Members -- 5 days ago
Restaurants, Cafes and Bars – London’s best secrets
Words: Violet
Our friends at Twenty Something London give us their top five picks of the capital’s best independent businesses. For their column debut they’ve picked underground drinking dens, secret bars in Soho, quirky cafés and more.
1. Secret bars in Soho
Behind a blue door on Greek Street in the heart of Soho is Trisha’s underground drinking gem. While Trish has been running it with her son for over a decade it’s been alive since the 1940’s with each of the two previous owners adding their era to the on-site history book, more specifically the bar’s picture wall hall of fame.
2. Marylebone’s finest mixology ,
Just off Marylebone high-street you’ll find Purl, a sophisticated underground speakeasy bringing you top cocktails thanks to their alcoholic experiments. If you are looking for relaxing drinking den where Aladdin and his cave meet Charlie in his merry chocolate factory is a definite favourite of the area.
3. Top brunch in town ,
Go slightly off the beaten track from Goodge Street and you’ll find Lantana, Shelagh and Michael’s Austrailian cafe serving top class coffee and delicious, multicultural food including their ‘Crack Cake’ so named because it’s so completely addictive.
4. Colourful Kings Cross cafés ,
Karpo, Cafe & Restaurant, Kings Cross
Just opposite Kings Cross station is a top foodie go-to spot all times of the day. While far from inconspicuous, thanks to its exterior of brightly coloured graffiti, you’ll be surprised how few people know about it. A great gem for the Euston Road.
5. Notting Hill hot spots
A café inside a boutique shop may sound like a slightly odd concept, but once inside Café 202 you can’t fail to be charmed by the simple, classical décor and tantalising one page menu showcasing excellent brassiere-themed fare. The perfect place to indulge in a spot of people watching and truly delicious brunch as the queue of devoted locals will tell you better than words ever could.
For more information on cool happenings all over the capital, visit twentysomethinglondon.com or follow them on twitter @twntysmthngLDN
