Five places that’ll make you genuinely want to visit Fitzrovia

It’s not all posh shops and fancy restaurants, you know
Where The Pancakes Are
Photograph: Where The Pancakes Are
Written by Time Out. Paid for by FREENOW.
Advertising

Found bang in the middle of Marylebone and Bloomsbury, just north of Soho, Fitzrovia is always buzzing with activity. Whether you’re making the most of its maximalist shopping opportunities or seeking out hot-ticket restaurants, you’ll find plenty of lavish spots welcoming London’s upper-crust bohemians. But it’s not all fancy stuff around here, some of its nooks and crannies are surprisingly quiet (and affordable) for such a central location.

Of course, we haven’t got to tell Paul Foot that. The beloved comedian has chosen it as his location for this week’s episode of ‘Love Thy Neighbourhood’, sponsored by FREENOW (the mobility super app) where he’s guiding our editor Joe Mackertich around his favourite spots in an area. Listen to the podcast and subscribe to have it directly downloaded every week. And to keep you feeling inspired, we’ve rounded up five amazing places that will make you genuinely want to visit the area.

Obsessed with pancakes? Who isn’t? Where The Pancakes Are is an all-day restaurant specialising in mouth-watering pancakes made in-house with fresh ingredients. These sweet and savoury stacks are available in both buttermilk and vegan/gluten-free forms. Favourites include the American with smoked streaky bacon, blueberries and pure maple syrup, alongside the poached pear and caramel with lemon, thyme poached pear, salted caramel, house cream, lemon zest and toasted almonds.

Bringing the essence of south Philadelphia to west London, Passyunk Avenue mimics life in a local dive bar with a laid-back vibe similar to that of the neighbourhood it’s named after. Expect to find walls covered with vintage paraphernalia, TVs showing American sporting fixtures and a whole lotta love for the humble cheesesteak. Served in a custom recipe hoagie roll, filled with ribeye steak or chicken thigh, drizzled with your choice of cheese.

At your convenience. FREENOW is simple and speedy. The app allows you to order a Black Cab with just a few taps of the app, with an average wait time being just four minutes.

Retaining the air of an avid Victorian collector’s house, University College London’s Grant Museum is back after a year-long £300,000 refurb. Featuring six new showcases, touching on biodiversity and the university’s several cutting-edge research, of course, you can expect plenty of oddities (like the jar of moles) alongside rare and extinct creatures, including skeletons of the dodo and the zebra-like quagga.

Offering the kind of sophistication you’d expect from a bar in Fitzrovia but without the pretentiousness of some of its neighbours. A modern remake of a nineteenth-century private club away from the hubbub of central London, it offers a list of 20 speciality punches which can be enjoyed to a soundtrack of soul, blues, ragtime and doo-wop. While it may be more expensive, one drink here after a day of exploring the neighbourhood is worthwhile.

Don’t leave it to chance. Book a private ride or a Black Cab ahead of time with FREENOW, taking all the worry away from trying to hail a taxi in the street.

A chilled-out spot for a couple of beers in Fitzrovia, Bradley's Spanish Bar isn’t one for sherries and fine tapas, but rather a spot to enjoy a freshly poured pint in jumble sale interiors. It’s warm and friendly (except for when there's a Spain v England football match on), with a vinyl jukebox pumping out Motown classics and disco bangers in the ground-floor bar. And if you’re visiting in the warmer months? You can forgo chairs and tables, and take to the street outside for post-work catch-ups.

Get there with FREENOW

Every week, we’re bringing you a new episode of ‘Love Thy Neighbourhood’ in partnership with the mobility super app FREENOW. Us Londoners love the convenience and it couldn’t be easier to get to neighbourhoods like Fitzrovia than by booking a private ride, Black Cab, eBike or eScooter through the app. Don’t settle for long wait times or hailing a cab by chance, use FREENOW in cities across the UK and Europe to take the stress away from travelling.

Listen to ‘Love Thy Neighbourhood’ now

Recommended
    London for less
      You may also like
      You may also like
      Advertising