Topic Wiki

Trip Reports
A Week in London for 2 TR by Davidmal
100,000 Steps by Yuguy
6 Hours in London by Something Fishy
London + Scotland Trip Report by jshelton
London TR by Yehoshua
Mrs. Hvaces42's Surprise London Birthday Adventure by hvaces42
A Trip to See the Queen's Place: dpk4588 Takes on London by dpk4588


Suggested 1 Day Itineraries
1 Day In London by Davidmal
12 Hour Layover by Aaaron
11 Hour Layover by Mootkim

Drivers
Yitzchok: +44 (0) 20 7101 3535 - 8 Seater New VW Transporter (spacious).
Heathrow Drop-off 75GBP Pick up: 85GBP (plus 25GBP and he brings 8 Danishes to the airport too)
Hourly 65GBP
Daily 475GBP
Very Reliable, very nice and funny guy. Frum, professional and has taken very good care of my client - RCARentals (FlightBlitz).
Emmes Car Service (Stamford Hill) +44 20 8809 4444
Darkei Noam Car Share +44 20 8800 5566
Hotels
General Hotels
NameAreaWebsite          Review
Andaz Liverpool StreetCity               Link
Hyatt Regency London - The Churchill              West EndLinkmguy
Marriott - Grosvenor SquareWest End               Link
Marriott Marble ArchWest End               Link5 minute walk to Western Marble Arch Synagogue

Hotels in Jewish Areas
NameAreaWebsite          Review     Notes
Croft Court Hotel                                   Golders Green          Link
Holiday Inn Brent Cross                                  Golders Green          Link
Holiday Inn Express                                   Golders Green          LinkKosher breakfast, Shabbos meals. Contact hotel for more info.
King Solomon Hotel          Golders GreenLink
Nox HotelGolders GreenLinklocated near Shuls/kosher restaurants/underground station
KipAccomGolders GreenLinkrun by a frum guy. Individual rooms for rent.
Park Avenue HotelStamford HillLinkFormerly Kadimah
The Pillar HotelHendonLink

Restaurants
NameLocationTypeHechsher     Notes
86 BistroHendonMeatLBDCLOSED
AsadoStamford HillMeatKED'Mediterranean bistro'
AvivEdgwareMeatKF
Ayelets Catering and DelicatessenHendonDeli/Takeout/ShabbosLBDMoroccan Style
Balady AlaeshGolders Green+High BarnetFalafel/ShawarmaSKA
BalaganBorehamwoodMeatLBDMiddle Eastern
Bagel BarHendonCafèLBD
Bagel Bar GrillHendonMeatLBD
Beit CafeGolders GreenDairyLBDNEW
BooyaGolders GreenIce CreamNEW
Bread BakeryGolders GreenBakery/CaféLBDGreat salad selection!
Burger BarGolders GreenMeatLBD
Cafe AromeEdgwareDairyRESCLOSED
Dagim - Fish&ChipsStamford HillFresh fried fishKEDTake away only - No seating
DarnaGolders GreenMeatKFIsraeli inspired. Formerly Soyo Diner.
DelicatessenHampsteadMeatKFMediterranean & regular options
Deli98Stamford HillDeli/Takeout/ShabbosKEDGreat pulled beef sandwich
FlipsideGolders GreenCLOSED
Eli’s Pizza Borehamwood+EdgwarePizzaLBD
Habiba’s DeliGolders Green+HampsteadMeatLBD
Head RoomGolders GreenCaféKFsocial enterprise café by mental health charity Jami
Hot CutGolders GreenMeatKFMeat Sandwiches etc
Hummus BarGolders Green+HendonMeatLBDHighly reccomended - reserve well in advance.
Isola BellaGolders GreenDairy/Fish/ThaiLBDCLOSED
KaifengHendonChineseLBD
KanteenGolders Green/HendonDairy/FishKFInside Brent Cross Shopping Center
La FiestaGolders GreenMeatLBDArgentinian steakhouse.
MaximGolders GreenDairyKED
MazalCamden TownMiddle Eastern MeatKF NEW
Met-Su-YanGolders Green+EdgwareAsianKF
Mr BakerHendonCafé/BakeryLBDSame location as Mr Falafel and Mr Neapolitan
Mr FalafelHendonLBDNextdoor Mr Baker - uses their seating
Mr NeapolitanHendonPizza/PastaLBDInside Mr Baker. Best artisanal pizza in town!
NovellinoGolders GreenDairyLBD
Novellino BistroGolders GreenMeatLBD
One AshbourneGolders GreenMeatKF50% off steaks on Sundays & Tuesdays
Oven EatGolders GreenBakery/CafeLBDNEW
PitaGolders GreenMiddle Eastern MeatKFShawarma/Falafel/Schnitzel etc
PizazaGolders GreenPizzaKFCool on screen ordering at table. Delicious foodSee inside the shop!
PizazaHendonPizzaKFNo screens, and smaller than GG.
PizazaEdgwarePizzaKFHas a playroom for kids
Pizza ShaiHendonPizzaSKA
PortoberryHendonHealth Food/DairyLBDAcai bowls, Poke bowls, Bubble tea, Frozen yogurt etcNEW
Reich'sGolders GreenDeli/Takeout/ShabbosKED
Reuben'sWest EndMeatSKADeli upstairs-Restaurant downstairs
SababaBorehamwoodDairyLBD
SliceGolders GreenPizzaLBDNew York style pizza
SoYoGolders Green+EdgwareDairy/FishKFGood breakfast selection
Sami'sGolders GreenSchwarmaLBDThere are Hendon & Edgware locations as well.
Satmar DeliStamford HillDeli/Takeout/ShabbosKED
Shefa MehadrinGolders GreenDeli/Takeout/ShabbosVarious
Sushi HavenGolders GreenSushiLBDAlso have counter inside Kosher Kingdom
TaboonGolders GreenFalafelLBD
The KitchenEdgwareMeatKFCLOSED
TishBelsize ParkMeatLBDOpen for Shabbos meals
Tony PageWesminsterMeatLBDFine Dining - near  Hyde Park
Tuk TukGolders GreenPan-AsianLBD
White FishHendonFishLBDReopened
White House ExpressHendonMeatLBD

London food instagram account for pictures of the food click here!



CLICK HERE for many more bakeries, groceries etc.

Hechsherim Key - As always, AYLOR.

KF - Federation of Synagogues

KED - Kedassia - Local "Heimish" Hechsher

LBD - London Beth Din

SKA - Sephardi Kashrut Authority

RES - Rabbi Eliezer Schneebalg - Machzikei Hadas Edgware





Landmarks & Attractions
You can get 2 for 1 entrance on many of the top attractions by using a railway ticket for travel. (Or just by buying a cheap railway ticket and not traveling). See all the details here: http://www.toptiplondon.com/places-to-visit/2-for-1-offers
AttractionURLNotes
Abbey RoadLink     Famous Abbey Road crossing for Beatles fans.
British LibraryLinkBritain's national library, which houses some fascinating collections including these.
Buckingham PalaceLinkPalace tours only in Aug-Sep. Details for Changing of the Guard here. This tour walks along with the guards from the beginning of their march to the palace and then will get you a nice view of the actual ceremony. 10% off code: FUNGUARD10PC
City CruisesLinkSightseeing cruise on the River Thames.
Harrods of KnightsbridgeLinkLargest department store in Europe, with some really cool (expensive!) stuff on display.
HMS BelfastLinkMuseum on a former battleship.
Horse Guards ParadeLink
Imperial War MuseumLinkHighlights: Holocaust Exhibition, Trench Experience
London EyeLink
Old BaileyLinkWatch criminal trials taking place.
Shakespeare TheatreLink
The ShardLinkView London from the viewing gallery or have drinks at the bar on the 52nd floor. Best time to go is twilight/evening. Possibly a better alternative to the London Eye.
StonehengeLinkPrehistoric monument.
Thames RibLinkHigh-speed RIB boat tour.
Tower of London                             Link     Historic fortress where the Crown Jewels can be viewed.
WB Harry Potter Studio Tour      LinkSee Hogwarts, Diagon Alley etc. See here for a tip on finding last-minute availability
Windsor CastleLinkHistorical castle, and the Queen's weekend home.



General Information

Emergency Numbers
Police/Fire/Amb - 999
Hatzolah NW - 0300 999 4 999 (Golders Green/Hendon)
Shomrim - 0300-999-0123

-If you plan on using public transportation, get an Oyster card. They are much cheaper and easier to use than conventional travel cards, and never expire. They can be bought in many stores in London, or online. These days one can use contactless credit cards instead of Oyster.(Check here to see if your foreign contactless card will work.)

-Here is a handy planner for the public transport system.

-DD's Kosher Sandwiches can be bought in most major airports and stations and at some supermarkets around London.  Check here for a list of locations.

-Kosher in the West End/City -
Selfridges food hall has a variety of kosher groceries and prepackaged ready food by 1701.
Hermolis  also have a deli counter there.  The range includes schnitzels, spring rolls, kebabs, breaded lamb chops, chicken wings, fish products and salads. Traditional Shabbat dishes will be on sale on Thursdays and Fridays. Supervision is provided by the Kashrut Division London Beth Din
In the City Munch'n'Crunch have a stand in Hatton Garden with kosher meals, sandwiches, sushi and coffee. It is located at 32 Hatton Garden, on the lower-ground floor of Jewellery Emporium. There is also Mincha there at 1:30.

-Kosher food at non-kosher hotels, restaurants etc. can be ordered from the following kosher caterers in London. They provide double-wrapped meals to any location and could also match the menu of your location.
Hermolis (KED/LBD)
Royal Cuisine (KED/LBD)
1701/Adafina (LBD)

Zmanim - MyZmanim London

Minyanim - There are many shuls all over London, however there are a couple of places that have more constant Minyanim throughout the day.

Golders Green
General Golders Green Mincha/Maariv times
Hagers (Beth Yisochor Dov Beth Hamedrash)
R' Chuna's (Beth Shmuel Synagogue)

Stamford Hill
Satmar 26 (Clapton Common)
Pinters
Biala Shul (47 Moundfield Rd, London N16 6DT, UK)
Here is a list of addresses and zmanim for the above, and other places.

-Minyan in the West End could be found at the Marble Arch Synagogue. Shacharis during the week is followed by breakfast, and a kiddush on Shabbos.

-Most food products in general stores do not have a hechsher on them. This does not necessarily mean they are not kosher. For example, Coca-Cola does not have a hechsher, but it is kosher. Here is an online kosher product search that could help. Link to Android app.

« Last edited by yitzy93 on April 01, 2024, 02:29:51 PM »

Author Topic: London Master Thread  (Read 757403 times)

Offline @Yehuda

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Re: London Master Thread
« Reply #420 on: November 09, 2014, 12:21:49 AM »
I assume it'll just be Thu and Sat nights. I hope that we'll be with DW's friend for shabbos, although I just learned she doesn't live in GG anymore. Still getting more info on that. The Park Tower Knightsbridge is a 20 min walk from the shul through Hyde Park (exactly 1km) which doesn't seem that bad. How was shabbos there? You ate in the hotel? Where did the food come from?
Stayed at Marriott Marble Arch. We really liked the hotel. Fancy doorman, nice room, manual lobby and room doors/keys. The area is very Muslim, which may be a turn off, but that's only on the main street. The hotel is just off the main street and the Shul is even further off the main street in the direction of residential apartments. Felt safe walking to Shul every time. It was a 5 minute walk.

We bought food from Reuben's. It was crazy expensive so we didn't buy too much. Shnitzels were huge so 2 pieces lasted us for both meals. Grape juice that you buy from them is one of the little Mishloach Manos bottles, so you'll need a few. We found that out too late and just rationed it out (not sure if that was the correct decision Halachically). Anyway, if you can get to GG before Shabbos, you should be able to get cheaper takeout. The Shul/Chabad also does meals sometimes. Chabad had dinner the week we were there, but Gmaps said it was like a 25 minute walk, and they weren't so cheap, so we opted out.

Offline Yehoshua

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Re: London Master Thread
« Reply #421 on: November 09, 2014, 12:23:21 AM »
Stayed at Marriott Marble Arch. We really liked the hotel. Fancy doorman, nice room, manual lobby and room doors/keys. The area is very Muslim, which may be a turn off, but that's only on the main street. The hotel is just off the main street and the Shul is even further off the main street in the direction of residential apartments. Felt safe walking to Shul every time. It was a 5 minute walk.

We bought food from Reuben's. It was crazy expensive so we didn't buy too much. Shnitzels were huge so 2 pieces lasted us for both meals. Grape juice that you buy from them is one of the little Mishloach Manos bottles, so you'll need a few. We found that out too late and just rationed it out (not sure if that was the correct decision Halachically). Anyway, if you can get to GG before Shabbos, you should be able to get cheaper takeout. The Shul/Chabad also does meals sometimes. Chabad had dinner the week we were there, but Gmaps said it was like a 25 minute walk, and they weren't so cheap, so we opted out.
Cool. Thanks. That's an expensive Marriott!

Offline Ergel

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Re: London Master Thread
« Reply #422 on: November 09, 2014, 12:24:25 AM »
We stayed at the Hyatt Regency Churchill. Ordered from justkosher.co.uk who delivered directly to the hotel
Life isn't about checking the boxes. Nobody cares.

Offline Yehoshua

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Re: London Master Thread
« Reply #423 on: November 09, 2014, 12:25:04 AM »
We stayed at the Hyatt Regency Churchill. Ordered from justkosher.co.uk who delivered directly to the hotel
How was the food, food price, hotel?

Offline @Yehuda

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Re: London Master Thread
« Reply #424 on: November 09, 2014, 12:26:52 AM »
Cool. Thanks. That's an expensive Marriott!
Yessir. Had to deal with the points I had. Remember, I wasn't in this for good deals on the hotels - just wanted to pay with points for every night. :) 2 Marriott CCs and some UR got us 4 nights there.

Offline Yehoshua

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Re: London Master Thread
« Reply #425 on: November 09, 2014, 12:28:25 AM »
Yessir. Had to deal with the points I had. Remember, I wasn't in this for good deals on the hotels - just wanted to pay with points for every night. :) 2 Marriott CCs and some UR got us 4 nights there.
Wow. That's a bunch of points. I think I might just stay at the Park Tower Knightsbridge or somewhere cheaper if we're in town for shabbos.

Offline Ergel

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Re: London Master Thread
« Reply #426 on: November 09, 2014, 12:29:48 AM »
Food I remember being pretty good. We ordered a ton of food and came out to 80 pounds plus 10 for delivery, which was very reasonable considering the variety we ordered. If you PM your email address I can send you my order.
Hotel was OK (especially since we were coming from PH Paris and PH Zurich).
Life isn't about checking the boxes. Nobody cares.

Offline ejb123

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Re: London Master Thread
« Reply #427 on: November 12, 2014, 05:29:51 PM »
Going to be in London with my 8 year old son from 12/31-1/4 (thursday - sunday). We are staying in the west end. We are going to do the Harry Potter Studio tour. Any other suggestions for places to see? Any suggestions for food for shabbos? Is there anywhere to go on shabbos that is walking distance (we are staying in Covent Gardens area). The hotel is about a mile from the Marble Arch shul. Is that a safe walk shabbos morning?

Also - what is the best way to get from Heathrow to the west end given that we don't have a lot of time? Heathrow express?

Thanks in advance!

Offline @Yehuda

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Re: London Master Thread
« Reply #428 on: November 12, 2014, 06:59:16 PM »
Going to be in London with my 8 year old son from 12/31-1/4 (thursday - sunday). We are staying in the west end. We are going to do the Harry Potter Studio tour. Any other suggestions for places to see? Any suggestions for food for shabbos? Is there anywhere to go on shabbos that is walking distance (we are staying in Covent Gardens area). The hotel is about a mile from the Marble Arch shul. Is that a safe walk shabbos morning?

Also - what is the best way to get from Heathrow to the west end given that we don't have a lot of time? Heathrow express?

Thanks in advance!
Check out the list of activities in the wiki.
Check out justkosher.co.uk or else go to Reuben's (expensive).
Chabad sometimes has a meal on Shabbos. Email them if they will have the week you're going and to see where their address is/how far it is from your hotel.
I don't know about the walk, but during the day, I can't imagine you'd have a problem.
Heathrow Express seems to be the fastest way from the airport. Buy the 2 RT ticket package online and you'll save a bundle.

Offline Yehoshua

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Re: London Master Thread
« Reply #429 on: November 12, 2014, 07:01:54 PM »
Heathrow Express seems to be the fastest way from the airport. Buy the 2 RT ticket package online and you'll save a bundle.
Or you can just fly out of LCY.  ;D

Offline MeirS

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Re: London Master Thread
« Reply #430 on: November 12, 2014, 07:03:41 PM »
Or you can just fly out of LCY.  ;D
You're making me jealous...

Offline Yehoshua

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Re: London Master Thread
« Reply #431 on: November 12, 2014, 07:13:50 PM »
You're making me jealous...
I'm so excited, although I just realized I didn't book the ticket with my BA card so I didn't save 10%.  >:(

Offline MeirS

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Re: London Master Thread
« Reply #432 on: November 12, 2014, 07:15:27 PM »
I'm so excited, although I just realized I didn't book the ticket with my BA card so I didn't save 10%.  >:(
LCY-MAD?

Offline Yehoshua

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Re: London Master Thread
« Reply #433 on: November 12, 2014, 07:30:33 PM »

Offline @Yehuda

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Re: London Master Thread
« Reply #434 on: November 12, 2014, 07:38:09 PM »
I'm so excited, although I just realized I didn't book the ticket with my BA card so I didn't save 10%.  >:(
What am I missing? Has there been an update to your trip?

Offline MeirS

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Re: London Master Thread
« Reply #435 on: November 12, 2014, 07:39:40 PM »
I'm so excited, although I just realized I didn't book the ticket with my BA card so I didn't save 10%.  >:(
Your excitement sounds like you'll be flying at least JFK-LCY

Offline Yehoshua

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Re: London Master Thread
« Reply #436 on: November 12, 2014, 07:56:42 PM »
What am I missing? Has there been an update to your trip?
Nope. LCY-MAD is just  a positioning flight for our return trip. Avios weren't available for late flights, so I paid cash.
Your excitement sounds like you'll be flying at least JFK-LCY
True, but flying out of LCY even just to MAD is exciting.

Offline smart brit

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Re: London Master Thread
« Reply #437 on: November 12, 2014, 09:28:23 PM »
You won't get the discount when booking a ticket from lcy mad.
The 10% discount only works when originating in the state's

Offline Yehoshua

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Re: London Master Thread
« Reply #438 on: November 12, 2014, 09:29:31 PM »
You won't get the discount when booking a ticket from lcy mad.
The 10% discount only works when originating in the state's
Oh, thanks for pointing that out. Now I don't feel bad anymore! 8)

Offline MosheP

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Re: London Master Thread
« Reply #439 on: November 16, 2014, 06:12:31 PM »
What's the latest shachris minyan available in either Golders Green or Stamford Hill? What time would I have to land at LHR to make that Minyan? What is the best method of transportation to catch the Minyan?