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London Eats
Written by admin - 19/04/2018
Apr 19, 2018 12:00:00 PM
When I first found out I was moving to London I was excited about all the historic sights I was going to see and the potential to travel around Europe so easily. What never occurred to me was the amazing food options this city has. I have learned (and so has my waistline) that the culinary options here go beyond just fish and chips, and that there is a crazy amount of food options that can lead you on a magical food journey throughout the city! Here is a breakdown of some of my favourite spots to eat: · Bakeries Maison Bertaux This place is a cute patisserie and is the oldest one in London! It began in 1871 and once you eat there you will know why it has been around for so long. It is small and quaint, but offers a large array of cakes, pastries, and tea/coffee. You can sit outside on the street if the weather is nice enough, or you can enjoy your treat inside if it is raining. I had a delicious latte and an amazing fruit custard tart that I still dream of! Fabrique This bakery and café was founded in Stockholm but has brought its delicious sourdough to London. I went to their Covent Garden location but they also have stores in Hoxton, Notting Hill, and Fitzrovia. Their food is totally Instagram-able but this isn’t the only reason to go. I’m a sucker for a good cinnamon bun and this place did not disappoint. They also have cardamom buns and saffron buns that I have heard are good and I will definitely be heading back a second time to try these as well. · Breakfast Greenberry Café This place is situated in Primrose Hill amongst the many other independent shops. The breakfast (and weekend brunch) menu is server until 3pm which is amazing for all of you who like to sleep in like me! They have a ton of healthy options like quinoa porridge, eggs and avocado, or fresh fruit, but also not-so-healthy options like maple-glazed bacon, which as a Canadian I could not resist! Esters This neighbourhood café is a favourite amongst locals and I see why now. It has a laid-back atmosphere that lets you relax and feel comfortable while eating breakfast which is always nice early in the morning. They get great fresh cakes and bread from St John bakeries, and guest roasters offer up delicious coffee. The menu is ever changing, but from what I’ve experienced it is always great! · Greasy Spoon Cafes (I’ve learned that this is a local term for a small, cheap restaurant or diner that offers the typical fried foods) Regency Cafe This place is the classic little diner that has retained its original tiling and atmosphere that has apparently been used as a filming location once or twice! The food is not extraordinary, but is tasty and reliable. I had my first steak pie here which was tasty, and they also serve chips and gravy which again was hard to resist as a poutine loving Canadian. To top it all off it is near the Tate Britain so you can head over for some art after a good meal. Terry’s Café This spot has a traditional look to it and has been around since 1982. They offer a great English breakfast which I have come to love and also have award winning sandwiches. They have old black and white photos on the wall that can keep you busy while you wait for your food, and offer food for both sit-ins and take away. Depending on the time of day you may have to queue outside but the staff are friendly and will try and get you in as quickly as they can. If you’re looking for a good traditional British meal this place will not disappoint. There are so many great places to eat in London, I’m sure I could find a great new place every day – if only my student budget would allow it. If you want to experience
Maintaining a Vegan or Vegetarian Diet in the UK
Written by Across the Pond - 26/05/2026
If you’re someone with dietary restrictions, it can be nerve wracking to leave the comforts of your own country. You’ll be accustomed to various substitutions, brands and options from home already and may not know where to start when looking abroad.
As someone with a dairy allergy, I spend a lot of time reading food labels and often look for vegan options when shopping or eating at restaurants as vegan options tend to be more readily labeled than dedicated ‘dairy-free’ items. With this in mind, I’m going to go through just how vegetarian and vegan-friendly the UK is when it comes to labeling, restaurants and menu substitutions.
The UK is one of the most vegetarian/vegan-friendly countries in the world and I find that it even excels over Canada in many ways. While it can be quite easy to navigate vegetarian/vegan options in metropolitan areas of Canada, smaller or more rural areas are quite limited and can make substitutions costly. Let’s take a closer look at what the UK does well when it comes to vegetarian/vegan options:
Starting with Coffee
If you’re looking for your daily caffeine fix, you’ll find dairy-free substitutions at just about every major coffee chain in the UK (and there are a lot!). What sets the UK apart from Canada here is that substitutions at many chains (such as Pret) are free even if looking at a substitute that tends to be a more costly substitution in Canada like coconut milk.
If you’ve ever ordered a coffee in Canada and have wondered whether or not the item is really dairy-free, you’re not alone! Rest assured, many coffee shops in the UK utilize dedicated dairy-free stickers to indicate when a drink has been made with a dairy alternative.
Don't Skip Dessert
Don't feel like you need to skip out on dessert just because of your dietary needs/preferences, because as vegan/vegetarian friendly as the UK is with savory options, they're becoming increasingly more accessible with 'sweet treats' as well. Whether looking at marketplaces for homemade items, or smaller coffee shops/bakeries, there's no shortage of desserts for your dietary needs.
One of my favourite places to go in London recently was The After School Cookie Club (various locations around London) who offered an entirely vegan menu including cookies, shakes and ice cream! They even offer baking classes if you ever want to expand your culinary skills.
Grocery Shopping
The UK as a whole has strong labelling laws that require clear labelling for Vegans. As such, you’ll see “Suitable for Vegans” on the packaging of various items throughout UK grocery stores (even on their own supermarket-branded items). With this label, you’ll also typically see The Vegan Society’s official Vegan Trademark which may already be familiar to you.
Major grocery chains like Tesco, Waitrose, M&S, Sainsbury’s often have dedicated sections for vegetarian/vegan items to make them easier to find. This can be a bit tricker to locate at smaller express shops (like Tesco Express), however the vegan-friendly items are usually grouped together in their own sections (for example, vegan friendly chocolate bars grouped together in the snack aisle).
Even discount shops like Lidl will have vegan friendly basics for sale and often offers a more affordable price for students on a budget!
Take-Away and Restaurants
Those looking to indulge at restaurant chains will be wonderfully surprised at just how vegan/vegetarian friendly food options are in the UK. Popular fast-food stops like Greggs offers their iconic Vegan Sausage Roll, while North-American favourites like McDonald’s offers plant-based options.
Popular UK restaurants like Wagamama, Wahaca, Pizza Express and even Nando’s offers an integrated vegetarian/vegan menu or easy substitutions to make eating out as easy as possible.
For those looking for the real ‘Pub’ experience, rest assured there are pubs that offer fantastic vegan options across the UK. From fully vegan Sunday roasts, to plant-based pies and British staples. You never have to go hungry!
When in doubt - learn to cook!
If you’re unhappy with the in-store vegan and vegetarian options, search online for new recipes and get creative! Take the opportunity to learn how to make some of your favourite vegetarian/vegan dishes. You can always find basic ingredients for protein-rich meals, like chickpeas, lentils, beans, Greek yogurt, tofu, cottage cheese, protein powders, nut butters, etc. There are plenty of ways to satisfy your nutritional needs.
You might need to make some compromises, but you won’t have to reinvent your whole diet. And if you live in a large, diverse city (i.e. London, Glasgow, etc.), you might not encounter any limitations or differences at all. I recommend exploring your options online while researching your future university town – it might save you some stress when you move.
5 Reasons You Should Study in Wales
Written by Across the Pond - 12/04/2018
Wales is a beautiful and seriously underrated country! Read on for Across the Pond’s top five reasons you should study in Wales.
The natural beauty of Wales
Wales has got it all. Ocean-side beaches, sweeping green valleys, and impressive mountain ranges! There are three national parks in Wales: Snowdonia (including the mountain Snowdon itself, which is the highest mountain in Wales at 3560 feet), Brecon Beacons, and Pembrokeshire Coast. The latter even boasts its own Stonehenge, in the form of Pentre Ifan – an ancient Neolithic set of 7 principal stones. The beaches come in all forms, including crystal clear aqua waters reminiscent of the tropics as well as jagged and rocky cliff faces on the ocean. The mountains and valleys are stunning any time of year, and bear a striking resemblance to a far off and fictional lands (Middle Earth, anyone?).
Castle capital
Staged beautifully within the natural landscape of Wales are the hundreds of castles that remain as reminders of the centuries of history the country has seen. There are about 600 castles in Wales alone, and of these 600, 100 are still visibly standing or in ruins. When you compare the size of the entire UK with Canada, you can get a sense of how impressive this is! These castles come in all shapes and sizes, from fortifications and motte-and-bailey to medieval and gothic revival. Many of them can be visited throughout the year, and allow the visitor free reign to explore the winding passageways and courtyards within.
Legends of Wales
Wales is steeped in history, but the mythology and legends that are woven into the history is what makes the country even more unique. For example, Dinas Emrys in North West Wales was said to be there the Celtic King Vortigern tried to build his castle in the mountainside, but every night the structure would crumble and break. The wizard Merlin (yes, King Arthur’s Merlin) told Vortigern it was because there were two dragons in the mountain that were tearing it down each night. Vortigern had the mountain dug into and they were discovered: one red dragon and one white dragon. They awoke and began to fight each other. Eventually the white dragon lost and fled, and the red dragon returned to the mountain – this same red dragon can now be seen on the national flag of Wales.
Affordable cost of living
If you have always dreamed of living and studying in the UK, but aren’t quite sure how you will plan for the financial aspect, you might consider Wales. Universities in Wales are frequently among the most affordable in the UK in terms of both tuition as well as cost of living.
Location, location, location!
The fifth and final reason to choose Wales is its location. It is at the doorstep of the rest of the UK, and has excellent transport links that will get you wherever you need to go. While we recommend seeing as much of the UK as you can see, we also recommend exploring Wales itself! There is so much to see and discover in this beautiful country.
Things To Do in Your Spare Time in London
Written by Across the Pond - 01/08/2023
There are endless ways to fill your spare time as a student in London. Every week I discover new things and new places that are off the beaten track. I study and live in East London, so I admit that I’m partial to this side of the city – but there are great things to explore all across the tube network. Here’s a list of my favourite things to do when I get a spare moment between assignments in London.
Have a drink and a wander in Shoreditch
I spend a lot of time in Shoreditch. It’s in East London, but it’s accessible enough that my friends across the city aren’t too bothered to travel over. The streets are historic and quirky, there are lots of nice shops if you’re around during the day, and there is no shortage of fun places to get a drink or a bite to eat at any time. The bars are offbeat and generally more affordable than places in central London.
Stroll down the South Bank
The South Bank is one of my favourite places in London. If you’re up for a long walk, you can wander all the way down the Thames from Westminster to Tower Bridge, catching iconic London sights on the way (including Big Ben, the National Theatre, St. Paul’s cathedral, Millennium Bridge, and the Tower of London). The south bank also offers its own activities, so check ahead to see what they have on.
Museum and Gallery Lates
At the end of the month, many museums and galleries in London pick a night to stay open and host a museum “lates”. During lates, museums won’t close until around 10pm and they’ll serve drinks that you can sip while you peruse the exhibits. It’s such a great way to experience some of the most well-known centres of art and history in the world, including the Tate Modern, Natural History Museum, and the Victoria and Albert. And as a bonus, entrance is free! It’s one of my favourite ways to spend a Friday night in London. Look on the museum’s individual website to find their dates for the month.
Greenwich
There is so much to do in Greenwich; the parks are beautiful, the pubs are cute, and it’s home to such activities as the Royal Observatory and the Maritime Museum. It takes you a little out of the hustle and bustle of central London, but it’s still very accessible by DLR. It’s a great place to venture when the city gets a little overwhelming, especially on a sunny day.
Catch a movie at the Genesis theatre
The Genesis is well-known among locals as a cool place to be in the East End. You can catch everything from big blockbuster movies to indie films and special showing nights. The theatre also has a café, a bar, and a restaurant inside of it – you actually don’t even need a movie ticket to hang out there. They even have live music some nights. The theatres are tiny and cozy, and they offer discounts for students. Compared to the big IMAX cinemas, it’s very affordable.
Spend a casual afternoon in Victoria Park
Hyde Park and St. James Park get a lot of attention, but Victoria Park is my personal favourite. There aren’t really any tourists, and on a sunny Sunday afternoon its filled with families walking their dogs and kids learning to ride bikes. It’s a great place to sit with a coffee or kick a football around. There’s also a great bakery and café in the park called ‘The Pavilion’ that makes a mean eggs benedict. While you’re in this area:
- Wander down the canal in either direction, it’s beautiful!
- Stop in the local shops on nearby Roman Road; there is even a market several days of the week.
Visit Columbia Road Flower Market
To round off my list, here is a last East London treasure. Every Sunday, no matter the season or the weather, flower vendors bring their stock to Columbia Road. Even if you’re not shopping, it’s lovely and colourful to just browse. Go first thing in the morning to avoid the crowds and take home the best flowers or go late in the day for the last-minute discounts as vendors try to sell off their stock. Visit a nearby Hackney café for brunch while you’re there.
"Oh So British" Charity Shops, Afternoon Tea & Eclectic Shopping Markets
Written by Across the Pond - 18/07/2024
2. Charity Shops
For more fun shopping opportunities as wells as great places to people watch I found myself drawn to local markets that ranged from pop-up weekend events to daily arts and themed markets. In Canterbury there are daily markets along the High Street and in small lots behind or in between cobbled streets offering local produce, clothing, antiques and housewares at affordable prices. In London I can spend all day on the weekends going from market to market in beautiful old buildings or covered, open-air markets selling crafts and food, jewelry, vintage clothing and electronics. My favorites are Covent Garden, The Old Spitalfield and Greenwich Market.
Be sure to also check out Camden Market for some great vintage finds and delicious food choices, as well as Borough Market for some amazing British and modern foods!
Because markets are so ingrained into the British culture, it's also a great way to do some inexpensive grocery shopping (especially if you're located in old market towns like Kingston or Leicester).
