Few cities combine tradition and modernity as well as London. Its diversity, enormous size, and endless cultural destinations make it impossible to define. It would take many days to get close to seeing all of London’s museums, but we recommend starting with the classics. For contemporary art, head to the Barbican Centre and the Tate Modern. For more history, the Victoria and Albert and the British Museum cannot be missed. London’s restaurant scene demonstrates the city’s fusion of cultures. Delight in the old school at Soho’s Andrew Edmunds, a romantic gastropub. Have a speedy round of tapas at Barrafina. Delight in the 1950s sports club decor at Gymkhana, a Michelin-starred Indian restaurant in Mayfair. We find the city to be most enjoyable when reserving a good dose of leisure time. Visit bookstores like John Sandoe and Judd Books, get lost in any one of the city’s countless parks, and stroll through markets like Spitalfields and Portobello Road. Our favorite hotels also add to London’s charm—consider Covent Garden and the Portobello Hotel if you prefer a smaller size, or Claridge’s for something more grand.
The Arts Intel Report
London





Hotels
Restaurants
- Andrew Edmunds
- Barrafina
- Bocca di Lupo
- Brooklands Bar
- Cafe Deco
- Chishuru
- Claude Bosi at Bibendum
- Dorian
- Gymkhana
- Ikoyi
- La Grotta Ices
- La Poule au Pot
- Lasdun Restaurant
- Maison Bertaux
- Maison François
- Min Jiang
- Norman's Cafe
- Petersham Nurseries
- Quo Vadis
- River Cafe
- Sally Clarke's
- Sushi Tetsu
- The Dining Room
Venues
- Apollo Theatre
- Barbican Theatre
- BFI Southbank
- Bridge Theatre
- British Museum
- Buckingham Palace
- Design Museum
- Dulwich Picture Gallery
- Estorick Collection of Modern Italian Art
- Frith Street Gallery
- Garden Museum
- Garden Museum
- Garrick Theatre
- Halcyon Gallery
- Harold Pinter Theatre
- Hazlitt Holland-Hibbert
- Japan House
- Kenwood House
- National Gallery
- National Portrait Gallery
- Pace Gallery
- Royal Academy of Arts
- Royal Ballet and Opera, Main Stage
- Serpentine Gallery
- @sohoplace
- Tate Britain
- Tate Modern
- The National Archives
- The O2
- Treasure House Fair, Royal Hospital Chelsea
- Victoria and Albert Museum
- Wallace Collection
- White Cube Mason's Yard
- William Morris Gallery
- Wyndham's Theatre