Notting Hill

Notting Hill used to be a bohemian village with artists and writers. Nowadays the place is far too expensive for them. It still maintains a nice atmosphere with its restaurants, cafés, shops and markets though. Pastel coloured houses mix neatly with street art. Most of the authenticity is gone, but it still offers some delights even for people on a budget. This has been a set for many romantic comedies, including the one with the name of the area.

Sights: 

• Although the streets of Notting Hill are a sight in itself, there is one street that wins all the rest in cuteness. St. Luke's Mews has been a stage for many romantic comedies, such as Notting Hill.
• There is a lot of interesting street art in the area. Just go to the small alleys away from Portobello Road (especially in the northern parts of the road).

Markets:

• Portobello Road Market offers antiques, vintage clothes, records and food from Monday to Saturday. Saturday is the busiest day and sometimes it's almost claustrophobic trying to see the stalls in the midst of all the tourists. The falafel wraps from one of the food carts are fantastic. Here you can find real rock classics on vinyl.

Shopping:

• Legendary Rough Trade West is in Notting Hill. This shop has a bit more rock than the other shop in Spitalfields. Great collection of indie and second hand post punk and new wave vinyls. 
• Notting Hill is full of nice little book shops. The Idler Academy is a really nice book shop founded by Tom Hodgkinson, who is the author of various books on how to be idle. He is there himself selling books and serving coffee and cakes from time to time. Great place!
• Music and video exchange is a great shop to buy second hand records. Especially old rock and folk.

Drinking: 

• Windsor Castle is an old and atmospheric pub with a nice garden and great craft beers.
• The Hillgate pub is a fancy-looking neighbourhood pub with some tables outside. In the summertime, people take on to the street to sip their beers on the pavement.
• The Ginstitute is a theme bar for London's favourite spirit. A fabulous selection of gin drinks. The original Gin & tonic is made out of delicious gin and tonic. One of the best GTs you'll ever have.

Eating:

• Market Thai is one of the best Thai restaurants in London. Excellent spicy soups and red curry. The decorations include elaborate wood carvings  and enormous melted candles.
• Malabar is a fantastic Indian restaurant, where you can order a set of small dishes to taste great many things! Food is delicious and the atmosphere is cozy! The banana curry is exceptionally good.

Areas around Notting Hill: Maida Vale, Bayswater, Kensington, Shepherd's Bush