My Secret London with Maggie Davis

Cosy cafés, vintage gems, proper tips.

In this regular series you'll find a community of kindred spirits who share my passion for exploring off-the-beaten-path cafes, charming shops, and secret spots in cities around the world. These discoveries are curated by creative insiders who know their stuff, so you can trust that you're getting the inside scoop.

Maggie Davis is a fashion writer and content editor. She has previously worked for London’s ES Magazine and Time Out, where she was consumer editor for 10 years. In fact, she is one of the main reasons why I wanted to work at Time Out London. I had recently read her book, 101 Things to Buy Before You Die and she had a reputation for knowing her Marni from her Miu Miu.

She has just published her third book, Chanel: Style Icon. In this beautifully illustrated volume, Maggie highlights 70 pivotal style moments from the extraordinary life of Coco Chanel, tracing her journey from humble beginnings in an orphanage to her influential reign over Parisian fashion. Each moment is brought to life by illustrator Nicola Sutcliffe, whose monochromatic ink and watercolour artwork captures the essence of Chanel’s timeless elegance. Chanel: Style Icon is out now.

Maggie lives in north London with her husband, three children and two cats.

Maggie with most recent book, Chanel, Style Icon. Photography by Katrina Campbell

Let’s get started…

Favourite London cafés?

I have various local cafés that I love and frequent. When you work from home, a trip to a café becomes the highlight of your day! Wanasa is a divine Middle Eastern café in Winchmore Hill, north London, serving up the best brunch egg dishes around. Holtwhites is a wonderful local bakery with the best sausage rolls ever. In town, I still love Maison Bertaux, a French bakery in Soho with expensive pastries and heaps of quirky charm. Great for people spotting!

French pastries at Soho’s legendary Maison Bertaux

Favourite London restaurants?

I’m very low maintenance when it comes to restaurants! I’ve always preferred authentic, no-frills, hearty food over fancy places. My top three are: Mangal 1 in Dalston, a Turkish spot known for delicious meats cooked over coals and fresh salads; Ciao Bella in Bloomsbury, an exuberant Italian with a piano, enthusiastic staff and the best seafood linguine; and Volare, a brilliant female-run tapas restaurant near me, set on the most hideously busy main road. But once inside, you feel like you’ve stepped into Spain. Everything on the menu is excellent.

Favourite London homewares shops?

I love local charity shops for home items, especially my local Red Cross shop – it’s amazing what treasures you can pick up, particularly crockery and china sets. In town, Liberty, which is celebrating its 150th birthday this summer, is my go-to for quirky ceramics, fabrics and Christmas decorations. Twentytwentyone on Upper Street in Islington has also been a long-time favourite for cool 20th-century furniture and accessories.

The iconic Liberty storefront

Favourite London fashion shops?

Topshop might not be around anymore (sob!) but I’ll always love the British high street. & Other Stories is a favourite for affordable, modern styles – the Oxford Circus branch is still a great starting point. If you’re shopping in the West End, Regent Street is far more pleasant than Oxford Street. Cut through Mayfair by walking from Regent Street to Bond Street via Hanover Square and Conduit Street. Then head down to Haymarket to visit Dover Street Market, always an inspiring mix of designer labels.

Cindy Sherman’s art installation in the windows of Dover Street Market

Favourite London vintage shops?

I’m lucky to have a great vintage shop on my high street called Philanthropy. It’s a community interest company that employs adults with mental health issues or learning disabilities, and I frequently find excellent pieces there. In town, one of my all-time favourites is Blackout 2, which stocks an amazing array of fashion, especially dresses, from the 1920s to the 1970s – you can almost always find a real gem. Beyond Retro in Soho is also great, especially for ‘50s Americana like Levi’s, baseball jackets and Hawaiian shirts.

Favourite London markets?

Portobello on a Friday morning is the best – head along Portobello Road and under the Westway for creative, independent sellers. The central hall at Camden Market is still fun, though it gets super busy at weekends and on sunny days. Camden Passage in Islington also has a charming market with vintage and bric-a-brac stalls.

All the treasures of Camden Passage

Most underrated place in London?

My neighbourhood – Palmers Green in north London. It has lovely Edwardian houses, just as nice as trendier areas like Muswell Hill or Crouch End, glorious green spaces like Broomfield Park and Grovelands, segregated cycle lanes and an amazing array of cafés and restaurants – Turkish, Kurdish, Albanian, Romanian and Greek, to name just a few.

Most overrated?

The London Eye – it’s so expensive and not even the best view of the Thames. Go to the Sky Garden (free tickets) or walk over Hungerford footbridge to the Southbank for better, free views.

Incredible views from Sky Garden

Best London souvenir?

A London Tube map – you can’t beat the colours and design. In fact, anything from the London Transport Museum shop (a brilliant place to take kids) makes a great souvenir.

Best London view?

Alexandra Palace has mighty views across London and a much more chilled-out vibe than say Primrose Hill which has become super touristy. Book a trip on the boats on the lake behind the playground for fun. From the other side of the city, Greenwich Park also offers phenomenal views.

Blossom time at Greenwich Park

Where would you take a first-time visitor to London?

I’d take them for lunch at the Garden Museum, a delightful spot set in an atmospheric old church beside Lambeth Palace, overlooking the Houses of Parliament. You get sweeping views of the Thames – and it’s where I had my wedding reception 17 years ago. Truly iconic.

Any other London secrets?

The recently revamped National Portrait Gallery is brilliant – a really inspiring mix of old and new portraits, and just a stone’s throw from the excellent noodle bar Xi Home Dumplings Bay, and the traditional London pub, The Harp.

My best bakery is Violet Cakes in Hackney, best florist is Dansk on Upper Street in Islington, and best cheese shop is La Fromagerie in Highbury.

I also love West Reservoir for open water swimming – it’s an amazing spot just off Green Lanes in Hackney. You’re swimming with ducks and looking at high-rise flats, but it’s the most tranquil, chilled setting. I always feel like I’m on holiday when I’m there.

My favourite secret spot in central London is Phoenix Gardens – a tiny community garden and peaceful haven tucked away in Covent Garden. My mum, brother and I helped build it in the 1980s, so it’s a truly special space that will always hold a place in my heart.

Beautiful blooms at Dansk in Islington

Top tips for visiting London?

London is big and daunting, so don’t try to do too much in one day. If you’re visiting one of the big museums or galleries, focus on one or two rooms and do them properly. I recommend the rock room at the Natural History Museum, the Marble Rooms at the V&A and the Romans at the British Museum. Also, check out some of London’s amazing niche museums – The Old Operating Theatre and the Hunterian Museum are both brilliantly quirky and fascinating.

Thanks for sharing your Secret London, Maggie. You can follow Maggie here.

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