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Ten Foods and Drinks You Probably Didn’t Know Were Invented in London

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Most of the world doesn’t think of Britain as a food hub, much less London as a cuisine capital.  However, it might surprise you to know some of the world’s favorite foods, and indeed, some of the UK’s most well-known dishes were invented right in London.  Drinks, appetizers, entrees, and desserts can all call the UK capital home.  Whatever you’re in the mood for, we recommend … [Read more...] about Ten Foods and Drinks You Probably Didn’t Know Were Invented in London

The London Fiver – Five of the Best Sports Bars

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One could certainly argue that every pub in the UK is a sports bar, since it’s naturally where everyone gathers to watch a match.  Certain pubs, of course, are bound to have their favored teams’ colors adorning the walls and cheering supporters on game day.  However, some places go above this to mark themselves as true sports bars, a place seemingly designed only to watch the … [Read more...] about The London Fiver – Five of the Best Sports Bars

The London Fiver – Five Atmospheric Subterranean London Bars To Visit

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Today, underground is a word that tends to conjure images of secrecy and exclusivity when it comes to places.  When it comes to London, the underground is synonymous with the city’s subterranean train service.  Of course, there is also the original meaning and applied to bars; it can mean any number of drinking establishments that can be found below the London streets.  The … [Read more...] about The London Fiver – Five Atmospheric Subterranean London Bars To Visit

Ten Small Craft Breweries to Visit in London

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Craft beer is the wave of the future.  So many new breweries have sprung up in the last few years it feels as if they’re reproducing at the same speed as rabbits.  The Campaign for Real Ale (CAMRA) estimates there are 125 craft breweries in the city spread out amongst the boroughs and neighborhoods.  With so many throughout Greater London, it can be hard to determine which ones … [Read more...] about Ten Small Craft Breweries to Visit in London

Ten Unique Tea Rooms for Your Afternoon Tea in London

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Tea has been an important part of British culture since the 17th Century, and you’d be hard pressed to find a society on this side of the globe that loves it more.  While coffee houses preceded tea rooms in London, the culture quickly flipped when Thomas Twining opened the city’s first tea room in 1707.  Now you can find them in every borough and neighborhood.  While many offer … [Read more...] about Ten Unique Tea Rooms for Your Afternoon Tea in London

New in London: Mariage Frères Elegant Tea Room and Museum is Now Open in Covent Garden – We Send Laura Porter to Check it Out!

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The world's most exclusive purveyor of luxury teas and France's oldest tea house, Mariage Frères, has opened its first UK tea emporium in Covent Garden. In addition to being a new tea house in London, it also contains a small museum dedicated to tea. I've been waiting for this one as it was supposed to open in September 2018 but, due to delays with its heritage building, … [Read more...] about New in London: Mariage Frères Elegant Tea Room and Museum is Now Open in Covent Garden – We Send Laura Porter to Check it Out!

Tipsy Touring: Your Guide to London Brewery and Gin Distillery Tours

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Besides tea, a couple of drinks that are endemic to Britain's identity are ale and gin.  Ale is a combination of yeast, hops, and barley that is warm fermented and there are many different types of beer you can make from it depending on the amount and types of ingredients.  Gin, on the other hand, is a spirit developed from juniper berries.  Both beverages not only have a … [Read more...] about Tipsy Touring: Your Guide to London Brewery and Gin Distillery Tours

The London Fiver – Five of the Best Bakeries for Cookies in London

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Cookies in the United Kingdom are not so different from those in the United States.  Most Americans might think that all cookies are “biscuits” in Britain, but these two baked goods have very different meanings.  While a “biscuit” is harder and crunchier, while a cookie is meant to be soft and chewie.  Cookies can be found in bakeries all over London, and each one offers … [Read more...] about The London Fiver – Five of the Best Bakeries for Cookies in London

The Fiver – Five of the Best Places for Chocolate in London

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Chocolate is one of the most gifted items around Valentine’s Day and London has plenty of shops from which you can purchase a special treat for your special someone.  Whether you want to find a box full of sweets or something custom made, the city has plenty of chocolatiers that will satisfy your partner’s sweet tooth.  Of course, there’s more than just one kind of chocolate, … [Read more...] about The Fiver – Five of the Best Places for Chocolate in London

The Fiver – Five of the Best Steakhouses in London

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Sometimes it’s good to sit down and just have a big piece of cooked red meat.  There are many different ways to prepare steak and many more trimmings and side dishes to go with them.  London’s steakhouses offer them all and depending on what you’re in the mood for; you can find a restaurant that will suit your tastes within the city.  Some have multiple locations so you can … [Read more...] about The Fiver – Five of the Best Steakhouses in London

London Guide: Our Favorite Restaurants in London – London Restaurant Recommendations for Americans – What’s Your Favorite?

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With over 15 years of London travel below our belts, we’ve eaten at quite a few restaurants. Some terrible. Some great. We thought it would be a good idea to finally put together a list of our favorite restaurants in London so that others can get the same joy from them that we have. Keep in mind that these restaurants are our own personal preferences so your tastes may be … [Read more...] about London Guide: Our Favorite Restaurants in London – London Restaurant Recommendations for Americans – What’s Your Favorite?

Ten Places to Enjoy Thanksgiving Dinner in London

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Thanksgiving is a very American holiday despite having English origins. But traveling to London over the Thanksgiving holiday has become very popular with Americans seeking to avoid the holiday gluttony and shopping madness of Black Friday (or their families...). It's also an easy time to get time off of work for most Americans since most people have a long weekend (well, … [Read more...] about Ten Places to Enjoy Thanksgiving Dinner in London

The London Fiver – Five Autumn Food Festivals in London

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You don’t have to live in the country to reap the bounty of the Autumn harvest.  Autumn is a traditional time to enjoy the food at its finest and London is a city known for its culinary delights.  You can believe that the city has as many interesting food festivals as the rest of the United Kingdom, so we’ve managed to find some for you.  Whether you’re in the mood for … [Read more...] about The London Fiver – Five Autumn Food Festivals in London

The London Fiver – Five of the Best London Dive Bars

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Dive bars are an experience.  They're not fancy, they don't have a five-star menu, and you probably wouldn't recommend them to your friends.  However, this horrible reputation is many times undeserved.  Dive bars in both the US and the UK are havens for locals.  They might be full of kitsch or memorabilia from employees.  They engender a loyalty in their regulars because the … [Read more...] about The London Fiver – Five of the Best London Dive Bars

Guest Post: 10 London restaurants you don’t want to miss by Study Across the Pond

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The UK often gets a bad rap when it comes to food, which is a little unfair. Here at Across The Pond, we pride ourselves on knowing all things British as for the past 10 years, we have helped over 10,000 North American students achieve their dream of studying in the UK. Some of our Across The Pond team studied their degrees in London and thought this would be a great … [Read more...] about Guest Post: 10 London restaurants you don’t want to miss by Study Across the Pond

The London Fiver – Five of the Most Interesting Alternatives for Afternoon Tea in London

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Afternoon tea, that light meal served between 4 and 6 PM, is a staple of British culture. In addition to enjoying a hot cuppa of the caffeinated beverage, you might enjoy some sandwiches, pastries, cakes, or even biscuits. Anna Maria Rusell, Duchess of Bedford, is credited with beginning the tradition, and, as such, there’s some austerity to afternoon tea. However, some places … [Read more...] about The London Fiver – Five of the Most Interesting Alternatives for Afternoon Tea in London

The London Fiver – Five of the Best Tea Shops in London To Pop Into On Your Next Trip to London

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Tea, the classic staple of British beverages. Whether one enjoys a cuppa for breakfast, to relax, or while enjoying a traditional afternoon tea meal, it is a drink full of flavor and culture. When traveling in London or new to the city, you may want to take the opportunity to branch out from your local grocery shop for tea and try one of the metropolis’ many excellent tea … [Read more...] about The London Fiver – Five of the Best Tea Shops in London To Pop Into On Your Next Trip to London

The London Fiver – Five Best Places in London to Indulge Your Sweet Tooth on Your Next Trip

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Everybody yearns for something sweet. Whether as part of a meal or as a small snack, once in a while, we all just want something with some sugar in it, and of course, there are plenty of options out there. Whether you want pastries, chocolate, ice cream, or something else, London certainly has plenty of restaurants and shops that can meet your appetite for desserts. These five … [Read more...] about The London Fiver – Five Best Places in London to Indulge Your Sweet Tooth on Your Next Trip

The London Fiver – Five of London’s Best Bakeries to Visit on Your Next Trip

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I love pastries. Sometimes, I love them a little too much. Whether it’s cupcakes, bread, rolls, cannolis, donuts, cronuts, or any other type of delicious baked goods, there are plenty of places in London where you can find them. Some are big, well-known establishments, while others are your friendly neighbourhood bakery; yet, both have their own charms, their own delicious … [Read more...] about The London Fiver – Five of London’s Best Bakeries to Visit on Your Next Trip

The London Fiver – Five of the Best American Restaurants in London For When You’re Homesick

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There’s no place like home. Finding yourself in London, whether you’re just there for a visit or living there long-term, you may get a longing for some of the comforts of home—namely the food. It may seem strange for Americans to think of their own food as a something foreign, but in London, it’s a unique style as much as French, Italian, or Chinese. And sure, you can find … [Read more...] about The London Fiver – Five of the Best American Restaurants in London For When You’re Homesick

The London Fiver – Five Fun London Pubs Worth a Visit That Aren’t Your Bog Standard Pub

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A pub is a great place to relax and London certainly has plenty of options for that. However, what if you want something more? Something a little different? Well, if that sounds like you, London also has plenty of interesting and fun pubs in which to take your pint. Whether it’s the décor, the selection, or some other unique quality, there are several interesting pubs that will … [Read more...] about The London Fiver – Five Fun London Pubs Worth a Visit That Aren’t Your Bog Standard Pub

Basil! The London Fiver – Five of the Strangest London Restaurants To Enjoy a Meal On Your Next Trip

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Lots of people out there want an interesting dining experience. For most, it means they want great food, great service, and maybe some interesting décor. However, some restaurants go the extra mile in making a dining experience worth remembering. In London, there are many strange and interesting restaurants that Londoners and tourists can visit for the most exciting and odd … [Read more...] about Basil! The London Fiver – Five of the Strangest London Restaurants To Enjoy a Meal On Your Next Trip

London Pubs: The Top Five Strangest Pubs in London – Have You Been to One?

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Everyone has their favorite local, the place where you go at the end of the day to unwind, have a pint, and forget that dreaded cell they still call an office. However, when you’re on holiday, you may not want to find a normal pub. You may want something with a bit of flair, a dash of the different, and perhaps even the strange. Next time you find yourself in London, be sure to … [Read more...] about London Pubs: The Top Five Strangest Pubs in London – Have You Been to One?

Fortnum & Mason Has Opened Its First New Store in 307 Years in St Pancras Station

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Fortnum & Mason, the posh department store that's known as the green grocer to the Queen, has opened it's first new store in the UK in 307 years, so it's quite an occasion. St Pancras train station is the location for the new mini store. The 200sq m store, located in what was part of the ‘undercroft’ previously used for storing Bass Beer from Burton on Trent in the … [Read more...] about Fortnum & Mason Has Opened Its First New Store in 307 Years in St Pancras Station

Video: The Cabmen’s Shelters Inside London’s Secret Green Sheds

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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-0NxYUvbHkU Check out this great video from the BBC about London's mysterious Cab Shelters. From the BBC: To the untrained eye, they are green sheds - an incongruous sight on the busy streets of urban London. But these wooden structures have, in fact, been part of the street-scene in the capital since 1875 - a refuge for taxi drivers to … [Read more...] about Video: The Cabmen’s Shelters Inside London’s Secret Green Sheds

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