Hidden in Plain Sight: London’s Best-Kept Secrets for Discerning Londoners
Even as someone who has lived in London almost all their life (myself included) there are always new places and experiences to discover.
It’s one of the best things about the UK’s capital. But some of London’s most intriguing experiences don’t advertise themselves—you need to know where to look.
With the help of an experienced Virtual EA, you can unearth a plethora of special and secret places—which feel effortlessly exclusive without waitlists or velvet ropes. From off-menu dining to private-access, we’re sharing a few worth adding to your radar.
1.) A Restaurant Within a Restaurant
You might already have visited Humble Chicken in Soho, but did you know about the other menu? Tucked away downstairs, their Omakase Experience is an intimate 10-seat counter where the chef curates a surprise tasting menu with rare seasonal ingredients. There is no official booking page—just a quiet nod from those in the know.
📍 Soho | Booking via direct enquiry at Humble Chicken
2.) A London Walk, Reimagined
Yes, you could wander through the streets of London and gaze up at the incredible buildings that abound.
Or, you could explore London on a Private Architectural Tour with NLA. Led by city planners and expert guides, these tours give a behind-the-scenes look at everything from hidden courtyards to rooftop gardens often missed. It’s the perfect weekend plan for anyone who’d love to rediscover London in a fresh way.
📍 Various locations | Booking via New London Architecture
3.) A Shopping Experience More Like a Private Club
Forget bright lights and queues—shopping at Aimé London in Notting Hill is more like stepping into a friend’s impeccably curated Parisian wardrobe. Their team offers one-on-one styling, with limited-edition pieces unavailable elsewhere. For menswear, the ultra-cool Casely-Hayford in Marylebone offers a personal tailoring service which feels more like a relaxed conversation over whisky.
📍 Notting Hill & Marylebone | By appointment, but no exclusivity hoops to jump through
4.) The Thrill of the Theatre—Without the Crowds
The National Theatre offer a rare glimpse behind the scenes, taking you through the carpentry, props, and scenic painting workshops where world-class productions come to life. Led by expert guides, these 75-minute tours also explore the unique design of the theatre, including its renowned auditoriums. Max 20 per tour.
📍 Southbank | Tours run Monday–Saturday, advance booking required via National Theatre
Meanwhile, the Sam Wanamaker Playhouse at Shakespeare’s Globe offers candlelit comedy, music and poetry performances to make you feel as though you’ve time-travelled back 400 years—without the tourist crush of the main Globe theatre.
📍 Bankside | Booking via Shakespeare’s Globe
5.) Michelin-Starred Dining, No White Tablecloths Required
Fine dining doesn’t have to feel formal. Planque, a wine drinker’s dream in Haggerston, offers a relaxed, communal-style experience with a world-class wine list. For a tasting menu without the fuss, Akoko in Fitzrovia serves modern West African cuisine in a warm, design-led setting—where the food is exquisite, but the atmosphere feels like dinner at a friend’s (a very talented friend).
📍 Haggerston & Fitzrovia | Open to all, be sure to book ahead
6.) An Underground Tea Tasting Masterclass
Step below the Twinings store on The Strand, itself steeped in 300 hundred years of history, to enjoy a unique tea tasting experience. You can choose from a range of in-person Masterclass experiences led by a Twinings Tea connoisseur in the intimate surroundings of their basement tea tasting counter. Learn all about the origins of tea, how it’s grown and taste a wide variety of brews. Private after hours tours and tastings also on offer. What could be more British.
📍 The Strand | Available 7 days - call to book: 0207 353 3511
7.) A Supper Club Worth Staying Up For
For those who enjoy dining with a side of intrigue, The Water House Project offers a refined yet relaxed supper club experience.
Run by ex-Galvin La Chapelle chef Gabriel Waterhouse, it combines Michelin-level cooking with the warmth of a private dinner party. The nine-course tasting menu changes monthly, and guests sit at communal tables, making it as much about conversation as it is about the food.
📍 Bethnal Green | Advance booking required via The Water House Project
Final Word: There’s Always Something New to Discover.
London is best when you know where to look. Whether it’s a tucked-away theatre, a chef’s table that doesn’t advertise, or a boutique store that feels like home, our city is full of under-the-radar experiences waiting to be found. And for those who love a good recommendation? Well, consider this your inside track.
🚀 The Consider it Done team always have their ear to the ground for hidden London gems to recommend to clients, and our in-house Dining Concierge is brimming with the news of latest and hottest dining experiences. Bookmark our Blog page to stay in the know!