"For me, walking into this Middle Eastern grocery store is like being temporarily teleported back home to Bahrain. You’d be hard pressed not to want to buy everything, from all the essential Middle Eastern ingredients, to housemade falafel, to proper Lebanese pita bread. They even have the most delicious rotisserie chicken, which is great wrapped up in said bread. Shoutout to the staff that work there, who greet you so warmly (and have generously fed me samples of their baklawa)."

"Every time I need an authentic joojeh kabob and sangak fix (chicken skewers and Persian bread), I go to Behesht, which literally translates to ‘heaven’ in Farsi. The restaurant is a bit like stepping back in time, in the most wonderful way, and is located in Finchley, so you’ve also got the benefit of being surrounded by lots of Iranian grocery stores—double win!"

"I love being part of the crossfit community. It means you can drop in at any crossfit box around the world and be welcomed with open arms. CFTP is all about friendliness and inclusivity, and is my favourite way to kick off my mornings. It’s hardcore, but I wouldn’t have it any other way."

"This Turkish green grocer is my favourite place to buy all my fruits and veggies. The staff are always so friendly, and the store is extremely well stocked. As I mostly cook for one, it’s super convenient as you don’t have to buy large bags of anything. They also don’t package their herbs in plastic and instead sell them in big bundles, and I really appreciate a good herb bundle."

"This quintessential British pub, built in 1585, is oozing with history and has the air of a place with many stories to tell. It’s impossible not to fall in love with the ambience at the Spaniards Inn, so if you’re looking for a pub filled with character and charm, then the Spaniards Inn is well worth a visit."

"London is filled with green spaces, but I have a particular soft spot for the Heath. It’s hilly and wild, has various ponds open to the public including a pond made especially for our furry canine friends, has a lido, multiple tennis courts and a farmer’s market open on Saturdays. It’s where I first began running and where I went to my first outdoor cinema. I’ve never met anyone who doesn’t love everything the Heath has to offer; it truly is a green haven of joy in multiple capacities."

"Go here for the best hummus in London, and a true taste of Lebanon on Edgware Road. There aren’t any frills here, which I love, but you are guaranteed to leave with a very happy belly."

"In my humble opinion, this is hands-down the best sourdough I’ve ever tried in London. The owners also have a really interesting story, where they started off making their doughs in a massive shipping container. They now have two locations (and a cookbook!) and are well worth a visit if you appreciate a good bakery, and a darn good sandwich."

"This is one of those head-turning florists with the most beautiful arrangements of both fresh and dried seasonal flowers. Their backstory is really interesting, with a farm in Somerset and a sustainable, eco-friendly approach to floriculture and floristry. They also make the most beautiful Christmas wreaths, which l can vouch last for an incredibly long time."

"Fun fact: If you’ve ever watched the series ‘Fleabag,’ this is the cafe where it was shot. Now though, it’s run by a friendly Turkish husband-and-wife team, who make delicious Turkish breakfasts and a good cup of coffee. Their cakes are tasty too."