Top Things to Eat and Do in London in 1 Week!

In this blog post, I share highlights from our week-long trip to London during Christmas—from the best things to do, to a few things you can skip, and most importantly, all the must-try eats along the way.

We opted for a more affordable hotel in the Soho area. While Soho is a bit more touristy and upscale—with plenty of nightlife and partygoers—it’s also conveniently close to many sights, including Regent Street, Chinatown, and more.

At the time, I was seven months pregnant, so minimizing walking was important. Staying in Soho ended up being a convenient choice since it was close to many major sights. We didn’t rent a car and instead got around mostly by Uber, which worked out well for us.

Sample Itinerary for Christmas Time

Dec 24th Tuesday

• Christmas Lunch - Leave 7pm.

Dec 25th Wednesday

• 10 AM Christmas Day arrive in London
• Regency street for shopping
• 3:30 pm RITZ HIGH TEA CHRISTMAS p
• Regency street for shopping
• 6:45 Fallow Christmas Dinner
• Covent garden bells

Dec 26th - Boxing Day Thursday

• 10:30 AM LUNCH AT MAYFAIR CHIPPY
• West minister abbey - 12 pm tickets booked (need to print)
• Walk to Westminister bridge to look at Big Ben
• Liberty of London
• Shopping!
• Burberry closes at 8
• Bun house
• Camden Market is open
• COLONEL SAAB 8 pm
• Winterwonderland

Dec 27th Friday

• 8 AM terry’s cafe
• Kew gardens 10 am - last entry is 2:30 3:15
• Richmond park
• Sebastian’s 5 pm in RICHMOND
• Christmas at Kew - 7:20pm

Dec 28th Saturday

• Dishoom open (walk in) 9 am
• 10 M MANZE TOWER
• Padella 5-6 pm
• Crisp Pizza after game
• Donia 9:30

Dec 29th Sunday

• Pop hams bakery- hopefully open 8:30-400
• Borough market 10 am- 4 pm
• 12:00 PM Devonshire!
• FOOTBALL GAME 3 pm football game - Get here 1 pm

Dec 30th

• 12 pm Leaving

Google Map

1. Covent Garden

Covent Garden was one of the most beautiful Christmas markets we found when researching online, and it absolutely lived up to the photos. The entire area was glowing with twinkling lights, oversized ornaments, and a massive Christmas tree right in the square, making it feel incredibly magical. Unfortunately, since we landed on Christmas Day, many of the shops were closed. Still, we found a nearby bakery that was open, grabbed a quick bite, and mainly came to soak in the festive atmosphere before heading to The Ritz.

2. The Ritz

We made our reservation for The Ritz about three to four months in advance—a must, since it books up quickly. Men are required to wear a suit and tie, but when we called, they let us know they offer complimentary suit rentals if needed. The high tea experience was around $144 per person at the time, and it truly felt worth it. During our visit, Santa was even there handing out gifts to children, which added to the festive atmosphere. You get unlimited refills of food and drink, all while enjoying live piano music in the background. The entire setting was elegant and opulent—widely regarded as one of the most luxurious tea experiences in London. We especially loved the finger sandwiches (which they happily replenished multiple times), the freshly baked scones with clotted cream and jam, the pastries, and even slices of yule log carved to order. We tried both the Christmas tea and the Royal tea, and everything felt like such a special, unforgettable experience. You can reserve here

3. Regent Street and Shopping

Regent Street is a must-visit during Christmastime in London, lined with shopping centers and adorned with beautiful angel decorations and twinkling lights. The area is extremely festive, with plenty of shopping and dining options to enjoy. While in London, we made sure to visit a few bookstores on Regent Street. This area has plenty of shops, including high-end stores, but we specifically went to pick up some children’s books for our baby. The bookstores here are known for their amazing selection, and we highly recommend the Nosy Crow titles. I also recommend visiting Burberry while in London. Their store is the largest in the world, and the prices are impressive—you can save hundreds compared to U.S. locations, plus you’re getting items actually made in London. It’s a perfect stop after visiting iconic sights like Westminster Abbey or Covent Garden, especially if you want a break from sightseeing and a bit of retail therapy.

4. Visit Department Stores!

When visiting London, checking out a department store is a must. Some of the most famous are Harrods and Selfridges, and we also explored Liberty. We especially enjoyed Selfridges, where many of the products are part of their own brand. A highlight is the massive Jellycat section inside, which is perfect for plush toy lovers.

5. Jelly Cat

When in London, a visit to JellyCat is a must—especially the location inside Selfridges, one of the city’s most iconic department stores. London is famous for its department stores, with Selfridges and Harrods leading the way. We opted for Selfridges during the Christmas season, and it was absolute chaos. They even offer a fish-and-chip experience that you can reserve in advance. We went in simply to pick up a few JellyCats, were overwhelmed by the massive crowds, and ended up leaving with just a couple of plushies. Click here to reserve the Fish and Chip Plushie.

6. Visit Westminster Abbey

We reserved tickets for Westminster Abbey well in advance, but that didn’t mean skipping the line. It still took about an hour of standing in a very crowded queue, which was tough while pregnant. Even with timed entry, it ended up taking nearly two hours to get inside. I’ve heard that visiting in the off-season is much less hectic, and booking a guided tour may be the better option if you want to bypass the wait.While at Westminster Abbey, you’ll also get great views of the London Eye and Big Ben, making it a perfect spot for photos. More Details Here.

7. Try Fish and Chips

Mayfair Chippy is a London spot known for its excellent fish and chips, and we made sure to book a reservation online in advance. We also ordered the steamed mussels with garlic and parsley—a massive portion for just £13—and they were honestly the best mussels I’ve ever had. If you’re in London, you have to try mussels. For the main event, we went with both the cod and haddock fish and chips (though they recommend the cod), and they were phenomenal—super crisp, perfectly seasoned, and made me realize I’d probably never had truly authentic fish and chips before. Reservations here.

The meal came with curry sauce for dipping the chips and classic mushy peas, which are definitely an acquired taste.

8. Try Dishoom

For dinner, we went to Dishoom, a spot recommended by nearly every travel blog and guide. We started with their mango lassi, which was a bit watery, and enjoyed the okra fries with mango chutney alongside a side of their freshly baked bread. For the main courses, we tried the signature black daal, chicken tikka, chicken ruby, naan, rice, and lamb chops. The black daal was thick and starchy, while the chicken ruby stood out—spicy, tangy, perfectly cooked, and absolutely delicious. Unfortunately, the chicken tikka was overcooked and dry. I’ll definitely be dreaming of that chicken ruby. With multiple locations, Dishoom might be a bit overhyped, but that chicken ruby alone makes it worth the visit. Click here for the website.

9. Try Pie and Mash

When in London, you have to try Pie and Mash. We visited M. Manze and ordered the two-pie, one-mash plate, which cost £9.75 in 2024. British food tends to be lightly seasoned, and this dish was no exception. It came topped with a sauce called liquor—oddly, not alcoholic—a thin, green, soupy sauce that lacked flavor. The pies themselves were stuffed with tender meat, and the plate included a side of mashed potatoes. While the overall dish was quite bland, we really enjoyed the pies. Here is the website.

10. Try Full English Breakfast

We made a detour to Terry's Cafe in London, as Regency Cafe was closed for the holidays. We heard Terry's was a good alternative, and it did not disappoint. We ordered freshly squeezed orange juice and a full English breakfast, which included Bubble and Squeak (a mashed potato hash), sausages, ham, blood sausage, tomatoes, baked beans, mushrooms, and an egg. The cafe is about a 30-minute subway ride away, and it exceeded my expectations. We even had multiple refills of orange juice. The space is small, and a short line formed shortly after opening. While they offer a variety of fry-ups, we particularly enjoyed “The Works.” No reservations.

11. Visit Richmond and Kew Gardens (Christmas at Kew)

Before the Christmas event, we explored the vintage shops and hidden alleys around Richmond, as well as the riverfront. Richmond proved a bit challenging for walking, as many attractions are spaced apart and rely on shuttles, which were not running for the holidays. Since we had booked the Christmas at Kew evening event, we arrived early and spent the day walking around and taking in the sights.

Christmas at Kew was in full swing when we arrived for our 7 p.m. time slot with pre-booked tickets. We made our way across the gardens to witness one of the most spectacular light shows we’ve ever seen. The event featured a theme park on site and a stunning light display in front of the greenhouse over the water, which repeated approximately every 15 minutes and was incredibly theatrical. If you plan to visit Christmas at Kew, I’d recommend arriving later in the day to enjoy the show without spending the entire day exploring Richmond. You can reserve a ticket to Christmas at Kew here and include a day ticket entrance but the Gardens at Kew close earlier in the day so you can't pair with the night time ticket. You'll need to come and go.

12. Borough Market

The Borough Market is one of the most famous markets in the world. We stopped at the mushroom risotto stall, which drew quite the crowd—partly because the server was incredibly charming! We also tried the renowned strawberry cups, where Belgian chocolate is poured over fresh strawberries, and it did not disappoint. The chocolate was perfectly silky and velvety, and the strawberries were juicy and plump—nothing I’ve had comes close.

We also visited Bread Ahead for their famous crème brûlée donuts, which were rich but delicious, and tried the famous paella (cash only!). A line formed at Ginger Pig for their iconic sausage roll—a large, beefy roll wrapped in flaky pastry, reminiscent of a thick breakfast sausage, and absolutely perfect. This market lived up to the hype, and I now wish I had stayed at a hotel nearby so I could visit every day.

13. Seven Dials Market

The Seven Dials Market is another must-visit spot, featuring a variety of food stalls. We especially enjoyed the dumplings at Osh Paz, which were flavorful though slightly pricey, and the apple crumble soft serve at Soft Serve Society. The market can get crowded, but it’s a fun place to explore and sample a range of delicious bites.

14. Tottenham Hotspurs Game

One of our goals in London was to attend a Tottenham Hotspur game. We had to create memberships just to purchase tickets online, and it was quite the process. Watching a Spurs home game in person was electric—the crowd’s energy and seeing each goal happen live is completely different from watching on TV. If you’re a soccer fan, I highly recommend trying to book a ticket when you visit London.

15. China Town

Visiting Chinatown is a must when you’re in London. We stopped by Bun House and tried their famous Bao Bao buns. The salted egg bun was incredibly juicy, with salted egg custard oozing out as soon as we took a bite. It was delicious, though a bit pricey at around $5 per bun.

16.Try Mcdonalds in London

I know it might seem tacky to visit McDonald’s in London, but there’s one reason it’s worth it: the sweet curry sauce and the fact that they still serve Chicken Selects. If you’re in London, make a stop just to try these items—they’re a must. Honestly, the curry sauce is so good it should be packaged and smuggled back to America.

17. Try Donia

For one of our dinners, we visited Donia, a highly recommended spot serving Filipino fusion cuisine. We started with their prawn and pork dumplings with white crab, and wow—these were transcendent. Some of the best dumplings we’ve ever had. They were so good that we ordered a second round. The dumplings came with a slightly acidic, creamy sauce, and the pork and prawn filling was perfectly bouncy and juicy with no impurities.

We also tried the chicken inasal and lechon pork. The lechon pork was served with a rich, slightly nutty sauce that was absolutely chef’s kiss. The chicken inasal was perfectly cooked, paired with a tangy sauce that complemented the roasted chicken beautifully.

The lamb shoulder caldereta pie is something I’ll dream about forever. Topped with a crispy lattice of pie dough, it revealed a cheesy filling with tender, pull-apart meat and potatoes inside.

This was by far the best meal we had in London, and I’m genuinely surprised Donia doesn’t boast multiple Michelin stars. Reserve here.

18.Try Pophams

We visited PopHam’s, a highly recommended spot known for their choux pastries and croissants. We tried the snail with ham and cheese and the hazelnut Nutella chocolate croissant, and both were outstanding. Honestly, these were some of the best croissants—if not the best—I’ve ever had in my life.

19. Try Sunday Roast at a British Pub

We made our way to The Devonshire, a famous pub located in Soho. Reservations can be tough to secure, so it’s important to set a timer. We ordered their renowned Sunday Roast, which included roast beef carved at the table, Yorkshire pudding with gravy, roast potatoes, carrots, leeks, and peas. We also tried the bacon scallops, which were absolutely delicious.

The Sunday Roast was exceptional, with very tender meat, perfectly thick gravy, and well-seasoned vegetables. The meal leaned on the heavier side, as is typical for London cuisine, but everything was executed beautifully—likely part of why this pub is so popular. Reserve Here.

Skip Colonel Saab, Brat, and Fallow.

Lastly, some final tips for visiting London: there’s no need for cash, as most places take credit cards. Ubers are plentiful, and tipping isn’t required, though many restaurants include small service fees of 3–6% depending on the establishment. If you’re visiting during the busy season, make reservations in advance. Large crowds are normal around Christmas time, but on Christmas Day itself, the streets are relatively empty and many stores are closed, so plan accordingly. In hindsight, I would have spent more time near Borough Market. Some of the pricier restaurants, like Fallow and Brat, were expensive but didn’t fully meet expectations in terms of quality or taste. Sticking to the spots mentioned in this article should guarantee a more enjoyable experience.

You also want to be very careful with theft. Do not leave purses dangling, do not hang them from your chair, and always keep your belongings safe and close to you.

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