborn. Pizza-wise, the Margherita (not bad value at £13) is genuinely all you need, a pitch-perfect version of a classic that no trendier pizzeria in the centre of town could improve on. Now autumn is here, we’re big fans of the salsiccia e friarielli, too – the classic pizza pairing of Italian sausage with Neapolitan broccoli rabe that’s pleasingly hearty on bleaker nights. It’s as close as you’ll get to eating on a chilly Naples evening without the flight.
If you’re feeling flush, fancy or simply curious, the pistachio pizza has pistachio pesto, pistachio mortadella, and crushed pistachios for a cool £18.15 – subtle it ain’t. Dessert-y, it is. Most importantly, it’s delicious. They do fried pizza too, which isn’t something you see everywhere. Ricotta, mozzarella, and your choice of salami or ham, all wrapped up and fried, coming out hot and tasting like a donut. Bliss.
L’oro di Napoli is neighbourhood pizza without pretension, delivered with absolute faith in the ability of the pizzaiolo, the quality of the ingredients, and the universal appeal of authentic pizza. Turn up, eat, leave happy – sometimes, that’s all you need.
Bristol’s latest pizza obsession comes from two chefs who visited over 50 pizzerias across London, Rome, and New York before opening their doors. Rapha Purslow Persighetti and Alberto Noriega Bellissimo (formerly of Pizzarova, which appears a little later on this list, and Grano Kitchen, respectively) have brought something different to Old Market: proper New York-style pizza by the slice.
Since opening in late 2024, Gigi’s has rapidly gained a devoted following. Their sourdough bases are both thin and structurally sound (no floppy tips here), whilst toppings showcase precision without pretension. The pepperoni with hot honey has become a firm favourite, though the Cacio e Pepe runs it close for top billing.
The stripped-back interior features industrial touches and sleek seating that feel effortless rather than studied. It’s walk-ins only, reinforcing the unpretentious neighbourhood joint atmosphere. The New York influence extends beyond just the pizza style—there’s something distinctly NYC about the whole operation, from the confident simplicity of the menu to the bustling energy of service. Sure, you’ll have to turn a blind eye to the hoards of vloggers gurning into their phones about this being the UK’s best pizza in the world, but it’s worth it for a slice of the good stuff.
Ideal for stonebaked pizzas in a BYO-friendly suburban spot…
Something of a thought experiment before we continue; if your local Bristol pizzeria isn’t run by a married couple, then is it a Bristol pizzeria at all?
And so to A Cappella, a popular Wells Road pizzeria run by Paul Stewart and his wife Jennifer. Together, they serve simple, stonebaked pizzas, with the majority of ingredients sourced from Milan and Naples.
Open since 2007 (making it the oldest pizzeria on our list), A Cappella is a little out of the way in Totterdown, but it’s worth making the trip south of the Avon to try the excellent pizza here. So good, in fact, that it’s won several awards, including a prestigious Gold at the PAPA Awards in 2019, an industry celebration of the finest pizza and pasta in the country.
We wouldn’t be surprised if the adjudicators had sampled the Glissandro before awarding that Gold star, with the pizza managing to dexterously juggle the piquant flavours of capers and sundried tomatoes with aplomb, smoothing out those rougher edges with the addition of caramelised onions; an inspired move.
With pizzas available in both medium (12 inches) and large (14) and never topping £15, this is a great place to head with a friend, the option to BYO only making the experience more affordable and affable.
Ideal for pizzas that bridge New York and Naples styles in elegant surroundings…
Drawing inspiration from both New York and Naples, Bosco Pizzeria in Bristol slings out wood-fired pizzas that deftly manage to straddle both the puffy edges of a Neapolitan dough with the crisper base of its American cousin across the pond.
Opened in 2014 on Whiteladies Road with a second following in Clifton Village, Bosco has also expanded to Cheltenham and Bath, the latter’s Milsom Place opening in August of 2021 winning the ‘Best New Restaurant’ award at the Crescent Club awards just a year later.
Images via Bosco
Bosco’s founder, Miles Johnson, was inspired by holidays to Italy and the ingredient-led clarity of Italian cooking and the culture of family dining, and that passion is reflected in the beautiful simplicity of the pizzas, whether that’s the signature Bosco, which is topped with fior di latte, tomato, olive oil and basil, or our favourite order here, the Carciofi, a glorious combination of wood fired artichokes, taleggio and green olive.
The cicchetti – essentially Venetian street food snacks – are great too; don’t miss out on the polpette, whose slow cooked tomato sauce boasts excellent depth of flavour.
Ideal for locally-sourced sourdough pizzas across multiple buzzing locations…
What began in 2013 as a converted Land Rover Defender slinging sourdough pizzas at the south-west’s many, many great festivals has evolved into one of Bristol’s most nimble pizzerias, now with four locations across the city, all heaving and all happy places to spend some time. The formula is as straightforward as any great pizza should me: handmade sourdough bases topped with carefully sourced ingredients from the South West’s finest producers.
Each outpost – whether it’s the buzzing Gloucester Road spot (our go-to), the central Park Street location, the neighbourhood North Street branch, or the elegant Whiteladies Road restaurant – maintains the same commitment to quality that founder Alex Corbett established with that first mobile pizza oven.
Their monthly ‘Ours’ specials demonstrate this dedication perfectly. The current offering (£14.50) showcases their knack for innovative flavour combinations: Glastonbury fior di latte (they’re quite specific about their cheese sourcing), fennel ‘sausage’ from local plant pioneers Simplicity, cavolo nero, and a bright lemon and herb aioli, all finished with crispy onions. It’s a masterclass in balancing textures and flavours, and without any meat in sight.
The drinks list reflects the same locavore philosophy, featuring Bristol Beer Factory’s excellent range, Iford’s craft ciders, and even a bespoke Citrucello (£36 a bottle, so bring a squad) created in collaboration with Circumstance Distillery – perfect for that post-pizza digestif.
The customisation options are an expansive, paradox-of-choice inducing thing – with over 20 toppings available at £1.50-£2.50 each, from Somerset buffalo mozzarella to guindilla chillies, allowing diners to craft their perfect pie. Though with house creations like their Ham, Mushroom & Pineapple pizza (£14) – featuring roast ham, chestnut mushrooms, and their house-made pineapple and chipotle jam – you might be better off trusting the experts.
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
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 Italian provisions, weekend brunch and house-made pasta…
Giovanni Eusebi opened this Park Road deli in 2006, drawing on his Lazio roots and decades importing Italian products. It’s a 20-minute walk or short bus ride from Glasgow Central, but the journey rewards you with one of the city’s finest Italian alimentari. Imported salumi, aged cheeses, house-made pasta, artisan olive oils and carefully curated wines fill every shelf and counter, with a 30-cover dining space at one end if you’re tempted to hang around.
The weekend brunch menu showcases their strengths. The focaccia with Eusebi porchetta features Stobbs Farm belly of pork with giardiniera, fennel relish and skinny fries, and is as good as it sounds. Their Italian royale takes a different approach, with house-made Italian sausage patty from Stobbs farm, a puck of croissant (yep, it’s great), hot honey, burrata and rocket. The sourdough pinsa panino with braised Aberdeen Angus short rib comes with parmesan and pepper aioli, mozzarella, and pickled cucumber. Most sandwiches sit in the high teens, but their quality and generosity warrant that premium billing.
Evening brings their Pastificio section to the fore, where pasta is made daily, hand rolled and bronze cut. The West Coast crab ravioli with pickled seaweed and butter sauce is the priciest pasta option, though simpler plates like paccheri pomodoro with basil, Calabrian chilli and rosemary pangrattato start from under twenty quid. Their fettucine cacio e pepe with winter truffle, an indulgent take on a Roman favourite, falls somewhere in between.
Mains generally range from the low twenties to late thirties. From the grill, the 30-day aged McCaskie’s sirloin comes medium rare with fries and béarnaise, but the Scottish pork chop offers is even better. It’s cured 10 days by farmer Tom Wilkinson, served with sweet roasted apple, brown butter jus, mustard seed and tarragon; a combination of flavours that has always made sense for a reaosn.
The wine list focuses on small Italian producers, particularly natural wines from Lazio, Campania and Sicily. Their Cucielo vermouth collection is showcased in four negroni variations, all around a tenner, developed with the award-winning Scottish vermouth producer.
You can stock up on San Daniele prosciutto or handmade tortellini during the day, then return for dinner, which is a rather pleasant thing to do. After a decade in Glasgow, the Eusebi family has built something that genuinely bridges Italian tradition and Scottish ingredients.
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.
The ‘Queen of the Dolomites’ is preparing to reclaim its Olympic glory. Cortina d’Ampezzo will co-host the 2026 Winter Olympics alongside Milan during February, exactly 70 years after it first hosted the Games in 1956.
With women’s alpine skiing, curling, and sliding sports taking place against the backdrop of UNESCO-listed peaks, Cortina offers visitors the chance to witness world-class athletic competition whilst exploring one of Italy’s most glamorous mountain destinations.
When To Visit
The Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics runs from 6th to 22nd of February, and will see Cortina at its busiest and most expensive, but also its most electric. If you’re primarily interested in the atmosphere rather than attending specific events, consider arriving before or immediately after the Games, when accommodation may be more available and prices slightly lower.
The Paralympic Winter Games follow from 6th to 15th of March, hosting Paralympic alpine skiing, wheelchair curling, and Paralympic snowboarding. This period typically sees fewer crowds than the Olympics whilst still maintaining the excitement of world-class competition.
For those seeking a quieter Cortina experience, January or late March offer good skiing conditions with fewer visitors, though you’ll miss the unique energy of the Olympic fortnight.
Getting There From The UK
The most practical route to Cortina d’Ampezzo starts with a flight to Venice Marco Polo Airport, which has direct connections from London Heathrow, Gatwick, and London City. From Venice, you’re just two hours from the alpine drama of the Dolomites.
Several options connect the airport to Cortina. The Cortina Express and ATVO buses run direct services, with journey times between two and three hours and fares from around £9 when booked in advance. FlixBus also operates this route, typically departing several times daily. For those preferring a more straightforward journey, transfers to Cortina or Milan provide door-to-door service, particularly convenient if you’re arriving with skiing equipment or travelling during the busy Olympic period.
Alternatively, you could fly into Verona, Treviso, or even Innsbruck in Austria, though Venice remains the most popular gateway with the best connections to Cortina. If you’re planning to explore the wider Dolomites region, hiring a car offers the greatest flexibility, though parking in Cortina’s town centre can be challenging during peak season.
Watching Olympic Events
Cortina will host some of the Games’ most thrilling competitions. The legendary Olympia delle Tofane slope, regularly featured in the FIS Alpine Ski World Cup, will stage women’s alpine skiing events including downhill and super-G races. The Olympic Ice Stadium, originally built for the 1956 Games, will host curling competitions. Meanwhile, the newly constructed Sliding Centre will be the venue for bobsleigh, skeleton, and luge events, reviving Cortina’s long-standing tradition in these sports.
Tickets are exclusively digital and available through the official Milano Cortina 2026 platform. With venues spread across the region, planning your Olympic schedule in advance is essential. Shuttle services will connect major sites to the various competition venues, with park-and-ride schemes operating for those driving.
Even if you’re not attending Olympic events, Cortina’s skiing credentials are impeccable. The resort boasts 120 kilometres of pistes across three main areas: Faloria-Cristallo, Tofana, and Lagazuoi-Cinque Torri. From gentle nursery slopes to hair-raising World Cup runs, there’s terrain for every ability level.
The Tofana area offers the easiest slopes, perfect for beginners and intermediates, with the Socrepes piste being particularly popular for those building confidence. More experienced skiers should head to Faloria, where red and black runs dominate, or venture to the Lagazuoi-Cinque Torri area, where the distinctive rock towers create one of the Dolomites’ most photogenic skiing experiences.
Cortina is part of the Dolomiti Superski network, giving you access to 1,200 kilometres of pistes across the region if you’re keen to explore beyond Cortina itself. Multiple ski schools and rental shops throughout town make getting kitted out straightforward, though booking equipment hire in advance during the Olympic period is advisable.
Winter activities in Cortina extend well beyond skiing. Dog sledding experiences at Peziè de Parù Alpine Farm in nearby Pocol let you drive your own team of huskies through snow-covered forests after a brief training session, offering a 30-minute excursion through otherwise inaccessible mountain scenery.
Snowshoeing provides a quieter way to experience the Dolomites’ winter magic, with numerous trails winding through pristine woodland and offering spectacular mountain views. The legendary Tre Cime di Lavaredo peaks are accessible via snowshoe, though this requires more stamina and proper equipment.
Fat biking and ice climbing have grown in popularity for those seeking different thrills. The Alpine Guides office in the town centre can arrange both activities, ensuring you’re properly equipped and accompanied by professionals who know the terrain.
Dining & Après-Ski
Cortina’s dining scene seamlessly blends Austrian and Venetian influences, creating a distinctive Ampezzo cuisine. Local specialties include casunziei (ravioli filled with spinach or beetroot, served with butter and poppy seeds), chenedi (Tyrolean-style dumplings), and gulasch süppe (Hungarian-inspired meat soup). Potatoes all’ampezzana – slices of boiled potato sautéed with onion and speck – appear as a side dish on most menus.
For upscale dining, several restaurants have earned recognition for their creative approaches to regional cuisine. Tivoli, located in a traditional Alpine house outside the centre on the road to Falzarego Pass, skilfully combines local traditions with modern techniques and offers panoramic terrace views. The restaurant holds a Michelin star and is run by chef Graziano Prest. In the town centre, Ra Stua at Hotel Ciasa Lorenzi serves exceptional beef in a warmly elegant atmosphere.
More casual options include Al Passetto, popular with both locals and visitors for well-priced pizzas and traditional dishes. Hacker Pschorr Haus offers Tyrolean specialties and good-value meals in a central location. For pizza by the slice, Ampezzo Pizza in Piazzale delle Poste provides quick sustenance between activities.
The après-ski scene ranges from sophisticated cocktails at the Crystal lounge bar in the Cristallo Resort to the livelier atmosphere at Chalet Tofane in Socrepes, where a professional DJ set and Champagne accompany views of the slopes. The tradition here, as throughout the Alps, is to arrive still wearing your ski boots – though sloppy behaviour remains firmly discouraged.
Shopping & Strolling
Corso Italia, Cortina’s pedestrian main street, has been the town’s beating heart since its emergence as an international resort. Designer boutiques from Prada, Moncler, and Armani share space with artisan shops, interior design showrooms, and jewellery stores. Window shopping here doubles as people-watching, particularly during the peak weeks around Christmas and New Year when Cortina’s glamorous reputation is on full display.
Even if you’re not planning any major purchases, the street’s Alpine architecture and mountain backdrop make for pleasant wandering between meals or after a day on the slopes. Small cafés and bars provide spots to rest with an espresso or aperitivo whilst watching the parade of well-heeled visitors and locals.
Where To Stay
Accommodation in Cortina spans from grand five-star hotels to cosy family-run guesthouses, though options don’t come cheap given the resort’s exclusivity. The Grand Hotel Savoia Cortina d’Ampezzo, a Radisson Collection property fresh from a huge renovation in 2021, represents the pinnacle of luxury with its spa facilities and elegant rooms overlooking the Dolomites. Hotel de Len offers four-star comfort in the town centre with convenient access to the Faloria cable car.
For better value, consider staying slightly outside the centre. Camina Suite & Spa, north of town, provides four-star amenities with its own ski shuttle service. Three-star options like Ciasa Vervei in Pocol or Baita Fraina offer more affordable rates whilst maintaining good standards. Those on tighter budgets might look at San Vito di Cadore, 11 kilometres south, where hotels like the Fiori Dolomites Experience Hotel provide quality accommodation at lower prices.
During the Olympic period, booking well in advance is essential. Many properties require minimum stays of three to five nights, and those with private parking should be prioritised if you’re driving, as town centre parking is extremely limited.
Know Before You Go
Cortina sits at 1,226 metres altitude, surrounded by peaks that create a spectacular natural amphitheatre. February temperatures typically hover between -5°C and 5°C, though sunshine is common given the town’s position in a wide valley. Pack accordingly: layered clothing, proper winter boots, and sun protection are all essential.
The town itself is compact and walkable, though free shuttle buses connect the centre to various ski lifts and outlying areas. During the Olympics, additional transport services will operate to accommodate the influx of visitors, though expect busy periods and plan extra time for travel between venues.
Language won’t pose major barriers – English is widely spoken in hotels, restaurants, and ski facilities, reflecting Cortina’s long history as an international destination. That said, learning a few Italian phrases never hurts and is always appreciated.
The Olympic Legacy
This isn’t Cortina’s first Olympic rodeo. The 1956 Winter Games marked a turning point for the town, establishing its reputation as a premier ski destination and demonstrating that major sporting events could be successfully hosted in the Alps. Those Games were the first Winter Olympics broadcast on television, bringing Cortina’s dramatic mountain scenery into living rooms worldwide.
Now, 70 years later, the town aims to enhance its infrastructure whilst preserving the authentic Alpine character that makes it special. The challenge of hosting the 2026 Games has prompted significant renovation work throughout town, from updated ski facilities to improved road connections. Some visitors in 2024 and 2025 have reported construction disruption, so it’s worth checking current conditions before finalising travel plans.
The hope is that these investments will benefit both residents and visitors long after the Olympic cauldron is extinguished, cementing Cortina’s position as not just a witness to history, but an active participant in shaping it.
In an era where the carousel of fast fashion spins ever faster, the allure of cheap, trendy clothing can be difficult to resist. Yet, as the environmental and ethical implications of this industry become increasingly apparent, a growing number of us are seeking a more sustainable sartorial path.
For the thirty-something man, this often means curating a capsule wardrobe—a compact, versatile collection of garments that transcend the ebb and flow of fleeting trends.
The Philosophy Behind A Capsule Wardrobe
The concept of a capsule wardrobe is not new, but it has gained traction in recent years as a counter-movement to the excesses of fast fashion. The idea is simple: select a limited number of quality pieces that can be mixed and matched to create a variety of outfits for any occasion. This approach not only simplifies the daily decision of what to wear but also promotes a more thoughtful and ethical consumption of clothing.
The Cornerstones Of A Thirty-Something Man’s Capsule Wardrobe
Crafting the ideal capsule wardrobe is a personal journey, but there are certain staples that serve as the foundation for any well-dressed man in his thirties. These pieces should be timeless, well-made, and versatile enough to be dressed up or down.
The Tailored Blazer
A well-fitted blazer is indispensable. Opt for a classic navy or charcoal gray that can be paired with trousers for a formal look or with jeans for a smart-casual vibe. A blazer crafted from high-quality wool will stand the test of time and serve you well through countless occasions.
A leather jacket is a timeless and versatile addition to any thirty-something man’s capsule wardrobe. Opt for a classic style like a biker or bomber jacket in high-quality leather, such as full-grain or top-grain, to ensure durability and a refined look. Its ability to add an edge to any outfit while remaining sophisticated makes it an essential piece that transcends trends and seasons.
The Crisp White Shirt
Nothing beats the simplicity and elegance of a crisp white shirt. It’s the ultimate chameleon piece, equally at home in the boardroom or at a weekend brunch. Invest in a shirt with a good collar structure and made from breathable cotton.
The Perfect Pair Of Denim Jeans
A pair of dark, straight-leg jeans is a must-have. They can be dressed up with a blazer and brogues or worn casually with a t-shirt and trainers. Look for a pair without distressing or embellishments to ensure longevity in style and wear.
Versatile Knitwear
A quality piece of knitwear, such as a crew neck jumper in merino wool or cashmere, or even a kilt, adds texture and warmth to an outfit. Neutral colours like grey, navy, or camel offer maximum versatility.
The Durable Overcoat
A classic overcoat in wool will protect you from the elements and add an instant touch of sophistication to your ensemble. A camel or dark coloured coat can be effortlessly styled with both casual and formal wear.
Basic Tees & Polos
Quality t-shirts in black, white, and grey, along with a brief but more vibrant selection of men’s polos, are versatile pieces for layering or wearing on their own during warmer months.
Reliable Footwear
Footwear anchors your wardrobe, so it’s essential to have options. A pair of brown leather brogues, black Oxfords for formal occasions, and white leather trainers for casual days are all you need to cover your bases.
Smart Trousers
A pair of tailored trousers in a neutral shade like grey or navy will serve you well. They can be paired with a shirt and blazer for work or with a casual jumper for a relaxed look.
An Essential Pair Of Chinos
No capsule wardrobe would be complete without a pair of chinos. They strike the perfect balance between casual and formal, making them an incredibly versatile addition. Opt for a classic fit in a neutral colour such as beige, navy, or olive. Chinos can be paired with a blazer for a business casual look or with a t-shirt for a laid-back weekend style.
A Tracksuit
For laid-back days, a tracksuit is ideal. Pair the bottoms with that white t-shirt one day, and your jeans with the sweater the next. Or go full on tracksuit another for an effortlessly put together look.
All-Season Accessories
Accessories are the final touch. A leather belt, a classic watch, a few ties, and a selection of socks are sufficient. If you’re embracing pre-owned jewellery (and you should be), a vintage signet ring or cufflinks can add character without breaking the bank.
A well-chosen scarf and a pair of sunglasses will round off your wardrobe for all seasons.
The Benefits Of A Capsule Wardrobe
The advantages of adopting a capsule wardrobe are manifold. Not only does it promote a more sustainable lifestyle, but it also saves time and reduces stress when getting dressed. It encourages investment in high-quality pieces that last longer, thus saving money in the long run. Moreover, it helps in honing a personal style that is both refined and distinctive.
The Bottom Line
Embracing a capsule, somewhat seasonless wardrobe can be a liberating experience. It’s about quality over quantity, style over fashion, and sustainability over disposability. For the thirty-something man looking to refine his style and make a positive impact on the world, building a capsule wardrobe is an excellent step. It’s a commitment to thoughtful consumption, a nod to personal style, and a farewell to the relentless cycle of fast fashion.
If not, no worries. With the basics hopefully mastered, we thought we’d delve a little deeper into the wonderful and complicated world of Japanese etiquette. One thing we’ve learnt on various trips to the country is that manners matter. So much so, in fact, that the word has been adopted into Japanese vocabulary as ‘mana’.
This is an umbrella term used to describe all manner (sorry) of appropriate and inappropriate behaviour in the country, all of which we’ll explain further today. With that in mind, here are 16 essential etiquette tips for your first trip to Japan.
To Tip Or Not To Tip?
Tipping variations are confusing all over the world, but in Japan, they’re super complicated. The rules of saving face apply to tips, with many staff politely turning them down. But sometimes, especially in larger cities, a token of generosity will be warmly received. Confused? Yep, us too.
Generally speaking, it’s better to play it safe and don’t tip. In Japan, good service is a standard expectation and is not rewarded with tips. Offering a tip can actually be seen as offensive, as it may imply that the service staff relies on extra incentives to do their job well. Instead, express your gratitude with a heartfelt “arigatou gozaimasu” (thank you very much).
Cash Is King
While the world moves towards cashless transactions, Japan still has a strong cash culture, especially in smaller towns and businesses. Always carry sufficient cash with you, and when handing over money or receiving it, use both hands and give a slight bow—it’s a sign of respect.
Navigating The Language Barrier
Here’s the truth: outside Tokyo’s main drags and Osaka’s tourist centre, English is about as common as a quiet pachinko parlour. Even in the big cities, you’ll find yourself mime-acting your way through izakayas and pointing desperately at picture menus like a toddler with limited motor skills.
The good news? Most Japanese people will make a genuine effort to help when you’re struggling, often pulling out translation apps or drawing maps. But relying entirely on others gets exhausting, and frankly, learning a few phrases shows basic respect for the place you’re visiting.
Download Google Translate before you land—the camera function that translates text in real time is genuinely brilliant for menus and signs. Pocket wifi or a local SIM card isn’t optional; it’s essential. A phrasebook works when your phone dies, which it will, probably while you’re lost in a residential neighbourhood trying to find your Airbnb.
For business trips or extended stays where you’ll encounter formal documents, contracts, or professional correspondence, authentic Japanese translators can provide the accuracy and cultural context that apps simply can’t match.
On the flip side, if you’re planning more than a quick holiday, a few sessions with a tutor will save you from the daily frustration of not knowing how to ask where the toilet is.Even basic competence makes everything easier, from ordering food to navigating situations where you need to overcome the language barrier with more nuance.
Don’t Blow Your Nose In Public
In the ‘west’ it’s generally considered rude to sniff and snuffle, with fellow commuters, diners, shoppers and the rest quietly imploring you to blow your nose and keep the noise down. But in Japan, the opposite is true; it’s considered rude to blow your nose in public. So, if you are suffering from a runny one, run to a private place to clear it up.
In Japan, bowing is more than a mere formality; it’s a deeply ingrained social custom. The act of bowing ranges from a small nod of the head to a deep bend at the waist, depending on the situation. As a visitor, you’re not expected to know the intricate rules, but a polite inclination of the head when greeting or thanking someone is a sign of respect that will be appreciated.
Greeting bow, respect bow, highest respect bow; learn them all and when each is appropriate. And deliver them with frequency and enthusiasm. Of course, some leeway will be granted for not knowing when or how to execute the perfect bow, as you’re a foreigner and not in tune with local customs. But, being able to judge a situation and its necessary gesture will earn you some serious brownie points. As a general rule, a curved back is to be avoided; a straight one is very much encouraged.
Shoes Off, Please!
Speaking of manners, let’s talk about shoes. Leaving your shoes on when entering someone’s house is disrespectful; in fact, you’ll always see a full shoe rack outside the domestic door. The gesture is appropriate on two levels; firstly, it literally keeps the floor clean; secondly, it denotes respect for your host.
Slippers are often provided for indoor use, but remember to switch back to your shoes when stepping onto a tatami mat, as these are to be tread upon only in socks or bare feet.
Respect The Queue
Us Brits have a reputation for queuing, and doing it well. However the Japanese take the act of queuing to a whole different level, waiting in perfectly formed lines for everything – some even say it’s an art form. I think we agree. Even at rush hour, you won’t see people pushing, cutting the queues or breaking rank. When you see a long line snaking around the block, don’t even think about saving someone a spot. It’s frowned upon.
Photography With Permission
Japan offers a wealth of photogenic scenes, from the neon lights and street food bites of Tokyo to the serene beauty of Kyoto’s temples. However, always ask for permission before taking photos of people or private property. In some places, photography is strictly forbidden, so look out for signs or ask if you’re unsure.
Speak Quietly In Public
The Japanese are mindfully aware that they share public spaces with other people and therefore everyone should be comfortable. Keep your voice down in public spaces and whatever you do, don’t use your phone on trains or buses. Any rowdiness or behaviour which disturbs the zen-like calm of the public space is to be avoided. While initially difficult to restrain yourself, you’ll come to appreciate the quiet calm.
Don’t Walk & Eat
Smashing back a sausage roll on the way to the tube stop is as natural to us Londoners as lions to the savannah, but in Japan, people don’t walk and eat. This is all down to having respect for food, with the distraction of moving your legs while eating considered too casual a relationship with the meal. Taking a seat to eat shows proper respect for the cook, and the grower of ingredients, farmer of protein and so on; an attitude we are really on board with.
Handling Chopsticks With Care
Chopsticks are the primary utensils in Japan, and using them correctly is a mark of good manners. Some key points to remember include not sticking your chopsticks upright in a bowl of rice (as this resembles a funeral rite), not passing food directly from your chopsticks to someone else’s (another funeral custom), and placing them on the chopstick rest when not in use.
Slurp Away
Noodles in Japan are gooood. And sometimes you’ll be enjoying them with such gusto that you’ll realise you’ve been slurping noisily. Fear not for causing offence though, as slurping your noodles is totally acceptable in Japan.
Encouraged even, it’s a sign that you’ve appreciated your meal, and, running with the same theme, it’s also totally acceptable to drink soup straight out of the bowl. Just don’t do it while moving, or things will get messy, both practically and philosophically.
Be Mindful Of Mealtime Manners
Aside from the chopsticks and the slurping, there are some other pointers involving Japanese mealtime etiquette that you should know.
A dance of tradition and respect, before beginning to eat it’s customary to say “itadakimasu” (I humbly receive), expressing gratitude for the food. During the meal, hold the rice bowl in your hand and lift it towards your mouth, which is considered polite. It’s also important to try a bit of every dish if you’re served a set meal, as this shows appreciation for the chef’s efforts.
After you’ve finished eating, signal your satisfaction by placing all your dishes back how they were at the start of the meal and saying “gochisousama deshita” (thank you for the feast).
Navigate Onsen Etiquette
A visit to an onsen, or hot spring bath, is a must when in Japan, but it comes with its own set of rules. Before entering the communal bath, you must wash and rinse your body thoroughly at the provided shower stations. This cleansing ritual ensures that the bathwater remains clean for everyone.
Tattoos are traditionally associated with the yakuza (Japanese mafia) and can be frowned upon in onsens; however, some places now offer stickers to cover small tattoos or have become more lenient towards tourists with tattoos. Remember, the onsen is a place for quiet relaxation, so keep conversations at a whisper and soak in the tranquillity along with the rejuvenating waters.
Handling Refuse
Japan is known for its cleanliness, and you’ll rarely find litter bins on the streets. This is because the Japanese take responsibility for their own rubbish, often carrying it with them until they find a place to dispose of it properly. Follow suit to keep Japan tidy.
Two Hands Are Better Than One
When receiving a business card or gift, as well as giving an item of importance, always use two hands to indicate respect and care, both for the product and person. To not do this is to show a lackadaisical attitude to the country, its customs and citizens. And that’s not why you got to the end of this article, now is it?
You know what they say about the grass always being greener on the other side? Well, when you’re casting covetous gazes across the Irish Sea towards the Emerald Isle, that old saying becomes very literal indeed.
Famed for its verdant landscapes and rolling green hills, Ireland is arguably the finest destination for Londoners looking for a long weekend away. But with a decent pint of Guinness, some fine Irish food and plenty of trad music on our doorstep, if you’re looking to enjoy Irish culture in the capital, then rest assured; you can do that, too.
With that in mind, here are 7 ways to be transported to Ireland without leaving London.
Visit The London Irish Centre
The London Irish Centre is an established charity, community hub and cultural centre in Camden that has been a major point for the Irish community in London since 1954. Here, you can engage with the centre’s incredible Irish culture and heritage activity programme, which includes talks and discussions on Irish history, film screenings, Irish language lessons, Irish folk singing classes and Sean Nós dance classes.
The centre also hosts regular evenings of live traditional Irish music and has commissioned works by Irish poets and artists displayed across the site. At the London Irish Centre, you’ll also find the O’Donovan Library, which contains more than 7,000 works unique to the Irish cultural experience. There’s even a small shop selling snacks beloved of Ireland, like Tayto crisps, McDonnells curry sauce and many more delights!
If you’re keen to immerse yourself in the Irish experience in a more thoughtful way than throwing back a few pints of Guinness, then it’s here you should head. An amazing place doing valuable work in the community.
Eat At A Restaurant Celebrating Irish Food
London boasts some excellent restaurants specialising in traditional Irish dishes, as well as a few following in the footsteps of Dublin’s increasingly impressive fine dining scene, putting a modern twist on some of Ireland’s beloved family recipes.
We have to start at Daffodil Mulligan, chef Richard Corrigan’s ode to premium Irish produce on Old Street. Opening in 2019, diners can enjoy Irish oysters, incredible soda bread, and some of the best beef in London, with prime sirloin from Tipperary offering serious depth of flavour.
Or, why not try Myrtle, named after the matriarch of modern Irish cuisine, Myrtle Allen, and run by chef Anna Haugh, who you might have seen on Saturday Kitchen and Masterchef. Here, you can enjoy tasting menus featuring refined takes on Irish classics like boxty and boiled bacon with cabbage.
Finish up at Homeboy in Islington, a cocktail bar that prides itself on its modern Irish hospitality. At the bar, you can sample premium Irish whiskey, indulge in a delicious take on an Irish coffee or simply enjoy a perfectly poured pint of Guinness.
Guinness chocolate sponge truffle with Irish buttered Fudge from Myrtle
Go To The Kiln Theatre
If you’ve not yet had your fill of performance at the London Irish Centre, then head to the Kiln Theatre in Kilburn. The area is nicknamed ‘Ireland’s 33rd County’ due to its large Irish population (the highest in the city), and although the theatre shows everything from contemporary drama to film screenings, it’s also become an influential showcase for Irish theatre.
The theatre regularly features Irish plays and hosts events celebrating Irish culture, including exhibitions on Irish heritage in Kilburn. Check what’s on to see the latest Irish-themed performances and cultural events.
Learn Irish Dancing
Irish dance is a highly energetic, rhythmic discipline that’s gained fans across the world with its ebullience and intricacy. Though Irish dance and its four most common forms – step dancing, set dancing, sean-nós and céilí – takes years to master, there are several Irish dance schools located across London if you’re keen to give it a go.
London hosts several major Irish cultural festivals throughout the year. The city’s St Patrick’s Day Festival in March is one of the biggest outside Ireland, featuring a spectacular parade from Hyde Park through Trafalgar Square to Whitehall, plus music, dance, food and family activities.
In late October, the Return to London Town Festival celebrates London’s annual Festival of Traditional Irish Music, Song and Dance, bringing together musicians and dancers for a weekend of performances and workshops.
For film enthusiasts, the Irish Film Festival London takes place each November, showcasing the latest Irish cinema, documentaries and animation with filmmaker Q&As and industry events.
Find Some Trad Music
Ireland’s musical legacy is hugely influential all over the world, with U2, Enya, the Cranberries, Sinéad O’Connor, Hozier and so many more hailing from the Emerald Isle. But it’s Irish folk and trad music that we’re particularly enamoured with; the use of harp, fiddle, flute and pipes so atmospheric and downright beautiful.
You can find Irish trad music being played live across London. Here are some of the best pubs with regular sessions:
• Sir Colin Campbell in Kilburn has live traditional Irish music every Saturday and Sunday evening, making it one of the few London pubs to feature a live band every single weekend.
• The Antelope in Tooting hosts Irish music every Sunday afternoon from 3pm-5pm, perfect if you’re looking for something that doesn’t stretch late into the night.
• The Lamb on Holloway Road keeps the spirit of the road’s Irish heritage alive with Wraggle Taggle, led by Mick O’Connor, playing traditional Irish sessions every Tuesday evening from 8:30pm.
Many of these venues also show major Irish sporting events like GAA matches and Six Nations rugby, too.
Enjoy The Emerald Isle From Your Sofa
You can even engage with Irish culture from the comfort of your sofa. The Irish Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade’s YouTube channel features ‘An Irish Night In’, a brilliant watch delving deep into Irish food, music, storytelling and more.
Lately we’ve also been enjoying Irish language learning through apps like Duolingo, ideal if you’re keen to have some fun whilst picking up some Irish phrases.
Many Irish cultural organisations also offer online events and virtual tours, making Irish culture accessible from anywhere.And with that, we’re off to actual Ireland for a long weekend. Sláinte!
We all know how important it is to allow as much natural light into the home as possible.
Homes with inadequate natural light can pose a threat to both our mental and physical health – sunlight boosts vitamin D production, helps our circadian rhythm function properly, and can even make us feel happier. And the best part? These all-encompassing benefits can be enjoyed even if you’re indoors.
Indeed, natural light’s positive physical and psychological effects are many. Should you be keen to boost your natural light intake, there’s no better way to enjoy some sun than by taking yourself outside. Research published by Cornell University found that even 10 minutes in a natural setting can lessen the effects of both physical and mental stress.
But as we head into the darkest months of the year, with the sun setting before most of us have even left the office, maximising natural light at home becomes all the more important. Here are the best ways to allow more of it into your space.
Install Larger Windows
An abundance of natural light is perhaps the most coveted piece of real estate out there, and people will pay a premium price for it. A 2018 survey suggested that homeowners would pay upwards of £20,000 more than the asking price for a property flooded with the stuff.
To boost both your happiness and the value of your property, the quickest path to natural light is through perhaps the biggest job: installing larger windows.
Not a quick fix, we realise, but the results of such a project are plain to see. Literally; your visibility will be much improved by introducing more natural light, and the bigger your windows, the more will get in through them. It’s not rocket science, but it’s something people overlook.
Of course, having new windows installed, and bigger windows at that, can be expensive. But considering the average double glazed window costs between £500 and £1,250 for supply and installation, doing so could well represent a worthwhile investment.”
Or if you want to keep it simpler and more general, Checkatrade states that for a whole house job you’re looking at around £7,500-£15,000 for a 3-bed – which might be more useful context for anyone thinking about larger windows.
Install A Skylight
Skylights are certainly an option to consider if you’re focused on letting more natural light into the home but the installation of replacement windows isn’t feasible.
In some instances, it may be structurally impossible to get access to more light via the sides of the home, but having natural light pouring in from above can make almost as much of a difference. There are a whole host of skylight solutions out there, including ventilating, fixed, and tubular options. In winter, when the sun sits lower in the sky, a well-positioned skylight can capture light that side-facing windows might miss entirely.
Switch To Lighter Window Treatments
If you’re looking for a more affordable way to brighten up your room, have you considered just how big an impact window dressings can have on the illumination within?
If you use lighter window treatments in your home, you’ll find that you’re able to make more of the natural light coming in through the windows. Even when curtains are not drawn, they’ll block out some of the light at each of the sides. In winter, when daylight hours are precious, every bit counts.
It might be time to revisit the idea of using shutters – they allow you to fully expose the windows when needed by simply folding back the panels, providing maximum natural light whilst still retaining privacy when you want it.
Alternatively, blinds offer similar flexibility; Venetian blinds in particular let you angle the slats to direct light exactly where you need it.
Use Mirrors Strategically
One of the simplest and most cost-effective ways to maximise natural light is to use mirrors. Position a large mirror opposite or adjacent to a window and it will bounce light back into the room, effectively doubling the impact of whatever sunshine you’re getting.
This trick works particularly well in winter, when the sun is lower and light enters at a sharper angle. A well-placed mirror can send that light deeper into your home, brightening corners that would otherwise stay gloomy all day.
Use Glass Blocks Instead Of Solid Dividing Walls
If you’re looking to change up the layout in your home and natural light is a priority, consider replacing solid dividing walls with alternatives that let more light through them.
This is something that can be done perfectly with the use of solid glass blocks, which let light flow through the home keenly, preventing it from getting blocked. During the winter months, when you want light to travel as far into your home as possible, removing barriers between rooms can make a noticeable difference.
Don’t Block The Windows
Obstructing any natural source of light from the inside is a bad idea, so make sure that you don’t have anything directly in front of your windows that could obstruct light and make the room feel dingy.
This doesn’t only apply to that stack of books you can’t find a home for, but also to bulkier pieces, such as furniture, desks and computers. Clearing visual room can go a long way to making your room look more spacious. In winter, consider rearranging your furniture to ensure nothing is blocking those precious rays during the limited hours they’re available.
Choose Your Paint Colours Wisely
The colour of your walls plays a bigger role in how light moves around a room than you might think. Dark, moody tones might look lovely on a Pinterest board, but they absorb light rather than reflecting it. In winter, when natural light is already in short supply, this can make a room feel cave-like.
Opt for lighter shades – whites, creams, soft greys, or pale pastels – and you’ll find that light bounces around the room more effectively. If you can’t bear to part with your darker feature wall, at least keep the ceiling and adjacent walls light to help reflect what little winter sun you get.
Tame Your Trees
In some instances, the lack of natural light entering your home may be caused by external forces, namely, the trees and hedges surrounding your home and blocking the flow of light through your windows.
Here’s the silver lining of winter: deciduous trees will have dropped their leaves, so you may find your home naturally brighter between November and March. But evergreen hedges and conifers? They’ll be blocking light year-round. Consider getting some of these trimmed back, or even removed, to let more light through.
Of course, if it’s your neighbour’s trees or hedges blocking the flow of light into your home, you’ll have to consult with them first, prior to any pruning.
The Bottom Line
The flow of natural light in a room doesn’t only illuminate the space and make it feel more capacious, but it can also do wonders for its inhabitants’ outlook. When the days are short and the skies are grey, making the most of whatever light is available becomes essential. We hope you get some sun on your face soon, even if that’s through a window.
