Nestled in between the blinding lights of Soho and the crowded streets of Kings Cross and Camden, Fitzrovia is often overlooked when it comes to must-visit spots in London. Fitzrovia’s streets began to form during the 18th century as the capital expanded north of Oxford Street, once being the northernmost part of central London.
Boasting a bohemian past and fascinating history that influenced the lives of famed writers, artists, and intellectuals, Fitzrovia is a testament to London’s addictive charm and ability to continuously reinvent itself in the best possible ways.
Nowadays, the neighbourhood’s fashionable modern flair continues to swing between the captivating central appeal and an unmatched margin verve. So without further ado, here are some of the absolute best things to do in Fitzrovia for a fab day out!
1. Kickstart your day with some coffee at a converted toilet café
When it comes to unique coffee shops in London, The Attendant truly takes the cake, the biscuit, and beyond. Famed for their high-quality speciality coffee and café staples, this must-visit coffeehouse is nestled inside a Victorian public toilet that’s been beautifully restored, fit with urinal tables and lots of little quirks that’ll get you flushed with joy. It’s the perfect way to kickstart your day in Fitzrovia.
📍 27A Foley St, London W1W 6DY.
2. Enjoy an Asian afternoon tea at Lucy Wong
There are so many fantastic afternoon teas to try in London, and Fitzrovia is jam-packed (quite literally) with some of the best that the capital has to offer. For something less traditional but just as special, try the drool-worthy Asian afternoon tea at Lucy Wong, a Chinese-inspired underground bar that gets a tremendous tea treatment on the weekends.
Expect a tiered selection of sweet and savoury bites, including traditional Dim Sum, Duck Puffs, Pork, and Salmon Bao, alongside a selection of hand-finished Patisseries that are picture-perfect. Click here to make your reservation.
📍 33-34 Rathbone Pl, W1T 1JN, London.
3. Find some well-deserved peace at the gorgeous Fitzrovia Chapel
What began as a hospital in the 1740s, the historic Middlesex Infirmary evolved to become one of London’s favourite hidden treasures. Fitzrovia Chapel is a stunning Grade II-listed building with a beautifully ornate Byzantine interior.
From the mind-blowing mosaic work to the stunning stained glass, nowadays, the peaceful space plays host to unmissable exhibitions and events, as well as stand-alone visits, both honouring its sacred past and reclaiming the space for a modern London. For more information on their current exhibits and events, visit their website here.
📍 2 Pearson Square, London W1T 3BF.
4. Enjoy a beautiful brunch at Mr Fogg’s House of Botanicals
If you’re on the hunt for London’s prettiest restaurants and bars, make sure you stop off at Mr Fogg’s House of Botanicals the next time you’re in Fitzrovia. They boast a wonderful brunch on the weekend that’s an absolute treat for all the senses.
From building your very own bellinis to staple brunch dishes, this essential eatery is perfect for any budding mixologist who can’t miss out on their Eggs Florentine and French Toast come Sunday! Avoid disappointment by making your reservation here.
📍 48 Newman Street, London W1T 1QQ.
5. Sip on Indian-inspired drinks at the beloved hidden bar Bandra Bhai
Located beneath the streets of Fitzrovia, Bandra Bhai is a beloved refuge from the hustle and bustle from above. This hidden, Indian-inspired bar is like diving down the rabbit hole, with tchotchkes and trinkets dotted all around this immersive space. Honing in on a time when India’s underground operations were alive and thriving, the charming speakeasy theme makes it one of the area’s favourite bars.
📍 79-81 Mortimer St, London W1W 7SJ
6. Embark on a literary pub crawl around Fitzrovia and Soho
This is London, and no neighbourhood guide is complete without a couple of pubs. Luckily for us, there are some fantastic organised pub crawls in the area that’ll not only whet your whistle literally, but metaphorically, through some good, old-fashioned history! The Literacy Pub Crawl will explore Fitzrovia’s bohemian past as many significant writers and intellectuals throughout history loved a booze up in the area. Dylan Thomas and George Orwell were famed fans of The Wheatsheaf (pictured above), for example.
However, if exploring the past on a pub crawl isn’t your cup of tea, how about a pop-culture tour of Soho and Fitzrovia with your very own drag queen hostess? Sounds like a dream. Click here for more information and tickets.
7. Quench your thirst with a couple of pints at Lore of the Land
While we’re on the topic of pubs, it would be rude not to mention another standout. Lore of the Land is a traditional British boozer that’s owned by none other than Guy Richie. Serving up deliciously elevated pub grub, as well as a top-notch selection of craft beers and ales, including Richie’s very own creations from his Wiltshire brewery, Gritchie.
📍 4 Conway St, London W1T 6BB.
8. Play the world’s most famous game like never before at Monopoly Lifesized
Although Monopoly might be the cause of some major friction within the family, break through the tension with ease at this immersive attraction devoted to the world’s most famous board game, intrinsically located smack-bang in the centre of London. Play the iconic game like never before, as you navigate the larger-than-life space that’s actually a human-sized Monopoly board guaranteeing some fantastic fun!
There’s even a Monopoly-themed restaurant and bar to finish things off with a marvellous meal and some well-earned drinks. If you wanna take your love for the game to the next level, try out our self-guided Monopoly tour of London.
📍 213-215, Tottenham Court Road, W1T 7PS.
9. Feast on the finest Italian cuisine at Circolo Popolare
We’ve touched on breakfast, brunch, and lunch, but we couldn’t conclude this round-up without a delicious dinner. Circolo Popolare is one of Fitzrovia’s most popular restaurants thanks to its gorgeously grand interiors and mouth-watering Italian cuisine. From some of the freshest pasta in the city to pizza that transports the taste buds to Naples, it’s undeniably one of London’s all-time favourite Italian restaurants too!
📍 40-41 Rathbone Place, London W1T 1JN.
10. Witness the best contemporary artists at Pi Artworks
Beyond London’s major art galleries, there’s an ever-growing list of smaller, lesser-known art spaces that provide the capital with access to some of the best art in the world. Pi Artworks are famed for bringing enthralling exhibitions to Fitzrovia with renowned pieces from the contemporary art scene. Find out what’s currently on display by visiting their website.
📍 55 Eastcastle Street, London, W1W 8EG.
11. Spark some creativity at The Cartoon Museum
Recently making it on our round-up of marvellous museums for kids, the Cartoon Museum is great if you’ve got some aspiring artists in the family or someone who just really likes superheroes. With the best comic book collection in the city, as well as fabulous insight into the world of animation and cartooning, doodle this into your diary for a fantastic outing that’s bound to spark some creativity.
📍 55 Eastcastle Street, London, W1W 8EG.