I have to go into Central London on Saturday - help!

[KenAdams]

It can't be avoided unfortunately as my daughter has an event to attend. We will be Soho/Mayfair way as well, so possibly one of the worst areas for a Saturday in December.

I'm looking for somewhere I can book for a late lunch to take two 13 year olds and then something to do for DH and I between 4-8 whilst they're at the event.

Can anyone think of anywhere that won't be mega crowded. I think I'm asking for the impossible and this is a long shot but I may be missing some hidden gems.

OMG what is this shit everyone is spouting!! Yes if you try to enter Hamley’s or navigate Oxford Circus tube, hell on Earth, or try to go to Harrods, or get a taxi home at 11pm

but you can use a map and slink around side roads or just do whatever every other visitor does which is look upwards, say wow and walk slowly

but otherwise it’s festive and beautiful and you can do some lovely walks and take in all the lights, interspersed with a cup of tea somewhere.

ignore the doom mongers and get your festive spirit on

lunch - consider somewhere like the Ham Yard Hotel (Piccadilly) as a bougie brasserie experience, or go onto OpenTable.com to make a booking in Soho (my faves Cah Tre for phenomenal but cheap Vietnamese, China town - just turn up)

Do a lovely long walk: Hyde park, the Mall, Trafalgar square, Bond Street for windows and light displays. Or tube to Monument and walk back along the south bank. Google walking route ideas ahead of time

The Stafford Hotel (St James) is a lovely place to have a lovely relaxing (and expensive - £12?) pot of tea and super quiet. But you pay for luxurious surroundings and quiet charm. Or go into a bar for a cocktail around Carnaby Street. Google!!

Ps. A lot of people have suggested Brasserie Zedel. Yes, thumbs up for the kids. They who have suggested the Wolsey for kids I can’t imagine have kids. 🤣

Thoughts and prayers.

I see someone has already suggested Waterstones Piccadilly. I really like the bar / restaurant on the top floor. Meander through the shop, find something good to read and then settle down in the bar with a glass of wine and your new book.

The Royal Academy is in Piccadilly almost opposite the Ritz and always worth a visit
If the weather is good Green Park is also close by. You could try and book afternoon tea for the two of you to enjoy at Fortnums, if it's not already booked up.

It used to be well known for ladies of the night but might have changed since then!

The Wolsey is overpriced and not a patch on what it used to be.

I’ve been to the Wolesley recently with my teen. Not sure why you think it isn’t fine for teens?

And town will be rammed. I was there on Saturday and it was pretty overwhelming, and I’m a lifelong Londoner. But as I said, a street off the main roads and you’re fine.

Another vote for Cafe Murano. Cafe Royal is always good and they do a reasonably priced set menu.

@KenAdams what about Bebe Bob for late lunch? It’s the sister restaurant to Bob Bob Richard. And they have availability for 4 people this Saturday for late lunch. Do the teens like rotisserie chicken? (If they don’t, go elsewhere). Rotisserie chicken is the ‘in’ food in London at present.

We seem to have a bunch of millionaires in today if they are recommending Wolseley and Restaurants in Shepherd Market.
We would chose Zedel. For 12/13 yr olds it's a show in itself.
For adults looking for a pub, streets off Jermyn Street. Blue Posts Arlington St corner.

Zedel is fully booked. Most popular places will be already be booked for this Sat so that adds an extra challenge to finding somewhere suitable. Even the Mayfair Chippy is fully booked!

Does no one else find Zedel terribly noisy? I went once, on a Saturday evening, and the noise level was off the scale. To the point you couldn't actually hear what your companions were saying and had to try lip reading.

I would not recommend winter wonderland at all - it's awful!

Walk down to Panton Street and go to Sagar - it’s a South Indian vegetarian chain and is slightly off the beaten track so you should get a table. The food is excellent - can recommend all of it, but particularly the biriani or the thali. Alternatively, head to Aldwych (you can get a bus) and walk up Kingsway towards Holborn as that won’t be busy.

I was in the West End this weekend, Fortnum’s was absolute chaos, we cute for 45 minutes to go to the parlour for a coffee. If your event is near the Ritz and budget will allow, try and book a table at the Wolesely next door, they do all day brunch and some lighter lunch Options, I took my teenagers there on Sunday and it was fine.

Also if you head to Aldwych, the Delaunay and the Delaunay Counter are reliable. You will probably have to book the Delaunay - it’s a sister restaurant of Zedel and the Wolseley, but has a different vibe.

Royal Academy of Arts is just over the road from Ritz.

Luckily both teens will eat pretty anything, including any international cuisines so we're quite open in that respect.

Zedel is full unfortunately.

Not been to The Wolseley in years but I think it might be too late for that.

Managed to book some pie place in Carnaby so at least there's that if I don't manage to come up with anything else.

All the tourists stay on the entrance floor at Fortnums and don't venture up to the others. I do need some bits for the usual present rounds so debating whether to brave it or not. They still haven't sorted their delivery out so that's not an option but I do have to come into London again before Christmas so I could come into St P and just get what I need from there.

This thread has been great for recommendations so thanks so much for that everyone!

We like Firmdale Hotels for a very comfortable lunch! The Haymarket Hotel is 13 mins walk from the Ritz and the Soho Hotel in this group is 20 mins walk. You can book and it’s just a pleasant rest!

St Pancras is great for Christmas shopping!

I’m a little alarmed reading this thread! I’m also going to be in London with my teen DD on Saturday- we’ve planned a full walking window-shopping tour - from Harrods, Fortnum, Liberty’s etc to Covent Garden. All the tourist bits!!

@HundredMilesAnHour I'm going Friday do you think that will also be bad

We were in London on Saturday, went to a great Escape Room near Camden (actual Camden and the market was packed). Went over to Regents Street as it was pedestrianised - very very busy as was Carnaby Street etc (unsurprisingly!). Went to Charlotte Street / Goodge Street for dinner, there are loads of restaurants round there, it was quiet and lovely! Would recommend - we took a cab over and it was about 15 mins (due to having to get around the pedestrianised Regents Street) and was £20.