Gatwick to Victoria station

[Alsonification]

Myself & dd are going to London for 2 nights, flying from Dublin into Gatwick. We’re staying in the Double tree by Hilton in Victoria which I think is across the road from Victoria station so I’m assuming the train from Gatwick to Victoria is the best option for getting there?
Also can anyone recommend restaurants around that area? We’re going to see Wicked in the Apollo one of the nights but will need dinner beforehand.
Any other advice welcome. Thanks.

In terms of the train I would get a standard Southern service to London Victoria rather than the Gatwick Express. It costs far less and is probably only one or two additional stops.

The Victoria area isn't blessed with a lot of great restaurants but central London is so easy to get around I really wouldn't confine yourself to that one area. Soho is a great area for restaurants and not far from the Apollo so you could take a look in that area. Perhaps tell us what type of cuisine you like get some suggestions around that.

Sounds like a fun trip.

Any of the Olivomare restaurants, Cacio e Pepe, A Wong.

Thanks so much for the restaurant recommendations. Good tip about the train too. Will deffo save a few quid.

Yeah I hope it’s a fun trip. This was dd’s Xmas present for December 2019 and was booked for April 2020 but obviously had to be rescheduled.

Yep agree with just getting the standard Southern service and not the Gatwick express (make sure to buy the standard ticket though and not the expensive one!)

The Nova complex is at Victoria and has a bunch of nice restaurants in it

There is lovely Italian restaurant called Il Posto right opposite the Apollo Victoria.

Also are you going in the week or at the weekend? Just be aware that on Fridays and Saturdays the Victoria Line (& Central Line) are affected by strike action after 7pm.

What type of restaurants do you and DD want? As PP have said if you want individual or gastronomic there isn’t much in your hotel’s immediate vicinity. If you want a quick/cheap eat before the theatre plenty of choice. Look up Nova and Cardinal Place. Both very near and have numerous chain type restaurants. There is a Shake Shack by the station (also one in Covent Garden if you are that way) and an interesting place called the Market Halls which is lots of different stalls of food, coffee and drink. A bit further up Victoria Street there is The Ivy Victoria. I don’t really rate them as think overpriced for what you get food wise (prefer Browns in Cardinal Place) but it is beautiful inside so good for Instagram and always busy.

There is also a Dim T near the hotel on Wilton Road which is a good choice if you like dim sum etc. Or venture up to China town. Lovely for a wander plenty of restaurants of variable quality but an experience. I like Leong’s Legend which is actually Taiwanese.

There are some small restaurants along Buckingham Palace road, and side streets off it, or more mainstream chains in the shopping centre just past the Victoria Palace theatre(Hamilton). The Gatwick express service resumes on 3rd April but other semi fast rail services only add about 10 minutes on to the journey time. Daytime try Covent Garden or the Southbank (tube to Embankment then walk over the bridge) for street food and atmosphere.

I was also going to suggest Il Posto opposite the Apollo Victoria! Nice independent Italian.

There’s also Cardinal place that has Wagamamas, Browns, etc and on Wilton Road itself is Giraffe and Nandos.

I’d also agree with getting the normal southern service from Gatwick to Victoria and not the express.

Again thanks so much. Sorry should have said, we would be going for cheap & cheerful really & we like mostly Italian/European food. Il Posto sounds ideal. I’ll look it up. You’ve reminded me that a parent I work for (I’m a childminder) gave me a £40 voucher for Browns for Christmas to use when we go so I must have a look at that too.

The strike action mentioned worries me. We land only Gatwick on a Friday evening around 16:55 so would we be ok getting to Victoria before strikes hit?

@Alsonification

Again thanks so much. Sorry should have said, we would be going for cheap & cheerful really & we like mostly Italian/European food. Il Posto sounds ideal. I’ll look it up. You’ve reminded me that a parent I work for (I’m a childminder) gave me a £40 voucher for Browns for Christmas to use when we go so I must have a look at that too.

The strike action mentioned worries me. We land only Gatwick on a Friday evening around 16:55 so would we be ok getting to Victoria before strikes hit?

Gatwick to Victoria is on the overground and not affected at all by the underground strikes

Oh phew. That’s a relief. We’ll be using the tube over the weekend but during the day so that’s ok.

Yay for Browns. There is one very near you in Cardinal Place Victoria. For atmosphere and decor I like the one in St Martins Lane. I think it is an old court. Historic building anyway. Have fun!

Yay for Browns alright. I’m so glad you mentioned it. I had totally forgotten about the voucher I have.

Il posto is nice. There’s a gourmet Indian on Buckingham Palace road.

Get normal train not Gatwick express.

Also, there are lots of Pret and a little Waitrose as well as M&S if you want to get sandwiches and eat eg in St James Park.

You could also walk up near Horseferry Road and do a riverside walk, there are a few independent cafes there.

Caffe Grana is a great independent coffee shop in St James Park tube station. There’s a Kiko on Victoria street but also in Pimlico if your DD likes it there are a few vintage shops, Modes & More, Retromania etc.

If you want to go into west end it’s a bit dead but you can easily walk or part bus and well and take in parks.

@Alsonification

Oh phew. That’s a relief. We’ll be using the tube over the weekend but during the day so that’s ok.

@Alsonification - tube is good but if you want to hop on and off buses are better and time difference not a lot in it!

What would I do without you guys. This is fantastic info. I think I’m going to try book Il Posto for the night we arrive as it’s not far & maybe try Browns for the night before the show.
I’m keeping a note of all the other places as we’ll be eating out for breakfast & lunch too.
Great ideas with walks & hop on hop off buses.
I’m getting so excited now.

The number 11 bus goes through Victoria and effectively acts as a 'tourist bus' (Chelsea, Westminster, St James's Park, St Paul's, City of London) without paying the Hop on-Hop off prices

Maybe afternoon tea at Browns ? I would also say market Hall for food, such a wide choice and it's all delicious

It's also pretty quiet outside Buckingham Palace first thing and a nice walk up through St James Park

The West End was heaving when I went a few weeks ago. It was so jammed you couldn't walk/see anything.

How old is DD? The flight club is fun.

Victoria has changed so much in recent years. In the past you’d have just travelled straight through it. Nowadays it offers so many places to eat and drink.

Franca Manco fab for cheap pizzas