Notting Hill

Tucked discreetly behind Notting Hill Gate Station, Egg Break is West London’s smallest and best-kept secret. Opened by the team from Soho House and the Hoxton hotel, Egg Break is, despite its name, not just for breakfast. In fact, we love it for lunch. Crispy fried chicken and waffles—drizzled in a generous amount of maple syrup—is our go-to, or if we’re keeping it light, the grilled halloumi with avocado and kale. Weekday mornings and early afternoons are always blessedly quiet here, which means there’s no problem taking over a table to get some work done solo.

Notting Hill needed a place like Laylow. Aside from the few existing late-night haunts that have been around forever in this corner of West London, there haven’t been many hot spots when it comes to fun, atmospheric watering holes. But Laylow brought in new life here—this is a social club where you can arrive in the early afternoon and stay until way past bedtime. Have dinner at the restaurant, relax on the rooftop with a glass of wine, then wind down with a cocktail in a bar that feels like a sumptuous living room (replete with plush velvet banquettes and armchairs). The only kicker? It's a private members-only club, so you’ll have to find a friend who can get you in.

A sleek and modern new addition to Westbourne Grove, Tab x Tab is a coffee spot that offers way more than great morning brews (from local roaster Ozone). Breakfast is a standout here, and the protein-heavy amaranth porridge, matcha chia bowls, banana pancakes, and avocado toast are all excellent. There are also variations on the typical coffee drinks, like a matchagato—a green tea version of the affogato.

Former Spa Junkie columnist at the Financial Times Inge Theron is the founder of this enterprise. Which makes sense, as only someone who has experienced hundreds of spas, treatments, and Eastern and Western wellness philosophies could have come up with something so smart. FaceGym is not a facial; it’s a workout for the muscles, fascia, and lymph glands that make up your face. And it’s completely noninvasive. A therapist will knead, press, and gently slap your face for thirty minutes, and the result is kind of incredible. Your cheekbones look lifted, your eyes are less puffy, and the rush of blood to the face gives your complexion a healthy glow. The shorter appointment times and convenient locations mean you can squeeze this facial workout into a lunch break. We like the flagship on the King's Road, but the counter at Selfridges is just as good, as is the location across the pond at Saks in NYC.

This place is incredible for parents. The idea is that of a members' club, but for families. The kids take over the ground floor (with supervised activities, soft play, and a plant-based café to feed them), while the grown-ups have their own spa-restaurant-tearoom oasis upstairs. The top floor is the treatment sanctuary with acupuncture, colonics, a nutritionist, and cryotherapy chambers at the ready. Refreshingly, membership is completely nonexclusive. Anyone can join (for a yearly fee), and having children is not a prerequisite.

The positive affirmations emblazoned on the windows catch your eye first. Then the fluttering pieces of paper taped to the doorframe with words like “gratitude,” “love,” and “forgiveness” (pull off what you need—the equivalent of a wellness fortune cookie, without the cookie) lure you in. Through the Aussie-style café (an amazing spot for a turmeric latte or to plow through emails), down the stairs is Bodyism, a wellness-mecca-meets-private-members’-club. Unlike other private gyms, there isn’t a treadmill in sight; instead, Bodyism is focused on personal training and classes, teaching clients to be kind to themselves with a more low-impact routine than the often punishing cardio regimes found elsewhere. The ballet, yoga, Pilates, and boxing are taught—for the most part—by former athletes and everyone here remembers your name.

Located on a quiet street in upscale Holland Park, this new British bistro has all the makings of a classic. There's no trendy furniture or lighting, there are no small plates—in fact, there are no gimmicks whatsoever, just great food, service, and an extensive wine list. The seasonal menu is British with some Mediterranean inflection here and there, and the meat, from lamb sweetbreads to boudin blanc, makes for phenomenal comfort food. Even if you're not a Holland Park resident, you'll feel, at least for a few hours, like this is your old neighborhood joint.

This iconic floristry business is thirty years old—and still going strong. Lush, colorful, and seasonal bunches—inspired by the English countryside—are what's on offer at this legendary spot, which is why they've been endlessly replicated across the city. Harper & Tom's offers flower delivery subscriptions—they will come and arrange all the vases in your house—along with gardening contracts in a similar, countrified vein.

The Hummingbird Bakery landed in Notting Hill in early 2004 to become the home of quality American baking in London. Today it has five branches across the city—in Soho, South Kensington, Spitalfield, and Islington in addition to the original in Notting Hill—and is famed the world over for its delicious cupcakes and other sweet treats and desserts.

Here, a seemingly endless row of stalls is packed with everything from antiques and china to books, furniture, and vintage clothes; in addition, there's a section where you can buy beautiful fresh produce and delicious prepared food. It gets busy on weekends, but squeezing through the crowds on this adorable old street is an essential London experience.