38. Diverse Dining In London

One of the most culturally diverse cities in the world, London’s vibrancy is reflected in its wonderfully eclectic dining scene. We’re not satisfied with sitting down to a good old British classic in a normal dining room, and are constantly looking for ever more weird and wonderful ways to enjoy our 3 meals a day. From undiscovered international cuisines to weird and wonderful dining concepts, sample some of my favourite restaurants in London for deliciously diverse dining.

33. Friday Nights Piano Night in London

I first came across the Piano Bar a year ago. After a rubbish day at the office a friend suggested we go for a quiet drink. Several bottles of wine and a rendition of Rocket Man later, we resurfaced on High Street Kensington! With charismatic players, fantastic tunes and decent priced drinks (£16 for bottle house wine) the piano bar has fast become my “go to” location for post work drinks, girly catch ups and first dates.

32. London Eats, for Science!

What's better than food science?

Food made with science.

Molecular gastronomy was an "in" thing thanks to Heston and the Catalan restuarant (sadly closed) El Bulli. Now, I think it's steadily becoming an "out" thing as we turn our attentions to more frugal food, sustainable modes of eating and good old fashioned cookery. You know, like your mum makes.

But because living in London is a little like living in the future, and sometimes a good trend is worth keeping we don't have to entirely wave goodbye to the awesome fusion of science, technology and things to eat and drink. Now, obviously you could buy some NASA space food to eat at the Science Museum, or get tea after seeing an exhibiton at the Wellcome Collection if you wanted to be inspired by science whilst eating, but we can do better than that in the Capital.

26. The Best Seats in London: Eating on the Bar

They may be the only seats left in the restaurant when you try to call up for a last minute reservation, but I think counter top seats are the best in the house. Whether it is at Riding House Cafe, my personal favourite, Bocca di Lupo or Mishkins, counter-top seating offers the same menu but with that little bit of added atmosphere and entertainment. What’s more, you’re more likely to get the waiter’s attention faster and therefore have your second (third, fourth....) cocktail in hand in next no time.

24. London's 'Ripping' Yarn: Jack the Ripper Tour

I know it sounds naff, touristy, and outright geeky, but the Jack the Ripper tour by London Walks deserves a place as one of the 100 Great Things About London. Please keep reading. I’ll explain; if you love London, which you do, and you don't mind a bit of history then it will interest you. Parts of London which you walk past every day suddenly come alive with meaning and significance; if that pushes your buttons then it’s a must. If you're not that into history, then please it you may even enjoy it more.

The Maguiver-esk tour guide thunders through his pre-rehearsed lines, gory detail after gory detail with as much empathy as the shipping forecast. As a hardened veteran of Victorian London he is no stranger to the blood stained cobbles of the East End and spares no expense in recounting each of the ripper’s murders to a mob of blood thirsty tourists. This is hilarious.

23. Lights, Stars, Music: A Date at Regent's Park Open Air Theatre

For an atmospheric night of theatre, entertainment and romance you cannot beat the Open Air Theatre at Regent’s Park. Because of the glorious British weather, the Open Air Theatre only runs during the “summer” months (May to September) but it is a must for anyone who hasn’t been. Last year’s Crazy for You was an all-singing-all-dancing extravaganza and I loved every minute of it. The show wasn't something I usually would jump at to go see, if it was showing in the usual West End theatres, but at Regent’s Park it was an absolute treat!

20. A Great Saturday AM Ritual: Pottering about Borough Market

Here's my $.02 (£.01?...) on one of most obvious-but oft overlooked places in London that makes London such an incredible place: Borough Market....

I have a confession:  I get up earlier on Saturday morning than I ever do during the week for work.  Crazy, I know-but this is what you do when want to be at Borough Market before 8.30am on a Saturday!  This is what you do to get the best pick of the fruit and veg, guarantee that the queue at Monmouth Coffee won’t be around the block, and ensure that the crowds are quiet enough to where you can actually have a chat with the traders without feeling like you're bothering them.

19. Oasis of Calm in London’s heart: Picnic in Phoenix Gardens

When you are stuck in town on a sunny day with hot pavement beneath your feet and air full of exhaust fumes, it all can get a bit too much.  Luckily tucked behind the Odeon on Shaftesbury Avenue, close to the hustle and bustle of Soho and the exhausting entertainments of Covent Garden is a little oasis of calm. Phoenix Gardens are the ideal place to take a picnic (or just a coffee or book) and relax for a while.

18. Swimming with ducks in Hampstead Heath.

We Londoners easily loose touch with nature (my interaction with nature is nowadays limited to the disease-ridden basil plant in my kitchen – or an occasional dog poo on foot incident). That’s why I have found taking a dip in mossy water amongst semi-naked Londoners and other equally obscure forms of wildlife so…restorative.

A century old tradition, bathing in the wooded Hampstead ponds was once a way to clean North London’s working class. Now the murky ponds are used for quite the opposite - to sully over-sanitised Hampstead yuppies who affirm the cardio-vascular benefits of the icy water.

17. Putting the 'Art' into clogged arteries: London's Fast Food Greats!

So the economic downturn seems to have created a capital craving for good ol' fast food. Here's some of the finest:

Lucky Chip at The Sebright Arms:

A street food take on pub grub. If you like your burgers sloppy, greasy, and named after film stars, Nettil Market's burger van based Lucky Chip have taken residency at the transformed old man's pub The Sebright Arms.

15. Just Hanging Around: Rock Climbing at Westway

Ah the mid-week hump! A gritty morning coffee has relieved the lurking hangover, and come 5:30 I’m ready for some alternative evening’s entertainment to celebrate a successful Wednesday.

Londoners are spoilt for choice when it comes to alternatives, but here’s my insider’s tip: try indoor rock climbing.

14. A Shortcut to happiness: Swing Dancing in London

Want to get fit without trying? Meet fun friends, pretty girls and fine young men? Laugh out loud? Well these are all common side-effects of swing dancing!

When I first came to London seven years ago, knowing no-one and keen on anything that didn’t cost much, I turned up shyly to a free Christmas concert in the Royal Festival Hall ballroom. With a whirl of live big band music and a roomful of people grinning with pure excited energy, my love of swing dance was born.

13. Weekly wine tasting for a Fiver...in Kensington!?!

For about 3 years now, every Thursday evening I go to the Whole Foods Market for an event they call “Thirsty Thursday”. I believe it started as a marketing ploy but has slowly turned into an un-missable London Social Event.

The premise is simple. For £5, you get to try 5 small glasses of wine and 5 small plates of food. The evenings are usually themed and generally try to promote different goods available in the store, trying to get you to taste things you might ignore, or might not realise were available.

11. King of the Swinger ohh: Flying Trapeze London Style

Ever climbed something reeeally high and had the urge to jump, do a couple of stylish spins in the air and land flawlessly on the ground with everyone watching and wooping? I haven’t.

But in some fantastic moment of madness last summer I signed up for a flying trapeze lesson on Acton Common with a company called Gorilla Circus, and it was amAZing!

9. Exercise and Indulgence: Richmond Park

This is the ultimate day trip if you have time, energy and feel like you just need to just get out of the city but you don't have a car. All you have to do is hop on the underground and go to Richmond Station and head to Richmond Park

Out the station turn left and weave your way through yummy mummies, city-boy-dads, prams and posh poodles. Stop off at Paul's on the way and grab yourself a coffee to wake your sensors - with the views ahead you’re going to need it.

8. The One and Only... National Theatre

A theatre?  What is so good about a theatre? I hear you say, apart from the obvious enjoyment of the evening and perhaps matinee performances.  Well the National Theatre, I believe, is unlike any other theatre for the enormous variety not only in the productions being shown but all the other things that this building has to offer!

Situated on the Southbank which is considered to be one of the great cultural hotspots of London, the National Theatre gave their first ever performance in 1963 and since then has produced over 600 plays.  

6. Zoo Lates: See the animals in a whole new way!

Going to the zoo doesn't just have to be for toddlers and hassled parents trying to keep tabs on their over excited children, there is in fact a whole animal kingdom out there waiting for the rest of us; Zoo Lates at London Zoo.

As the last of the lunch boxes and school coaches roll out of the gates, the green picnic spaces make way for pop up bars, food stands (from Ostrich burgers to Spanish Tapas), live music, a circus tent and the piece de las resistance, a silent disco - get there early to avoid disappointment, this attraction is almost as popular as the animals!

5. A date with a view!

On a glorious summer evening I went for a cocktail at Searcy's at The Gherkin - a Private Members Bar with one of the best views in London. 

On the 48th floor, the bar has a 360 degree view of all of London and it is simply breath taking! I was with a date but rather than try and impress each other with sophisticated chat, our excited giddiness took over and we started playing i-spy, capering from corner to corner, cocktail in hand, pointing out landmarks and sights from around London. It was one of the best evenings I have ever had in London and a must for anyone trying to impress!

4. London in Bloom; Columbia Road Flower Market

Every Londoner should visit this fantastic market in Shoreditch. It's one of the few excellent London markets open on Sunday and worth a visit any time of the year. This unassuming road is filled with market stalls of  flowers and plants, barrow boys, food stalls and craft shops.

3. London's Prestige: A night @ the Magic Circle

So you’ve taken in a couple of shows, checked out the latest exhibits, but have you visited the premier magical society in the fascinating world of mystery and illusion?

Well...neither had I. That was until I went the Magic Circle’s headquarters for one of their public show. Forget Darren Brown, forget David Blaine, this promises to be an evening full of magic, comedy, ventriloquism and a guy pulling audience members’ names out of sausages?!? It’s really just the best bits of the Royal Variety Performance (asides from the sausage bit).

Tucked away behind Euston Road. the building's unassuming front opens up to a very unique interior. Brimming full of character, the joint is certainly worth taking a nosey around. Magician memorabilia decks the halls amidst a bright colour scheme (slightly reminiscent of  P&O passenger ferry) and beside the theatre and bar, there’s even a Magic Museum downstairs!