Hi,
I will be traveling to London for the 1st time, Monday July 30 to Friday, August 3. I am planning to follow Rick's London itinerary for the most part. This will be my first time traveling solo and I'm looking for some restaurant suggestions.
Dinner - I'm staying a hotel near Victoria Station. I would like splurge for a nice dinner one or two nights. Doesn't need to be super close to the hotel but that's a plus. I do not love the idea of dining alone, so a place with a welcoming atmosphere would be appreciated.
Theater or Concerts - I know I can buy tickets in advance but a friend advised just walking up to theaters the night of the show for last minute tickets. He traveled many years ago however. Suggestions on tickets or whether to order in advance? I do not have my heart set on anything in particular but I'm a music lover, prefer musicals or concerts.
Thank you in advance!
Posted by
Atlanta
2469 posts
Last Sept. I stayed at the Lime Tree Hotel on Ebury Street near Victoria Station. We ate at an Italian restaurant called Il Convivio (I think that's the name) on or near the corner of Elizabeth Street and Ebury Street. Fantastic food!!
I think I read on the forum that the Ebury Wine Bar is closed (?) not sure about that. But, if it is still open, we had fabulous dinner there.
Posted by
Ontario, Canada
4841 posts
I wouldn't recommend just walking up to a theatre on the evening of a performance. If you don't have your heart set on a particular show, you could go to the TKTS booth in Leicester Square in the morning. They display a list of the shows that they are selling tickets for that night. Often at a good discount. This has been our modus operandi for quite a few years.
Posted by
No-Wheresville, USA
166 posts
Hi,
You might find these suggestions a bit interesting. Adjacent to Trafalgar Square, is a really cool and reasonable place to have lunch or dinner and perhaps hear some music at the same time. Consider Café in the Crypt for fare, and St Martin's in the Fields for Music. Same location. I have dined at Café in the Crypt several times over the years, and found the food to be good, and very reasonable for London. And the location is great! Right across the street from the National Gallery which is also FREE like most of the London museums. Below is a link to both Café in the Crypt / St Martins in the Fields, as well as a video I shot when I was there last July. Filmed a great guitarist at Trafalgar square you might enjoy. Have a great trip.
https://www.stmartin-in-the-fields.org/visit/cafe-in-the-crypt/
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6POhuJU8sYg
Here is also a link to upcoming concerts at St Martin in the Field you may be interested in,
https://www.stmartin-in-the-fields.org/whats-on/?category=211
Posted by
Chicago
1324 posts
You could try to get day seats for a performance that same day. Day seats are available in the morning (not evening) of the performance. Here's a good explanation of them. http://www.theatremonkey.com/dayseatfinder.htm
TKTS is also an option and you can buy for up to three days in advance if you plan to see multiple shows while you're there. The drawback of both day seats and TKTS is that you're likely to be waiting in a long line.
You can also look at discounted online websites. Today Tix and Lovetheatre are two I've used. https://www.todaytix.com/x/london
https://www.lovetheatre.com/
Pre theatre meals can be a very good deal, and you won't feel awkward at all. You're usually given a limited menu and can choose two or three courses for a fixed price.
Posted by
Windsor, Ontario, Canada
4037 posts
Lots of pubs have satisfying menus these days, if not gourmet, and the atmosphere is probably convivial. The Internet bristles with pub and craft beer sites; one good one is the on-line version of the city magazine Time Out. It also covers night life and cultural activities. Google Maps will show you pubs and restaurants around your hotel, usually with links, without making recommendations.
For concerts and plays, www.theatremonkey.com
It gives advice about last-minute tickets and using the cut-rate sales point in Leicester Square. Some long-running shows offer dinner-and-show packages, also covered in TheatreMonkey.
Posted by
USA
274 posts
I've found it easiest to find a good pub, go eat dinner about the same time a sports match is on the TV, and sit near the bar to feel sociable. :) All I had to do is ask some questions about the sports teams, and it's a sociable time.
Your hotel's employees will probably give you the info on the best places right nearby. There are SO many. :)
I did learn the hard way to watch prices if I was anywhere near Mayfair. A regular-looking burger place turned out to only offer dinners for £60 each! My daughter and I ordered soup for lunch (since we had already started on the bread when we realized how high the prices were), got a look from the waiter like he knew it was the prices we were watching, not our waistlines, then we ate very nice soup, and left. At least we didn't have to wash dishes. :)
You have a great trip!
Posted by
Land of La
8655 posts
Last trip, Nov/Dec 2017 discovered Dishoom. Fabulous. It is a chain. The Dishoom I went to thrice was off of Granary Square behind St Pancras station. Loved the whole revitalized area. Took lovely strolls
Along the canal path following each wonderful meal.
I’m also a fan of pub grub especially after a long day of walking and exploring.
You can review on line what tix are available at the 1/2 price ticket booth in Leceister Square. Also check the Globe Theatre website and the open air theatre at Regents Park schedule. https://openairtheatre.com/whats-on
Lastly concur with others who recommend Time Out London. I’d also research London Food Blogs.
Have a wonderful first time solo travel adventure. You picked a great city to explore!!!