Food is a huge part of London life, with many of the city’s international communities expressing their cultural roots in restaurants. You can find cuisine from India, Ethiopia, France, Azerbaijan, Georgia, China, everywhere in between, and every fusion combination besides! Plus there are hundreds of pubs serve traditional British pub food. Every budget is catered for, from markets and pop-up street food carts to fine dining gourmet experiences.
If you’re into music, London is the best city in the UK for gigs, concerts and festivals. Classical music fans can see world-class performances at venues like the Royal Albert Hall and the Royal Opera House. Every genre of contemporary music will be found in gig venues and clubs across the city, from chart-topping artists at Alexandra Palace and the O2 Academy Islington, to up-and-coming acts in bars and studios. London also hosts lots of festivals – Lovebox and Wireless are particular favourites.
Theatreland is an iconic part of London’s West End. In this vibrant area around Shaftesbury Avenue and also further afield, the city has hundreds of theatres showing musical theatre and drama. Long-running shows like The Phantom of the Opera, The Lion King, Les Misérables and The Mousetrap are complemented by new plays every week, to create an exciting theatre scene that is a key part of London’s appeal. Lots of venues also have stand-up comedy nights, hosting the UK’s funniest comedians.
From blockbusters to alternative documentaries, London’s cinemas are at the cutting edge of contemporary film. Whilst the Odeon in Leicester Square is the site of many world premieres, it’s also easy to find foreign and independent films just around the corner. The range of independent cinemas in the city all offer their own film experience, like audience participation at the Prince Charles, foreign language films at the Lumière, or luxury table-service at the Everyman chain.
Of course, all of this entertainment is available through the day as well as at night – you’ll never run out of things to do in London!