In London, we visited two Dishoom locations (Shoreditch and Carnaby) as bookends to our Europe trip. Expensive, but a delicious treat.

A generous spread of Indian dishes fills a wooden table, with blistered naan stacked in metal tins, bowls of rich red curry glistening with oil, a bright green chopped salad scattered with seeds, and charred lamb chops resting on a banana leaf with lime and mint. The mix of textures, colors, and shared plates creates a warm, abundant, and inviting dining scene.An amber-colored cocktail sits in a faceted rocks glass packed with ice, garnished with a wide curl of citrus peel. The drink catches the light, highlighting its clarity and depth of color against a pale marble surface, giving it a refined and refreshing appearance.Tandoori Lamb Chops with deeply caramelized, charred edges are arranged on a banana leaf, topped with ruby-red pomegranate seeds and served with a slice of lime and fresh mint. The dark crust and vibrant garnishes emphasize the meat’s richness and smoky, aromatic appeal.Soft, golden naan bread with blistered bubbles and crisp char marks rests in a metal tin, brushed with butter and scattered with chopped garlic and herbs. The surface looks pillowy and glossy, suggesting warmth, chew, and indulgent flavor.A bowl of vivid red curry with a glossy surface is topped with fresh coriander and thin strips of ginger. The oil-speckled sauce looks rich and warming, with the bright green garnish adding contrast and freshness to the deeply spiced base.

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We took a Yeoman Warder guided tour of the Tower of London. It took a couple hours but it was neat to walk around, feel the bloody history, and see the Crown Jewels.

The White Tower and surrounding stone walls rise behind the River Thames under a clear blue sky, with leafy trees lining the ramparts and modern London buildings and cranes visible in the distance, creating a striking contrast between medieval architecture and the contemporary skyline.A long stretch of weathered stone curtain wall and round towers fills the frame beneath dramatic, textured clouds, while the glassy peak of the Shard appears in the distance, emphasizing the contrast between historic fortifications and modern London.Visitors queue beneath a tall arched stone entrance marked by heraldic shields and a royal monogram, with sunlight highlighting the warm tones and textures of the medieval masonry around the doorway.Rugged stone towers and battlements stand in the foreground, their crenellations sharply defined in sunlight, while the Shard rises sleek and reflective behind them against a pale blue sky.Tower Bridge’s twin towers frame the background beyond arched stone walkways and grassy lawns, with remnants of old walls and a crowd of visitors in bright clothing adding depth and lively scale to the historic scene.A lush patch of green grass is scattered with orange poppies and small wildflowers, creating a vivid, colorful meadow that feels unexpectedly soft and natural against the historic setting.

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While walking around Shoreditch, we stumbled across Lounge Bohemia, which I can only describe as a retro, speakeasy-vibes, pretentious-but-enjoyable experience.

They “required” a reservation but let us sit down anyway. We tried a few of the tasting menus and the “drinks” were truly unique.

A row of small black droppers set into a white ceramic tray, each capped with a differently colored latex tip and partially covered with crinkled silver foil, suggesting precise, experimental cocktail preparation with a playful, theatrical presentation.A smooth, pale yellow clarified cocktail sphere resting in a tightly woven twig nest, its matte surface and careful placement giving it the feel of an edible sculpture served as part of a tasting course.A glass topped with a thick, glossy cap of white foam, pierced by a tiny metal tap and spoon, creating a whimsical, interactive drink that looks rich, creamy, and meticulously constructed.An open menu listing classic cocktails and five-course tasting menus, including themes such as “naughty childhood,” “nature,” and “west meets east.”

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We made a little trip out to Notting Hill and wandered around without a plan. We saw what is maybe the blue door and took a peek inside the bookshop.

As an aside—I loved seeing the mix of colorful homes and stretches of all-white buildings throughout the neighborhood.

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After Notting Hill, we wandered down to The Churchill Arms. It’s so pretty from the outside! The inside was decorated for Victory in Europe Day (VE Day), which was about a week after we popped in.

Corner pub covered in cascading greenery and yellow flowers, Union Jack flags flying from the roof and façade, with pedestrians and parked cars framing the street under a bright blue sky.Crowded bar back filled with spirits, taps, and vintage objects, decorated with VE Day 80 bunting and Union Jack flags, creating a dense, celebratory, and historic atmosphere.Framed portrait of Winston Churchill hanging on dark wood paneling beneath small American flags and a humorous sign for the restroom: “Men to the left because women are always right!”Hugo hugging me outside the pub entrance, standing beside tall potted plants and dark tiled walls, with menus by the door and greenery wrapping the façade.

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We popped into The Devonshire for Guinness twice during our trip (at the beginning and the end). We didn’t have food, but we enjoyed the liveliness of the cozy bar. Amazing that the building is almost as old as the United States.

Two freshly poured pints of Guinness with thick, creamy heads sit on a small round table, the dark stout glowing slightly under warm pub lighting, with bartenders and a polished back bar of bottles softly blurred behind them. A sign reads “Soho since 1793.”A long evening queue spills down the street outside a pub, packed shoulder to shoulder with people chatting and waiting, while bright red Moulin Rouge theatre lights glow across the road and reflect off the pavement.Two pints of Guinness rest on a wooden window ledge beside a small table lamp and a handwritten menu, while the Moulin Rouge sign shines outside through the glass, mixing pub warmth with busy West End night energy.The green and gold entrance of Carroll and Rogers Freehouse stands open to the street, framed by ivy and glowing panels, as groups of people cluster nearby waiting to get inside on a busy night.

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For our second-to-last night in London, we booked a reservation for “drinks and light bites in Sky Garden Bars.”

I thought it was going to be a cozy bar—it was actually more of a club! We had a couple drinks and walked around the building to see London at night.

A busy indoor garden bar with a slanted glass ceiling glowing red and orange, where groups sit at tables and lounge seating while others stand near the bar, surrounded by plants and city lights beyond the windows.Two coupe glasses filled with pale sparkling drinks sit on a dark table beside a small lit candle, with a chilled bottle in an ice bucket behind them, creating a low-lit, intimate atmosphere.Night view over the City of London featuring the illuminated Gherkin and a sharp, angular glass tower, their office lights forming geometric patterns against a cloudy sky.A sweeping nighttime panorama of London with the River Thames winding through the city and St Paul’s Cathedral glowing white among dense clusters of city lights.Tower Bridge lit in white and blue spans the Thames at night, its twin towers reflected in the dark water with surrounding city lights stretching into the distance.An elevated indoor garden walkway lined with lush plants and a glass roof lit red, where visitors stroll and stop to look out over the city through floor-to-ceiling windows.

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On our last full day in London, we had traditional Afternoon Tea at The Park Room in the JW Marriott Grosvenor House.

It was expensive, but a really calm, delicious experience. We took some to go (in a very cute takeaway box) because we had just come from Dishoom.

Hugo and I seated around a white linen table set for high tea, with fine china, polished silverware, and a tiered stand of sandwiches, scones, and pastries. Soft daylight, green velvet chairs, and classic paneling give the room an elegant, relaxed feel.Amber-colored tea fills a delicate patterned teacup and saucer, the surface clear and glowing under warm light. The fine porcelain and gold detailing emphasize the calm, unhurried ritual of tea service.Two open-faced savory bites on a decorative plate: one topped with silky smoked salmon shaped like a rose, caviar, and fresh dill, the other with soft egg, creamy filling, and microgreens. The textures and colors look fresh, rich, and carefully balanced.A pale yellow lemon sorbet served inside a hollowed lemon shell, frosty and crystalline. The icy texture and citrus color suggest a sharp, refreshing break between courses.A three-tier stand arranged with neat finger sandwiches, golden scones with visible fruit, and an assortment of refined pastries. The layers feel abundant but orderly, with glossy finishes and precise shapes that invite lingering bites.A patterned takeaway box labeled Park Room rests on the table, its soft yellow design echoing the tea set. It feels like a thoughtful, indulgent extra meant to extend the experience beyond the table.

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For our last meal in London, we went to Bentley’s Oyster Bar & Grill, sat at the bar, and enjoyed a delicious meal of oysters, crab, and fish & chips.

Freshly shucked oysters nestled in crushed ice, their glossy shells framing plump, translucent meat, with a lemon wedge tucked alongside for brightness and contrast.A dressed crab presented in its shell, generously filled with sweet white and brown crab meat and neatly topped with chopped herbs and vivid orange roe, with classic sauces and toast on the side.A clear martini served ice-cold in a stemmed glass, garnished with a long ribbon of cucumber curling through the drink, emphasizing its crisp, clean character.Golden battered fish resting over thick-cut chips, the crust deeply crisp and textured, served with mushy peas and a pot of tartar sauce for a classic, comforting plate.The restaurant exterior at dusk, with glowing green neon signage and warmly lit outdoor seating tucked into a narrow London street, creating an inviting contrast against the darkening sky.

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Here are some of my favorite shots from walking around London.

Pictured: Coal Drops Yard in King’s Cross, The Ten Bells in Spitalfields, St Dunstan-in-the-West on Fleet Street, the Rivington Street car park in Shoreditch, Leadenhall Market, Regent Street, and Bond Street.

Ornate red-brick Victorian building with a corner tower, white sash windows, decorative stonework, and a steep slate roof topped by a finial against a bright blue sky with scattered clouds.Detailed stone facade of a grand Edwardian building, viewed from below to emphasize carved columns, cornices, and sculptural details rising toward a cloudy blue sky.Crowded pedestrian lane lined with converted brick warehouses, long communal tables, hanging string lights, and people eating and drinking outdoors in warm late-afternoon sunlight.Crowd gathered outside The Ten Bells pub in Spitalfields, with people holding drinks beneath the hanging pub sign, leafy greenery on the facade, and a busy street atmosphere.Historic church tower with a large clock face and four stone pinnacles, partially framed by trees, rising above surrounding buildings under a soft afternoon sky.Multi-story concrete car park covered in large, colorful typographic art stacked across each level, with graffiti at street level and traffic cones marking the entrance.Symmetrical view down Leadenhall Market’s covered arcade, featuring ornate painted storefronts, a vaulted glass roof, hanging lanterns, and a quiet cobblestone walkway.Curving sweep of Regent Street at night, with grand white stone buildings lit by storefronts and streetlights, light traffic, and pedestrians moving through the illuminated scene.Evening view down Bond Street with luxury storefronts, Chanel flags, Union Jack banners, passing cars, and pedestrians under a deep blue sky.Upward-looking view along a modern glass-and-steel building, illuminated with blue accent lighting that emphasizes strong lines and geometric repetition against a black night sky.

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