You’re reading Nina Garcia’s Insider Guide newsletter. This edition was originally published in September 2026. Sign up to receive the next edition here.I’ve always dreamed of living in London because every time I visit, I find something that makes me fall in love with it all over again—there is always another corner to discover, another restaurant to try, another charming shop to lose an afternoon in. You could spend a lifetime here and never run out of new streets to wander. There’s something so beautiful about the rituals and institutions here, from always making time for afternoon tea, to spotting horseback riders in Hyde Park, to the whirr of hackney carriages up and down the avenues.But for all its history and grandeur, London really is a place that values irreverence and reinvention. The city never takes itself too seriously and always makes room for individuality—which is exactly what makes it such an enduring capital for fashion. It can hold Savile Row and street style in the same breath, and there’s no better time to experience it all than during London Fashion Week, when the whole city seems to lean into its sense of style a little harder.Of course, the best way to experience a city as complex and endlessly evolving as London is to ask the people who know it intimately, the ones who live inside its rhythms, not just visit it. For this month’s Insider Guide, I turned to four people whose perspectives I admire: Lady Lola Crichton-Stuart, better known as the British It girl Lola Bute; stylist and shoe designer Tabitha Simmons; jewelry designer Jessica McCormack (who has a fabulous shop of her own in Mayfair); and the inimitable artist and couture collector Daphne Guinness. Each of them has their own version of the city, with addresses they return to again and again.BEST TIME TO GO:London is always a good idea, with something happening in every season. The city feels its most creative and alive during the twice-yearly London Fashion Week, when collections are shown in September and February.Something to keep in mind is London’s northern latitude, which makes for long, light-filled days in the summer and extended periods of darkness in the winter. For everything that people have to say about London’s climate, this is one city that has adapted beautifully to its position on the globe: There are green spaces like Hyde Park and Hampstead Heath to enjoy on those long summer days, and the city takes on an especially cozy, glowing atmosphere in the darker months. So yes, come between June and September and you’ll find temperate weather and more sunshine, but winter has its own kind of magic, too. Whenever you visit, make sure to pack a decent jacket—and an umbrella.SleepCourtesy of Nina GarciaClaridge’s: Certain hotels are so fabulous that they come to define their city. If Paris has the Ritz and New York has the Plaza, then London has Claridge’s. I love its Art Deco interiors, elegant rooms, and the feeling that the staff anticipates my needs better than I do myself—Daphne cites the longtime porter Martin as one of her favorite people in the world. There’s a sense of occasion here, whether it’s afternoon tea in the Foyer, a drink at the Fumoir, or simply coming back after a long day of shopping and knowing that you’re experiencing London at its most polished.Beaverbrook Town House: London’s hotels do pomp and circumstance really well, but they also excel with intimate, boutique properties. Beaverbrook Town House—the pied-à-terre of the Beaverbrook country estate in nearby Surrey, where Zendaya is reported to have just celebrated her wedding—feels like a very stylish friend’s London home, if your friend had impeccable taste and also a fantastic Japanese restaurant downstairs. The location is perfect for exploring Chelsea, King’s Road, and Sloane Square.Six Senses London: London has plenty of historic hotels, so I’m always interested in those that feel completely different. Six Senses London opened this year in the former Whiteley’s department store in Bayswater north of Hyde Park, and brings a distinctly modern, wellness-minded sensibility to the city. The rooms are calm and contemporary, and the real draw is the enormous spa and wellness club, with a long menu of treatments that emphasize sleep, movement, and recovery. A counterpoint to the city’s sometimes hectic pace—especially during London Fashion Week—it’s a wonderful choice if you want a rejuvenating retreat.Also try:Brown’s Hotel, a Rocco Forte hotelThe Chancery RosewoodCorinthia LondonAt SloaneRaffles London at the OWOThe ConnaughtDineCourtesy of Nina GarciaBreakfast:The Wolseley: If a classic full English breakfast is on your wish list, then head straight to The Wolseley. Its restaurant is beautiful at any hour, but there’s something especially glamorous about starting the day here.Chestnut Bakery Belgravia: For something more casual, Lola recommends Chestnut Bakery, an adorable stop that’s perfect for a coffee and something fresh out of the oven before heading out for the day. It’s on Elizabeth Street, ideally situated if you’re spending the day taking in the grand architecture of Belgravia and shopping in Sloane Square.Mount St. Restaurant: There’s no more colorful or creative address for breakfast in London, with the multicolored terrazzo floor and walls adorned with artworks by Picasso and Matisse. During London Fashion Week, the upstairs private dining rooms host intimate pre-show breakfasts.Lunch:Ikeda: Daphne swears by this old-school Japanese restaurant, which has been serving traditional cuisine since 1973. It’s not flashy, but that’s the point. The fish is exceptional, the cooking is precise, and the atmosphere feels real, not trendy.Fat Badger: This Notting Hill restaurant has the cozy, slightly eccentric atmosphere of a British farmhouse, which is exactly what makes it so appealing, especially on a rainy London day. It’s particularly nice if you’re exploring vintage shopping along Portobello Road.The River Café: The River Café is famous for dinner, which is why I especially like Lola’s suggestion to come here for a weekend lunch. Set right on the Thames, it offers picturesque surroundings and a sense of occasion—a lovely way to spend a Saturday or Sunday afternoon.Dinner:The Dover: Lola recommends The Dover, a “New York Italian” restaurant that embodies all the things I want in a London restaurant: stylish, lively, and very much part of the current scene. Don’t miss the house-made pastas.St. John: A London institution, St. John is legendary for its muscular British cooking and nose-to-tail philosophy. Think bone marrow, roast meats, and savory fish pies—and make sure to save room for a plate of fresh-baked madeleines for dessert.China Tang: For unapologetic glamour, it’s hard to beat China Tang, tucked away in a subterranean space inside The Dorchester. Credited with bringing fine Cantonese dining to London in 2007, it was completely refreshed in 2025. The Peking duck here is as good as ever, as is the scene.Café Cecilia: Tucked along Regent’s Canal in Hackney, Café Cecilia is a hidden gem that you might walk right past if you didn’t know it was there. Chef Max Rocha—brother of designer Simone Rocha—offers a seasonal menu that draws on his time at The River Café, St. John, and Spring. It’s a favorite with the London fashion crowd, but still feels refreshingly down-to-earth.Also try:WiltonsArôme BakeryBistrothequeCelesteDorianScott’sThe HartDiscoverCourtesy of Nina GarciaV&A East Storehouse: The museum everyone seems to be talking about, the V&A East Storehouse offers you a behind-the-scenes look at the museum’s enormous collection, with treasures from the worlds of fashion, furniture, photography, and performance. It’s especially good for fashion lovers, with rare pieces from Comme des Garçons and Schiaparelli to Wales Bonner. Don’t miss the “Order an Object” service, which lets you create free one-on-one viewing appointments with many of the 1.3 million objects from the V&A’s archives.Tate Modern: This fall, there’s plenty to see at the U.K.’s leading modern art museum, including exhibitions on Frida Kahlo and Cuban American artist Ana Mendieta. I love that you can find something totally unexpected here and then walk along the Thames after.Tower of London: For nearly 200 years, the moat surrounding London’s most infamous and historic castle has been dry, but the city just approved a major project to refill it, transforming it into a dynamic landscape of ponds and gardens. The Crown Jewels and the medieval architecture are always a draw, but go now to see the dry moat one last time; that way you can be sure to say “I saw it when.”Serpentine Galleries: Located in the middle of Hyde Park, the Serpentine is one of my favorite places to see art. There are strong fashion connections here, too—the Galleries’ summer party remains one of London’s most coveted social invites, and it’s where Princess Diana famously wore her “revenge dress” in 1994.Dukes Bar: Much like shopping at Harrods or enjoying afternoon tea, this is one of those great London rituals that everyone should experience at least once: the famous martini, prepared tableside and served ice-cold. Crisp, classic, beyond compare.Also try:Hampstead HeathBrutes of MayfairBobbi’s BarThe Wallace CollectionSir John Soane’s MuseumShopCourtesy of Nina GarciaDover Street Market: The London mothership of Rei Kawakubo’s retail juggernaut is still one of the most entertaining places to shop. Look for Comme des Garçons in all its permutations, plus a rotating mix of designers, art installations, and books. There’s always something new to see here, which is why both Daphne and Tabitha count this among their favorite places to shop.Harrods: One of the great London department stores, Harrods offers seven floors and over a million square feet of fashion. Especially noteworthy are the ground-floor Beauty Halls, which offer treatments from brands like Chanel, La Mer, and Clé de Peau; the sixth-floor Salon de Parfums for genuinely rare fragrances; and the Food Halls, one of the best places to pause for a drink, buy edible gifts, or assemble a picnic.Liberty London: Another great London department store, Liberty is worth visiting as much for its building—a mock-Tudor crafted from old Royal Navy ships—as for what’s inside. The instantly identifiable floral-print fabrics are legendary, but don’t miss the homewares and stationery departments, where you can find great gifts.Heywood Hill Bookshop: This Mayfair institution—a favorite of Jessica’s, and as Daphne calls it, “where great-aunt Nancy Mitford worked”—has been selling books on Curzon Street since 1936. It specializes in curation rather than the mass-market approach of so many other stores. The real treasure here is the staff: they offer library-building services, under-the-radar book finds, and pitch-perfect recommendations.West Archive: Daphne and Lola come to this appointment-only showroom for its rich selection of vintage fashion. Especially strong is its offering from the 1990s and 2000s: think Tom Ford-era Gucci, Helmut Lang, and Alexander McQueen.One of a Kind Archive: For over 30 years, this vintage clothing dealer has been a destination for collectors, stylists, and museums, featuring the most exquisite, one-of-a-kind pieces spanning decades of fashion history.Broadway Market: This is a very different kind of London shopping experience, more about the locals than the luxury shopping circuit. At its most active on Saturdays, this Victorian market runs from London Fields to the Regent’s Canal, with over 60 independent shops, artisans, cafés, and stalls. Walk the whole street and discover something new.Mouki Mou: For a glimpse of the cool, cosmopolitan currents that define London today, Jessica suggests this concept shop on Chiltern Street in Marylebone. Founded by tastemaker Maria Lemos, it brings together a blend of cool, trend-resistant fashion, jewelry, ceramics, and other treasures from around the world.Also try:Portobello MarketFound and VisionNordic PoetryRellikLovers Lane LondonWant to chat about my Insider Guide to London? Send me a note at ninagarciainsiderguide@hearst.com. I’ll see you next month. Until then, follow me at @ninagarcia on Instagram for real-time fashion and travel updates—and don’t forget to check out @elleusa too.SUBSCRIBE TO NINA GARCIA’S INSIDER GUIDE