Shopping and Dining in London: Knightsbridge and Convent Garden

Knightsbridge is an exclusive residential and retail district in West London, but did you know that for centuries, it was once associated with highwaymen, robbers and cutthroats?  Today, any crime committed along Knightsbridge would be a high-profile crime, simply because this is a seriously expensive place to live, to shop and to dine. Perhaps one of the most famous landmarks of Knightsbridge is Harrods, the most popular and largest local department store in London. 

Those with money to burn, however, avoid the crowds and Harrods and prefer Harvey Nichols.  On Sloane Street, you can also find some designer shops such as Christian Dior, Cnahel, Gucci, Armani, Prada, Alberta Ferretti, Nicole Fahri, and Katharine Hamnett.  You can try shopping for antiques in Alfie's Antique Market - the largest covered antique market in London; explore cookware at Divertimenti, sunglasses at Cutler and Gross; designer bags at Anya Hindmarch, or famous designer shoes from Christian Louboutin.

Tired from all the shopping?  Knightsbridge also features delectable places to eat such as The Hummingbird Bakery, Rococo Chocolates Belgravia, Baker & Spice, and Patisserie Valerie.  There is also a fifth floor cafe at Harvey Nichols.  If it's a meal you're looking for, look no further than Dinner by Heston Blumenthal, Indian restaurant Haandi, Hawksmoor, Koffman's, Marcus, the Bar Boulud in Mandarin Oriental, and the hip bar and restaurant Zuma.  Other places to try are Toto's, Rivea, and Petrus.

Covent Garden

Covent Garden lies on the eastern fringes of West End, between St. Martin's Lane and Drury Lane.  It used to be known for its fruit and vegetable market in the central square, and it still features the Covent Garden Market, among many other shops, pubs and bars, restaurants, and even street performances that have since sprung up in the area. 

Visiting Covent Garden means a total immersion into the rich cultural and historical life of England, as befits what was once a bustling Anglo-Saxon trading town. Covent Garden has its own distinctive landmarks, including the Royal Opera House, the Covent Garden Market, the Theatre Royal on Drury Lane, The London Transport Museum, St. Paul's Church, and the incomparable Covent Garden Square - a beautiful covered square with French and Italianate design influences, and where one will find the area's colorful street performers.

There are over 60 pubs and bars in Covent Garden, a wide range of restaurants such as Rules, J. Sheekey, The Ivy, Gaby's Deli, Clos Maggiore, Mon Plaisir, Flat Iron Henrietta Street, and Belgo Central.  There is also a fine selection of coffee shops available in the area, some of them among London's earliest coffee shops.

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