If You Love NYC, You’ll Love London: A Streetwise Guide

Toni Reid
Aug 17
4 min read

London street view with the big red bus — London's iconic big red bus

London and New York have been throwing side-eye across the Atlantic for centuries. London says it’s older, classier, and has better museums. NYC says it’s faster, sassier, and doesn’t stop for tea. The truth? They’re more alike than either city wants to admit.

If you thrive on neighborhoods with personality, markets with smells that make you hungry, and late nights that turn into early mornings, London will feel like home — just with better accents and fewer yellow cabs.

🗺 Neighborhood Match-Up: Where You’ll Feel Déjà Vu

Soho = Greenwich Village

Both are creative playgrounds with jazz clubs, tiny theatres, and a nightlife scene that somehow looks better under neon lights. In London’s Soho, swap late-night pizza for late-night curry.

Travel Tip:Skip the chain restaurants on Old Compton Street — wander the side streets for indie bars and live music tucked into basements.

Shoreditch = Williamsburg

Street art, artisanal coffee, and thrift shops where “vintage” might mean last year’s Zara. Shoreditch is London’s cool kid, complete with rooftop bars and food trucks.

Travel Tip: Head to Brick Lane on a Sunday for the market. Bagels here are legit — New Yorkers, you won’t cry.

Mayfair = Upper East Side

High-end shopping, pristine sidewalks, and people whose dogs have better coats than you. Mayfair oozes wealth in the same way Manhattan’s Upper East Side does — effortlessly and unapologetically.

Travel Tip: Window shopping is free. Cocktails are not — prepare your credit card accordingly.

Brixton = Harlem

Rich in culture, music, and flavor. In Harlem, you might catch a gospel brunch; in Brixton, you’ll find reggae sound systems and Caribbean street food that will ruin you for chain restaurants forever.

Travel Tip: Don’t just stick to the high street. Dive into Brixton Village for plantain, patties, and people-watching.

🚇 Transit Hustle: Tube vs. Subway

The Tube: Polite, clean, and shuts down around midnight. If the train says it’s arriving in 2 minutes, it means 2 minutes.
The Subway: Loud, unpredictable, and running 24/7. If it says 2 minutes… maybe.

Travel Tip: Oyster cards are great, but I did 6 days in London just tapping my bank card — easy. The only non-negotiable? Stand on the right side of the escalator.

🍴 Hidden Gem Restaurants Locals Swear By

London’s food scene isn’t just about fish and chips — the city’s got a flavor for every craving.

These are the ones locals keep to themselves… until now.

Dishoom (Covent Garden or Shoreditch) – Bombay-style breakfast naan rolls you’ll dream about for weeks.
E. Pellicci (Bethnal Green) – Old-school Italian café with a side of East End charm.
Kudu (Peckham) – South African-inspired plates with locally sourced ingredients.
Barrafina (Soho) – Tapas so good you won’t mind queueing for it.
Honey & Co. (Bloomsbury) – Middle Eastern comfort food made with love.
Flat Iron (Multiple Locations) – Affordable steak that doesn’t feel cheap.

Travel Tip: Book ahead for popular spots, but leave room for a spontaneous street food stop — London’s food markets are a world tour in one afternoon.

🎭 Nightlife & Culture

West End vs. Broadway: London’s West End is Broadway’s equally talented twin.
Camden vs. Brooklyn: Camden’s music scene still has grit, with venues like the Roundhouse hosting acts that sell out stadiums elsewhere.
Speakeasies: NYC may have the hidden cocktail game locked, but London’s basement bars (like Cahoots in a WWII tube station) give them a run for their money.

Travel Tip: Dress codes in London vary wildly — you could see someone in trainers next to someone in a three-piece suit. Wear what makes you happy.

🎉 Cultural Events & Festivals You Shouldn’t Miss

Whether you’re visiting for the first time or the fifteenth, these events will make you feel like you’re part of the city’s story:

Notting Hill Carnival (August) – Europe’s biggest street festival, full of Caribbean music, food, and parade energy.
Thames Festival (September) – Fireworks, riverfront markets, and performances along the Thames.
Wimbledon (July) – Even if you’re not a tennis fan, the strawberries and cream are worth the ticket.
London Film Festival (October) – Premieres from around the globe, with Q&As from top filmmakers.
Christmas Markets (Nov–Dec) – Southbank Centre’s Winter Festival is a crowd favorite.
Open House London (September) – One weekend a year, iconic buildings open their doors to the public for free.

VQ Bloomsbury restaurant — VQ Bloomsbury 24-hour restaurant

Travel Tip: Check the city’s official events calendar before your trip — London’s festival season never really ends.

🏙 Hidden Corners You’ll Love

NYC’s High Line → London’s Regent’s Canal Walk along the water from Little Venice to Camden for a calmer slice of the city.

Rooftop Views: NYC has the Empire State Building; London has The Shard and Sky Garden (free tickets if you book ahead).
Markets: Think Union Square meets Columbia Road Flower Market.

The British Museum

😂 Because Travel Should Be Fun

If you leave London without:

Arguing whether the bagels are as good as NYC’s
Falling in love with at least one pub
Taking 100 photos of double-decker buses even though you swore you wouldn’t… You did it wrong.

📌 Before You Go

📺 Watch my [London YouTube Playlist] for visual tips and tours 📌 Save this on Pinterest for your trip planning 📝 Read more in my [Explore Destination: London] blog section