The spending money was gifted by Hotels.com, but all views are my own.
London Bridge is one of my favourite areas in the city. So when Hotels.com asked me if I could go explore the neighbourhood and share some recommendations and tips with you guys, I couldn’t refuse!
With great transportation links to the main attractions and airports, London Bridge hotels offer great options to base yourself when visiting. The neighbourhood itself has also many places to check out – Borough Market, Tower Bridge, the city hall, the Shard, the list goes on and on.
However, today I am not showing you the most famous places, instead, I am taking you to some hidden gems most tourists have never heard of, and where us Londoners like to hang out!
Spoiler alert, you know me, and as you can imagine many of these places are food-related. So, let me show my favourite secret corners of London Bridge!
Start your day with a brunch at Caravan
Tucked away in the back streets of London Bridge, Caravan is an all-day dining brasserie. They are several of these in the city, but my favourite is the London Bridge branch. The venue reminds me of some trendy New York restaurants and the food is delicious.
I always go for the chorizo, potato and broccoli hash with a poached egg and hollandaise sauce, and a glass of kombucha. I have yet to try the pancakes but I have seen many people ordering these and they look incredible.
Caravan Bankside, 30 Great Guildford St, London SE1 0HS
Explore Bermondsey Street
Some of our friends once told us: “Bermondsey Street is our favourite street in London!”, and trust me when I say that, as a Londoner, this is a huge statement! I can see why they love it so much though, it is a quintessential London street.
There you will find some very old houses with the ultra-modern Shard pointing in the background. The street has some lovely pubs and one of the nicest tapas restaurants in London – Jose. Explore the shops, grab a coffee, and if the weather isn’t great, go hide at the White Cube or the Fashion and Textile Museum to culture yourself.
Grab lunch at Flat Iron Square
Hidden away under the train tracks of London Bridge Station, Flat Iron Square isn’t the easiest place to find, but once you do, you keep coming back!
Flat Iron Square is an indoor/outdoor food market part of London’s Low Line project aiming to open railway arches to local businesses. Get lunch at one of the many food stalls, grab a pint (when in Rome!), and if you are lucky you may even be able to watch a football or rugby match while eating.
Beat the crowd on Thames Shad
When visiting London you will at some point walk on the South Bank and you will want to take a picture of the iconic Tower Bridge. But the reality is the viewpoint in front of the city hall gets ridiculously busy. So my tip to get the shot and beat the crowd is to keep walking, under Tower Bridge and past the Starbucks.
Almost instantly, the street quietens and you can enjoy the sight of the many old warehouses, now turned into luxury apartments. Take a left through one of the small passageways and you will find a great view of Tower Bridge with no one around to fight with for the best photography angle.
Feeling peckish? Head to the Watch House, their avocado and halloumi wrap and their Nutella and banana blondie are to die for!
Try some authentic London gin on Maltby Street
Pushing a bit further, but only a 10-minute walk from London Bridge, you will find Maltby Street, yet another food market (only open on Sundays). This one is a very well-kept secret among Londoners. I, myself, only found out about it after living there for 4 years.
Walk through the market, grab some food if you fancy, but if like me, you like a good liquid diet, head to the end of the alley. A sign will help you find what you’ve been looking for! Bermondsey Distillery makes one of my favourite gins – Jensen’s Bermondsey Dry Gin.
They do tastings and tours, and you can also grab a drink to enjoy with some market food. A must if you like a good G&T!
Bermondsey Distillery, 55 Stanworth St, London SE1 3NY
Go on a date at Flat Iron
Flat Iron is a VERY popular chain of steak restaurants in London. There are many dotted around the city centre, with often hour-long queues. The London Bridge branch is less-known and therefore less busy. The dining room is in lovely conservatory making it the perfect place for a casual date.
Vegan and vegetarian, look away! The menu here is simple, flat iron steak, some daily cuts and one burger. One type of food done very well, simple and efficient, my kind of place.
Flat Iron, 112-116 Tooley St, London SE1 2TH
And there you have it guys, my favourite hidden spots in London Bridge! So next time you are planning a trip to the Big Smoke, make sure to base yourself there!
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Claire Imaginarium 