Kensington area places to eat

London is a huge city. You probably don't want to limit yourself to only eating in that one area every night of your trip just because your hotel is nearby. While there are a lot of Indian restaurants there, you will also be able to find many other ethnic restaurants for a meal. So if your 17yo likes Chinese or Greek, etc., you can dine at those places when you get tired of pub food. Chains like Pizza Express are scattered across the city (Google Pizza Express London and I'm sure you can find their locations and menu with prices). As far as safety, it's a personal choice. My choice is that whenever I have been in London I lock up the bulk of my cash & my passport in a hotel safe and carry a purse with only enough cash for that 1 day and 1 credit card (the other stays back at the hotel). Now the moneybelt police on this board will tell you all about how you are asking for trouble unless you do it their way. How they know someone who knows someone whose brother's co-workers uncle had his pants slashed open with a knife on a subway and had his wallet taken. So you pick what you are comfortable doing. But understand a moneybelt is NOT the same thing as a fanny pack (bum bag in UK as fanny means something entirely different there!). You wear it under your clothes and it's never accessed in public. If you need more money than the 20-30 Euro you may have tucked in your pants pocket, you'll need to hit the ladies restroom to retrieve more cash or your credit cards. There is always a high likelihood you'll experience some rain when you travel to London. No need to go overboard with gear. A small umbrella to stick in your day bag and bring 2 pair of shoes on the trip in case 1 pair gets soaking wet. You'll want a jacket that will keep you warm, or at least a raincoat with a zip out lining. Weather changes on a dime over there & can be sunny/warm in morning & wet/cold after lunch.

London is an expensive city. Similar to the absurd real estate market here in LA. However, finding places that won't set you back a ton of cash is easy. Pub grub is fine food. You will usually see a sign board outside on the sidewalk telling you the special of the day. Yes, your 17 year old son can go inside and eat. London is a very cosmopolitan city with a ton of ethnic restaurants to enjoy. Chinese, Middle Eastern, Vietnamese, Persian, Japanese, to name a few. You can also enjoy these popular chains: Wagamama's, Stockpot, Busaba Eathai (Thai) and Pret a Manger. The latter is also good for grabbing sandwiches and salads for a picnic although you can also sit down and enjoy their made-fresh-every-morning offerings. You are staying in one of the tonier neighborhoods in London, (think Brentwood as opposed to Hollywood). I would suggest walking (about a 1.5 miles) or taking the tube to the S. Kensington stop and then over to Bosphorus Kebabs on Old Brompton Road. Good nosh after you've wander through the Natural History museum. There are countless small dining places like this with excellent and filling food. Carry an across the shoulder purse. Use a money belt that goes inside your waist band. Lastly, take waterproof shells and layer your clothing. It can rain in April. Forgo taking an umbrella (brolly). Cheap and functional ones are everywhere in London. Great city. Have fun!

Nina, we've been to London numerous times, and I've never used a money belt. I use a shoulder purse with an adjustable strap that can also go across my body if I feel the need to for safety reasons (i.e. hands are full, on the tube, or in crowds). I don't put all my money or credit cards in my wallet, and in public when making a purchase I use a small change purse with a days worth of cash (British £) in it. Also, since we have a couple of different types of credit cards, my husband carries one and I carry another so if one of us is robbed, we still have a credit card to use after reporting the other one as stolen (which hasn't happened yet, knock on wood). Regarding places to eat, just like in LA, you can find any type of cuisine, AND good and bad food. As already suggested, don't limit yourself to eating near your hotel. If you have Rick's London tour book, there are some great recommendations broken down by area. Since food is pricey (especially feeding a teenage boy), you might want to consider making lunch your heaviest meal - hopefully breakfast is included with your hotel rate. I'm sure both you and your son will enjoy popping into a pub for a meal. Rain?? It is London after all. I always pack a raincoat with a hood and a zip out lining. A wet umbrella is a pain to deal with. Have a great trip, and congrats to your son.

Nina, it's essential to use a money belt type device in a big city like London. They're sold right her at this website: http://tinyurl.com/36os94 My favorite is the Hidden Pocket. To use these devices effectively, you should keep just a day's spending money in your wallet/purse, and perhaps one credit card if you have multiple cards. Everything else goes into the belt not to be accessed in public. If you need to get extra cash, do it someplace private like a bathroom. If you get robbed you're limiting your losses to what's in your wallet/purse, and it won't ruin your trip.

I agree with Mary's comments-especially the one regarding using a purse that is worn across body. Are you staying at the Holiday Inn near Gloucester Road? If so, there are many eateries in that area as well as Tesco, Waitrose, etc. But don't limit dinners to just that area. Museums are great for lunches that are not expensive-we had a really nice lunch at the British Library for $12 or so for two. The Borough Market is great for grabbing a meal. Look at Fancyapint.com to review pubs that appeal to you and your son. The trip will be a graduation gift your son will never forget-very special!

Restaurant meals in London are at least as good (or bad) as you will find in any of the major international cities. You do not have to restrict yourself to pub or indian food. Also i agree with the post that you dont want to restrict yourself to restaurants near you. If you go out at night to theater or whatever, you will find many places to eat in that area, and at night, after rush hour, taxis can get you to virtually any restaurant in town quickly and efficiently Notwithstanding the above- the top Indian restaurants in London have exquisite food, and pub food is a fun (generally lunch) exerience In the Kensington area, if you want a convenient restaurant, there are a number of restaurants on Kensington Church street and Kensington High street
as well as in the vicinity of Harrods (Beauchamp place)

Thank you all so much for replies....Brian and Claudia from LA, Susan, Mary, Michael.....and Ceidleih..........from my beloved BOSTON!! I should have a clue that London is such an international city that they would have everything as in Los Angeles......I got hooked on Indian food years ago in Cambridge, MA as there are tons of Indian restaurants all up and down Mass. ave..... so we can have anything and everything...son will probably want Sushi everyday if he could!!! again, info is very much appreciated....this board I just discovered, usually use TripAdvisor.

Nina, everytime I host friends and relatives with teens coming to Washington DC to see the sites, the teens always want to go to the Hard Rock Cafe. So your son might enjoy London's Hard Rock location (which was the 1st one), and he'll probably want to get the tshirt. It's located near the Green Park tube stop on the Piccadilly, Victoria, and Jubilee lines.

Thank you very much Mary...I will take your advice....great idea!!

My husband and I have stayed right across the street from the Holiday Inn. We stay at the Crowne Plaza, which is part of the same Priority Club chain. Many times we get on the Gloucester Tube (Underground) right by your hotel. You go ONE STOP to Knightsbridge. When you get off, you will be right near Harrod's. Harrod's has a great food court. We loved having fish and chips in the food court a few times. If you take the elevator up a few floors, you can have a delicious buffet lunch, served until 3:30. In the same location, adjacent to the buffet area, you can have proper tea. It is a very picturesque location. They were remodelling Harrod's when we were there this past September/October. We have never felt threatened in London during the seven weeks total over the past three years. The Tube is very safe, convenient and clean. I always carry a tote over my shoulders. My husband doesn't carry his money belt in London. We just don't carry much cash to begin with. London is just plain perfect.

Hi Nina, I also heard that the food in London was not so great, however I have found the food to be wonderful on my visits! There are many places to get a good meal. I would highly recommend checking out the Borough Market like Susan said. Kappacasein sells ridiculously good grilled cheese sandwiches and you can sit and eat in the cathedral yard. I still dream about them haha. I've also visited Fish! restaurant and have found them to have very good fish and chips. Pret a manger is also good for fresh food on the go. As far as safety goes I have always worn a bag on my shoulder. I did tighten the strap so it was right under my shoulder and kept the zipper facing my front at all times. I have not experienced any problems. I hope you have a fabulous time. I think London is just the most wonderful place!