Want to go - bookstore and cafe. Recommended by a friend for its cocktails and tea service

Sit outside in the quiet, plant-filled courtyard and enjoy simple, well-prepared Italian by the Petersham group. (The courtyard is equally as nice as Petersham on the opposite side, but I wasn’t as much a fan of the rather blah interior.) Fried courgette blossoms and burrata were startlingly good and the amalfi lemon tart w a brûléed top is a must.

Nice newish addition to the Marylebone dining scene, with Italian and French inspired dishes. Focaccia w pesto was fantastic and the gazpacho was also quite good. Photo via website.

Modern European - think, a healthy mix of country bread, cured meats, wild mushrooms, roasted game. Also a wine bar with focus on natural wines.

Want to go. A favorite of Diana Henry’s — modern, rustic European.

Superbly delicious modern Polish cuisine. Very good value and elegant atmosphere without being too formal. Want to try their Sunday brunch.

Want to go.

Same fab Dishoom food (indian w Iranian influences), but in an Art Deco hall -- apparently a near-exact replica of the Bombay jazz club Leopold Cafe of the 1940s. Soft opening till 15 dec 2017, at which point there will be live jazz on the weekends.

New favorite women's boutique. lovely, feminine pieces and a good selection of locally-designed jewelry. Silk dressing gowns made in Britain.

Great neighborhood spot for middle eastern grill and Iraqi specialties.

Want to go. Well executed French in a tiny park kiosk (?!). Sounds intriguing, especially for that vol au vent. Forewarning - closes at 10pm.

Want to go. Healthy, Persian-influenced; daytime only.

Love this classy- quasi-dive. Sunday night jazz (could also be called early-Monday morning jazz) was as impressive for the packed crowd of very cool people as for the music. You are welcome.

Want to go.

If you can look beyond the signs of a potential tourist trap you'll discover exceptional mezze (amazing hummus, and likely the best kibbeh I've ever had). Lovely waitstaff, and a family favorite for over 30 years.

Looks like the usual curry house (red upholstered chairs, etc) but had an exceptional chicken shashlick here. Definitely a good choice for casual Indian/Pakistani if you're not interested in making the trek to tayyabs. Photo via their website.

Sister to Koya next door (which has sadly closed), with a menu focused on udon and izakaya, along with unique small plates that change regularly. Seating is all around one big bar. A great casual option in Soho.

Want to go.

One of my favorites in soho - daily changing menu with a focus on seasonal produce; , cozy, romantic atmosphere. Beware low-hanging lamps.

Medieval through modernists, in a setting that feels like you've dropped into a regal 18th c London home. Less crowded and a more intimate viewing experience than the National Gallery.

Go underground for an eerily beautiful remnant of Norman London (11th c crypt). The museum just across the road gives a good overview of the history of the order of St. John (medieval medics-crusaders).

The classic (and first?) nose-to-tail - a must for carnivores and those on the more adventurous side of English cuisine. Their bread is baked in house --easily the best rye loaf in London -- and can be purchased to take home if you get there early enough in the day.

Sourdough doughnuts...so good.

Fantastic breads (carefully sourced and milled flour) and casual café lunch tucked under a railway arch in London Fields. Chelsea buns are to die for. They also do really admirable work in partnership with the Refugee Council.

Stroll across Chelsea bridge and over to this park. The Thames-side path is its highlight.

Quiet place for working or reading. Lovely old Victorian building.

The newest outpost of this wood-fired sourdough pizza place. Pizze bianche (especially with Gloucester old spot ham) are my favorites. Crowds have gotten a bit out of control as it's gotten more popular, but it's great value (£6-7/ pizza) and probably the best I've had in London.

Converted Victorian library to (free) contemporary gallery and arts education space. Ceramics and drawing studio has well-regarded classes, and the bookstore is definitely worth a visit.

Come here for a pint after wandering the Heath. Old Victorian-style pub (with a well-heeled Hampstead crowd), tucked up and away from the high street. Gastro-pub style menu. Book on a Sunday to get a table.

Wonderful place to see independent and foreign films, as well as theatre. Grab a drink on the peaceful, Thames-side terrace beforehand. Photo via their website.

Pretty little cafe and foodshop next door - great produce and cheese at the counter in the back. Love the old-fashioned feel of the place (minimalist without any pretension).

Such beautiful flowers. Strategic location next to Vera Wang?

I prefer the Belsize location for its roomier, brighter interior but same delicious baked goods and the best breakfast in Hampstead. Granola with rhubarb ginger compote is fab.

Want to go. Mariyam and Floortje both love this place for excellent Peruvian. Book the downstairs for a festive atmosphere.

Some of the best views of London in my favourite park (Hampstead Heath) - wild and beautiful. A bit of a trek up there on the northern line, but wander around Hampstead afterwards and feel like you've stepped out of London.

My favorite cafe in this neighborhood. Comfy distressed leather couches, nice coffee, and always reliable wifi. Great background buzz of London's creative/designer set.

Focus on Sardinian specialties - very charming local spot

Want to go.

Handmade, elegant chocolates from their King's Road kitchen. Pretty packaging and knowledgable, passionate staff. Want to try the earl grey and lime/basil next time...

Excellent Peruvian tucked in a basement on Marylebone high street. Well conceived menu - sea bream ceviche is a must, as is the melt-in-mouth lomo saltado (beef cheek). plantains with a malt sauce were also a hit. Service was sporadic - seems like they're still getting used to newfound trendiness.

Old school Italian deli - grab some pici pasta to make at home.

Want to go. Italian deli with apparently some great fresh pici to take home to cook.

Want to go. Apparently has great cocktails (to swig sitting amidst a collection of taxidermy, with old school hip hop on the speakers- slightly odd combination, but then again very much of its neighbourhood)

Henry VIII's residence, and much more - don't miss the tucked-away Mantegna room and leave an hour at least to stroll through the sprawling gardens. Possible to arrive by (slow) boat from Central london in the summer if you're particularly keen on re enacting the Tudor experience.

Eclectic selection of art/design books and magazines in an otherwise dead section of Clerkenwell. Worth checking out for the posters and specialty sketchbooks.

Hands down the best Swedish bakery in London (prefer their cinnamon/cardamom buns to those at Nordic). Nestled under the brick arch of the Hoxton overground, with lovely outdoor tables in summer.

Want to go - apparently really good Persian, best for lunch

Want to go. Rustic French bakery

Want to go. recommended by Alyssa for its (un-English) afternoon tea - Asian style, with dim sum and Gongfu Cha tea ceremony.

Rooftop bar on the strand with impressive wrap-around views of the south bank all the way to canary wharf. Go for the skyline, ignore the pretentious crowd.

Want to go.

(Authentic) warehouse chic in a renovated granary. Coffee roasters by day and creative small plate menu for dinner. Also worth trying one of the excellent fish mains. Outdoor tables overlook a fountain-light installation fitting with the nearby Central St. Martins (arts uni) campus.