Around the world in London | United Kingdom

The UK’s capital is one of the most ethnically diverse cities in the world – a thriving example of multiculturalism in action – but so many visits to the city just take in relics of its past. Instead, grab a true flavour of contemporary London: see the world within its boundaries.

Photo licensed under the Creative Commons, created by secretlondon123

The Caribbean

Brixton is as close to the Caribbean as you’re going to get in this windy, grey metropolis – but what a treat it is. Since the riots 20 years ago the area has undergone extensive refurbishment, but it hasn’t lost its Caribbean flavour. Regular club nights and bars aim to please Brixton’s Caribbean contingent; the market sells Caribbean food, spices and exotic vegetables; and Windrush Square pays tribute to the ship that brought thousands of West Indians to London in 1952.

Turkey

Harringay in north London has been nicknamed little Istanbul after its large Turkish-speaking contingent. Sit-down and take-away restaurants serve the best kebabs in London and the shops are full of Turkish snacks, exotic vegetables and fragrant spices. Nearby Dalston also has fantastic Turkish food, but the hipster contingent has driven the prices up somewhat.

The subcontinent

The East End’s Bangladeshi community makes it a thriving, energetic place – but it’s not exactly a well-kept secret. For something equally authentic but less touristy (and cheaper), head to Tooting in south London – it has a large south Asian population and excellent restaurants. Alternatively, head to Neasden Temple (a.k.a. BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir) in north-west London, which welcomes visitors with open arms.

Japan

Japan Matsuri is a festival celebrating all things Japanese in the heart of London, on the south bank; stalls sell Japanese food, homemade jewellery and even kimonos. For the rest of the year, try Arigato Japanese Supermarket just a few minutes from Piccadilly Circus tube station, for every Japanese foodstuff you could want, from sushi rice to aloe vera juice (yes, aloe vera juice). There’s even a sushi bar on-site.

France

La Cave au Fromage in South Kensington sells an astonishingly wide range of France’s most famous produce – it’s a great place to visit or do some serious cheese shopping. When you’ve finished gorging yourself, head to an event at the Institut Francais, where you can watch French cinema, do wine tasting or even learn to speak the language.

Africa

The understated Zigni House in Islington sells fantastic Eritrean food, although the sour pancakes (injera) aren’t to everyone’s tastes. There are other African restaurants dotted across the capital: 805 sells Nigerian food, Manjaro sells Ghanaian food and Muna’s sells Sudanese food (as well as Eritrean). Meanwhile, Joyful Noise promotes African music events, including the London African Music Festival in September. Monthly club nights Kalabash (Islington) and Components (Brixton) both play African and African-influenced music.

Wherever you choose to visit, London is blessed with an array of accommodation options, from swanky hotels to hostels. The serviced apartments London has to offer are a decent mid-range bet, offering you space but allowing you to cook at home – providing the perfect place to cook with the multinational ingredients you’ve picked up.

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Category: Travel Tips, United Kingdom