Spend 48 hours In Carnaby and Soho With Onin.London

If you’re a tourist or live in London, you’ve definitely been to Carnaby Street and Soho.  Onin.London were recently invited to spend 48 hours exploring the iconic areas and we are happy to share with you how you can maximise your visit to the area.

With a compelling heritage that boasts the birthplace of Swinging London in the ‘60s, Carnaby is, today, the go-to destination for global fashion brands, unique independent stores and world first concepts. Located in London’s vibrant West End, just a short walk from Oxford Circus and Piccadilly Circus tube stations, the area you’ll find over 160 brands spanning fashion, lifestyle, beauty, food and drink across 14 streets, including the world famous Carnaby Street.

Soho is the creative hub of London’s West End with a vibrant mix of independent and concept fashion stores, restaurants and bars. Soho’s portfolio includes 39 shops and 31 restaurants, bars and cafes across several Soho streets including Berwick St, Broadwick St, Denman Street and Brewer Street.

We started our stay by checking in to the Karma Sanctum Hotel – 20 Warwick St, London W1B 5NF

Sanctum Soho is the brainchild of Concept Venues’ Mark Fuller. Combining a sophisticated subterranean cocktail bar with screening facilities, stunning Japanese restaurant and bar – Wild Heart Bar & Shokudo, gorgeous bedrooms, funky crash pads and a private roof-top terrace, complete with 24 hour bar and alfresco Hydro Spa, alongside a level of service and host of extras worthy of a rock star, the hotel is the must-stay destination in the capital.

It really was the perfect location and we loved that the Spa was 24 hours and it meant after a busy day of eating and shopping we could have a soak in the hot tub at 1am in the morning! This hotel has been on our list to stay for ages and it was a dream!

Start the day with a hearty breakfast at Dishoom or The Breakfast Club.

Dishoom –  22 Kingly St, Carnaby, London W1B 5QP – @dishoom

Rich businessmen, courting couples and sweaty taxi-wallas all frequented the cafés. They were the first places in the city where people from any caste or class could have an inexpensive snack or a hearty meal, or just seek cool refuge from the street with a glass of chai. But now as the city rushes towards modernity, these beautiful old cafés are disappearing, mourned by Bombayites, and fading into memory. Dishoom work with Magic Breakfast charity. For every breakfast you eat at Dishoom, the restaurant will donate a ‘magic’ breakfast to a school in London. Magic Breakfast charity aim to end hunger as a barrier to education by providing nutritious breakfasts to its partner schools.

Breakfast, at The Breakfast Club – 11 Berwick Street, Soho, London, W1F 0PL – @thebrekkyclub

Historic Berwick St in Soho is just round the corner from their original caf on D’Arblay St. Cozy setting, friendly staff only good grub – and a Soho first for The Breakfast Club, enjoy a selection of beers, cocktails and wine available day and night.

Lunch wise for the two days we recommend  – Kricket Soho (12 Denman St, London W1D 7HJ – @Kricket and Bar Kroketa 21 Beak Street, London, W1F 9RR – @barkroketa.

Kricket takes inspiration from India’s cooking scene. The extensive menu combines the best British seasonal ingredients with authentic Indian recipes and spices to create modern Indian plates. Their signature dishes such as the Samphire pakoras and the Keralan fried chicken were super tasty and their cocktails are fabulous. Make sure you don’t skip these. Staff are also happy to explain the menu so you know you’re going to order the perfect lunch.

Or why not try Bar Kroketa for a quick and easy lunch. As well as their signature plates, bar kroketa serve a daily changing menu of small dishes, with a host of countertop snacks also available. Free from the formalities of a traditional restaurant menu, the space has been designed to give guests a true taste of Spanish bar culture with a lively, energised atmosphere and an ‘anything goes’ playful attitude, underpinned by a hard earned understanding and respect for Spanish cooking.

Shopping around Soho and Carnaby Street is a must for retail therapy. Duck into fashion stores such as some of our favourites below:

•  Wood Wood – 31-33 Brewer Street, Soho, London W1F 0RT @w00dw00d
• Natasha Zinko – 17 Brewer St, London, W1F 0RJ – @natashazinko
•  Lazy Oaf – 2 Ganton Street, W1F 7QL – @lazyoaf

• House of Sunny Fouberts Pl, Carnaby, London W1F 7PY – @houseofsunny
•  Stine Goya – 45 Beak Street, London, W1F 9SD – @stinegoyastudio

• Maanesten – 35 Beak Street, W1F 9SX London – @maanesten

• IKKS Paris – 3 Carnaby St., Carnaby, London, W1F 9PB — @ikksofficial
  EMIN + PAUL -25 Beak St., Carnaby, London W1F 9RT — @EMIN + PAUL

• bloobloom – 24 Carnaby St., Carnaby, London W1F 7DB — @bloobloom
• GANNI – 36 Beak Street, London, W1F 9RF – @ganni
• Hayley Menzies -8 Newburgh St., Carnaby, London, W1F 7RJ — @hayleymenziesofficial
• Rejina Pyo – 37 Upper James Street, London, W1F 7DG – @rejinapyo

• Annie’s Ibiza – 3 Newburgh Street, London, W1F 7RE – @anniesibiza

• RIXO – 44 Carnaby Street, London, W1F 9PP – @rixo

After a busy day of shopping you would have built up an appetite so drop your purchases back at the hotel before heading to dinner our Top Picks are

 Temper – 25 Broadwick St, London W1F 0DF – @temperrestaurant and Imad’s Syrian Kitchen –
Top Floor, Kingly Court, Carnaby St, London W1B 5PW – @imadssyriankitchen.

Beneath Broadwick Street you will find Soho’s original smokehouse. Known for meat, mezcal, tacos and good vibes, Temper is centred around a giant fire pit, with a mix of counter dining to watch our chefs in action and leather booths for feasting. We loved sitting around the fire pit and watching our meals being prepared. The food was incredible and these guys know how to cook a steak! Cocktail wise, don’t skip a margarita or a glorious glass of red perfectly paired with your steaks.

In terms of Imad’s Syrian Kitchen, make sure you book as this place was really popular. Designed to share, there were plenty of different hot and cold Mezze dishes as well as a great selection of larger plates – all served with a curated wine list and warm Syrian hospitality. It was my first time trying Syrian food and I was not disappointed. The Makmour Jaj was to die for!  And dessert! Wow! The Syrian ice cream with pistachios and candy floss is the stuff of dreams. It’s my least favourite flavour and I’m still thinking about going back just for this Ice cream alone!

If you’re after a night cap, we recommend having after dinner drinks at SOMA – 14 Denman St, London W1D 7HJ or Nightjar – Kingly Court, Carnaby, London, W1B 5PH – @nightjar.

Nightjar Carnaby is the sister bar of the iconic Nightjar in Shoreditch, the original speakeasy cocktail bar open for over ten years. Nightjar’s reputation for breathing new life into forgotten cocktails and bringing fresh perspective to classic recipes and presentation is world-renowned. Alongside a sublime cocktail menu is an extensive spirit list, including vintage spirits and a nightly schedule of the very best vintage jazz, blues, ragtime, funk and swing that London has to offer. Perfect for pre and post-theatre cocktails, or drinks, tapas and a show with the main act.

SOMA is a new bar in Soho, located next door to Kricket. A modern and minimalistic take on the basement speakeasy. Drinks inspired by India and beyond. We loved the creative cocktails of this bar a lot! Despite seats surrounding the bar which give diners a chance to people watch, the bar remains extremely intimate and exclusive. A great place for a drinks with friends or a first date.

We absolutely loved our stay in Carnaby and Soho – make sure you visit to check out the amazing Christmas installations as it’s the perfect place to get all your Christmas shopping done!

@ThisIsSoho / @CarnabyLondon #ThisIsSoho / #CarnabyLondon
Link back to ThisIsSoho.co.uk / Carnaby.co.uk