Eating & Drinking when you visit London

We flew Virgin Atlantic Premium Economy from Dubai this year for the first time and were pleasantly surprised by the service, loved the ice creams after the movie! London is a major capital city with so much to see and do. One of the best ways to explore London is to pick a couple of neighbourhoods and search for the best things to do in and around that area.

I was born and brought up in London and lived there till I came to Dubai, my advice is to avoid the crowds;  go local, research the options and make notes. My notes are on the best reviewed sushi, the most  amazing ice cream, the big night out dinner and what London’s fanciest village has to offer for shopping.

Which neighbourhoods in London?  

I recommend, in this my first review of London, the areas Soho and Marylebone Village both in Central London and in Zone 1 of the transport network.

The best Sushi? 

Yoobi Sushi in Soho

London’s first Temakaria opened about a year ago; this is definitely my favourite Sushi Bar in London.

It specialises in large hand rolls of sushi with varieties such as citrus salmon as well as maki rolls, miso soup and gorgeous green tea. All served in a young but not loud laid back comfortable venue on Lexington Street in Soho. Go and be converted to hand rolls.

Yoobi Sushi – the street corner picture also links you to Yoobi  

Best ice cream?

Scoop Gelato in Soho

A few minutes walk from Yoobi Sushi. All the gelatos are good but I recommend the chocolate sorbet, made with just chocolate, sugar and water; this tasted like Nigella’s richest chocolate cake, but colder. It was nothing like a sorbet at all, be warned the scoops are large !

So I suggest you share and walk off your non-dairy dessert around Soho or nearby China town if you walk down Wardour street and then Gerrard Street

Best Chinese?

We love Royal China

Dubai residents are familiar with the offering in DIFC but we also liked:

Plum Valley in Gerrard Street

Excellent duck pancake rolls, dim sum and noodles with fabulous service; just a little dark but don’t let that put you off, I would go again.

It is also one of the few restaurants to serve dim sum all day; easy to find down Gerrard Street in China town. Plum Valley

Best Big Night Out?

Chotto Matte  in Frith Street in Soho.  For those not seeing the You Tube video below click here

A blend of Japanese and Peruvian, chef Micheal Paul serves memorable dishes that will definitely leave you wanting more. I loved the special Nikkei sushi which I haven’t found in Dubai yet. Their yellow cod miso was also excellent.  Zuma watch out; the tuna tartare starters  are good too. Be warned the food here is spicy and zingy, not flat and boring; do try their desserts too. Good choice of cocktails, I recommend the Botanicals gin with Fevertree light tonic. Chotto Matte 

Best shopping and wandering around?

Marylebone Village – without the frenzy of Selfridges?

I lived here for many years and this is still my London base, Marylebone Village could make a post all on its own, but if you’re around on a Sunday, do check out the fabulous farmers market. Alternatively,  just walk down the street and linger in Daunt Books; ask their advice on any travel reading or fiction.

Have soup or salad in the Fromagerie Cheese Shop and Café in Moxon street.

Soak up the atmosphere in the Conran shop and be inspired. Choice boutiques and cake shops galore, it’s worth spending some time getting to know Marylebone High Street.

If you need to have a very private coffee or lunch try the terrace on the second floor of the Orrerry Restaurant next to the Conran shop. I loved the Orange, Mango and Vanilla tea on the ground floor.

It’s always good to have some insider tips when visiting a big city, so if you thought these were helpful then do share with your friends on Facebook or Twitter.

Also leave me a comment if you need to know anything about Marylebone Village. Happy to suggest good places for Thai and burgers in London, just leave me a comment and make sure you’ve subscribed to the blog. Mini videos of my London recommendations are available on Doinduibai’s Instagram 

Monica