17 Things To Do In London With Your Gal Pals…

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1. Have an actual pizza party at Bunga Bunga.

Bunga Bunga

£38 per person, for two hours of unlimited prosecco and more pizza than you know what to do with.

Nearest station: Battersea Park

2. Enjoy a 1920s Afternoon Tea at Betty Blythe.

Betty Blythe

Just look at that cake. Bonus! There is a dressing-up box full of vintage accessoriesfor guests to use.

Nearest station: Shepherd’s Bush

3. Sing along to the Spice Girls at Lucky Voice.

Flickr: sheeprus / Via Creative Commons

Or head into Chinatown for some food, and a basement karaoke session. Here’s a good guide to all the Chinatown spots.

Nearest station: Oxford Circus or Angel

4. Get your nails done at Cheeky.

Cheeky do a great group rate, and will also bring you a glass of wine while your nails dry.

Nearest station: Shoreditch High St or Holborn

5. Be fancy on a budget at Brasserie Zédel.

Their prix fixe menu consists of two delicious courses, for £8.95 total. Which means you could easily have a glass of wine and still come in at under £15 a head.

Nearest station: Piccadilly Circus

6. Visit the most bizzare museum you can find.

Flickr: alessandrogrussu / Via Creative Commons

This list is a good place to start.

7. Get crafty at Drink Shop & Do.

Flickr: yukino / Via Creative Commons

Loads of activities, and the only cost is your beverage. Although it would be a shame to visit and not try one of their cocktails. Our fave is the Sherbet One.

Nearest station: King’s Cross St Pancras

8. Visit Borough Market to buy ingredients and cook a needlessly fancy meal.

Flickr: aguichard / Via Creative Commons

Looking for some fancy, but easy recipes? We’ve got you covered.

Nearest station Borough

9. Or take the easy route and just settle in for a Sunday Lunch.

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May we reccommend these Sunday Lunches?

10. Go to sing-a-long-a-Frozen at the Prince Charles Cinema.

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If musicals aren’t your thing, what about a 10 Things I Hate About You quote-along?

Nearest station: Leicester Square

11. Take a hula hoop fitness class.

So much fun!

Nearest station: London Fields

12. Go dancing!

Facebook: DdppDalston

Why not try Dance Dance Party Party, which describes itself as “banging tunes, crazy dancing and full on fitness fun for only £4!”

Nearest station: Dalston Junction, Nunhead or Vauxhall

13. Take the Thames Clipper down the river, and have a picnic in Greenwich.

Flickr: e-image / Via Creative Commons

If you don’t fancy a picnic, here are some lovely pubs in Greenwich.

PS, you’ll get a better deal on tickets if you use your Oyster card.

14. Why not try your hand at Stargazing?

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15. Spend an afternoon playing board games atDraughts.

Over 500 board games to choose from. Including faves like Hungry Hungry Hippos and Settlers of Catan.

Nearest station: Haggerston

16. Or spend all your money on arcade games at Four Quarters.

Wanna play Pacman and Ms Pacman? The world is your oyster.

Nearest station: Peckham Rye

17. Rent out the pedalos in Hyde Park.

Flickr: amilioto / Via Creative Commons

#bestdayever

Nearest station: Hyde Park Corner

20 London Street Foods Everyone Must Try…

Jenny Chang/BuzzFeed

1. Motherflipper

Motherflipper

Motherflipper

Motherflipper

As you can see, when it comes to burgers MotherFlipper don’t mess about. And their breakfast muffin (right) takes things to a whole other level.

MotherFlipper trade at Brockley Market. Find them on Facebook and Instagram

2. B.O.B’s Lobster

B.O.B‘s Lobster

B.O.B‘s Lobster

B.O.B‘s Lobster via Twitter: @smallislandtale

B.O.B‘s Lobster

Whether it’s a lobster roll, tuna tacos, or crab tater tots (OMFG) B.O.B’s Lobster will change your life.

Keep an eye on B.O.B’s social channels to find out where they’ll be next. Find them on Facebook and Twitter

3. Butchies

butchies.co.uk

dimshum.wordpress.com

Chicken burgers that are clucking incredible (sorry). Plus, they are the best hangover cure Broadway Market has to offer.

Butchies trade at Broadway Market. Find them on Facebook and Twitter

4. Scotchtails

Scotchtails

Scotchtails

Scotchtails

Luxe Scotch eggs with yolks as yellow as gold.

Scotchtails trade at Borough Market. Find them on Facebook and Twitter

5. Poutine Queens

Poutine Queens

Poutine Queens

Poutine Queens

Chips + cheese curds + GRAVY = heaven in a dish.

Keep an eye on Poutine Queens’ social channels to find out where they’ll be next. Find them on Facebook and Twitter

6. Waffle On

Waffle On

Waffle On

Waffle on

Waffle on

Sweet or salty, breakfast or lunch, the choice is yours. Our money’s on the slow-roasted duck waffle, topped with an egg.

Waffle On trade at Maltby Street Market. Find them on Facebook and Twitter

7. Kimchinary

Kimchinary

Kimchinary

Kimchinary

Kimchinary via Facebook: asouthernbellein

 The three words everyone longs to hear: Korean-inspired tacos.

Kimchinary trade at Kerb, King’s Cross. Find them on Facebook and Twitter

8. Horn OK Please

Flickr: kerrypolka Creative Commons

Flickr: kerrypolka Creative Commons

Flickr: katy_bird Creative Commons

Flickr: kerrypolka Creative Commons

Totally vegetarian Indian street food. The bhel puri (top left) is what dreams are made of.

Keep an eye on Horn OK Please’s social channels to find out where they’ll be next. Find them on Facebook and Twitter.

9. The Bell and Brisket

Bell and Brisket

Bell and Brisket

Bell and Brisket

Bagels so large that they will genuinely feed you for two meals. And their pickles are excellent.

Keep an eye on The Bell & Brisket to find out where they’ll be. Find them on Facebook and Twitter

Shoutout also to @PeckhamPastrami (who are currently changing their name to Got Seoul).

10. Bad Brownie

Bad Brownie

Bad Brownie

Bad Brownie

Bad Brownie Co manage to make brownies that are packed full of chocolate, but also as squidgy as a marshmallow. Witchcraft.

Bad Brownie Co trades at Rupert Street Market, Soho and Maltby Street Market. Find them on Facebook and on Twitter

11. Tongue ‘n’ Cheek

Ben Monk benmonk.com

Ben Monk benmonk.com

Ben Monk benmonk.com

Ben Monk benmonk.com

Italian-inspired burgers, with a focus on sustainability. Think pasture-fed beef, free-range pork, and free-range eggs – all from British producers.

Tongue ‘n Cheek trade at Kerb, King’s Cross and Berwick Street Market, Soho. Find them on Facebook, and Twitter

12. Kothu Kothu

Kothu Kothu

Kothu Kothu

Kothu Kothu

Sri Lankan street food place Kothu Kothu only serve one thing – Kothu Roti. Think crunchy, fragrant, spicy bites, all topped off with a squeeze of fresh lime.

Kothu Kothu trade at Kerb, King’s Cross. Find them on Facebook and Twitter

13. Jaz and Juls

Jaz and Juls

Jaz and Juls

Totally luscious hot chocolate. The above is Raspberry Dream – raspberry hot chocolate with whipped coconut cream.

Jaz and Juls trade at Broadway Market. Find them on Facebook and Twitter

14. Up In My Grill

Up in My Grill

Up in My Grill

Up in My Grill

 Their mission statement? “Burgers and steaks to knock your socks off”. We couldn’t agree more.

Up In My Grill trades at Netil Market and Kingston Market. Find them on Facebook and Twitter

15. Hank’s New Orleans Po’Boys

Hank’s New Orleans Po’Boys

Hank’s Po’Boys

Hank’s Po’Boys

 Supremely delicious sandos.

Hanks trades at the Southbank Centre Market. Find them on Facebook and Twitter.

16. Sambal Shiok

Sambal Shiok

Sambal Shiok

Sambal Shiok

Sambal Shiok

Sambal Shiok’s chicken satay burger is the obvious choice, but the connoisseurs also pick up a jar of their sambal chilli sauce to take home.

Sambal Shiok trades at Rupert Street Market, Soho. Find them on Facebook and Twitter

17. Scoopsy Daisy

Scoopsy Daisy

Scoopsy Daisy

Scoopsy Daisy

Fresh and fragrant real fruit ice-cream, in daydream pastel colours.

Keep an eye on Scoopsy Daisy’s social channels to find out where they’ll be. Find them on Facebook and Twitter.

18. African Volcano

African Volcano

African Volcano

African Volcano

Forget Nando’s, this is where the real peri-peri action happens. Bonus! You can also pick up items pre-marinaded and take them home to cook yourself.

African Volcano trades at Maltby Street Market. Find them on Facebook and Twitter

19. The Roadery

The Roadery

The Roadery

The Roadery

A truck that focuses on head to tail eating with a British twist– think ox cheek sourdough sandwiches, and Earl Grey panna cotta.

The Roadery trades at Wapping Market and Brockley Market. Find them on Facebook and Twitter

20. Le Rac Shack

Le Rac Shack

Le Rac Shack

Le Rac Shack

Basically a pot of melted cheese, with added delicious morsels (cured meats, potatoes, onions, cornichons). Bonus! They do a raclette poutine (top right) which also includes fries.

17 London Coffee Shops To Visit…

1. Kaffeine

Kaffeine

One of the great Aussie/Kiwi-influenced cafés in London (see also: Flat White), Kaffeine takes its coffee seriously. For example, its baristas must have at least three years of training.

Kaffeine has two locations, both based near Oxford Circus.

2. Climpson and Sons

Climpson and Sons

Where better to drink coffee, than at a café that roasts its own beans? Climpson and Sons have a wide range (three blends and six single origin coffees), which they roast nearby. They use a selection in the café, but customers can always request certain blends they’d like to try. You can also buy their blends online.

The café is based on Broadway Market.

3. Monmouth

Flickr: cfoto / Via Creative Commons

Truly delicious coffee that needs little introduction. Monmouth’s beans are chosen from all around the world, and really pack a punch.

Monmouth’s roastery is based in Bermondsey and has a café attached, with two other locations in Covent Garden and Borough.

4. Store Street Espresso

Flickr: duncan / Via Creative Commons

Store Street serves up coffee two ways – bulk brew or pour over (plus cold brew in the warmer seasons). They also recently competed in the Aeropress Championship of England.

Store Street is based near Tottenham Court Road and their sister café is inBloomsbury.

5. TAP

Flickr: thedesignseen / Via Creative Commons

Formerly known as Tapped and Packed, TAP is passionate about coffee. They even offer free workshops to help you make better coffee in your own home.

TAP has three locations – all in central London.

6. Bar Italia

A Soho institution, Bar Italia has been going since 1949. The coffee menu is short (Espresso, Cappucino, Caffelatte, Mocha, Black Coffee, White Coffee), but it knows what it’s doing.

7. Department of Coffee and Social Affairs

Department of Coffee and Social Affairs

DOCSA are obsessed with bringing you the best possible cup of coffee. They’re committed to social responsibilty too.

Bonus! Their sourdough toast is spectacular.

There are nine locations, all over London.

8. Prufrock Coffee

Flickr: jonathanmcintosh / Via Creative Commons

It’d be silly to go to Leather Lane and not stop in at Prufrock. A great range of blends, and a staff who really know what they’re doing. (One of their directors is aworld barista champion.) Also, their take-away cups are beyond cute.

The cafe is based near Farringdon.

9. Shoreditch Grind

Shoreditch Grind

Shoreditch Grind is reliably good, and in a very accesible location (just by Old Street roundabout). The best thing? In the evening, they start making espresso martinis.

There are three other locations: Holborn, London Bridge and Soho.

10. Caravan

Caravan roast small batches of beans in-house, and their espresso blend changes seasonally.

There are two locations Exmouth Market and King’s Cross.

11. Nude Espresso

An artisan coffee company and micro-roastery, Nude’s blends are silky smooth. You can even buy their beans online.

There are two locations: Brick Lane and Soho Square.

12. Fernandez and Wells

Founded by a former Monmouth manager, F&W are connoisseurs. Fun Fact! Fernandez and Wells have a trademarked coffee – the Stumpy. It’s like a mini flat white, served in a special glass.

There are six locations: four in Soho, Somerset House and the Strand.

13. Grind Coffee

Grind Coffee

A South-West London fave, Grind’s chai latte is worth travelling for. They grind theirown beans, and their Anzac biscuits are magic.

If you’re not near Putney, Grind is also located in Stratford and has a roastery in Wandsworth.

14. Camden Coffee House

Camden Coffee House

Using Hasbean beens, Camden Coffee House is a great indie spot. Focused on supporting the local community too (from local milk to local cakes), it punches above its weight.

15. Notes Roastery

Notes specialize in a lighter roast than others, resulting in a delicate, sweeter cup.

It’s hard to miss Notes – whether it’s at one of their four locations (King’s Cross, Moorgate, Canary Wharf, Trafalgar Square) or one of their roaming coffee carts.

16. Nordic Bakery

Nordic Bakery

Decent filter coffee + fresh cinnamon buns (or, as above, an almond twist) = one of life’s most enduring pleasures.

There are three locations, all in central London.

17. Tamp Coffee

Tamp

A friendly indie coffee shop, with a loyal local following. If you’re hungry, they serveCrossTown Doughnuts too.

The café is based in Chiswick.