Hi guys! I hope you all had a great long weekend! I spent mine catching up with a few of the girls and I FINALLY made it to the rooftop of The Marker Hotel for cocktails so my year has officially been made. Delighted!
This day two weeks ago I was in London catching up with my Aussie friend Chandelle. London is one of my favourite European cities so it was great to be back. Both Chandelle and I have been to London numerous times so we’ve pretty much covered all of the typical ‘touristy things’, therefore, we decided to explore the food and drink scene this time around. I LOVE eating out and of course going out for cocktails so I had been working on a ‘to-do list’ for some time. This is my go-to guide for all things food and drink related in London Town. If you’re a lover of crazy interiors, strong coffee, gin cocktails, dreamy waffles and incredible views then keep on scrolling and let me know what you think!
Duck & Waffle – Highest 24/7 Restaurant in London
The Duck & Waffle is located on the 40th floor of 110 Bishopsgate and offers a unique blend of breathtaking London views with an intimate and welcoming dining experience. It focuses on traditional British cuisine with broad European influences emphasizing local, rustic, seasonal and sustainable ingredients. They offer breakfast, brunch, late night treats and desserts: “all day”. They serve from sunrise to sunset to sunrise again — and every hour in between so you have no excuse to miss out on the incredible views and delicious food. Fun fact – it takes just 40 seconds to reach the 40th floor. Note – Reservations are encouraged but if you pop in between peak hours you should have no problem getting a table. It’s a little on the pricey side but totally worth it for the experience.
What did I order?
I ordered their Toffee Apple Waffle which consisted of maple sauce, Granny Smith apples and praline ice cream. It was AMAZING (there are no other words to describe it)! I also had a cappuccino followed by a sneaky glass of Rose. The Duck & Waffle have a great selection of both sweet and savory dishes. Click here for a sneak peek of their brunch menu.
Sketch
Firstly, Sketch is 100% out of this world. It is a quirky, 18th-century townhouse tea room that transforms into a cocktail lounge every evening. If you’re a fan of crazy interiors like myself then you will LOVE this place. I had brunch in The Parlour (walk-in basis only). I wasn’t sure what time I would be in central London that day so walk-in was the easiest option. To my knowledge, all other rooms require table reservations. Each room has its own unique design and layout including the bathroom which has egg-shaped toilet pods. I know, right? I spent at least 30 minutes in there taking random selfies (it would have been rude not to). Sketch is by far the coolest brunch spot I have been to. Their breakfast/brunch, afternoon tea and dinner menu’s are definitely worth a browse. You will be spoilt for choice. Again, it is a little on the pricey side but it’s a unique experience so it is worth every penney.
What did I order?
For brunch, I ordered two poached eggs with Scottish smoked salmon and of course a pot of tea. This really hit the spot as I had just come from the airport so I needed a pick me up. The food and service was excellent. The next time I’m in London I want to pop in for Afternoon Tea. It looks unreal!
Farm Girl
Whether you’re in the mood for coffee, cake or something savory ,this cafe is a must if you’re in the Notting Hill area. A good few of my friends had mentioned this place and I’ve heard AMAZING things about their coffee so this was top of my list. The guys at Farm Girl are all about fresh, nutritional ingredients and again, I loved the look and design of the cafe. Definitely a spot for the cool kids in town. A holistic and healthy, yet simple approach to Australian cafe culture in the heart of Notting Hill. Note: they don’t take bookings – so just pop in!
What did I order?
I ordered their famous Rose Latte, which was a double shot with rose water infused milk & petals AND I decided to treat myself to a seriously delicious raspberry and almond cake. Sure why not? 😛
The Gin Palace
If you’re a lover of gin then The Gin Palace is a must. Located on the Strand, it is a chic cocktail bar featuring over 30 gins, 20 whiskies, an extensive Round the World and Classic Cocktail list, plus a range of bar food. We stopped into The Gin Palace after dinner on our first night in London. I had done some research in advance so I knew exactly what I wanted to order before I set foot in the place. We were there on a Monday so it wasn’t too busy which was good. The setting, atmosphere and friendly staff really added to the overall experience. I’ve included one of my gin favourites below.
Note: Their Happy Hour (2 for 1 classic cocktails) is Sunday-Thursday from 5-7pm. You don’t need to make a reservation but just in case ….to reserve your table call 020 7379 4737.
What did I order?
I ordered a few different cocktails but The 372 ‘Berry nice to meet you’ was definitely a favourite. The 372 has a delicious mix of three berries, seven mint leaves and two different types of gin. YES PLEASE!
(Imagery – www.strandpalacehotel.co.uk)
Radio Rooftop Bar – ME London
The Radio Rooftop Bar remains to be my favourite rooftop bar in London. The views, the atmosphere, the cocktails – there’s nothing you can’t love about this place. Located on the 10th floor of the ME London hotel you will find the best views of London. The city’s most iconic landmarks are laid out before you: Tower Bridge, the Shard, London Bridge, Saint Paul’s Cathedral, Tate Modern, Somerset House, Southbank, London Eye, Houses of Parliament, and Covent Garden. Whether you pop in during the day or at night, the Radio Rooftop Bar is a must.
Note: Table reservations can only be made up to one month in advance to the requested date and all table reservations require a minimum spend per person. As you can imagine, this is a popular bar but if you head in early enough of a week day you might be in luck and get in without having to make a reservation.
What did I order?
I ordered a few berry flavoured cocktails (as usual) this time around and they did not disappoint. The Pink One cocktail was a favourite but if you’re more of a wine lover then you will still be spoilt for choice.
(Shot taken 3 years ago during my first visit)
There you have it! My food & drink guide for London. I still have a good few places on my to-do list so I will write up another post after my next trip over. Have you been to any of the above places? Comment below and let me know! 🙂
Also, if there is anything in particular you’d like me to blog about next let me know. You can catch me on Snapchat: duffyloikes, Instagram, Facebook and Twitter! <3
Thanks for reading!
Until next time…
