Sunday, January 22, 2017

Lady’s Quick Guide to London’s Fitzrovia

Fitzrovia always gets me excited. This London neighborhood is one of my favorite places to eat, drink, and explore, and given how central it is I end up there more often than I intend to. But it’s always for a good cause—calories don’t consume and burn themselves, after all. I’ve spent so much time in the area that today I want to let you in on my favorite places. So get ready for a quick guide to Fitzrovia, London.

Fitzrovia, London

Fitzrovia, London

Bounded by Oxford Street in the south and Euston Road in the north, Fitzrovia is right smack in the middle of London. Close to the shops around Oxford Circus and cultural meccas like the British Museum, it’s the perfect place for a post-shopping meal or pre-museum coffee. And while most of the streets are wide and well worn, there are plenty of little alleys and mews ripe for exploring.

Charlotte Street Hotel, London

Fitzrovia’s Streets, Places, and Passages

I always start my meanderings on Charlotte Street, perhaps the most beloved road in all of Fitzrovia. The section between Goodge Street and Percy Street has more good restaurants per square foot than almost any other part of London. Add to that the colorful buildings and historic pub exteriors, and the place has an abundance of charm.

Charlotte Street, London

Running parallel to Charlotte Street, Whitfield Street is another neighborhood gem. North of Goodge Street the adorable Pollocks Toy Museum brightens up the area with its friendly facade, and next door Pollocks Theatrical Print Warehouse is so photo-worthy it draws Instagrammers from across the city.

Pollocks Toy Museum

But it’s not just streets in Fitzrovia. There are places, too. The pedestrianized lanes of Colville Place and Charlotte Place are similar in their narrow width but different in their function.

Colville Place, London

While the former features a residential row of colorful doors and overgrown plants next to the secret garden in Crabtree Fields, the latter offers a row of restaurants and cafes with good food and outdoor seating.

Charlotte Place, Fitzrovia

And that’s to say nothing of the passages. The skinny alleys of Percy Passage and Newman Passage lead from Charlotte Street to Newman Street, offering a glimpse into old London’s back lanes and their brick facades along the way. Not far from there, Marylebone Passage is another atmospheric escape from the modern city.

Marylebone Passage, Fitzrovia

Bars, Pubs, and Restaurants in Fitzrovia

But the real treat in Fitzrovia is exploring the neighborhood’s variety of restaurants, bars, and pubs. From the Aussie breakfasts at Lantana to the winning cocktails at Oskar’s Bar in Dabbous, the area has something delicious for every hour of the day.

Lantana, Fitzrovia

Speaking of, between breakfast and drinks there’s plenty to eat and imbibe. TAP has excellent coffee, Bao is my ideal lunch spot, Honey & Co is perfect for tea and cake, and afternoon tea at the Sanderson is just the thing when I’m the mood to indulge.

TAP Coffee, Fitzrovia

When evening comes, the secret bar at Crazy Bear is always a treat. But if I’m in the mood for a pub, the historic atmosphere at the Fitzroy Tavern takes me back to the days when Dylan Thomas, Augustus John, and George Orwell were denizens.

Fitzroy Tavern, Fitzrovia

And I’m quickly becoming one, too. But before I get too comfy I should remember that there’s a lot more of Fitzrovia to discover. On that note, I’m off to explore…

What do you think are the best places in Fitzrovia?

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Fitzrovia

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