AIBU ti ask some advice from Londoners?

[forgetfulbrain]

I am meeting a couple of old friends in London for the day, they're arriving at Paddington station. We have a few hours and would like to go somewhere for a little walk around, lunch / coffee and a long overdue catchup (we haven't seen each other in years!)

Any suggestions for a nice area to head to - the priority it seeing each other in a nice place rather than being tourists!

Thanking you in advance for any suggestions!

If it’s a nice day then walking through Kensington gardens towards high street/south Ken while you catch up would be lovely. There are then a plethora of lunch and coffee options.

Depends on the weather I suppose, but Hyde Park or maybe even a canal trip? Or if weather not so good, what about going somewhere like V and A and having a catch up in the cafe there?

Head to Sheldon/Merchant Square for a lovely walk along the canal.

Afterwards you could walk over to Warwick Avenue and have a look in Clifton Nurseries. They also have a cafe.

It's very pretty and quaint all around that area.

I'd go to Little Venice. Lots of nice places to eat but The Summerhouse is a nice seafood place, or if you want a pub maybe The Bridge House. Both are lovely. You can then walk along the canal afterwards and you'll get to Regents Park.

I'd head to Marylebone High St - easy to get to from Paddington, can walk down and browse shops or sit in one of the many restaurants or cafes (St Christopher's Place is lovely for that and just at the end of Marylebone High St), can visit the Wallace Collection for some art, or can head up instead of down and wander in Regents Park.