Fitzrovia, a few steps from Oxford Street, is one of London’s most eclectic and underrated neighbourhoods, and it is currently serving up some delicious comfort food. Once you have navigated the crowds of creatives sipping on a pint after work, you will find Fitzrovia has lots to offer.
Start your visit with a trip to one of the area’s most storied establishments: The Newman Arms. Tucked away on Newman Street, this charming pub dates back to the 18th Century and oozes history from every wooden beam. Once frequented by George Orwell, the pub retains much of its old-world charm while serving a mixed crowd of tourists and after-work drinkers. It’s best known for its selection of real ales and its excellent pies, made in-house. The steak and ale was our favourite with its flaky pastry and tasty gravy, paired with a creamy mash, we were in comfort food heaven.
Just a short walk from there, the Fitzrovia Chapel provides a completely different kind of experience. This beautifully restored Gothic revival chapel, hidden within a modern development, once belonged to the old Middlesex Hospital. Now, it is an exhibition space for contemporary art and photography, but even empty, the space is worth a visit for its breathtaking golden mosaic interior and peaceful, contemplative atmosphere. It’s a stunning contrast to the lively streets outside.
If you’ve got a sweet tooth, the Chocolate Bear is every chocolate lover’s dream. This independent chocolate shop went viral last year for its insanely rich hot chocolate. They offer handcrafted chocolates made on-site with ethically sourced ingredients, and the whole shop is dedicated to comfort food. The shop itself is charming, and the comforting scent of cocoa wafts through the air. From rich ganache’s and silk truffles to quirky seasonal flavours, everything here is made with passion and creativity. Don’t miss the signature hot chocolate, or if you’re wanting the ultimate in comfort food, a slice of their signature chocolate cake drizzled with three different types of melted chocolate is big and rich enough to share.
In a city packed with tourist hotspots, Fitzrovia offers something more intimate and authentic. It’s where the past meets the present in the most delicious and surprising ways. Whether you’re sipping a pint at the Newman Arms, marvelling at mosaics in the Fitzrovia Chapel, or indulging in a handcrafted chocolate from The Chocolate Bear, you’ll find yourself enchanted by this quietly charismatic corner of London.
