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Despite the fact that London’s restaurants have improved considerably over the last 25 years, tourists from America still might find themselves wanted a taste of home rather than the more traditional or international fare available in the capital city. While there are certainly enough McDonalds, Burger Kings, and Pizza Huts to make you feel as if the world is very small indeed, there are other sit-down establishments that - while often pricey - may make you feel a little less homesick.

With five locations in central London (and dozens more throughout Great Britain), TGI Fridays offers not just the same hamburgers, salads and sandwiches you’d find in the States - but also the same d

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While most people still assume that you’re stuck with English Breakfast and Earl Gray while visiting London, you will be amazed by the relatively-recent preponderance of coffee houses in the capital city. There are shops on nearly every street corner now where you can get your morning jolt — including several major chains and a bustling Soho institution that you’ll have to see to believe. Remember: enough caffeine in the morning and you will get you through the busiest of vacation days!

Costa Coffee originally started out as an Italian-style roastery in 1971, and by the late 1970s their first espresso bars opened in London There are now hundreds of locations worldwide. Their secret blend is apparently the winning combination of six Arabica beans to one Robusta bean. Pastries and light snacks are available, as are cold drinks perfect for summer days.

Coffee Republic was formed in the 1990s by a brother-sister business team, Bobby and Sahar Hashemi. Their website states, “Unable to find in London the delicious quality and wide choice of the espresso-based coffee drinks we had experienced in New York coffee bars, we decided to open our first coffee bar in London’s fashionable South Molton street.” You’ll find hot breakfast and lunch sandwiches here to complement the traditional fare and espresso drinks.

If you’re more familiar and comfortable with Starbucks back in the States, have no fear. Since 1998, this Seattle-based company has been selling its full range of coffee and tea drinks (along with pastries and sandwiches; no hot food) to Londoners and tourists alike. Soft lighting and music, comfortable chairs and workspaces, and a strange dichotomy of manic energy and thoughtful calm thrive in these stores. Many of them are situated over two floors, with seating and clean restrooms below street level. The baristas’ accents may sound different, but you’ll be right at home.

Caffe Nero set up shop in 1997 and, according to their press, is the largest independent coffee retailer in the UK with nearly 300 locations. They’re a major player in London, where they boldly vie with Starbucks for market share by offering a similar atmosphere, but with an emphasis on the European traditions rather than the American. The espresso is arguably richer and more robust — and they’ll tell you in the stores that this is their competitive edge. There’s a good selection of Italian-influenced lunch items, and select locations (notably on Frith Street in Soho) are open nearly all night.

Speaking of Frith Street, make a special trip to Bar Italia, a Soho staple since 1949. It’s undoubtedly the most famous 24 hour cafe in London. Sit outside if you can one night and watch the people (you won’t believe the amazing mix of characters you’ll see), or hang out during the day when it’s a little less busy and enjoy your coffee in a real cup — no paper sleeves required. Some days you’ll find an Italian scooter club gathering for a meeting, or a group of soccer fans watching a game on the TV.

Don’t leave before heading down a few doors to Bar Italia’s coffee supplier, the equally-wonderful Angelucci’s, where you can purchase the most aromatic whole or freshly-ground coffee beans to take and make back home. You and your taste buds are sure to be wide awake.

London Vacation Experts look forward to providing you with accurate, up-to-the-minute information about planning your London travel! Our website contains the most helpful tips, reviews, and resources for air travel, accommodations, ground transportation, sightseeing, restaurants, and entertainment. Visit us at online: http://www.londonvacationexperts.com

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One of the great secrets of travel is to ‘do what the locals do’. Local people will almost always know the best things to do and the cheapest way to do them.

Take the case of the ‘tourist bus’. It can be very convenient to get to know a foreign city quickly, using the local open-top bus. It can make an excellent introduction to a city and allow you to narrow down the list of places that you want to explore in more detail. However, you don’t see many Londoners on the open-top buses in London, do you? Even if they are showing visitors around their beloved city. Why? Because there are much cheaper and more effective ways of getting around the city. A day pass on the London buses is cheap and you will see at least as much, if you plan it carefully. And you won’t have that annoying, patronizing commentary.

So how about traveling to places outside London? This can seem more complicated to arrange and many people seek the safety of an organized tour. But think about Oxford, for example. This beautiful historic university city is only an hour or so from London. There is an adequate train service. But what do the locals do? They take the bus. In fact, there are two bus companies operating on the London to Oxford route in competition, which means that the fares are cheap and the service is frequent. For less than twenty pounds, you can get a return ticket on one of these services to Oxford. Go when you want, explore Oxford at your own pace and return to London when you want. This is what a Londoner would do and I’d advise you as an informed visitor to London to do the same.

So where do you find these buses? There is a convenient bus stop situated at Marble Arch, on the Hyde Park side. Look out for a service named the ‘Oxford Tube’ (as you probably know, the ‘tube’ is the popular name for the subway system in London.) Just pay the driver as you get on the bus. Take my advice and go upstairs. You’ll enjoy interesting views of the western London suburbs and see how Londoners really live. And once you cross the outer London ring road, you’ll love the views of the green and rolling Oxfordshire countryside. Remember to bring your camera!

You’ll have a great day out, save money and be more like a real Londoner. What could be better?

Pearson Brown writes regularly for the Secret London website at http://www.mysecretlondon.com

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