Food and drink,
markets and shopping

To the west of Victoria station is Belgravia, an exclusive shopping district with a treasure trove of delights, from haute couture to the jazz nights at Boisdale; this really is a place not to be missed! read less

Just 2 minute’s walk from Victoria Station, Cardinal Place on Victoria Street has a range of fantastic high street shops and eateries ranging from Marks & Spencer and Monsoon to Wagamamas and Zizzi. www.cardinalplace.co.uk. read less

Tucked out of the way, this little street is often overlooked by visitors to the area, but it offers a mix of small retailers selling everything from specialist photographic equipment to good food. Try cider and pies in Chimes (English restaurant and wine bar), bistro food at Grumbles, or check out The Constitution Pub for a great Sunday lunch. read less

SW1 is renowned for its great selection of charity/thrift shops, including the British Red Cross on Ebury Street, Crusaid on Churton Street and more to be found on Wilton Road and Tachbrook Street. Set aside a few hours to hunt for some bargains! read less

A stone’s throw away from Pimlico Tube Station, Moreton Street is home to some of the most stylish shops in Pimlico, including a range of antique and arts, designer clothes and health and beauty establishments. Eateries include Khallouk & Taylor (delicatessen) and Pizza Express. read less

Pimlico has its very own farmers’ market every Saturday in Orange Square (corner of Pimlico Road and Ebury Street) from 9 until 1pm. Held in a leafy square, this farmers’ market is becoming one of the biggest in London. read less

Strutton Ground Market runs from Monday to Friday, from late morning until mid afternoon and is very popular with the lunchtime crowds from the local area. The market sells a wide range of products including clothes, fruit, books, CDs and household goods. read less

A visit to Tachbrook Street is a must for gourmet food and vintage clothing fans. On Upper Tachbrook Street check out Rippon Cheese Stores for a fantastic variety of mouth watering cheeses and Gastronomia Italia, packed full of Italian specialities. You can get a good selection of patisseries and bread in Bonne Bouche on Lower Tachbrook Street and Wyndham House English butchers are well worth a visit too. Tachbrook Market is open every day except Sunday, with a great fish stall most days. read less

This road is packed full of restaurants, cafés and bars, definitely the perfect place to head for if you can’t decide what you want to eat. Offering food from around the world, from fish and chips to Mexican (Loco Mexicano), Portuguese (Nando’s Chickenland) and Turkish (Kazan), there’s sure to be something for everyone! read less

(Vauxhall Bridge Road end) The bottom end of Warwick Way is the heart of this local shopping district so it’s a good place for cafés, restaurants and bars, including the Marquis and The Queen’s Arms. read less

The Regency Café 19 Regency Street, SW1P 4BY, 020 7821 6596 (famous art deco café, recently part of the Layer Cake film set)

The Footstool Restaurant St John’s Smith Square, SW1P 3HA, 020 7222 2779, (café and restaurant in the crypt of St John’s)

The Chocolate Society 35 Elizabeth Street, (for all things chocolate, including a fabulous hot chocolate!), 020 7259 9222

The Wash House café The Abbey Centre, 34 Great Smith Street, SW1P 3BU, 020 7222 0303, (community café in SW1’s old wash house)

The Vincent Rooms Those in the know visit the Vincent Rooms regularly for fine dining at affordable prices! Contemporary cuisine is prepared by Westminster Kingsway College’s second and third year students, so you can taste some of the best cuisine from London’s up and coming chefs. Chefs that have trained here include Jamie Oliver, Ainsley Harriott and Antony Worrall Thompson. 020 7802 8391, www.thevincentrooms.com.

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The Plumbers Arms 14 Lower Belgrave Street, SW1W 0LN

Horse & Groom 7 Groom Place, Kinnerton Street, SW1X 7BA

Thomas Cubbitt 44 Elizabeth Street, SW1W 9PA

The Speaker 46 Great Peter Street, SW1P 2HA

Morpeth Arms 58 Millbank, SW1P 4RW

The Jugged Hare 172 Vauxhall Bridge Road, SW1V 1DX

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