Insider Series: 48 hours in London with Chef and Culinary Writer Nina Parker.

Where to Stay: 

If I didn’t live here in London I would 100% get an Airbnb which I get whenever I go away now. If you book early you can find some amazing places in East London or Notting Hill.

Where to Eat: 

This is a tough one as my favourites change all the time but I never get bored of Bocca Di Lupo.  It’s Soho at it’s best with a buzzing atmosphere, delicious food and great service.  You need to book three weeks in advance but if you are two then they do take walk-ins on the night. You must also try the ice cream at Gelupo for dessert as I used to work there and it still makes some of the best Italian natural gelato around. Palomar (New Jerusalem cuisine) in China Town is relatively new and the interiors are filled with as much class as the beautiful sharing plates. One of the three owners is a dj so they play fun house and hip-hop.  I’m also pretty into the new takeaway Ramen noodle bar in the new PopBrixton, the gyoza are incredible. In Goodge Street there is life-changing Jewish Deli called Delancy and Co. and their Reuben salt beef sandwich with marbles rye bread is another level. Last one is Mazi in Notting Hill and is a lovely Greek restaurant with a cute little outside garden for the summer and pretty much everything here is amazing!!

Where to Drink:

Ekcovision cocktail bar under one of the tunnels in Brixton has recently opened and is the perfect date/party spot. Casa Negra’sdownstairs bar in Shoreditch is pretty fun and again great cocktails.

What to Do:

Check out Maltby Street Market in Bermondsey for lots of great antiques and food stalls, doughnuts, quality smoked salmon and bloody Marys.  It sounds a bit cliche but I would definitely say get a Boris bike and cycle round Hyde Park and then after walk to the V and A.  Last exhibition I went to was the McQueen show and it blew my mind so it’s always worth checking it out to see what’s on.

Where to Chill Out:

Pizza East in Notting Hill on a Sunday morning the Electric Cinema on Portobello Rd or the Ritzy in Brixton is another great cinema. The Chelsea Physic’s Garden is one of the oldest gardens in London and is open everyday except Saturday and their little cafe, Tangerine Dream with an ex River Cafe chef offers unforgettable cakes for teatime.