Sandeep Garg has to be the most forward-thinking newsagent in London. His Chiltern Street shop is a magazine fanatic’s dream, stocking all sorts of niche publications you couldn’t even imagine. After a glow-up from Gabriel Chipperfield (son of David) there’s now a reading room and cool events space in the back where independent publishers and niche zines clamour to launch their titles.

Just around the corner from the magazine meets lifestyle brand’s offices (and across the road from Chiltern Firehouse), the Monocle Café draws a cool crowd. Coffee drinkers are dressed in the seamless organic T-shirts and workwear jackets for sale in the Monocle Shop, a few doors down. The cortados are top-notch and the cardamom buns are from Fabrique, a hit Swedish bakery in Hoxton. If there’s a seat at the table right at the rear, nab it and enjoy the back catalogue of Monocle magazines.

This smart boozer from The Public House Group opened in October 2025. Above the Chiltern Street pub is a candle-lit dining room dishing up some of the best British classics in London. On the menu there are pork scratchings as well as plates of cauliflower cheese and kedgeree. Best of all is the atmosphere, this dining room feels like the place to be – book ahead. 

With more than 1,000 pieces in its arsenal, this is the biggest curation of Japanese kitchen knives in the world. There are left-handed tools and ones designed for cutting frozen food; plus the seasoned staff host knife-sharpening classes. A standout specialist shop. There are left-handed tools and ones designed for cutting frozen food; plus the seasoned staff host knife-sharpening classes. A standout specialist shop.