California has it all - including weirdly wonderful restaurants and seriously hip places to crash for the night. Brits love the Golden State’s uber cool way of life, so it’s no surprise that we’re seeing the delights of California grace our UK shores.
First up is a whole lotta eggs from the Los Angeles-based diner Eggslut. The new eatery, which serves up eggs in every way you can think of, has officially hatched on Portobello Road. Originally an Insta-friendly food truck on the streets of LA, it wasn’t long before foodies were queuing at Eggslut’s Grand Central Market location in Downtown LA to get scrambled egg served between two buns. It’s that good.
A simple concept, but with a name that has you stopping in your tracks, Eggslut has grown into a must-visit diner. Committed to using local suppliers, fresh ingredients and cage-free eggs, Eggslut’s menu sounds eggscellent (sorry we couldn’t resist) and its controversially named speciality, the “Slut,” is a must have: A free-range egg on top of a smooth potato purée, poached in a glass jar, topped with grey salt and chives, served with slices of baguette – we’re drooling just thinking about it.
Once you’ve had your protein fix there are a number of new hotels in London that ooze those California vibes that we all love. So whether you want to reminisce about your last California road trip or if you want to get a taster before you head stateside, here’s what you need to know.
The Standard hotel, with locations in Downtown LA and Hollywood, is a firm favourite with travellers for its ambiance and minimalist design. You’ll be pleased to know that The Standard London in Kings Cross has recently opened its doors and is offering guests a cleverly combined mix of retro and futuristic rooms. Decorated in vibrant colours, as soon as you step into this brightly-hued hotel you’ll instantly feel like you could be in a hip Hollywood hang-out. Just like the Standard hotel in Downtown LA, the Standard London will soon open its rooftop bar offering cityscape views, perfect for an evening cocktail or two. Kings Cross might not be the legendary Sunset Strip, but it will certainly get you pumped for your own LA inspired adventure.
Another LA classic to reach London is Mama Shelter located in Shoreditch. Mama London has a very similar atmosphere to Mama LA - think stylish interiors, affordable prices and a cool bar area that serves both locals and guests. Mama LA might just have the edge though, with one of the city’s most popular rooftop bars overlooking the Hollywood sign.
The LA-inspired hotels are coming in thick and fast with the opening of the third Hoxton hotel in South London - making a play for the coolest hotel south of the river. From one historic building to another, both the LA and London hotels are inspired by their surroundings and offer guests an equally chic and cosy stay. The Hoxton LA can be found amongst some of LA’s oldest theatres and movie palaces, so think neon lights and all the glitzy rooftop bars are a welcome feature in both the London and LA hotel, but the Hoxton LA comes out on top with stylish, year-round pool to that provides stunning views of Broadway, so grab a cocktail and soak up those chill LA vibes or explore the buzzy neighbourhood with an endless assortment of bars and restaurants.
Now all we need is for In-N-Out burger to make its way to the UK and we’ll be sorted. Check out some of LA’s hippest exports before experiencing the real deal for yourself in California. Beyond hotels and restaurants there’s so much to experience in LA – sports, cool music venues, movie hot spots and some of the world’s best surfing beaches.
