London is a city of contrasts, of the old and the new, the stately and the subversive, the ceremonial and the spontaneous. Art, music, theatre, history, festivals, markets, restaurants, bars, clubs, parks and sport – the list of what to do and what to see is endless. Three days can only scratch the surface of a city many often consider to be the capital of the world. But it’s worth giving it a try, as long as you have two guarantees: a comfortable bed and comfortable shoes.
Day 1
Morning
The first plan of action when arriving anywhere should be one that allows you to get your bearings and gives you a real sense of place – you want to know you’re in London and no other city. For this, a walk along the river is a great way to start, from Westminster Bridge to as far east as you can manage, taking in vistas of the Palace of Westminster and Big Ben, the National Theatre, and an array of iconic buildings as you stroll along the curve of the Thames.
Story
Lunch
A trip to London wouldn’t be complete without visiting a proper British pub, and The Anchor & Hope fits the bill perfectly. For over 20 years, this stalwart of the city’s pub scene has been nourishing tourists and locals alike. A fish stew or roast beef will re-energise any flagging sightseer and provide a real glimpse into how London’s pub culture has developed over the years. If you’re a brisk walker and you’ve made it as far as Tower Bridge, then reward yourself with a really special multi-course lunch at Two Michelin Star Story, just be aware that it certainly won't be a flying visit.Afternoon
It’s now time for the Tate Modern, one of the largest modern art museums in the world and such an integral part of London’s cultural landscape. Afterwards, head over the Millennium Bridge to St. Paul’s Cathedral, Sir Christopher Wren’s 17th Century masterpiece and one of the most recognisable landmarks in London.
St. Paul's Cathedral viewed from the Millenium Bridge
Drinks
Think ahead and make sure you've made reservations for pre-dinner drinks at Europe’s highest hotel bar: GŎNG Bar on the 52nd floor of the Shangri-La The Shard hotel. If you’re lucky enough to get a window table, you can stare down in wonder at London’s ever-changing skyline.Dinner
A table at Mountain will give you a clear idea of the capital’s culinary zeitgeist. The open kitchen adds real buzz to the room, where the open flames and wood-fired oven provide wonderful smoky flavours. If you want to see why London has such a great reputation for its Indian food, then you could try Trishna instead – their brown crab is utterly delicious.
Trishna
Hotel
When the sun has set and it’s time for bed, the Ham Yard Hotel is a great choice. It may be in the lively Soho district, but this still feels like a little oasis of calm and is run by a warm, welcoming team. It’s one of the bigger hotels in the Firmdale Group, but still has a boutique feel and comes with contemporary design and a style that makes this collection of hotels so popular.Day 2
Breakfast
While the temptation for breakfast will always be room service when staying in a comfortable hotel, it’s also worth getting going and, for that, there’s breakfast at The Wolseley – just a short stroll away from Ham Yard. Imagine you’re in a PG Wodehouse novel and go for the grilled kipper, while watching the great and the good plan at the adjacent tables.
The Wolseley
Morning
The State Rooms at Buckingham Palace are open to the public between July and September, so book a morning slot and be one of the first of the day. For those who prefer a more languid start to the morning, go along at 11am for the Changing of the Guard ceremony, which happens on Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Sunday. If the sun has got its hat on, London’s wonderful Royal Parks should be explored too; you can walk near-continuously from Kensington Gardens to St James’s Park, via Hyde Park and Green Park.Lunch
Dinner by Heston Blumenthal also looks out over Hyde Park, with the dishes here taking inspiration from England’s oldest recipe books. Ask for a window seat as you might even see the guards on their horses going past. Lunch can be a cheaper way of experiencing top quality restaurants as many offer a special lunchtime menu; check out the quietly understated Elystan Street, for example, and its well-judged, satisfying dishes.
Afternoon
‘Shopping’ – a word to evoke feelings of delirium in some and despair in others; but it has to be done, so explore one or two of the famous department stores that London has to offer: Liberty, Harrods, Selfridges, Harvey Nichols or Fortnum & Mason. When it comes to streets, try Marylebone Road or the new-ish Coal Drops Yard in King’s Cross.Dinner & Evening
One evening of any London trip really should be spent at the theatre. While Shaftesbury Avenue is the city’s best-known street for the performing arts, consider smaller venues which are more likely to feature newer and less familiar plays, like The Almeida, the Bridge Theatre, Donmar Warehouse and Hampstead Theatre. In the summer months, check out the open-air theatre in Regent’s Park.
Shaftesbury Avenue
London has a multitude of great options for pre or post-theatre dining, but you can’t go far wrong with J. Sheekey. One of the city’s best seafood restaurants, it has been feeding actors and theatregoers since 1896. Its walls are festooned by the famous and its menu packed full of delicious fish and shellfish. Cora Pearl is another charming spot, round the corner from what's affectionately known as “The Actors’ Church”, and focuses on seasonal British produce.
Drinks
If all that history hasn’t sated you, then extend your evening with a visit to Gordon’s Wine Bar either before or after your show. Established in 1890, it’s the oldest wine bar in London and its vaulted cellar adds to the great atmosphere. For something a little more modern, head for the NoMad Hotel in Covent Garden, opposite the Royal Opera House.
Cora Pearl
Day 3
Breakfast
Mount St has the greatest art collection of any restaurant in London. They also do a fabulous breakfast – the Omelette Arnold Bennett is particularly good – which you can enjoy while you admire the paintings from artists including Lucian Freud and Henri MatisseMorning
The morning means markets – whether that’s Portobello Road in Notting Hill, Alfies Antique Market in Marylebone or the stubbornly grungy Camden Market. And if it’s a Sunday, the Columbia Road Flower Market is a must.
Columbia Road Flower Market
Lunch
If you decide to head to Borough Market for your morning browsing, then time your visit to coincide with lunch. You’ll need respite from the crowds and all that produce will likely have a Pavlovian effect on your appetite. Try a restaurant like Akara, which is the baby sister of Michelin-Starred Akoko; here you can enjoy a mix of West African and Brazilian cooking under the arches, and it’s just one example of the rich variety of cuisines on offer. If you’ve decided to go shopping in Carnaby Street or exploring Covent Garden instead, then opt for a great value lunch at Imad's Syrian Kitchen, with its menu full of enticing Middle Eastern flavours designed for sharing.
Akara
Afternoon
The National Gallery has over 2,300 paintings dating back as far as the 13th Century, but The National Portrait Gallery, which reopened in 2023 after major work, is a great place if you want to see more recognisable faces. Those with an interest in art and design will also want to spend considerable time at The Victoria & Albert Museum, while the Natural History Museum and Science Museum are virtually next door.Dinner
It’s time to explore the restaurants of London’s trendiest quarter: Shoreditch. Lyle’s is a great spot for dinner – it’s laid-back and pared-down, with a menu of cleverly composed dishes that are a joy to eat. Alternatively, Popolo and manteca are two very buzzy and well-priced Italian restaurants; Smokestak is a Bib Gourmand restaurant that’s sure to satisfy; and Bubala offers Middle Eastern vegetarian dishes that are great for sharing. Round off the evening with cocktails at Christina’s at the Mondrian London Shoreditch hotel. For more recommendations in trendy East London, check out our guide to the Borough of Hackney.Address Book
Alfies Antique Market, 13 - 25 Church St, London NW8 8DTBorough Market, London SE1 9AL
Buckingham Palace, London SW1A 1AA
Camden Market, 54-56 Camden Lock Pl, London NW1 8AF
Columbia Road Flower Market, Columbia Rd, London E2 7RG
Gordon's Wine Bar, 47 Villiers St, London WC2N 6NE
Mount St, First Floor, The Audley Public House, 41-43 Mount St, London W1K 2RX
National Portrait Gallery, St. Martin's Pl, London WC2H 0HE
Natural History Museum, Cromwell Rd, South Kensington, London SW7 5BD
Portobello Road Market, London W11 1LJ
Science Museum, Exhibition Rd, South Kensington, London SW7 2DD
St. Paul's Cathedral, St. Paul's Churchyard, London EC4M 8AD
Tate Modern, Bankside, London SE1 9TG
The National Gallery, Trafalgar Square, London WC2N 5DN
Victoria and Albert Museum, Cromwell Rd, London SW7 2RL
Love all things Michelin?
Sign up to our newsletter to hear from the Michelin Inspectors
Get the Guide on the go with the free app
Set up an account to create lists & manage bookings
