Curator’s statement
This destination is a home away from home. Leaving one busy city to go to another, with different accents, smaller roads and just as much diversity reminds me of my desire to connect with people. Although known for having grey skies, London has so many aspects that make it vibrant and worth visiting.
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Things to do in London
A piece of Winter Wonderland Dec 2025
1. I love trying out different genres of food.
I would recommend visiting Paddington. About a 5-minute walk from Paddington Station, there is a strip of authentic Italian restaurants where you can sit, dine and experience some of nonna/nonno's home cooked recipes.
If you're feeling for Chinese cuisine, like New York, London has their own ChinaTown, and the selection of restaurants from buffet style to dine-in is abundant.
Brick Lane is the prime location for a night that you crave Indian food. The restaurants are your pick, and most often have lunch/dinner deals.
If in the mood for some Mediterranean, keep an eye out for restaurants like: (1) Kervan, a chain throughout London that serves family-style spreads as appetizers or entrees. You and your family can start off with a spread of hummus, naan bread and meats of your choice, (2) Ceru in either South Kensington after a day full of museum visits, or Queensway, after a day full of shopping and exploring Central London.
Coco Asia is a fun alcohol-free option that provides fun aesthetic, shisha, smoking mocktails and delectable eatery.
2. Take mini trips within the continent of Europe, just because it's so easy to do and there are so many other countries you can get to in a matter of two to four hours.
My first time doing this, I took a day trip to Amsterdam with my cousin and we decided on this the day before. We were able to get round-trip tickets for about $67(each) leaving from London, Gatwick Airport and landing at Amsterdam Airport Schiphol. Navigating from the airport to Amsterdam Centraal, which is the city center, was straightforward and travel friendly via train . It was a bit intimidating at first when noticing that the signs are mostly in Dutch, but pace yourself. If you have a connection on your phone, Google can be your best friend. If not, I always recommend checking your routes and screenshotting details to create familiarity once exposed to the information in real time. We spent about eight hours in the city, exploring, visiting museums and then made our return back to London on a two-hour flight. The flight was so quick that my cousin felt like her nap was a long blink.
3. I love exploring the art scene: checking out which live events or gallery spaces are holding exhibitions.
Oxford Street and Bond Street have some of the best proximity to gallery spaces, so sometimes if I need a break from shopping, and I'm looking for inspiration, I'll stop into one of the local galleries to see what works are being held at the time.
4. If it is August, I love going to Notting Hill Carnival.
The end of August is a beautiful time to visit London, the spirits are lively, the weather is warm and the last weekend of this month is often the bank holiday weekend when Nottingham Carnival takes place. If you don't mind crowds, but love music, floats, dancing and a blend of cultures and food, I would recommend visiting Carnival. Many roads near Notting Hill are blocked off that day so if taking an Uber, keep in mind it may have to drop you off some blocks away. You can reach the festival as early as 10 am and live sound and activities normally start around 12 pm. You can always go and enjoy it for a few hours, just before it gets to its peak of crowding, or you can stay until seven to experience all variations of the experience. The three times I've gone, I've gotten there between 12 and 3 pm, and the earlier I went, the more fulfilling the experience.
5. If it's winter, and you're with the right people/person, Winter Wonderland can be a fun outing for you to enjoy mulled wine, hot cider and some rides that help you tap back into your inner child.
This past January, I spent my first New Years Eve abroad in London. Part of my four-day itinerary while there was visiting Winter Wonderland with my partner. If you have gone before, and are going back after some years have passed, it is helpful to know that it is now a ticketed system and you can purchase tickets online or at the box office in person, but you cannot enter without tickets. When we first got there, we warmed up with some mulled wine and cider, while we watched live performers do their thing in front of a sectioned dining area with fire pits in every other corner. We then scouted out the food options so we'd know what to choose when we were ready to eat, and then went off to our first venture - the swings. Something about the swings was so exhilarating and reminiscent of childhood thrills. In light of this same concept, we then jumped into bumper cars and experienced the friendly thrill of knocking into some strangers while being chased down by a bunch of kids in pursuit of comically dominating the rink. We played a few games in which we won prizes for, and concluded the evening with a quick meal.
6.If it's spring, having a picnic at Primrose Hill while overlooking the city is always a breathtaking way to view the sunset.
One spring, my friends and I had lunch at a Korean BBQ restaurant called Kintan, and then decided to have an impromptu picnic watching the sunset with a side of desserts, some wine and music. We bought some wine, juice and water from a Tesco supermarket on the way. We were not entirely prepared with a sheet so we found a cozy enough spot on the grass when we arrived at the park, talked, played music and ate our desserts as the colors of the sky blended into each other like the warmest feeling painting.
Places to eat & drink in London
Purezza + Lunch Specia l= Day made!
The Breakfast Club: Old-school diner vibes with a movie-like feel. The dairy-free blueberry pancakes are my go-to.
Mallow: Best vegan French toast and chic interior.
Yeotown: Zen-like environment perfect for a clean breakfast/lunch vibe.
Bizzarro: Italian food near Paddington Station with authentic, wholesome flavors and aesthetic.
WAVE London: Small cafe bites at a fully vegan pastry shop. The perfect spot to have a warm drink, croissant and read a book or get some work done.
Purezza: Best vegan pizza in London, great lunch deals and very modern-day pizzeria vibe, with plants and great lighting.
Need to know
As a visual artist and international traveler from New York, I often find myself comparing cities, and London is a fascinating one. It's smaller than New York but still pulses with that same electric energy — just on a more manageable scale. The mix of old-world charm and contemporary art makes the city uniquely captivating. What really stands out, though, is its diverse food scene, which is a dream for someone like me with a dairy allergy and a preference for plant-based meals.
I thought I had explored almost every type of cuisine in New York, but London opened my eyes to even more worlds of flavor. For example, I had never tried authentic Turkish food until I visited here, and it completely changed my perspective. The spices, the herbs, the attention to detail — it was a revelation. The food wasn’t just delicious, it was a work of art, both in flavor and presentation.
What makes dining in London even more enjoyable for someone with dietary restrictions, like myself, is the care and attention given by most restaurants. I’ve never had to worry about hidden dairy or cross-contamination here. Whether in casual spots or fine dining, the staff almost always checks in about dietary needs before taking the order. And the managers often come to ensure everything’s right, offering a level of personal attention that makes the experience feel truly tailored. It’s reassuring to know that you’re not just another customer but someone whose needs are genuinely cared for.
London might not have a signature dish like New York’s pizza, but what it does offer is a rich variety of world cuisines, many of which are lighter and more health-conscious. The city is like a global food market — spanning flavors from India and Vietnam to Ethiopia and the Middle East. It’s an incredibly inclusive food culture, and the variety is impressive, especially for those of us looking for fresh, flavorful options without the heaviness of typical comfort food.
As an artist, I also appreciate the creative energy around food in London. Many restaurants, particularly in areas like Shoreditch or the East End, curate a dining experience that’s just as much about the ambiance and presentation as the meal itself. It’s inspiring to see how food can be a form of artistic expression.
So, while London may not be known for its own unique cuisine, it more than makes up for it with an incredibly diverse and inclusive food scene. Whether you're exploring a street food market or enjoying a meal at a high-end restaurant, there's always something fresh, flavorful and catered to your dietary needs. It’s a city where food isn’t just about eating — it’s about experiencing the world through your senses.
Travel Advisor
Phillisha Downer
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