Oh, how much we missed wandering around Central London during these unprecedented times! We missed the vibrant streets, having a coffee in a pretty café before going shopping or dropping into an exhibition, and finally finishing our day with some delicious food in one of the many incredible restaurants that Central London has to offer. All things that – let’s be honest – we all took a little for granted, but now they just seem special.
As we are getting used to the new ‘normal’, we thought that it would be nice to spend 2 days checking out what was going on in Regent Street and St James’s, two of our favourite areas found in the heart of London.
Regent Street
Built in 1819 under the direction of John Nash, Regent Street has one of the most iconic architectures in London, distinguished by its iconic curved street. It is considered to be a world-renowned destination for both Londoners and visitors thanks to its flagship shopping, dining and wellness options and aptly nicknamed ‘The Mile of Style’.
We started our day like any Londoner would, that is with a pretty cappuccino! We stopped by Hagen, a Danish espresso bar that serves the most creative coffees with a dash of Hygge, of course. We particularly love this spot as it is tucked away in one of Regent Street’s side streets, so it can be a relaxing spot before going shopping.
Speaking of which, our next stop had to be the historical Liberty London. Most of you know the exteriors of one of the most iconic department stores in the world, but have you ever been inside? If possible, it is even more magical! We went for a little personal shopping session and learnt everything about the history and what goes behind the product choice. Liberty supports many young designers, so together with designer brands you will also find many unique garments. Also, their world-renowned fabrics alone are worth a visit.
Shopping can make you hungry, right? Thankfully Regent Street has so many incredible foodie options. This time, as the weather was pretty amazing, we decided to visit The Wigmore, a modern pub that’s part of the striking London hotel, The Langham. Here we were served some delicious British food with a view over John Nash’s All Souls Grade II church. If you go, the cheese toastie is a MUST and something you will definitely not forget.
With lunch taken care of, we went for another little wander around the many shops that are along the street, with a stop at Mulberry London to see their new bag collection. We are happy to say that most places weren’t overcrowded and social distancing is definitely in place, making us feel safe during these strange times!
St James’s
Established for over 300 years, St James’s is one of those areas in London that we are just in love with. It’s a neighbourhood that no matter how many times you visit you will always find a new foodie spot, fashion haven or art gallery.
We kicked off our visit with a stop at Maison Assouline. This eclectic gem is all about style, with antique objects, sophisticated furniture and great coffee. We had never been for afternoon tea, so why not? We certainly weren’t disappointed and we would definitely recommend it if you want to get cosy right in the middle of Central London.
Our next stop had to be one of the many art galleries that St James’s has to offer. We chose one we had never visited before, Mall Galleries. Located on Pall Mall, here you will find a wide range of contemporary figurative art from emerging and established artists that will leave you feeling inspired.
For an early dinner, we headed to St James’s Market. This is a little hidden spot just off Piccadilly Circus – a delightfully serene spot and one of the area’s best-kept foodie secrets. This time it was the turn of Ikoyi, a creative restaurant that we 100% recommend, with its fusion of British micro-seasonality and West African flavours and dishes. Surprised such a place exists? Well, St James’s is a great place to explore innovative cuisine from all over the world!
Last stop of the day was the famous DUKES Bar for their world-famous martinis. Walking into this bar is like stepping into a novel, with Alessandro, the famous Bar Manager, making this experience absolutely unique. He made us the signature Vesper Martini while talking us through the history of this renowned cocktail, as we took in the citrus scents of the lemons from Amalfi. Alessandro’s best tip? Drink it really slowly, because this cocktail is served at a temperature of -18°C and you will hardly feel the alcohol!
It felt so good to finally be back in St James’s, and we were so happy that we felt safe and comfortable in every venue that we visited.
