Nigerian food but make it elevated — Akara takes West African cuisine seriously. Great ingredients, thoughtful cooking. A proper date spot too.

Amazing views, good food and cocktails — they have a terrace where they host parties. Go for sunset, the skyline from up here is worth it.

Everyone's favourite Indian restaurant in London. The black daal is life-changing. Expect queues — no reservations for small groups. The King's Cross branch in the Victorian transit shed has the best atmosphere.

I LOVE this place. Small, nothing crazy from the outside — but the best Italian you can have in London. Neighbourhood restaurant energy with serious cooking. Book ahead, it fills up fast.

Date restaurant for sure — by the water, great experience overall. Lovely seafood, relaxed setting on the canal in Little Venice. Very underrated.

Date restaurant for sure — by the water and great experience overall. The terrace right in front of Tower Bridge is unreal. Classic French cooking done right. Go in summer for the beach restaurant vibes.

Michelin-recommended Turkish fine dining — this is what Turkish food looks like when elevated. Beautiful space, exceptional mezes and grills. If you want to feel seen as a Turk in London, this is it.

Rooftop restaurant with live jazz on some evenings — great views, good food, and the music makes it feel special. Check their schedule before booking to catch a jazz night. Perfect date energy.

Iconic Art Deco basement restaurant in Mayfair with live jazz most evenings. Glamorous setting, great cocktails. More about the experience and atmosphere than the food alone — and that experience delivers.

Delicious fried chicken sandwich inside Seven Dials Market. Crispy, well-seasoned, great sauce. The market itself has loads of other options too — good for a casual lunch with great energy.

Excellent fresh pasta in the heart of Covent Garden. No reservations for small groups — queue early or book ahead. The homemade pasta here is genuinely special.

Great bar, been on my list for a while — and it delivered. Cool crowd, solid cocktail menu, good neighbourhood energy. The kind of place you end up staying much longer than planned.

One of the most famous jazz clubs in the world — fun fact: Raye used to sing here before she got famous. Miles Davis, Nina Simone, Jimi Hendrix have all played on this stage. Low lighting, intimate tables, world-class musicians every night. Book ahead, dress sharp.

London institution. One of the most famous clubs in the world — different rooms, different vibes. The main room has some of the best sound you will ever experience. Worth going at least once.

If you haven't been to fabric, you haven't experienced London nightlife. Victorian underground cold storage turned world-class club. The bodysonic dancefloor literally vibrates through your feet.

This bakery is genuinely exceptional — the kind that makes you rethink what bread and pastry can be. Everything is outstanding. Go early before they sell out.

Good hot chocolate done properly — thick, rich, not the powdery stuff. A cosy spot when London is doing its grey, rainy thing. The kind of place you discover and keep coming back to.

Best chocolate store in London — the luxury Belgian end. Perfect for gifts or just treating yourself. The quality here is exceptional and everything is beautifully packaged.

Proper Turkish breakfast spread in London — simit, menemen, beyaz peynir, kaymak, sucuk, the whole thing. The kind of breakfast that takes two hours and you don't mind at all. Exactly as good as back home.

Arcade place perfect for a cute, fun daytime date — immersive games, cocktails, and a great atmosphere in Canary Wharf. Way less awkward than sitting across a table on an early date.

Open-air theatre in the middle of Regent's Park — only runs in summer and it is genuinely magical. Get there early, have a picnic on the lawn before the show. One of those very London experiences you will remember.

The only wakeboarding and paddleboarding spot in central London — Royal Victoria Dock. You can literally wakeboard in London, which is surreal. Great for a summer day out, beginners very welcome, and there is a beach bar on site.

Inspired by the TV show — obstacle courses, warped walls, climbing, inflatables. Way more fun than expected. They have different branches across London, so check the one closest to you.

An underground drift kart track beneath Bermondsey — completely unexpected and honestly brilliant. Great for a group outing. There is a bierkeller above too, so you can properly celebrate your lap times.

If you're looking for padel courts in London, this is the new benchmark. 11 courts, a gym, sauna, ice plunge, bar with a massive screen — and they roast their own coffee on site. Genuinely exceptional facility.