Living like a Local in London

We are all guilty of doing it. We book a hotel in a foreign city right at its heart. Then we get there and realize we’ve landed smack in the middle of the city’s biggest tourist trap. The people aren’t locals, the restaurants are overpriced, and the shops sell nothing but souvenirs. The contrived notion that a city must be explored from the heart is a passé, because there are so many other places to stay that would give us a local experience.

How do we find them? Going by what the locals say is perhaps the most reliable source to live in a city, especially a city like London. Nobody knows a city like the locals, and while each one might tell you a different place to stay for the best authentic experience in a city, they’ll all tell you somewhere with more local character than the place where all the tourists stay. That’s because every neighborhood in London has its own unique personality, and there’s something for every kind of visitor.

We list here a couple of things to keep in mind to live like a local and avoid touristy traps:

There’s always something to do. Whether you want to bathe in an installation of plastic balls, walk in a park or go for drinks overlooking the city, there are always plenty of options. Some of the most popular public places to feel at home is Hyde Park, St James’ Park and the Regent’s Park. 

 Britain gets a bad rap for its food. But even if that was a well-deserved reputation at some point in the past, it's not hard to find great food in the U.K. now, and that's especially true in London. Whether you're looking for a great burger, a locavore, farm-to-table, organic restaurant or something more exotic -- Turkish, Indian, Vietnamese or even a Peruvian ceviche -- you'll be able to find it in this city. Trishna is another favourite, an Indian restaurant with a great variety of dishes, and Canvas by Michael Riemenschneider, a new restaurant that allows diners to choose their own tasting menu. On the casual end of the dining spectrum, Le Pain Quotidien is the perfect place for breakfast or an open-face tartine sandwich, and La Fromagerie has a dining area with excellent light fare next to its famous cheese shop. Over on Marylebone Lane, some of the best fish and chips in London can be found at the Golden Hind.

 

 If you’re looking for beautiful buildings and a great vibe in a central location, Sloane Square is a favourite spot. For the quirkier side of London, there is always Shoreditch. The Marble Arch by Montcalm London is another favourite haunt for those who don’t mind the 3-minute walk from Marble Arch tube station and Oxford Street shops. 

 If trendy boutiques aren’t your thing, don’t worry. Hipsters can head east to Shoreditch to find London’s edgier scene. Whether you want to bar hop in the famous Hoxton Square or visit the brand new feline cafe at Lady Dinah’s Cat Emporium, this is the best option for alternative entertainment. Shoreditch High Street, Old Street, and Rivington Street are some of the neighborhood’s most happening haunts, all of which are replete with restaurants and trendy bars. Some of the most popular are the Hoxton Pony, Callooh Callay, and Pizza East in the famous Tea Building. Across the street from the last of these is Boxpark, a cool pop-up shopping and restaurant venue made from shipping containers. It is located near some of the neighborhood’s famous street art, of which there are pay-what-you-think-it’s-worth tours every week.

 Venture out of the city center to South London, the go-to neighborhood for it's thriving art ,culture and music scene. While in the neighborhood, visit the Brixton Market, where you'll find everything from ethnic foods representing the diverse cultural background of the neighborhood to funky bistro's and restaurants.

The Tricycle has been running since 1980 and despite being in the northwest, far from the glamorous West End theatre hub, it has become one of London’s most adored and respected theatres. Twelve years ago a one-screen cinema was added on and in 2001 the Creative Space was built for educational workshops. The theatre’s directors try to present work which reflects the cultural diversity of its neighborhood Kilburn, a heavily immigrant area and has put on plays by Irish, African-Caribbean and Asian writers. The cinema kiosk serves ice cream and candy and it has a bar/café which has a simple menu of pasta, sandwiches and jacket potatoes. There is a separate eating area which doubles as an exhibition space. On Mondays cinema tickets are only £ 6.50.