14 things to tick off your London list this summer

Whether it's spending a luxurious night on the Sunborn super yacht or attending your first cabaret, there's plenty London has to offer

Colonel Saab
@Buyagift

by Emily Farquhar |
Updated on

Four heatwaves and counting, it's safe to say summer 2025 is still in full swing. Why the enthusiasm? It has been years since we've been blessed with consistent sunshine (minus the slight humidity), and boy does London city come alive.

Trust us when we say your schedule is in for a treaaat, starting from this weekend. Glorious or not so glorious weather, your friends and family are guaranteed a good time.

We've found the best bars, brunches, pamper sessions and boujee London experiences. Be it immersive art experiences, fun evening entertainment or waking up to a sunrise on a super yacht, this month might just be your most enjoyable one yet.

Our top picks for the best London events this summer

14 amazing things to do in London 2025

Treat yourself to a luxurious 4-course lunch on a panoramic bus tourBustronome London

If you've got friends visiting you in London (and you need to tick off a few tourist hot spots) or perhaps you are just after a special lunch experience one weekend, the Bustronome London is certainly worth a look. Boasting four top-notch courses paired with wine and first-class seats to all the main central landmarks, this dining tour is pure glam.

Review: "I have wanted to try the Bustronome bus tour for years now and wow did it not disappoint. From start to finish you are treated like absolute royalty. Not only are the courses great, the views from the top deck of the bus are even better in person. Picture yourself just gliding past the crowds of tourists on Tower Bridge whilst sipping on a glass of your choice. I will certainly be booking this again."

Nestled in the heart of Covent Garden, Brooks & Brooks hair salon is the kind of place you go if you after pure luxury. As soon as you walk through the ii listed building, you feel inspired, relaxed and very much at-home. From dry styling to opting in for the full routine hair works, the salon offers a wide range of services and a complimentary consultation to anyone after 10/10 hair goals.

Review: "It had been 6-months since my last salon appointment, so hairstylist Charlie Illi and I decided to go with a full head of highlights, cut, Inoluxe and Fusio Dose Kerastase Shot treatments and style! My goodness, as soon as I took a seat (and was greeted with a gorgeous flat white) and had the consultation of my dreams, I felt like I was in good hands. Charlie knew instantly the natural beach aesthetic I was after. Something we achieved through a colour technique that gives you soft ribbons with a highlift tint (no bleach) and some brighter balayage panels with a prelightner. We completed the look with a fresh haircut with face framing layers and a beach wave styling. As I said, she understood my vision and brought my hair completely back to life!"

Step inside the elegant interiors of The Georgian, Harrods for arguably one of the best fine-dining experiences in London. Serving gourmet British cuisine and top-quality hospitality since 1911, the restaurant knows how to put on a show. Take your pick of three courses, from savoury starters and indulgent mains to decadent desserts.

Review: "As someone who looks up to Harrods as being one of the most prestigious department stores in London, treating myself to a luxurious meal at The Georgian was a no-brainer. And, oh was it a special evening. I took my friend from Germany and we were both pinching ourselves with Buyagift's incredible deal. Never have we had such attentive service. The food too was great (just make sure you leave some room for dessert!)."

Enjoy a lavish afternoon tea and spa session at Sofitel London St. JamesBuyagift
Price: $318.99 (was £380)

www.buyagift.co.uk

Sometimes a relaxing massage and a spread of delicious afternoon treats is just what you need to spend quality time with the ladies. Fortunately, Sofitel London St. James via Buyagift has this exact offering. Enjoy a few hours being pampered with a full 60-minute treatment each (either a signature massage and a personalised facial), followed by the Zen relaxation room and a boujee afternoon tea in the Rose Lounge.

Review: "If you're after a thoughtful gift for a loved one (and yourself included!), the So Magnifique Spa Experience with Afternoon Tea is extraordinary. Truly. Not only did they heat the massage beds, but they also scented the room with calming essential oils at the beginning of the treatment. All these small details make a huge difference to the full experience in my opinion. Post the massage, they offer you a tea whilst you reflect in the relaxation room. From start to finish, everything was super smooth sailing. We actually decided to go to the afternoon tea earlier than initially booked and our table was all ready for us. Oh, and, those sweet and savoury treats were to die for. We even brought a few home in goodie bags."

Indulge yourself in Radio Rooftop's Japanese cuisine and lavish ambienceRadio Rooftop London

If you're into your Japanese cuisine and like the idea of a stunning rooftop (paired with a glass of Whispering Angel), look no further than Radio Rooftop London. Inspired by experimental drinks and cuisine, it's the perfect spot for a couple of post-work drinks and nibbles. They've even got a enclosed area on the rooftop making it a super cosy if the weather does decide to misbehave.
Review: "I absolutely love this rooftop bar. The food is amazing (I always have the urge to order it all!) and they have a very nice selection of wines. The staff are friendly and you are blessed with the most gorgeous view."

Enjoy the full Mrs Doubtfire experience at Colonel SaabDesign My Night

Shaftesbury Theatre has partnered with Colonel Saab to create the ultimate Mrs Doubtfire experience in London. For just £60, you can get an extraordinary 5-course menu celebrating the show that takes place moments away. Not only has Colonel Saab been awarded UK's Best Asian Restaurant at the Asian Curry Awards, but the restaurant also is full of shiny artefacts and century-old antiques.

Review: "If you are wanting some truly sensational Indian cuisine (and want to pair it with a classic show), this is the experience for you. Some of my favourite dishes that I tried at Colonel Saab included the Doubt Everything Khubani Aloo Tikki Chaat and Poppet's Paneer Pakeezah. Let's not forget the colour-changing cocktails... mouth-watering, if you ask us."

If you've never tried a Korean barbecue before and want to set the bar high, look no further Korean Grill Kensington's Chef's Feast Menu experience. The menu is a celebration of Korean culinary traditions, featuring 'sang cha lim', an array of eight seasonal specialties. Highlights include namul, bibim noodles, jeon, japchee, yuzu salad, and an assortment of two unique kimchis. Need we say more?

Review: "This is the first time I experienced a Korean barbecue, let alone KGK's Chef Feast Menu, and it was insanely good. Certainly more on the boujee front, imagine a surf and turf paired with the most luxurious fermented sides. The interactive dining with a tabletop grill was also very cool, and the soju was the perfect wine pairing."

Looking for a special spot in central london to spice up a winter's day? The NoMad's Side Hustle is the place to visit. Combining Mexican cuisine with the carefree attitude of the British Pub, treat yourself to an array of agave cocktails and classic Mexican dishes.

Review: "As soon as you walk into what used to be a police station, you're blessed with the coolest film prints and a lively yet cosy atmosphere. We were seated right at the bar which is great if you love a nice chat with the knowledgeable bar staff, who might I add, gave us the most curated personal experience. Throughout the night we tried a lovely selection of Mexican dishes (the favourites!) which all seemed to have a story of their own. Whether it's for a hot date or a much-needed girls' night out, I couldn't give this place a higher recommendation."

Throw yourself and a few best mates into a game of dartsColonel Fawcett

Keen to put your mates up to an exceptionally fun game or two of darts in North London? The Colonel Fawcett has just launched their very own social Camden Darts Club! Groups of up to four to twelve people are able to book a lane. You can even book multiple lanes and times if there's someone in the team with that competitive streak.

Review: "A group of four of us booked a 90-minute lane and let me say, it was a great laugh! It started off with a round of Classic Darts and slowly progressed into a round of Killer Darts, followed by the Sunday pub quiz. All of the lanes have large interactive screens and are connected to the darts meaning they do the calculations for you. The pub also has delicious pizza (made by 081 Pizzeria), cocktails and craft beers."

Spend a night on London's luxurious Sunborn super yachtFind Me A Gift

Looking for something special? Why not gift a loved one a night on London's only superyacht at the prestigious Royal Docks. It not only includes a 10/10 afternoon tea with a complimentary cocktail or glass of champagne but also a scrumptious fully cooked breakfast the next morning. Located right next door to the ExCeL and close to Canary Wharf, it's a thriving area for an evening stroll. The yacht even has a snazzy bar for a late night beverage or two. Blessed with both a sunset and a sunrise from your room, those views are worth it alone.

Experience a unique afternoon tea with a twistFind Me A Gift
Price: $62 (was £69)

www.findmeagift.co.uk

To whoever was behind this clever idea of combining a traditional afternoon tea with Japanese cuisine, you are a genius. Well actually, the genius does have a name and its Michelin star chef Garry Hollihead. Crispy shrimps, vegetable gyoza and caramelised miso tarts are just some of the few plates included in this outrageously tasty offer.

If you're a fan of Mamma Mia, ABBA, a good meal, having a dance or literally just a night out, Mamma Mia The Party! is a great choice for you. Forget the dismal weather in the UK and be transported to the Greek island of Skopelos where the sun is always shining and the staff at Nikos Taverna have a knack for making sure you have a great time.

Live your best 007 life at London Never DiesThe London Cabaret Club

What's the only thing better than dinner and drinks? That's right, dinner, drinks and DANCING DOGS. You heard.Get yourself down to The London Cabaret Club at the Bloomsbury Ballroom for a night of food, martinis and immersive entertainment including somersaulting waiters, singers and those dogs. Because dreams really can come true.

Indulge yourself and take part in the West End Musical BrunchDesign My Night

Always wanted to join a musical but never seen an opening? Well, not to worry. With non-stop musical theatre hits and plenty of food and drink to go around, this brunch is your chance to shine. Located in several secret spots across central London, you'll be getting up close and personal with all the West End stars (and being fed a gorg meal while you're at it).

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