As most people know, Fried Chicken is not really a vegetarian dish. However, Temple of Hackney in Shoreditch has opened a permanent store selling a Vegan Fried Chicken. Made of Seitan (also know as wheat meat), this food resembles the taste and texture of fried chicken, including the crispy outside.

Within a week of opening, the queues to enter this store are insane, with patrons waiting an hour or longer to get their food. An average meal of two pieces and chips costs £8, a little steeper than your average chicken shop but that is common amongst vegan and vegetarian food – often put down to the price of the lifestyle.

On the whole, the food is considered to be good but not amazing, but more a revolution in terms of the vegetarian diet. If you want to visit Temple of Hackney, they are open from Noon-8pm, Wednesday-Sunday.

For more information, visit their Facebook page.

Brunch is an indulgent, great way to start your weekend or lazy days. With London being one of the cities with the most concentrated cafes, there are plenty of amazing spots to try out for brunch. These are just some of our favourites.

Granger & Co

With queues being a normality here, Granger & Co takes global inspiration for its menu and offers some of the best when it comes to brunch. They have classics such as their ricotta hotcakes with honeycomb butter, or eggs with a variety of toppings including things like miso mushrooms, pestos, and harrisa paste.
175 Westbourne Grove, W11 | 50 Sekforde Street, EC1R

sourced from Granger & Co.

Dragon Castle

Whilst dim sum may not necessarily be considered a brunch spot, Dragon Castle in Walworth Road is definitely worth a consideration. They have large palatial doors offering a grand entrance. With an authentic Cantonese style menu, they have reasonably priced dim sum which gives you a slightly heartier, warmer brunch experience. Get yourself some steamed prawn and chive guo, or pastries, or the all-time favourite: spring rolls.

100 Walworth Road, SE17

sourced from Dragoncastle

M1LK

If you are looking for something bright and breezy for a lazy weekend, then M1LK is definitely a good stop. They have some amazing sandwiches and egg dishes, and they have an interesting Australian influence. You can find the Balham branch of M1LK on Hildreth street, and they have great Caravan coffee and local Brixton bread on their menu.

20 Bedford Hill, SW12

sourced from Instagram

Duck & Waffle

If you’re a fan of heights, Duck & Waffle may be the one for you. Located on the 40th floor of the Heron tower, they have stunning views and great food. Their chef Dan Doherty is famous for dishes such as crispy pigs’ ear served in a paper bag, or the titled Duck & Waffle. 

Heron Tower, EC2N

sourced from Duck & Waffle

London is home to a selection of cafes and restaurants, with plenty of new independent chains opening up every day. In this guide we wanted to highlight some of the lesser known cafes which are perfect for a romantic brunch, lunch, or even first date!

Mother’s Day is fast approaching on the 26th March, and it is the perfect time to treat those special in your life. London is a great place to visit for Mother’s Day, with plenty of activities such as flower shows, afternoon tea, and theatre shows to attend. Here are some of our favourite events coming up on Mother’s Day.

With the first signs of spring beginning to appear, March is an optimistic and slightly warmer time to enjoy. This is one of the best times to visit many of the gardens of London, such as Kew Gardens and Kensington Palace Gardens, as many of London’s most vibrant flowers will be beginning to bloom.

If you’re thinking of visiting London soon, you’ve probably started putting together the list of places you want to see and restaurants you want to try. However, there are a few, smaller quirky things that you may want to consider when you are visiting, and they are things that we will be covering in this article today.

Miniature London

Whilst you can climb to the top of the Shard and take in a great view of the London skyline, there’s an easier way you can do it from the ground. Just along from Goodge street at New London Architecture’s Offices, you can find a small scale model of the capital city. It covers the majority of Central London, from Paddington to Kings Cross, as well as all the major sights you’ll see.

Speedy’s Cafe

This cafe may not seem like much when you first visit it in Camden, but you’ll notice quickly that it is the cafe used in the modern revamp of Sherlock Holmes featuring Benedict Cumberbatch. The owners haven’t massively played on the feature, but you can buy a small souvenir in the form of a t-shirt or mug if you fancy it. They also have a great breakfast, which is a massive bonus.

The Brutalist Barbican

The Barbican is a Brutalist Apartment block built in the Capital in the 60s. It is home to a museum, the biggest conference centre in Europe, and a cinema. Right in the middle, however, lies a garden oasis with waterfalls and a great pond. It is a lovely little oasis hidden amongst these overarching concrete buildings. They also have a conservation house which houses a variety of exotic animals and plants.

The Skateboard Graveyard

Hungerford Bridge’s Southern Pier has been the final resting place for a variety of skateboards since 2009. If you visit the site, you’ll see a shrine to the sport.

With London Fashion Week fast approaching, we wanted to highlight what to expect from the spectacle taking place from the 16th February.

Current Trends

The fashion scene has become remarkable international over the past few years, with street style dominating the market. New collaborations such as the Louis Vuitton x Supreme, and Nike x ACRNYM, have highlighted the going forward trends for a mixture of stylish yet functional wear. However, this year diversity is at an all time high.

If you are visiting London in the cooler months, it can be a great opportunity to explore the surrounding areas of London, or take some short trips into the rest of the UK. These are some great ideas for short trips which are easily accessible from London.

New Forest

If you’re an avid outdoor explorer then New Forest in Hampshire is a great trip. It has plenty of winding misty pasts and has plenty of great scenery as you amble through the forest, burning off those Christmas calories. When you get a little peckish, there are plenty of great restaurants nearby as well before you start your journey heading home.

Rye

Located in East Sussex, this little town is a wonderful place to visit. It has the true old British town feel you may not quite experience in London and will give you a stronger idea of British culture. Rye also has some amazing food, especially in the winter months, such as some great fresh fish stews and scallops caught that day!

Stonehenge

Stonehenge is one of those sights that is often overlooked but is definitely worth the visit. Just a short trip away from London (and also with many tour groups arranging trips there), it is a sight of great historical importance and awe. If you’re around near the Solstice, you can experience a true pagan ritual as well, and of course it has plenty of great photo opportunities.

Stratford-upon-Avon

Another historical British town, Stratford-upon-Avon is the birthplace of William Shakespeare, one of the most important British Linguists. You can watch a play in the Royal Shakespeare theatre, or head down to a local pub for some great hearty British food. This can be a perfect little weekend getaway, or a fun historical day trip.

If you plan on visiting any of these or any other places in London during the winter months, there are a few extra things to consider. Definitely make sure that you check the weather forecast before booking, and packing appropriate clothes. Rain is always a possibility.

Look at coach and train tickets as sometimes one or the other can be considerably cheaper. Also check opening hours as some places may close earlier or on certain days during the winter months.

Also, during the winter the days are very short in the UK, from around 10am-5pm of sunlight, so make sure you plan your day accordingly and do indoor activities early or late in the day, and outdoor activities whilst you still have the sun!

The Chinese Calendar follows the lunar year, making its months slightly shorter which means in turn that it falls on different dates of the Gregorian calendar. This year it falls on the 28th January, and shall be celebrating the Year of the Rooster.

Traditionally family and friends will meet and celebrate together and exchange gifts, however there are certain gifts that should be avoided as they are considered unlucky. Here’s a list to help you get ready for the upcoming celebration.

Handkerchiefs

A handkerchief is considered a gift of parting and so if given it is often assumed that you are saying goodbye forever.

Sharp objects

Sharp objects, similar to the handkerchief, are seen as cutting ties with a person. This can be seen negatively, and so it is often best to avoid gifts of knives or scissors on Chinese New Year. A common saying in Chinese is “one slash two parts” which China signifies the ending of a friendship.

Shoes

Shoes are a bad idea again as the word for shoes in Chinese is very similar to the word for bad luck or evil. It is also something that you stand on and wear away, which is why they are also considered a bad gift.

The Number 4

In similar fashion to the shoes, the word for the number four is very similar to the word for death in Chinese, and is considered unlucky. This also means avoiding gifts that come in sets of four.

Clocks

Clocks are the symbol of time running out which is why they are often viewed as a rude gift, especially if given to seniors. The word is also very similar to the word for attending a funeral ritual. It is a big no in Chinese culture to gift someone a watch or clock.

Pears

Giving gifts of fruit is common on Chinese New Year but one to avoid is the pear. The word for pears is very similar to the word for parting or leaving and so can be seen again as a gift referring to saying goodbye.

We hope that this list is useful for you if you are looking to buy gifts and celebrate Chinese New Year in London.