And just like that, it's January. London's festive markets are coming to a close, the Christmas decorations have been packed away until next year and a frosty chill is making its way to the city.
SEE: 34 UK hotels you need to visit for a weekend getaway
Whether you're starting your year with a disciplined Dry January, or you're making the switch to try Veganuary, there's no better place to fill your month with things to do than in London. From limited vegan menus to exclusive cocktail lists, excited new additions to the West End and free pop-ups across the city, there certainly isn't a lack of things to do this 2022.
So, what's happening in the city this month? Our HELLO! writers have compiled the very best things to do in London this January. Scroll on for our favourite picks…
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Best things to do in London this January
Celebrate Chinese New Year in style
Celebrate the Year of the Tiger in style with this gorgeous themed menu at the one of a kind Yauatcha City. The menu, which will be available until 15 February, is full of tasty options for diners including Hao Yun lucky dim sum and Chilean sea bass dumplings. Sign us up.
Book a table here
Afternoon tea at The Shard
For a spectacular dining experience 32 floors up, Oblix at The Shard is the perfect place to soak up the London skyline while indulging in a delicious afternoon tea. Where tempting treats meet laid-back luxury, there's no better way to spend an afternoon in the city.
In case you didn't indulge enough over the Christmas period, festive favourites include luxurious sandwiches such as roast turkey and wholegrain mustard, free-range egg with truffle and smoked salmon and cream cheese on rye bread. Sweet treats and pastry highlights include the 'Oblix bauble', pumpkin cake with spiced buttercream and chestnut & vanilla tart alongside a tempting variety of freshly baked scones, server with jam, honeycomb and clotted cream. This unmissable London experience runs until 27 February 2022.
To make a reservation, visit www.oblixrestaurant.com
Treat yourself to a fabulous facial
After all that indulging at Christmas, It's definitely worth it to give your skin a treat. Banish all those toxins that come with eating, drinking and being merry, with Carol Joy London's Silver Glow Facial. Exclusive to The Dorchester Spa, this incredible treatment features intense exfoliation and massage techniques, and the best bit - decadent silver leaf is carefully applied to the face, leaving your skin revitalised, fresh and glowing.
To book Carol Joy London Treatments - visit The Dorchester.com
Celebrate National Cheese Lover's Day
If this picture isn't making you drool, we don't know what will! It's National Cheese Lover's Day on Thursday 20 January, and if you're looking for a place to have a gouda time, then look no further than STK Steakhouse. Yes, it might be a steakhouse at heart, but the restaurant, which has two branches in London, also boasts its signature mac and cheese menu. Choose from the classic order, the mac and cheese with bacon, or the extra indulgent mac and cheese with truffle. You can even order the mac and cheese trio which features all three.
STK is best known for its cuts of beef, which come in varying sizes and can be accompanied with toppings such as king prawns, king crab, and smoked bacon and blue cheese. Sauces include your classic peppercorn, bearnaise and more, while other main dishes include roasted lamb rack, Loch Duart salmon, and mushroom and truffle tagliatelle. There's something for everyone, especially the cheese lovers.
To book a table, visit stksteakhouse.com
Experience the best local beer, food and makers in East London
The UK’s biggest beer hall has a thrilling schedule of events coming up to shake off the January blues, ranging from a DIY art market and vintage clothes fair to sports screenings and weekly film clubs - making Truman’s Social Club the ideal spot to unwind and support local communities throughout January and February.
To book, visit here
Sips cocktails at The Black Horse pub, Fitzrovia
Located across two floors, Urban Pub & Bars' latest venture combines a contemporary pub with a classic cocktail bar offering craft beer, wine and spirits The upstairs has been reimagined into a classic cocktail bar serviced by experienced mixologists with an extensive list of classic and seasonal serves on offer. Featuring deep red tones and sumptuous velvet furnishings, the upstairs at The Black Horse is a cosy drinking den where guests can while away the hours.
To book, visit here
Banish the January blues with Everyman's immersive Nightmare Alley movie experience
Looking for some escapism this January? Why not head down to one of London’s most intimate and iconic cinemas, Everyman Screen On The Green, for a series of immersive events to mark the release of must-see new movie Nightmare Alley, starring Bradley Cooper and Cate Blanchett.
For three nights only (Friday 21st - Sunday 23rd January), guests will be invited to step right up and venture into the sinister underbelly of the 1940s American carnival, complete with circus performers and a live band. Guests will also be able to enjoy freshly prepared food and cocktails inspired by 1940s America to fully immerse themselves in this sumptuous cinematic experience.
To book, visit EverymanCinema.com
Bring joy to January with breakfast at Bill's
Is there anything better than a lazy weekend morning breakfast at Bill's? Whether you’re rising from your slumber on a weekend morning or seeking the best brunch in the city, head to Bill’s to try out OGGS®’ newest innovation, Scrambled OGGS®. The first egg alternative in the world to be made from chickpea protein, the scrambled delight has already scooped food industry awards for best innovation and flavour taking the title "World’s Best Egg Alternative". This January, Bill’s is serving up Scrambled OGGS® on toast for those dabbling in Veganuary. And for those looking for added flavour, why not add on vegan bacon for £1.95.
No brunch menu is complete without a full English breakfast. The Bill’s Plant Plate composed of Scrambled OGGS®, vegan bacon and meat-free Cumberland sausage, mushrooms, fried potatoes, baked beans, toast and roasted plum tomatoes is the perfect way to forget those January blues. Your tastebuds with thank you, and so will the planet.
To book, visit https://bills-website.co.uk/
Have a CBD tipple at The Folly
Banish the January Blues at The Folly, and tuck into the cocktails at it's January pop-up with TRIP! With gorgeous pastel pink floral décor and a neon sign for all your Insta needs, take your pick from TRIP Peach Ginger, Enchanted mocktail or try a can on the rocks, mmm. While you're enjoying the cocktails, don't forget to tuck into some of the Folly's tastier vegan and veggie options, with everything from shrimp lollipops to soba noodles on the menu.
Find out more at drakeandmorgan.co.uk/the-folly/
Immersive Titantic dining experience at The Savoy
Whether you're a total Titanic history buff or simply a fan of Leonardo DiCaprio and Kate Winslet's romance in the 1997 film, you'll love this immersive dining experience at The Savoy - new to London for 2022.
Step back in time to 14 April 1912, with The Queen of the Ocean Immersive Titanic Dining for One at The Savoy Hotel in London. Based on the final 24 hours of the RMS Titanic, you will take your seats in the Savoy’s Lancaster Ballroom. Transformed to be a first-class dining saloon, you’ll enjoy an unforgettable five-course recreation of the final meal served on board the Titanic.
Immerse yourselves in the stories, characters and sights of the world’s most famous ship as live actors bring that fateful night to life with a three-hour interactive performance. After the show, you’ll be able to meet the cast and crew as well as receive signed CDs of the show’s soundtrack.
To book, visit www.virginexperiencedays.com
Take a cookery class at Jamie Oliver's Cookery School
If the start of a new year has got you inspired to learn a new skill, why not grab a fellow aspiring chef and embark on a journey to culinary mastery? Get ready to learn the skills you need to create delicious dishes time and time again, all from the best in the business, with a Cookery Class for Two at The Jamie Oliver Cookery School.
With a choice of classes, it’s up to you which cuisine you’d like to master. Everything from North Indian Thali and Thai Feast to Unbeatable Filled Pasta and Quick & Easy Dinnertime classes are on offer here, so there’s something to appeal to every inquisitive palate.
To book, visit www.virginexperiencedays.co.uk
Swing into action with Cirque du Soleil LUZIA
In a series of grand visual surprises and breathtaking acrobatic performances, LUZIA takes audiences on a surrealistic journey through a vibrant world filled with wonders, playfulness and striking artistry. Smoothly passing from an old movie set to the ocean to a smoky dance hall or an arid desert, LUZIA cleverly brings to the stage multiple places, faces and sounds of Mexico taken from both tradition and modernity. Rich in awe-inspiring moments, LUZIA enchants by incorporating rain into acrobatic and artistic scenes – a first for a Cirque du Soleil touring production. Book now for an unmissable experience in January.
To book tickets, visit cirquedusoleil.com
Revel in the beauty of London's Kew Gardens
If you haven't yet explored the beauty of Kew Gardens, this Thames Cruise River Cruise for two is the ultimate way to soak up the magic of the stunning UNESCO World Heritage Site, home to the world's largest collection of living plants.
From Westminster Pier, you’ll weave your way along the river, past the London Eye and the Palace of Westminster, as you head towards Kew Gardens. Through locks and under bridges you’ll get to see London from a unique vantage point. The Royal Kitchens, Palm House, Rose Garden and even Britain’s smallest palace are waiting to be seen, guaranteeing a fantastic day full of special sights.
To book, visit www.virginexperiencedays.co.uk
Hamilton and a hotel stay for two
There's no better way to see in the New Year than experiencing the best of London's West End. The hype for Hamilton hasn't died down since it first opened at the Victoria Palace theatre in 2017, with theatregoers joining two-year-long waitlists to see the Tony Award-winning musical.
Treat yourself or a loved one to an overnight stay at one of London's hotels and two tickets to see the true story of forgotten American Founding Father, Alexander Hamilton. You’ll follow his journey out of poverty and his rise to power against the backdrop of the American War of Independence, in an exciting tale performed through hip-hop, rap, and RnB songs. Where do we sign up?
To book, visit www.wowcher.com
Have a dim sum feast in Chinatown
London has one of the best Chinatowns in the world, but the sheer choice of restaurants to pick from can turn into a bit of a minefield. Tao Tao Ju, tucked away from the main thoroughfare of Gerrard Street, specialises in Szechuan and Guangdong cuisine. The big plus with this restaurant, which is a little more upmarket than some of the other cheap-and-cheerful eateries in the area, is that it serves dim sum in evenings when other restaurants wouldn't normally.
There's a whole range of steamed and fried dim sum, including a long list of cheung fun options. We can recommend the Xiao Long Bao, otherwise known as delicious, soup-filled Shanghai pork dumplings, as well as the Vietnamese spring rolls. All the classics are on the menu, such as Peking or aromatic duck and chicken chow mein, as well as the must-order Malaysia Ho Fun noodles and the 'Gong Bao' Szechuan chicken for those who don't mind a bit of spice. While the dessert menu isn't extensive, it needn't be when you can sample the mouthwatering egg yolk custard buns. Pure heaven and the perfect way to end the meal.
To book a table, visit taotaoju.co.uk
Turn to Krispy Kreme for a mood-boost
Krispy Kreme has your back with the perfect pick-me-up in the shape of an indulgent new range of three mouth-watering doughnuts. The iconic doughnut brand is looking to bring Joy. Now. To. Everyone, all year and is kicking off 2022 with this exciting new assortment of doughnuts.
For more information, visit krispykreme.co.uk/vegan-doughnuts
Go for vegan pizza at Mamma Dough
Mamma Dough, the South London pizza restaurant group famous for its authentic and great tasting pizza, has launched a fully bespoke Vegan menu for Veganuary – giving customers the chance to try a number of imaginative new plant-based pizzas. Whether purely plant-based or a committed carnivore, Mamma Dough customers can have all the fun this Veganuary, with only the finest seasonal, locally sourced ingredients and produce, to ensure the best tasting and freshest flavours each time, including deliciously decadent toppings such as Vegan Nduja and Truffle oil. We popped down and were seriously impressed with the vegan garlic dip too - so make sure you order that!
Info and booking: mammadough.co.uk
Go vegan with these plant-based meze dishes
Delicious Greek mezze dishes are served up with the freshest ingredients in its range of restaurants across the UK. Diners will get to experiencemeat-free versions of Greek classics, such as Soutzoukakia (Vegan Meatballs) and Jackfruit Stifado. From just £9.95 per person, the affordable menu is perfect for those dining out in January, flexitarian eaters or those participating in Veganuary.
To book, visit therealgreek.com
Indulge in delicious pizza and pasta at Prezzo
There's nothing better than indulging in delicious Italian food, and what better to do it than with Prezzo's exciting January menu? The perfect place to tuck into a delicious pasta al forno, or warm up your winter nights with a chicken alfredo tagliatelle and Tre-Carni calzone – Prezzo is the ultimate location for authentic Italian food, affordable prices and guaranteed satisfaction.
When HELLO! visited the Kensington branch, the cosy restaurant was full of Londoners enjoying pre-theatre colourful cocktails and feasting on Italian classics. With the latest budget-friendly set menu and plenty of options for those doing Veganuary, Prezzo is never short of Londoners cosying up indoors in the atmospheric haunt – casual dining at its best.
To book your table, visit prezzorestaurants.co.uk
Enjoy your Dry January with Oddbird Zero Alchohol Wine
During January, Oddbird will be taking over the Zetter Townhouse in Marylebone and Clerkenwell with a full non-alcoholic wine and cocktail menu and afternoon tea - the perfect way to see out your Dry January. Zetter Townhouse’s Afternoon Teas will be paired with Oddbird’s premium sparkling wines, offering guests an opportunity to taste Oddbird alongside delicious sandwiches, cakes and scones.
Afternoon Tea will be available at The Zetter Marylebone Tuesday to Sunday and The Zetter Clerkenwell on Saturdays and Sundays only. All Zetter Hotel guests will also be offered a complimentary glass of Oddbird or an Oddbird cocktail during their stay.
For more information, visit https://oddbird.com/
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