The Hidden Gems Around London

 

The Chronicle aparthotel is in one of the most charged and historically rich areas in all of London. But with so much to do and see, sorting out the diamonds from the rough can seem a bit overwhelming.

That’s where we come in – here are our picks for the absolute musts in and around the city of London. This way, you’ll be able to eat, drink and wander to your heart’s content!

 

Best Coffee

Prufrock Coffee – This coffee-turned-barista school (pictured) features a practically scientific collection of roasteries. Get ready for a coffee with the perfect balance of flavour nodes.

J + A Cafe– This Irish café, tucked in a hidden passage off Great Sutton Street, is full of down to earth charm. Expect Irish favourites such as soda bread.

Brill– Coffee, bagel, records – need we say more? How about that it’s on charming Exmouth Market, meaning you can wander the beautiful street after fuelling up.

And for Tea…

You can’t go wrong with Good and Proper Tea. The near-30 types of teas might seem overwhelming, but the staff will guide you through.

 

When You Want to Go for a Stroll

Make sure to hit up Leather Lane or Exmouth Market – they’re the most vibrant streets in all of central London.

 

Best Burgers

Burger Bear – What’s cooler than a restaurant on top of the Old Street roundabout? How about one of their grizzly bear burgers, which is double-stacked, oozing, and topped with their homemade jam.

Hache Burgers– With burgers like the Rosemary Lamb and Steak Truffle, Hache classes up the typical burger experience. You might want to eat these ones with a steak knife.

Singtong Burger House – This Leather Lane staple adds a Southeast Asian twist to the typical quarter pounder, with the famous Singtong Chicken Burger covered in the secret Thai-marinade.

 

Unique Dining

 

Dans le Noir – With blind waiters, a surprise menu that is only revealed to you after you’ve eaten, diners are forced to use all other senses to make judgements of taste (and character)

If grab and go is what you’re after, you can’t do better than the Sub Cult food stall on Leather Lane, with their masterpiece steak subs.

Clerkenwell Grind– Housed in a refurbished warehouse, the Clerkenwell iteration of this popular London franchise might be the most beautiful. It changes depending on the time of day, from an opulent cafe, to a sumptuous restaurant, to buzzy cocktail bar by night.

 

Unique Drinking

Bounce Farringdon– This London institution features 17 unique ping pong tables for a real unique take on normal drinking. Supposedly, it sits on the spot where the beautiful game was first invented!

The London Shuffle Club – How ’bout some shuffle boarding to go with those cocktails? You have the choice of playing across the floors or tabletop games for a more intimate feel.

Piano Works – As the only bar in the city that promises live music all the time, this is the perfect place to go for celebrations. They take requests too – who doesn’t love a few late-night sing-a-longs?