ISO of London and Edinburgh favorites?

[soiree]

Taking my dd over Thanksgiving for her 16th bday. I adore London but haven't been in maybe 5 or so years. Dishoom & Padilla were popular- still good? I think I'd also like to try Gymkhana though a friend who went to both last month said she enjoyed Dishoom just as much and I'm sure it's not nearly as pricey. We love Indian and all varieties of Asian food. 
Any other favorite restaurants? We want to do afternoon tea for her bday. On my list are Sketch. the Ritz, or maybe the Rosebery at mandarin oriental. idk where I got these recs but I had them saved We will probably do a food tour if anyone has a rec for that or any other walking tour. And of course all the museums; can't wait!
I've never been to Edinburgh- we'll have three nights and 2 full days so I'll take any and all suggestions, thanks!

[joy]

We ate at Badger and Co on Castle Street in Edinburgh this summer. Very yummy. It’s an upper scale restaurant but we brought our seven year old. All was fine and cozy.

We did tea inside Edinburgh Castle, as well. No lovely views but it was fun and different nonetheless.

[mc03]

We just went to London this summer. Highly highly recommend Kutir for dinner. Amazing Indian food and the location is also fun (basically looks like a London flat from outside with a tiny sign). Way better than Dishoom (we ate there too) although it was pricey. My husband is Indian so we eat a lot of Indian. It was our favorite meal in London.

We also did tea at the Rosebury in Mandarin Oriental. Honestly, service wasn’t great, especially for what we paid. I would suggest trying somewhere else. Food/tea was just ok.

We are big museum people and our favorite was the National Gallery. We liked that over the British Museum.

[spicysalmonroll]

Last time someone had a thread on London, I recommended The Albert and they came back and said they also enjoyed it.
Don't know how she feels about history but the Churchill War Rooms were so cool.

[elle]

The Witchery in Edinburgh is all atmosphere and amazing food - keep in mind it's been 8 years since I've been, but the experience was unforgettable.

[SweetPotato]

Ooh I’m taking my son in April and will be keeping up here!

[Wtfshouldmynamebe]

I’m also interested in how you plan to travel from London to Edinburgh. DH and I plan to go in spring (or soon because he keeps needing to go to London for work).

[soiree]

Nov 4, 2024 23:20:28 GMT -6 Wtfshouldmynamebe said:

I’m also interested in how you plan to travel from London to Edinburgh. DH and I plan to go in spring (or soon because he keeps needing to go to London for work).

It’s a 4.5 hour train ride, one leaves nearly every hour on the hour.
I’ve read that flying is similar in time and price but we’ll enjoy the train.

[jaidit]

I love going to the Wallace collection for tea.
The V&A has 2 great exhibits planned for 2025- Cartier (which I saw in Paris and was great) and Marie Antoinette style.
Liberty London is my favorite spot to shop and get souvenirs, and my favorite museums with kids are the natural history and transport museums.

I’ve only gone from London to Edinburgh via train and it was a really beautiful ride. I was only there for 2 days but the castle was the highlight for me!

Edited to add I had a great dinner a few weeks ago at Berenjak - it’s Persian food.

[soiree]

Nov 4, 2024 16:01:45 GMT -6 mc03 said:

We just went to London this summer. Highly highly recommend Kutir for dinner. Amazing Indian food and the location is also fun (basically looks like a London flat from outside with a tiny sign). Way better than Dishoom (we ate there too) although it was pricey. My husband is Indian so we eat a lot of Indian. It was our favorite meal in London.

We also did tea at the Rosebury in Mandarin Oriental. Honestly, service wasn’t great, especially for what we paid. I would suggest trying somewhere else. Food/tea was just ok.

We are big museum people and our favorite was the National Gallery. We liked that over the British Museum.

I made a reservation for Kutir, looks awesome, thanks. 

We had a similar experience at Fontam & Mason and I probably wouldn't rec. (the shopping was fun though!) 
Maybe Harrods or the Orangery at Kensington Palace for a really fabulous afternoon tea? 

[pobre]

Nov 4, 2024 18:24:51 GMT -6 SweetPotato said:

Ooh I’m taking my son in April and will be keeping up here!

For Spring Break???? Because same.

eta nm, we're going in march lol. it's early

[SweetPotato]

Nov 5, 2024 7:40:10 GMT -6 pobre said:

Nov 4, 2024 18:24:51 GMT -6 SweetPotato said:

Ooh I’m taking my son in April and will be keeping up here!

For Spring Break???? Because same.

eta nm, we're going in march lol. it's early

Ah man! Our spring break is late so we go the first week in April.

We have friends who moved to Paris over the summer and will spend a couple days there too.

Can’t wait to hear about your trip!

[joy]

Nov 4, 2024 23:20:28 GMT -6 Wtfshouldmynamebe said:

I’m also interested in how you plan to travel from London to Edinburgh. DH and I plan to go in spring (or soon because he keeps needing to go to London for work).

Train. No question.

It goes along the coast/North Sea. Cafe car delivers to your seat. Wifi. It’s just very enjoyable. Reserve your seat and relax.

We did train from London to Inverness (four hours north of Edinburgh) after flying from Philly. Then train back to Edinburgh a few days later then train back to London a few days after that. Trains all day every day over flying.

[joy]

I’ve done tea at The Ampersand and The Shard. Both were great in their own ways.

Views from Aqua Shard were incredible. Theme was Peter Pan.

Ampersand was quieter but a fun “science” themed tea. Good food. Very London location in street, building, architecture.

[soiree]

Nov 5, 2024 9:00:08 GMT -6 joy said:

Nov 4, 2024 23:20:28 GMT -6 Wtfshouldmynamebe said:

I’m also interested in how you plan to travel from London to Edinburgh. DH and I plan to go in spring (or soon because he keeps needing to go to London for work).

Train. No question.

It goes along the coast/North Sea. Cafe car delivers to your seat. Wifi. It’s just very enjoyable. Reserve your seat and relax.

We did train from London to Inverness (four hours north of Edinburgh) after flying from Philly. Then train back to Edinburgh a few days later then train back to London a few days after that. Trains all day every day over flying.

Any reason to do first class? I'm in a treat yo'self mood but can't tell if it's that much nicer? 

[joy]

Nov 5, 2024 9:33:00 GMT -6 soiree said:

Nov 5, 2024 9:00:08 GMT -6 joy said:

Train. No question.

It goes along the coast/North Sea. Cafe car delivers to your seat. Wifi. It’s just very enjoyable. Reserve your seat and relax.

We did train from London to Inverness (four hours north of Edinburgh) after flying from Philly. Then train back to Edinburgh a few days later then train back to London a few days after that. Trains all day every day over flying.

Any reason to do first class? I'm in a treat yo'self mood but can't tell if it's that much nicer? 

We did regular the entire 8hrs. It was totally fine.

I think we may have done 1st class on one leg back? As I can’t remember, it must have made no impression. 🤣

[soiree]

Nov 5, 2024 11:53:16 GMT -6 joy said:

Nov 5, 2024 9:33:00 GMT -6 soiree said:

Any reason to do first class? I'm in a treat yo'self mood but can't tell if it's that much nicer? 

We did regular the entire 8hrs. It was totally fine.

I think we may have done 1st class on one leg back? As I can’t remember, it must have made no impression. 🤣

The pics of first are not impressive lol. I thought it would be fun if they maybe had a tea service (like BA) but I think we'll do regular and play cards and pay for our snacks. 

[saltypearl]

The train from London to Edinburgh is amazing. It was one of my favorite parts of my honeymoon.

For something more lunch like and casual I highly reccomend the pulled pork roast sandwiches from Oink. They roast a hog each day and when it runs out (which it does every day) thats it. There are 3 locations in Edinburgh now, but I went to the one just off the Royal Mile in 2011.