It might be best known for its Cathedral, the Houses of Parliament or even its spot on the Monopoly board, but Westminster is also home to some of the best, hippest spots that London has to offer. From historic monuments lining the River Thames to glamorous casinos and winding side streets, Westminster truly has something for everyone.
From Parliament to Piña Coladas – Westminster’s Cocktail Evolution
Just moments from 10 Downing Street and the Houses of Parliament, you’ll find the Spy Bar, located in the OWO – the “Old War Office” Building on Whitehall. Sip on an iconic Vesper Martini in this speakeasy that once housed the offices of MI5.
The Cinnamon Club boasts two bars in what was once the Old Westminster Library. Enjoy hand-crafted cocktails from renowned mixologist Piyush Gouchwal in the Library Bar, surrounded by some of the oldest books in the UK, or head downstairs to the Club Bar where you can munch on modern Indian classic snacks.
Turn back time in one of London’s oldest watering holes, The Old Shades – a classic British pub. Pull up a seat at the bar, where it’s always Pimm’s O’Clock. All the UK favourites are found here: prawn cocktail, Sunday roasts and, of course, fish and chips. There’s yesteryear in every corner of this grand old pub.
Timeless Dining – Haute Cuisine with a Side of History
Known as “London’s Best Kept Secret”, The Pem – named after the infamous suffragette Emily Wilding Davison – celebrates the very best of British produce in elegant, modern surroundings. Set lunches start at £35 for two courses, with English spring pea soup and corn-fed chicken breast on the menu. Or try the Taste of The Pem degustation menu featuring hand-dived Orkney oysters and roast venison loin with Sancho pepper, paired with wines carefully selected from small-production vineyards that work in harmony with the environment.
Steakhouse Famille brings a taste of the US Rocky Mountains to inner London and is open for breakfast, lunch and dinner. Try one of their famous breakfast skillets, filled with free-range eggs, hash browns and house-made corned beef, or even a gigantic chorizo-filled breakfast burrito. Perhaps a Thanksgiving feast of apple and herb-basted turkey breast with garlic mash and sautéed beans? Famille’s dinner menu is its shining star, with modern takes on old classics like wild boar Bolognese, the bacon fig burger or beef short rib with smoked tomato polenta. It’s casual fine dining where the best of America is served right next to Charing Cross.
Fancy a Michelin-star experience? Look no further than Ekstedt at The Yard – a Scandinavian restaurant like no other, where fire and smoke are the main cooking elements. Several menus tempt with delicacies such as juniper-smoked Cornish fish, hay-smoked sirloin beef or pickled cloudberries with yoghurt sorbet, all prepared on their fire pit, wood-fired oven or wood stove.
Singular Experiences – One-of-a-Kind Outings
As the beating heart of historical London, Westminster is often thought of as a tourist hub. But it also offers some of the most unique experiences in the world – if you know where to look.
Sinfonia in Smith Square is housed in a charming Baroque-style church just moments from Lambeth Bridge. Each year, its fellowship scheme brings together 34 of the UK’s most talented musicians to form an orchestra whose performances will astound and delight. With events ranging from classical to jazz to lunchtime concerts, Sinfonia is a must for music lovers.
Art enthusiasts will adore the Mall Galleries – a free, petite gallery devoted to living British contemporary artists, with a focus on figurative art. Most renowned is the annual Society of Wildlife Artists exhibition, where the natural world is captured in oil and watercolour paintings, sculpture and more. Works are available to purchase via their website, and their excellent café, Duke’s, is open daily for light meals and coffee.
Also worth considering are the many small group or private tours of Westminster’s historic locations. Explore maps, plotting tables and even Sir Winston Churchill’s humble bedroom in the Churchill War Rooms, create a brass rubbing in the catacombs of Westminster Abbey or unlock the secrets of the British Museum with your own guide to elevate your experience.
And if you’re the gambling type, why not explore some of London’s best casinos located within or adjacent to Westminster? These include the Hippodrome, the largest casino in the UK, with restaurants, show areas and its Upper and Lower Gods gaming floors, right in the heart of Leicester Square. Sure, you could stay home and enjoy no deposit offers curated by Casinos.com – a great way to dip into the excitement – but doing it in person is even better.
Quintessentially British – High Tea Grandeur
No trip to London is complete without at least one high tea, and Westminster has some of the finest. Feel like royalty at The Guardsman, a five-star hotel close to Buckingham Palace, while enjoying Scottish salmon sandwiches and mango tarts, all washed down with a mimosa or one of their extensive tea selections. Even little ones are catered for, with one of the few Children’s Afternoon Tea menus in town.
With extraordinary surroundings in the Dean’s Yard of Westminster Abbey, Cellarium Café and Terrace sprawls across two floors. The ground floor is the celebrated cellar where Benedictine monks once hosted weary travellers, while the terrace above offers elegant views of the Abbey.
The Rubens at the Palace’s party kitchen is led by celebrated chef Sarah Houghting, with teas provided by P.M. Teas, established in 1945 in Ceylon’s famous Dimbula Valley. The high tea at The Rubens has won numerous awards and is known for its top-notch service and delicious offerings.
With its proximity to central London and so many tourist hotspots, Westminster truly has it all: old-world pubs, high-end degustation dining, rooftop bars and ancient historical landmarks. Things may not change too much in this part of London, but the energy is unmatched if you’re searching for the city’s best. Take our word for it.
