12 uplifting things to do in London in April 2024 (2024)

Tucked away on an unassuming street in Covent Garden, you'll find Louie, an impossibly glamorous French restaurant with a chic brasserie-style interior, a divinely indulgent menu and a secret jazz bar on its fourth floor.

Inspired by the soulful jazz bars of New Orleans, this late-night dining spot infuses Parisian sophistication with the heady glamour of the Louisiana jazz scene. For foodies, like me, Louie's colourful menu is a delight for the senses. Expect elegant sharing plates, exceptional raw seafood, black truffle pappardelle, a melt-in-the-mouth New York strip steak doused in bernaise sauce and buttery lobster rolls from the best of the menu.

When I dined on a quiet Thursday evening, the buzzy dining room was full by 8pm, soon transformed into a jovial live music venue as a four-man jazz band lit up the restaurant with a playful rendition of Oh When The Saints.

Upstairs in The Alligator Bar, the atmosphere was even more electric as guests sipped on classic co*cktails and malt whiskey to the sound of Georgia Cecile's spectacular voice. For me, it was a quick twirl on the dancefloor and a spicy margarita for the road. Joie de vivre!

Reviewed by Georgia Brown, Senior Lifestyle & Fashion Writer

The moment you step through the doors of UMU Mayfair (if you can find the door – the James Bond movie-style mysterious entrance is the first excitement of a date at this Michelin-starred restaurant), you can tell it’s something special.

Elegant and understated, the dining room oozes Japanese serenity , and although the kitchen is open, right in the centre of the room, there are no Ramsay-style histrionics going on here – just intense, silent concentration as attention to detail is painstakingly taken over every morsel making its way onto a plate.

It's all beautiful. From the sake co*cktails with flowers floating in them (the dirty sake martini gets my thumbs up) to the sashimi platters laid out like a work of art. And the food is sensational. I’m a big fan of Japanese food, but I’d never tasted anything quite as delicious as the Cornish langoustine and halibut sashimi, not the mention the Spanish tuna, both back and belly, so delicious and so different.

I actually didn’t think the fish could be beaten, but the wagyu beef, cooked over charcoal and graded 11 (from a maximum of 12) for tenderness, was like nothing I’d ever tasted before. We all know steak that melts in the mouth, but it turns out it doesn’t really. Not when you’ve eaten chef Ryo Kamatsu’s waygu steak, still on the flame so the accompanying sauce caramelises as it continues to cook.

The restaurant has been running for 20 years now – March 2024 marked its birthday and the release of the new menu. Its traditional Kyoto cuisine has given it a reputation as one of the finest Japanese restaurants in London, and now I’m clear as to why.

Reviewed by Sophie Vokes-Dudgeon, Chief Content Officer

If you are on the lookout for a cool brunch in London, keep reading! I tried out STK Steakhouse Strand's newest 'Vibe Brunch' and it was so fun! Every Saturday from 11:30am to 3pm, you can enjoy the ultimate brunch experience with a DJ on the decks and the afternoon turns into a lively and unforgettable event with amazing music, great service and delicious food.

It's reasonably priced, too! For just £49 per person, guests can enjoy a three-course menu that includes sharing starters, such as delectable Sushi and Lil’Burgers, a choice of main course, including the iconic STK California Cut Steak and a Roasted Salmon, full of flavour, and finally a show-stopping sharing party board for dessert. I would highly recommend upgrading to one of the bottomless beverage packages, starting from an additional £28 per person.

The Vibe Brunch is on at STK Steakhouse Strand and STK Rooftop Steakhouse & Bar in Stratford.

Reviewed by Leanne Bayley,

This modern Italian seafood restaurant and aperitivo bar, located in Notting Hill’s Kensington Park Road, is the perfect date spot for West Londoners.
It’s owned by brothers Peppe and Angelo Corsaro, who are also the brains behind Stanley Tucci favourite La Mia Mamma, and if you love seafood and fish, you’ll be in heaven.
I stopped by Fish & Bubbles on Wednesday evening and was delighted to see so much atmosphere in the restaurant, which is intimate and cosy.
We enjoyed their tuna tartare, a giant fritto misto sharing board which includes calamari, chips and much more and two gourmet seafood paninis. I must admit, the sharing board truly is giant, and you really don’t need to order much more than that – in hindsight, we got a bit excited but I don’t have any regrets!
Even though we were incredibly full, we managed to make some space for dessert – which much like their main plates, didn’t disappoint – we’ll definitely be returning.

Reviewed by Andrea Caamano, Website Editor

This season, Marugame Udon is inviting noodle lovers across the London to embrace the Japanese tradition of 'Hanami' and join them for a joyous feast of fresh noodles under the new pink blooms.

Experience Hanami the Marugame way by dropping by to enjoy your udon whilst admiring the restaurant's co-created pink cherry blossom tree. Pick up your origami petal at the till, write your wish for the new season, fold your petal and add it to the tree and watch it blossom.

Marugame Udon is the perfect pit stop for a flying visit, thanks to their canteen-style dining that makes ordering go at lightning speed. When I dined, I devoured a hearty bowl of Chicken Katsu Curry (from £8.45) while my friend enjoyed Beef Nikutama (from £9.95), udon noodles with beef and caramelised onions in a sweet and smokey sauce. Don't miss the delicious Shima Yuzu & Elderflower Saké Spritz.

Reviewed by Georgia Brown,

This month, thousands of runners will be gearing up for the most popular marathon in the world - but the TCS London Marathon is nothing without its spectators. Join the crowds to support the elites, first-time runners and fancy dressed athletes taking on the 26.2 mile route across London's most iconic landmarks on 21 April. Who knows? You may just become inspired to sign up yourself next year…

Don't miss the London Landmarks Half Marathon on 7 April, the only half marathon to go through both the City of London and City of Westminster.

Running the TCS London Marathon? Don't miss out on the post-run perks the city has to offer on 21 April 2024.

• Race-day travel is free for any runners travelling to and from the marathon. Simply show your race number or medal on the Underground, Overground, bus network, TfL Rail, and DLR to hitch a free ride.
• Barry's - London's favourite bootcamp - will be hosting a London Marathon after party at its SW1 studio featuring live music and refreshments. Marathon runners can drop in for a free HERMOSA protein shake from the Barry's Fuel Bar by showing their medal. It's free to join by signing up here.
• For years, Bill's has welcomed London marathon runners through its doors on race day with the promise of a free burger and drink - just show your medal at any of the 10 restaurants in London to claim your post-run carbs.
• Urban's at-home wellness services deliver expert therapists straight to your door, making the service an ideal treat for post-marathon recovery. Book everything from physiotherapy to sports massages on the app, reducing the risk of injury and speeding up your recovery.
• Treat yourself to a free Argentinian Rib Eye Steak at Heliot Steak House or a Claire Heliot Burger whilst taking in the wonderful views across Soho from The Hippodrome Rooftop on 21 and 22 April. Just show your race medal to claim.

With half of April dedicated to the Easter holidays, those with school-aged children will be glad that the options for fun activities are endless in this city. But one trip that should be top of any list is a visit to The Art of the Brick: An Exhibition of LEGO® Art.

It’s perfect for LEGO enthusiasts and also children who like to discover new things. Here they will discover universally known art in LEGO form - think Michaelangelo’s David or Van Gogh’s Starry Night…

My two boys, neither of whom actively play with LEGO every day, were incredibly excited from start to finish, rushing from one creation to another - showing that you don’t have to be so into LEGO to enjoy this great experience.

Reviewed by Andrea Caamano, Website Editor

Calling all marathon runners! You're going to need some serious TLC after putting your body through 26.2 miles, and Pan Pacific London has a post-race recovery package you'll definitley want to indulge in.

SENSORY, the hotel’s state-of-the-art wellbeing floor is designed to tackle muscle strain and mental exhaustion as well as optimise healing. Begin with a 30-minute leg recovery session to soothe tired muscles after a gruelling 26.2 miles of running, followed by a 30-minute express massage. The relaxation continues with full access to the sauna and steam room before soaking away any remaining fatigue with a dip in the 18.5m infinity pool.

The Post-Marathon Treatment package is avaialble to book throughout April in tandem with the London Marathon. Prices start at £150.