London weekend w 10yo - ideas for restaurant & shopping

[vikjul]

My dd (10yo) and I are going to London this weekend just the two of us. We have been to London a couple of years ago so have seen lots of London sights already. This time, we have two main events planned, both on Saturday: an Alice in Wonderland afternoon tea at the Taj at Buckingham Gate and the Lion King at the Lyceum theatre in the evening. Other than that we just want to spend time together and relax (I passed my PhD viva last Friday so this is partly to celebrate that). We are arriving at noon on Friday and leaving on Sunday at noon, and will be staying at the Montague on the Gardens by Russell Square, so very close to the British Museum.

I was hoping that someone who knows London might have some recommendations for somewhere to eat on Friday evening within comfortable walking distance from Montague Street (so Bloomsbury/Russell Square/British Museum area)? Ideally somewhere with a relaxed and cosy atmosphere and good food, perhaps Italian or similar (and ideally with an appealing dessert menu!)? Budget fairly flexible as long as the atmosphere is welcoming and cosy.

I imagine that we will spend some time in a nice bookshop and just wandering around taking in the atmosphere, but I would also like to take her somewhere where we might look at clothes and perhaps buy her a top or a hoodie (belated Christmas gift). Not sure where would be good to take her? Typically I buy her clothes from Zara/Desigual/ H&M (we live in a European city not in the UK), but it would be nice to take her somewhere else (we don't have e.g. Next/River Island etc, perhaps those might be good?). Is there an area where there are a few fun shops not too far from each other so that we don't have to walk for long distances, or perhaps a department store that carries a few different brands that might appeal to a tween girl...?

Any tips much appreciated :-)

[vikjul]

Oh, and come to think of it, tips for favourite bookshops are very welcome too!

[SquirmOfEels]

Hi

I'm not so good about food in that area, but i's suggest one of the Italian restaurants on Charlotte Street.

For bookshops, the lace to go is Charing Cross Road. Also there is Foyles. Or if you are on Piccadilly, then Hatchards.

[vikjul]

Thank you! Off to look up Italian restaurants on Charlotte Street!

[prisscalledwanda]

Can't think of many Italians in the area that I know, you could try Carluccios at the Brunswick centre. It would be a very easy walk to Covent Garden though, so any that you like the look of there would be great. If you see a Polpo, that's a popular small Italian chain and would be fun.

Non-Italian cosy restaurants you could look at are the Gilbert Scott at St Pancras, Noble Rot on Lamb's conduit st (worth a look at the Italian restaurants on there too - they look nice, I've just never been), or maybe Clos Maggiore for a real treat (it's expensive). Rules and the original Ivy are both very cosy and would be a famous place for her to visit, and the food is quite simple.

No idea what tweens wear I'm afraid but the John Lewis/ Debenhams/ house of Fraser succession on Oxford st would be a good place to go and think they would have most things. Oxford st has all shops but it is very hard work indeed. If you want something less hectic, long acre in Covent Garden has lots of clothes shops too. The Brunswick centre, which you will be very near, has a few - you could maybe go for a coffee to check it out.

Hope you have fun

[dreamingchild]

The LRB bookshop and cafe near the British Museum has great books and cakes. Seven Dials in Covent Garden has good shops for teens.

[pamplemoussed]

My dd , just 12 loves Piccadilly - hatchards book shop and Fortnam and Mason ice cream parlour . For clothes try size 6 or xXs at shops like Bershka , Monki , Superdry.

[vikjul]

Perfect, thanks for all these suggestions! I have actually reserved a book for myself at LRB so will definitely have a look at the cakes there too! Also, I have now narrowed down where we might go clothes shopping, don't want to spend too long time on this but it looks as though Oxford St/Carnaby St/Piccadilly are all good options.

I ended up booking an Italian restaurant called Ciao Bella on Lambs Conduit Street for tomorrow evening, looks good. (Also good to know for Saturday evening that Covent garden-Russell Square is an easy walk.)

Thanks all!

[hatethinkingofusernames]

Really good Italian restaurant on Great Portland Street called demartinos. Great home cooked Italian food, its superb. Oxford street for shopping!