Princesses, Palaces, Tiaras. What’s not to love about a honeymoon in London? If you’re headed over to Old London town, and want to start the honeymoon off with a bang, here’s how to wine and dine in style.
Breakfast:
Set the tone of your day from the very first cup of coffee at The Lanesborough. This gorgeous five star hotel’s fairytale dining room, Céleste will take your breath away. Crystal chandeliers, duck egg blue frescoes, a soaring glass roof, fine china and gilded mirrors on the walls – this is London old world glamour at its best.
It does come with a price tag. With French chef Steven Gilles at the helm and a Michelin star, it’s earned it, but the trick is to book in for breakfast. Fluffy pancakes will only set you back £15, and the porridge is under £10. If you’ve got the budget, book into the hotel members club spa. You won’t regret it. Located right on Hyde Park Corner, after breakfast you’re perfectly positioned for a stroll hand in hand through Hyde Park down to the Princess Diana Memorial Fountain.
A quick snack:
After exiting the park, head to Harrods to do some window shopping, or some real shopping if you’ve got the budget! It’s always worth heading downstairs to the Food Halls, where the cheese rooms, Bake Hall, spice rooms and the Ice Cream Parlour will make David Jones look like small fry. Stock up on souvenirs (the shortbread biscuits are always a win) before grabbing a fresh juice to keep you going.
Afternoon tea:
Ah, the time honoured tradition of Afternoon Tea! How could you go to London and not settle in for an afternoon of finger sandwiches and warm scones? Take things up a notch with The Berkeley’s Prêt-à-Portea. Couture cake is the name of the game here – truly, you’ll bite into mini handbags, biscuits shaped like the latest dresses, even shoe shaped chocolates.
The cakes change based on the latest looks of the season. This winter there’s a gorgeous Fendi raincoat biscuit! Don’t worry, there’s still sandwiches to get you started, with refills if you need them, but save room for the sweets as they’re the real showstoppers.
Drinks and nibbles:
Timing is everything when you’re feasting in London. Afternoon tea is a big commitment and you’re guaranteed to be full for a while, so head on over to The Strand, where you’ll find Mr Fogg’s Society of Exploration.
Mr Fogg is London’s mysterious, yet famous benefactor behind a series of wildly eclectic gin bars. You’ll find versions of Mr Fogg’s in Covent Garden, Mayfair, Fitzrovia and Liverpool Street – each is an adventure, from the moment you find the front door to the moment you leave.
At Mr Fogg’s Society of Exploration, the journey begins by descending underground, with a ball dropped down a flume running along the ceiling all the way to the bar to announce your arrival.
Settle into the train carriage (yes train carriage) for drinks served in coconut husks or topped with smoking ingredients, surrounded by artefacts from Mr Fogg’s adventures – clocks, scrolls, horns and books are just the beginning. There’s the Mechanical Mixologist contraption behind the bar, but the waiters and real mixologists are experts at their craft.
Work your way through the extensive cocktail list, which starts at Mount Everest, goes past the Great Barrier Reef and ends up at The Harem. There’s also a very extensive gin collection worth perusing. Throw in a couple of share plates to keep you going – popcorn chicken, sweet potato fries, Kentish cheese boards, and homemade sausage rolls are a few highlights.
Whether you want to drink cocktails in hidden gin bars, feast on fancy cakes or take tea in five star hotels, London will keep you well fed and watered!
Ms Zebra: What’s not to love about a food tour through London?! Thanks Lisa for this epic itinerary that’s sure to get everyones taste buds wagging!!
About Lisa Perkovic: Lisa has spent the past decade travelling the world writing for Australia’s leading newspapers, magazines and blogs about all things travel. Her own honeymoon was her pièce de résistance – an epic journey to the Maldives and South Africa. Now she loves nothing more than sharing destinations and tips to help other newlyweds work out how to have the honeymoon of their dreams.
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