#i cooked an entire pot of risotto while typing this response & the question absorbed me so much that i forgot to put in any vegetables

[lesamis]

Hello!! :D It would be really nice to hear your thoughts about places and food and things to do that aren't very touristy in London, do you have a list of things to do or try that you suggest?

what a wonderful thing to ask!! thank you! :D i do have a long list of favourite places - mind you i lived waaay south from central london, so i’ll go through places in central london first & a short list of my favourite things in the south second. 

for food & drink:

the café in the crypt is a classic if you’re looking for a nice quiet spot; it’s the kind of place that hides in plain sight and is nearly never busy. 

if you go to the japan centre in panton street late in the day, they’ll almost definitely have discounted some mochi by 30% or 50%. 

golden gate cake shop = happiness. 

fifth view bar at the top floor of waterstones piccadilly is quiet, beautiful, and has good cocktails & a ridiculously long two-for-one happy hour. 

london cocktail club has super delicious drinks and a really fun aesthetic. i like the one by monument. 

also - even though this isn’t exactly a hidden gem - shoryu ramen has the best vegan noodle soup i’ve ever had. their buns are good, too. 

if you’re in south kensington for the museums and are getting hungry, don’t overpay for food just because it’s something of a posh area; go here instead and have amazing chinese for like, five pounds. 

things to do: 

guildhall art gallery is nicely tucked away, free, & not too busy. beautiful victorian art, and the atmosphere is usually quite peaceful. 

same for the wallace collection: it’s free, it’s absolutely beautiful, and they have a gorgeous (if expensive) gift shop. 

kind of touristy and known by everyone, but the tate britain is still my favourite london museum. calmer and more strollable than the tate modern, too. go there on a weekday morning, sit in the 1840s room, stare at hot shelley. their blake and turner collections are amazing, and their museum café’s very good as well.

goldsmith vintage is responsible for most of my wardrobe - only shop there while they’re doing their bargain basement where every piece is 10 quid, their prices can otherwise be a bit unreasonable for 2nd hand items.  

if you want to see a play or show the same day, stay away from the more garish ticket booths around theatreland & go to the tkts booth instead. they won’t rip you off & have incredible discounts. 

if you can get the student discount, dennis severs’ house is worth doing. it’s magical and fascinating and strange.

the house of minalima is free & well worth a visit if you’re into hp. 

not central, but for reasons of loyalty and because it’s my favourite place on earth, i have to tell you to go to keats house. it has a very unique and calm atmosphere and everyone who works there is an angel. also, they do historical re-enactments now and then! 

while you’re there, walk the heath. it’s good for the soul. 

mishmash of south & south-east london places to stop by if you’re in the area, but which probably aren’t worth taking a train south for: 

magi gifts in brockley is my favourite independent shop in existence. 

le delice in ladywell has incredible sandwiches that i miss every day, an amazing breakfast, wonderful breads (!), and really good sweet bakes. if they have macarons on the day, get them. 

the fox & firkin has amazing live music, a stunning outdoor space, and very good food. 

hilly fields park has incredible views & a bunch of good reading spots.

most people either don’t know or ignore the fact that greenwich park continues beyond the observatory: their rose garden is gorgeous & a nice quiet spot to read. 

the gardens at horniman museum are gorgeous, especially in the summer.

blackheath’s bookshop on the heath is the quintessential cosy old bookshop, but it also carries antique prints, maps, post cards, and so on. i’ve found a few treasures there, especially for my uni reading. 

since you were asking me specifically, i probably don’t have to add that this is a very personalised list, and i’m far from a proficient london guide. hopefully this gives you some ideas nonetheless 🧡