Five of the best kept secret eateries in London

If you’re tired of the restaurant chains and desperately need to get away from the crowded tourist hotspots of London, you’ll be pleased to learn that there are a wealth of hidden treasures tucked away exclusively for those in the know. From ultra-cool hipster hideaways to quaint and quirky bistros, check out some of the best (secret) eateries in the capital with Show & Stay.

Phat Phuc Noodle Bar, Chelsea

Get your mind out of the gutter; this is not the haunt of some grammatically-challenged chav. For those of us that are cultured and/or fluent in Vietnamese, Phat Phuc (pronounced as it’s spelled) translates to Happy Buddha. And very happy you’ll be once you’ve tasted this delicious Vietnamese food from this fantastic outdoor canteen. Pho noodle soup, a traditional Vietnamese dish, is the plat du jour. It’s a rich and nutritious broth packed with as much flavour as there are vitamins. So swing by, chow down and bon appetit, or more specifically chúc mọi người ăn ngon miệng if you’re Vietnamese.

The Seagrass, Islington

What’s a trip to London without sampling some traditional tucker from the capital? The Seagrass in Islington is a trendy little jaunt that’s affectionately adapted into somewhat of a semi-permanent pop-up. What’s more, it’s BYOB. Yes, that’s ‘bring your own bottle’, a notion often unheard of in today’s society of house wine and meal deals. So nab your favourite bottle of plonk, pull up a pew and enjoy some gorgeous gourmet food with a cockney infusion.

Upstairs Bar and Restaurant, Brixton

A delectable little bijou bar and restaurant, Upstairs is simply wonderful and an absolute must when wanting to enjoy super sumptuous food in the capital. This gastronomic taste sensation takes place in a fantastically designed little flat in London’s trendy Brixton. The food is seasonal and a new menu is selected every two weeks. It can be a little pricey, but every calorie of your meal is worth every single penny you splurge. Be sure to book ahead though as this tremendously tiny treasure is becoming increasingly popular.

Fifteen Street Eats, Hoxton

It seems that most celebrity chefs have trendy restaurants dotted all over the place, like The Fat Duck by Heston Blumenthal and Gordon Ramsay’s Bread Street Kitchen to name but a few. Of course you can’t mention TV chefs without the excitable Jamie Oliver, where his amazing Fifteen has long been a hip and happening eatery for yuppies and trendsetters alike. However, the thrifty and not so cool aren’t to be neglected, as you can enjoy Jamie Oliver’s famous pucker tucker for just £5 at Fifteen Street Eats, Monday to Friday at Westland Place. This is the ideal way to grab that gastro-winter-warmer when lunch is on the go!

Paul Rothe & Son, Marylebone

This deli-come-café-come-grocery-store has been under the patronage of the Rothe family for  four generations; a family business that’s been running for over one hundred and twelve years. With an air of pleasant nostalgia and a fond homage to days gone by, the shopkeepers wear white overalls, the shelves are stacked with delicious jams and condiments and customer service is second to none, all of which make this exceptional eatery a charming little find in the heart of busy London. The father and son are reputedly ever-welcoming and known amongst the local community for being especially helpful and most accommodating to their patrons. When in the area, pop in, say hello and enjoy a perfect spot of tea and a caramel slice.

Many thanks for these quirky alternatives brought to you by Show & Stay, the UK’s best site for theatre breaks in London.

Photo credits: The Seagrass Restaurant, Upstairs, Brixton by linniekin, Jamie’s Fifteen by Eilam Gil, and Paul Rothe & Son by tiredoflondon, Phat Phuc noodle bar by Mirca23

More delicious food articles:

Veggie delights – Four favourite vegetarian restaurants in Brighton
From Cold War Canteen to Literary Salon – Five great places to eat out in Budapest
A guide to savouring the food of Cyprus

This article is originally published at Heatheronhertravels.com - Read more travel articles at Travel Blog Home

You’ll also find our sister blog with tips on how to build a successful travel blog at My Blogging Journey

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London on a Budget – find out what you can do for free

Although the Olympics are starting to become somewhat of a distant memory, the resulting respect for our capital city is still strong. If you felt like you missed out on a trip to London last year, don’t let the lack of sporting events in 2013 put you off – even with a small budget you can still enjoy the best the city has to offer. Here are our top tips for sampling the delights of London on a budget!

Free Museums and Galleries in London

Despite being classed as an expensive city, many people fail to remember the amount of activities you can actually do for nothing. Not even taking into account the endless number of parks or great architecture – there are loads of museums and galleries you can enjoy without having to pay a single penny. Although small donations are often encouraged, the National Gallery, Science Museum, Natural History Museum and the British Museum are all completely free to enter.

 Eat at local food markets

Although an affordable meal in London is easy to find, this doesn’t necessarily mean it’ll be an enjoyable one. If you’ve had your fill of pizza chains and high street clones but can’t afford a step up in price (and quality), try checking out the growing trend in street food. With places like Borough Market and Whitecross Street Markets selling affordable but downright delicious grub, it could also be your chance to sample some new and worldly cuisine.

Search for sightseeing passes

If you are interested in visiting some of London’s famous tourist spots, think about investing in a pass to help save you money on entrance fees. With some passes allowing you access to over sixty different tourist attractions, if you’re planning on being a real culture vulture, it can end up being a real cost effective option. Alternatively, if you’re only interested in visiting a few select places, search for specific discount vouchers online. For example, despite its location outside of the centre of London, Kew Gardens is one of the best destinations around; with Virgin Experience days discounts you could now take advantage of a three course meal and entrance-fee combination for less than a hundred pounds.

Alternatives to the West End shows

Although many people are drawn to the bright lights of the West End, it’s likely to be a lot more expensive than elsewhere in the city. Unless you’re paying a visit to the best eateries in Soho (and there are some real gems) we’d suggest getting your theatre fix somewhere a little off the beaten track. Instead of paying out for tickets to a musical, try searching for tickets to a play at somewhere like the Leicester Square Theatre or even for a show in the comedy circuit. That way, you’ll avoid the big price tag and still be able to enjoy a slice of great entertainment.

Whatever you fancy doing whilst in London, there are many ways to avoid constantly paying out. By simply being a bit astute about where you spend your money, you could end up enjoying a trip to remember!

These tips on visiting London on a budget were brought to you by MyVoucherCodes, providing discount vouchers for restaurants, hotels and things to see around the UK

More information about the free places in London mentioned in this article

The National Gallery Website
The Natural History Museum Website
The Science Museum Website
The British Museum Website
Borough Market Website
Kew Gardens Website

More things to do in London

High in the Treetops at Kew Gardens
Your guide to the vintage markets of London
Three great ways to spend a day in London

Photos Credit: London Theaterland by Llamnudds on Flickr other photos by Heatheronhertravels.com

This article is originally published at Heatheronhertravels.com - Read more travel articles at Travel Blog Home

You’ll also find our sister blog with tips on how to build a successful travel blog at My Blogging Journey

 Don’t miss out – subscribe to Heather on her travels

Lynton and Lynmouth – English Villages on a Mountain Railway

Lynton and Lynmouth are two neighbouring villages on the coast of North Devon known for their extraordinary beauty and unique railway. Tiny Lynmouth can be found directly across from the crashing waves of the ocean, whilst Lynton sits 500 feet above it on a cliff overlooking spectacular scenery. Connecting the two towns is the Lynton & Lynmouth Cliff Railway, which consists of a funicular cliff lift.

The Cliff Railway

The history of the railway dates back to the late 19th century and it still operates in very much the same way is has for over a hundred years. Along the 862 foot track, railway passengers will be gifted with one of the most beautiful views in all of England. Both Lynton and Lynmouth have plenty to offer tourists in terms of English village charm, cultural attractions and natural surroundings. Visitors making the train ride up to Lynton can enjoy the scenic walking trails, most notably to the famous Valley of Rocks. The easy 20 minute trek reveals North Devon in all its glory and has become popular with tourists thanks to the herd of feral goats who make their home here. True to its name, the valley is also home to stunning rock formations.

Craft Shops and Cream teas

A charming ambiance and friendly locals make Lynton the perfect place to get away from it all. Visitors can choose from a good selection of local tea shops and eateries where they can enjoy true Devonshire cream tea among other things. Lynton is also full of great shops to explore. Crafting enthusiasts will not want to miss the Lyn Valley Art and Crafts, which is filled with beautifully handcrafted jewellery, ceramics and accessories. It is located on the site of an old church and focuses almost solely on goods made locally.

Down on the beach at Lynmouth

Down in Lynmouth, the beach is hard to resist. The shallow waters surrounding the town are ideal for rock pooling. When the tide is low the sea uncovers a wide range of shore crabs, anemones, periwinkles, limpets and mussels in a variety of sizes, colours and textures. Advanced surfers will also find that the waves around this part of North Devon are some of the best in the UK. Those who are looking to get on the water can partake in one of the many boat excursions departing from Lynmouth Quay daily. Boat trips typically last an hour or so, and show off the Exmoor coastline well.

Tourists have been attracted to Lynmouth and Lynton for well over a century and it’s easy to see why. The two charming villages could not be better situated to highlight the true natural beauty of the English coastline. The tallest cliffs in the country are located here and fall dramatically into a deep blue sea teeming with colourful sea life. The towns are as charming as the scenery and along with the fresh sea breeze; tourists will be greeted with the smiling faces of locals as they are more than happy to share their slice of paradise with the world.

Author Bio:  Many thanks for this Guest Post to Karen Orson who has worked in travel and tourism for over a decade. While travelling the world through South America and Asia, she has always called Devon her home.  Returning to her roots, Karen now works with Highcliffe House , a boutique guest house in the village of Lynton.

Photo credits: Railway by Lizsmith, Valley Of The Rocks by xlibber, Lyn Valley Art and Crafts by yrrek, and Lynmouth Harbour by ebygomm.

More things to enjoy in Devon and Cornwall

Cliff walks and country houses – in Cornwall (and a bit of Devon)
Hunting the Ash-black slug on Dartmoor – in Devon
Wet and Wild Adventures on Dartmoor – staying at Woodovis Park – video

This article is originally published at Heatheronhertravels.com - Read more travel articles at Travel Blog Home

You’ll also find our sister blog with tips on how to build a successful travel blog at My Blogging Journey

 Don’t miss out – subscribe to Heather on her travels

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