Ella has been Time Out’s Guides Editor since since 2023, overseeing Time Out’s city guides across Europe, the Middle East and Africa, from restaurants to attractions and things to do

Before that she was a news and features writer for Time Out UK and a travel news writer for the Independent

She also accidentally became the podcasts correspondent because she likes them so much, and does the odd restaurant review if they’ll have her. Find her tucking into a Turkish on Green Lanes or possibly a bowl of pho in Hoxton. 

Time Out has covered the world’s greatest cities through the eyes of local experts since 1968. For more about us, read our editorial guidelines.

Ella Doyle

Ella Doyle

Guides Editor

Articles (250)

London’s best restaurants for pizza

London’s best restaurants for pizza

London is full of perfect pizza. The finest of fast foods, this delicious staple has been elevated far beyond its humble roots by great Italian restaurants in London, pop-ups, street food vendors and pub residencies, and we know just where to find these world-class wonders, because we’ve been eating our way across London in order to discover the best. Whether it’s delivered in a cardboard box or served in a swish restaurant, excellent pizza is hard to beat. Browse our list of the best pizza places in town and try not to drool on your screen. Recent additions to the Top 20 include some nifty kitchen residencies; Dough Hands at the Spurstowe Arms and Old Nun’s Head, Bing Bong Pizza at You Call The Shots in Hackney, Little Earthquakes at the Railway Tavern in Dalston, and Short Road Pizza at the William The Fourth in Leyton and Three Colts in Bethnal Green. You can find Ace Pizza at the Pembury Tavern in Hackney Downs, but they have also opened their first standalone parlour in Victoria Park. Try also; Spring Street Pizza in Borough for pie with a Michelin-starred chefs touch, Carmela’s on Upper Street for a cosy slice and Vincenzo’s in Shoreditch for no-flop pizza. RECOMMENDED: The finest fish and chips in London.  Leonie Cooper is Time Out London’s Food and Drink Editor. For more about how we curate, see our editorial guidelines.
The best Airbnbs in Budapest for 2026

The best Airbnbs in Budapest for 2026

One of the many significant changes to happen in Budapest over the decades I've lived here has been the rise of Airbnb accommodation. For the perfect city break that delivers on food, culture and nightlife, you can easily find affordable lodgings a short walk or tram hop away. And that includes its famed ruin bars and magnificent bath spas, too! What's the best area to stay in Budapest? For partying, book a place in the Jewish Quarter (District VII, so addresses with postcodes starting with 107) and you're a stagger away from your last port of call – and close to options for breakfast. You're also near the Time Out Market Budapest, which holds true for the funky Palace Quarter in District VIII, postcode 108x. The most central location is District V, with a 105x postcode, while leafier Buda (Districts I, II and XII) offers a quieter stay. Airbnb has locations across the city. So whatever you’re looking for, experience the best of Buda (and Pest) with one of these apartments. Updated 2026: We’ve got two hot new properties on the roster, including a rooftop apartment and forest cabin. You’re welcome! RECOMMENDED:The best things to do in BudapestThe best hotels in Budapest The best attractions in Budapest Who makes the cut? While we might not stay in every Airbnb featured, we've based our list on top reviews, hosts and amenities to find you the best stays. This article includes affiliate links. These links have no influence on our editorial content. For more information, see ou
The most romantic hotels in London, ranked

The most romantic hotels in London, ranked

There’s a reason why so many romantic comedy films are set in London; quite simply, it’s one of the best places in the world to be loved up. The picturesque Little Venice, the historic Whispering Gallery at St Paul’s Cathedral, and the breathtaking Waterloo Bridge are among the many romantic places to visit at any time of year – and we can’t get enough. But to encourage your love to reach full bloom, it’s important to pick a hotel with the right kind of vibe. Breakfast in bed, complimentary cocktails upon arrival, and pampering spa packages are the sort of special touches that can make all the difference when you’re in the mood to woo... or maybe even pop the question! For the ultimate couple’s break, here are our hotels in London to cook up a bit of romance.  💞 January 2026: We’ve just added two of London’s best romantic hotel packages in time for Valentine’s Day in February – find them in spots number one and two on our list.   🛏️ Discover our list of the sexiest hotels in London How we curate our hotel lists Headed up by editor Joe Mackertich, our team at Time Out London spend their time reviewing hotels all over the Capital – new openings, old classics and everything in between – to bring you fresh, honest recommendations, all year round. Along with our pool of trusted hotel experts, every hotel on this list has been individually reviewed and selected for a reason: we’ve been there, we think it’s great and we’d genuinely recommend it. By the way, this article includes
The best boutique hotels in Paris

The best boutique hotels in Paris

  ‘Boutique hotel’ can be a bit of an overused term, but essentially it means somewhere small, stylish and unique – somewhere that favours design and thoughtful touches over granduer and in-your-face luxury. And yes, you might have guessed it, but the boutique offerings in Paris are some of the best in the game. There’s no better way to live out your Emily in Paris dreams than by staying at one of these charming hotels – and they include everything from affordable boltholes to luxurious stays. Here are our favourite boutique hotels in Paris.  The best Paris boutique hotels at a glance 💑 Best for couples: Monsieur George Hotel & Spa 🏭 Best for design: Maison Delano Paris 🥐 Best in the Marais: Hôtel Monsieur Aristide 💎 Best hidden gem: Hotel Les Deux Gares 🍴 Best for foodies: Grand Pigalle Hotel 🏨 RECOMMENDED: Our ultimate guide to hotels in Paris How we curate our hotel lists Our team of writers and travel experts review hotels all over the world – new openings, old classics and everything in between – to bring you fresh, honest recommendations, all year round. Though we have reviewed many of the hotels we feature, we may not have stayed at every single one. Any we haven’t stayed in have been selected by experts based on their amenities, features, pricing and more. By the way, this article includes affiliate links. These links have no influence on our editorial content. For more information, see our affiliate guidelines. 📍 Things to do on your next trip in Paris
The cheapest city breaks in Europe for 2026, ranked

The cheapest city breaks in Europe for 2026, ranked

Things are getting more and more expensive here in Europe, and many of our reliably ‘cheap’ cities aren’t so cheap anymore. The hotspots in Greece, Spain, Italy and more that are plagued with overtourism are seeing hiked prices to match, and starting to look startingly similar across the board. But don’t fear: if budgets are tight this year, there’s still plenty of spots that won’t break the bank.  The best part? On the most part, this list of budget-friendly destinations tend to come hand in hand with other wins – we mean less tourists, less crowds, and the flights there are likely to be much cheaper too. Of course, it goes without saying that a ‘cheap city’ is highly subjective, depending on a whole load of factors: which city you’ve travelled in from, what time of year you’re visiting, how bougie your tastes are and all the rest of it. But the spots you’ll find below are lively, culture-packed, and generally incredibly good value for money. Read on for the cheapest (and best) cities to visit in Europe in 2026.  RECOMMENDED:📍 The best city breaks in Europe for 2026🌃 The most underrated travel destinations in Europe Ella Doyle is Time Out’s Europe editor. At Time Out, all of our travel guides are written by experts across Europe. For more about how we curate, see our editorial guidelines. For more about how we curate, see our editorial guidelines. This guide includes affiliate links, which have no influence on our editorial content. For more information, see our affiliate
The coolest hotels in Lisbon right now

The coolest hotels in Lisbon right now

Sure, you can choose one of the many, many classic hotel chains on offer for your trip to Lisbon – but what about if you fancy something a little different? A boutique, perhaps, or a central hotel with the best rooftop bar in the city? In that case, it sounds like you’re looking for something a little more cool. And that’s where we come in: the hotels on this list don’t just have great service, good food and nice rooms, they’ve all got a little something that makes them unique, and a place where locals and tourists actually want to hang out for the weekend. These are the coolest hotels in Lisbon, right now.  Lisbon’s coolest hotels at a glance 📻 Best for retro charm: The Vintage 🏙️ Best for city views: Memmo Príncipe Real 🏛️ Best for a historic stay: AlmaLusa Alfama 🛋️ Best self-catering: The Lumiares 🏠 Best for homely vibes: Dear Lisbon 📍 RECOMMENDED: Ultimate guide to hotels in Lisbon How we curate our hotel lists Our team of writers and travel experts review hotels all over the world – new openings, old classics and everything in between – to bring you fresh, honest recommendations, all year round. Along with our brilliant team over at Time Out Lisbon, every hotel on this list has been individually reviewed and selected for a reason: we’ve been there, we think it’s great and we’d genuinely recommend it. By the way, this article includes affiliate links. These links have no influence on our editorial content. For more information, see our affiliate guidelines. ?
The best city breaks in Europe for 2026, according to Time Out

The best city breaks in Europe for 2026, according to Time Out

City life is kind of our thing here at Time Out. And we truly believe there’s no better way to spend a long weekend than cramming in as much nightlife, food and culture as possible in one of Europe’s many great metropolises. And in 2026, there’s a whole new host of reasons to get out there and explore – everything from international sports events to fantastic festivals, and major anniversaries to all-new art exhibitions.  But with hundreds of cities to choose from, where should be top of your travel list this year? Fear not: we’ve done the hard work and narrowed it down for you. Along with our experts across the continent, I’ve rounded up the very best city breaks money can buy this year, from the cities having a huge moment in 2026 to the old classics that are always great – and why this is the year to visit every single one. Itching to start booking? Me too. Here’s our ultimate city break guide for 2026. Enjoy! RECOMMENDED:💸 The best cheap city breaks in Europe🗺 The most underrated cities in Europe📍 Ultimate guide to hotels in Europe Ella Doyle is Time Out’s Europe editor. At Time Out, all of our travel guides are written by experts across Europe. For more about how we curate, see our editorial guidelines. For more about how we curate, see our editorial guidelines. This guide includes affiliate links, which have no influence on our editorial content. For more information, see our affiliate guidelines. 
The 100 best TV shows of all time you have to watch (updated January 2026)

The 100 best TV shows of all time you have to watch (updated January 2026)

Updated for 2026: Whatever you think of Netflix’s theatrical strategy, it continues to produce some of television’s most formally daring works, including Adolescence, a hard-to-watch but impossible to ignore limited series about an unimaginable crime. On the other end of the spectrum, there’s HBO’s hilariously profane The Righteous Gemstones, which stuck the landing in 2025 with its final season. Television used to be considered one of the lowest forms of entertainment. It was derided as ‘the idiot box’ and ‘the boob tube’. Edward R Murrow referred to it as ‘the opiate of the masses’, and the phrase ‘I don’t even own a TV’ was considered a major bragging right.  A lot has changed. Television is now the dominant medium in basically all of entertainment. The shift in perception is widely credited to the arrival of The Sopranos, which completely reinvented the notion of what a TV show could do. But that doesn’t mean everything that came before is primordial slurry. While this list of the greatest TV shows ever is dominated by 21st century programs, from The Wire to Succession to Adolescence, there are many shows that deserve credit for laying the groundwork for this current golden age.  Chiseling them down to a neat top 100 is difficult, so we elected to leave off talk shows, variety shows and sketch comedy, focusing on scripted, episodic dramas, comedies and miniseries. So don’t touch that dial – these are the greatest TV shows of all-time. Recommended: 🔥 The best TV and strea
The 8 best Airbnbs in Naples

The 8 best Airbnbs in Naples

Naples is the dark horse of Italy, known for having a rough history, but it’s steadily emerging from its past to flourish as a place of great beauty. If you know where to look, the city is bursting with culture. Though it’s known for its pizza, Naples' cuisine certainly doesn’t stop there. Think seafood, and pasta with thick meaty sauces made from recipes passed down from generation to generation. Plus secret churches to explore, a spread of beaches along the coastline and much more besides. So you’ve done Rome, you’ve done Florence. Why not venture into the labyrinth, and indulge in all the history and nightlife the city has to offer? But make sure that if you go, you book the right place to stay. Luckily for you, we’ve gathered together the best Airbnbs in Naples right now.  RECOMMENDED: The 20 best things to do in NaplesThe best Naples hotelsWho makes the cut? While we might not stay in every hotel featured below, we've based our list on top reviews and amenities to find you the best stays. This article includes affiliate links. These links have no influence on our editorial content. For more information, see our affiliate guidelines. 
Where is hot in Europe in winter? December and January sun destinations

Where is hot in Europe in winter? December and January sun destinations

Much of the northern hemisphere is set to shiver through single-digit temperatures for the forseeable. And while even southern Europe won’t reach properly hot temperatures until springtime 2026 at the earliest, there are still a handful of perfectly warm European destinations to visit in the mean time. From Greek Islands to the coasts of Spain and Portugal, parts of the continent experience wonderfully mild weather, even in the coldest winter months. Tans are not garuanteed, but balmy, sunny t-shirt weather? Most certainly. Here are our top picks in Europe for a healthy dose of glorious winter sun. What is the warmest place in Europe in winter? The undisputed champion of European heat in December and January? Unsurprisingly, Spain’s Canary Islands take the title. This archipelago of eight inhabited islands just off the coast of northwestern Africa is Europe’s winter sun champion, sitting pretty with December and January temperatures that many towns in Northern Europe would be happy with at the height of summer. The Canaries are particularly delightful at this time, and you might even spot some migrating humpback and fin whales. If it’s good enough for the world’s largest mammals, it is good enough for us. Besides, does it get much better than Christmas on the beach in the Canary Islands?  Europe’s best winter sun destinations at a glance ☀️ Best for scorching heat: The Canary Islands 🏛️ Best for a balmy city break: Cadiz, Spain 🏞️ Best for hiking and scenery: Madeira 📍 D
The best hotels in London, by Time Out travel experts

The best hotels in London, by Time Out travel experts

Need a place to stay in London? We’re here to make it easy for you. Every year, a wealth of new hotels open in the capital – a testament to the fact that London remains one of the most desirable places to visit in the world. That can, however, make it rather tricky to decide which hotel to choose. But worry not: we have slept our way across the city and hand-picked our favourites, to bring you this ultimate list of London hotels, from Mayfair to Shoreditch, and from budget to blowout (butler included).  Newcomers to our list include the all-new July in Victoria, apartment-hotels which opened in July 2025, and eco-hotel 1 Hotel Mayfair, as well as a few old classics we’ve re-reviewed just for good measure (hint: The Dorchester is just about as great as we remembered). We’ve got a brand-new number one too, but we won’t give that one away just yet. For everything from genuine good value stays to all-out, Zone 1 luxury, you’ll find something on this list for every kind of trip. Superb bars, great architecture, world-class hospitality and the opportunity to have a home-from-home in the best city in the world await you – here are the best hotels in London.  🏘️ Looking for even more options? Check out our list of the best Airbnbs in London Which area is best to stay in London? It’s not just the range of hotels that’s so impressive – you’re also spoilt for choice when it comes to picking a neighbourhood to stay in London. The city is made up of a sprawling network of dynamic neighb
The 14 best places to visit in the UK in 2026

The 14 best places to visit in the UK in 2026

2026 has officially landed. An entire year of adventure awaits, with Britain set for a deluge of thrilling new things to see and do. Beyond the individual openings, however – the new bars and restaurants, museums and attractions – where should be on your radar for places to visit in the UK?  If you’re up for being inspired here at Time Out, as always, we’ve got you covered. We’ve scoured the listings of all that’s happening in Britain in 2026 and consulted our nationwide network of writers and editors, harnessing all that info to put together a guide to the places that should be on your radar over the next 12 months.  Destinations made it onto Time Out’s list for a vast range of reasons. Some have swaggered onto the scene with a quickfire burst of thrilling new attractions. Others have built their cred slower and reached a point of quiet brilliance, while others still are established spots that simply remain very much worth their rep. Several places will be made even more tempting by those aforementioned 2026 openings, whether that be delicious places to eat and drink, game-changing new transport options or unmissable cultural events.  From trendy seaside towns to revived industries cities, medieval forts to ‘the new Berlin’: here are the UK’s 14 top places to visit in 2026. RECOMMENDED: 🇬🇧 The best new things to do in the UK in 2026.📍 The 26 best stuff to see and do in London in 2026. 

Listings and reviews (41)

Pamella’s Place

Pamella’s Place

5 out of 5 stars
Pamella’s Place is somewhere between a cabin and a cottage, if you can picture it. Part of a collection of five lovely properties on Bonington Farm, this design-led stay is chic but cosy, and feels pretty remote while being entirely accessible – the farm is just 15 minutes’ drive from Loughborough Station. For a group of girlfriends or a few couples (you can even fit up to eight people here), it doesn’t really get better than this – think bedroom windows that look out over fields of grazing horses, bedrooms with heavy, sliding curtains and a huge great dining table laden with candles. It’s cabin living – just not in a rickety, straw bathroom kind of way. What’s it like inside Pamella’s Place, Bonington Farm? Step into this sleek triangular lodge and find four bedrooms, stacked on top of each other like a doll’s house. Rooms are ridiculously cute and compact, with tiny shuttered windows and huge great beds topped with cloudlike, fluffy duvets and pillows. This was, genuinely, one of the best beds I have ever slept in.  To your left, you’ll find a fabulous kitchen with salt, pepper, olive oil, tea and coffee and endless cooking supplies – though coffee snobs (like me), beware that it’s the instant stuff, so you might want to bring your own cafetiere and bag of ground coffee. A huge dining table easily fits four, and the walls around it are hung with strange but very fun animal-themed art. The bathroom is equally as glorious, decked out with chequered pink-and-white tiles, brass
Sofitel Legend The Grand Amsterdam

Sofitel Legend The Grand Amsterdam

4 out of 5 stars
There are two options for visiting Amsterdam. Option number one? Stay somewhere cool. Somewhere quiet. Somewhere ‘up-and-coming’ or out of the way of all the action. But option two? You face it head on, embrace Amsterdam with open arms, and stay slap bang in the middle of its raucous centre, right up against the Red Light District, in the midst of all its magical drama. And thankfully, Sofitel The Grand means that option two doesn’t mean a seedy stay or a bunk bed in a hostel – far from it. Enter through Sofitel’s pearly gates and leave the chaos of the streets immediately behind you. Instead, prepare to be met with total grandeur: this hotel, firmly rooted in Amsterdam’s eclectic past, is flat-out, unapologetic, total luxury.  Why stay at Sofitel Legend The Grand Amsterdam? Sofitel Legend The Grand Amsterdam is one of only a handful of Sofitel Legends in the world – the others are found in Hanoi, Panama, Xi’an, Aswan in Egypt and Cartagena in Colombia. It was the first in Europe and the second in the world. There are many reasons to stay at a Sofitel Legend hotel, but the main draw is probably the prestige of the brand, and knowing you’ll be doted on hand and foot. But Amsterdam’s outpost is rather special: you stay here to feel like you’re living amongst Amsterdam’s storied history – the hotel building dates back to 1411, and it’s lived many lives since then: a monastery, a convent, a City Hall, a five-star luxury hotel The Grand – and eventually Sofitel The Grand in 2010.
Park Plaza Vondelpark

Park Plaza Vondelpark

4 out of 5 stars
Sometimes when you really love a hotel, it’s just a feeling. That’s what I had when I walked into Park Plaza Amsterdam. It wouldn’t necessarily suit every kind of traveller: it’s not fancy, and a concierge doesn’t usher your bags into the lift – but staff are, well, lovely, and a laugh – and they’ll hand you an individually wrapped stroopwafel when you leave. One of three Park Plazas in Amsterdam, it’s a relatively small hotel – 102 rooms total – but it feels like it could have 30, and there’s a sort of ‘secret garden’ vibe to the whole thing: entrances are hidden just below ground level, and you snake through a glass corridor to get to the lifts and rooms. Why stay at Park Plaza Vondelpark? Well you’re looking out over Vondelpark, for starters – Amsterdam’s biggest and best park – but the surrounding area and street itself is lovely too, all quiet and leafy with bikes cycling past. Though the hotel’s facilities are minimal, it includes a number of nice touches, like well-priced bike hire, free fizzy water refills in the lobby, free umbrella rental for 48 hours, and even a singularly-wrapped stroopwafel handed to you when you leave. Part of their sustainability pact also means if you opt out of your room clean you can get a €10 food voucher (which can be used in their restaurant) or a bottle of house wine to have in your room. If you’re anything like me, that’s a mighty good deal just to make your own bed in the morning.  What are the rooms like at Park Plaza Vondelpark? Ther
Sargasso

Sargasso

5 out of 5 stars
What’s the vibe? You’ll find Sargasso on the little island bit in Margate (the Stone Pier, on Margate’s Harbour Arm), which looks out over the rest of the town with the bay stretching out through the middle. It sits right on the edge of the arm, with a few specials scribbled on a chalkboard, thin wooden tables and benches outside, little umbrellas, and high stools indoors for sitting by the window. There’s also a little rock before the entrance, where you might see a group of friends sink an entire bottle of orange wine as they wait for a table to become available. It is, on all counts, a perfect restaurant – sunny and bustling in summer, moody and romantic in winter. Fun waiters, knowledgeable bartenders and small plates with bold red Sargasso branding that are begging to be photographed (and eaten).  What should I order? The menu here changes, but there are some permanent fixtures, like those by-now Instagram-famous Cantabrian anchovies sitting plump and doused in delicious olive oil (they are as good as they look). We start with olive oil crisps and taramasalata, the feta, cucumber and melon salad and the crunchy panisse, a satisfying balance of salty, soft and sweet, paired with a minerally sparkling wine.  The main event ended up being the squid sandwich – fried calamari, squashed into a soft white bun, topped with guindilla peppers and a squeeze of lemon for each bite. Hot tip: if you didn’t snag a table, they offer this to take away for £14, so you can eat it on the be
Belly Bistro

Belly Bistro

5 out of 5 stars
Shamefully for a local, I didn’t realise how many eateries in Kentish Town were owned by Omar Shah, an entrepreneurial chef from the Philippines whose parents opened Bintang (a great Thai spot) back in 1987. So that’s Guanabana, Ramo Ramen, Mamasons, Cafe Mama & Sons – and now Belly Bistro, an intimate Filipino restaurant with a very nice font. They’re going for a neighbourhood bistro thing here, but it feels more like your classic Hackney small-platey spot. It’s compact and candle-lit, laid out in a strip of small tables with white tablecloths and a few stools up by the bar facing the wall. Everyone eating here is in their 20s and 30s, staff are great. It’s also (at the time of writing) one of the hottest restaurants in town, so there is a chance you’ll have an influencer’s white light blaring from the table next to you. You’ve been warned.  We kick off with cocktails - both the melon sour and the watermelon marg are punchy and well-balanced. The food comes quickly. One of Belly’s ‘viral dishes’ (sorry) is first out, the cured scallops in big, shallow shells, swimming in coconut cream with basil oil and little pickled chillies. They are things of beauty, fat and meaty and incredibly rich - the kind you have to share, lest you get overwhelmed before your main comes out. We also try the soft and tender smoked trout kinilaw – a Filipino take on a ceviche – which I like even more. Almost everything we try is subtly spicy with a tickling, warm heat. The dish to order for a bit of
Mareida

Mareida

3 out of 5 stars
Fitzrovia might feel corporate, but hiding among the polished buildings and offices are a few spots with a bit of an edge. Mareida is the latest, an elegant fine dining restaurant serving up elevated Chilean cuisine from a buzzy open kitchen. You can feel the passion for the restaurant’s vision from every corner; the space is hung with Chilean art and there are even rocks brought back from local caves. The vibe is slick and trendy, and we dine alongside good-looking couples and a large corporate crew. Our first dish was also our best; mussels in charcoal shells on a bed of fennel sand, which you sprinkle into each shell before eating. They are a lovely, textured bite, made perfect by a few dabs of warmly spiced hot sauce which has a clean, fresh, and tongue-prickling heat. Cocktails are another delight, many of them featuring Chile’s national spirit pisco, including the light Mareida sour and bright-pink and intensely grapefruity Araucaria spritz, topped with a tiny tomato.  The space is hung with Chilean art and rocks brought back from local caves We try all three empanadas - the mushroom with goat cheese, the beef and the seafood. The beef is the stand-out, rich and comforting (warning: it has a tiny, whole boiled egg inside it), but any of them are worth trying. We’re recommended the wagyu slider, which is a fun little thing but doesn’t taste like an awful lot; just thin-cut beef, with a touch of sweetness from the brioche and the brown butter. After a generous dash of th
Edinburgh Festival Theatre

Edinburgh Festival Theatre

What is it? Among Edinburgh’s best and biggest theatrical spaces, the Festival Theatre is unique in that it offers the best of multiple eras to its public. Opened as the Festival in 1994, it was constructed from the remains of the old Empire Palace Theatre, a hall that had been around since 1892, and which was known to locals as a variety and concert hall that had welcomed acts including Laurel and Hardy, Judy Garland, Morecambe and Wise and David Bowie over the decades. Is it worth visiting? With the largest stage in Scotland, the Festival is an extremely versatile space, hosting touring musical productions, Edinburgh International Festival shows and low-key rock concerts (Elvis Costello and James Blunt have recently appeared). It’s also the Edinburgh home of Scottish Opera and Scottish Ballet, and it also came complete with its own theatrical ghost story back in the day, with renowned illusionist The Great Lafayette having burned to death there during a performance in 1911. What food and drink is there? The three-level foyer incorporates a bar on each level, with views across the city from the top floor and the all-day Festival Theatre Café on the ground floor. On Level F1 you’ll find the Secret Garden Bar and the Champagne Bar (head to one of these if you’ve got a show on level one or two). On F2 there’s Stewart Brewing Bar, which is the only one to pick up local craft beers, and which has a rather lovely view of Arthur’s Seat. There’s also a cloakroom.  What events are o
Tatar Bunar

Tatar Bunar

5 out of 5 stars
Tatar Bunar is a very nice place for a meal.   Spindly trees grow out of huge pots and the branches drape over tables. Tall windows are hung with elegant white curtains. A buzzing open kitchen sits at the centre and there’s a little shaded courtyard out the back. But more than that, it’s got a ‘this new restaurant is a big deal’ feel to it, like joining the three-hour queue for Oma for the first time. Waiters are rushed off of their feet (but handling it), and the place is packed. For many excited guests, this is their first time trying Ukrainian food, and amid a Ukrainian food boom in London (Sino, another Ukrainian restaurant, has just opened in Notting Hill) – things feel exciting. Very exciting.  Tartare comes with elderberry capers, pickled cucumbers, and my new favourite discovery, sprats mayo The clientele is, expectedly, a bit posh – we’re in Shoreditch after all, and at a restaurant everybody is talking about – but prices here are genuinely reasonable, the food rich and decadent, and the portions generous. We sit up at the bar facing the kitchen, where watch chefs sear meat on the grill and drizzle oil over starters. They are performing a rather serious operation here; the arrival of food is rapid, and you get the feeling waiters have you on a two-hour timer, ready to slap down the bill and greet the next customer. But like I said, it’s exciting. My first starter is pickled cherry tomatoes on a bed of lemon yoghurt, and pretty much a mandatory order, noted as Tatar B
Trapizzino

Trapizzino

What’s the vibe? Pizza maker Stefano Callegari took Rome by storm in 2009 when he invented the trapizzino from his tiny pizza joint in Testaccio. Almost a decade and a major refit later, the expanded shop now focuses almost solely on these triangular pockets of pizza dough, stuffed with classic recipes – and many more offshoots of the Trapizzino brand have since popped up throughout the city.  What should I order? Trapizzino fillings include oxtail stew, cuttlefish and peas, pork tongue in green sauce, aubergine parmigiana, meatballs in tomato sauce and more. Also on offer are a range of supplì (deep-fried rice balls) and a selection of Italian craft beers.  🍝 Discover more of the best restaurants in Rome🍴 Discover our ultimate guide to eating in Rome
Brandenburg Gate

Brandenburg Gate

What is it? With its commanding vantage point over Unter den Linden, the Brandenburg Gate provides a spectacular gateway to Berlin and its history. The classical arch was constructed in 1791 to celebrate the city’s status as Prussia’s capital and although initially known as the Friedenstor (Gate of Peace), it has had to survive stormy times. The Quadriga statue on top shows Victory driving a chariot, but fell victim to Napoleon when he conquered Berlin in 1806, holding it hostage in Paris for 12 years; come the 20th century the Quadriga was turned around to face west by the DDR. Victory was repaired after the major celebrations around the Tor when the Wall came down and now finds herself facing Mitte once again. Why is it worth visiting? Any trip to Berlin should start here. It’s a mighty fine bit of architecture alone, but it’s also the gateway to exploring another of Berlin’s greatest jewels: Tiergarten. Your best bet is to rent a bike (download the Lime or Nextbike apps), and make your way from the Gate through Tiergarten, ending at Cafe am Nueun See for an ice-cold, lakeside pint. You can also rent boats here to peacefully glide down the River Spree.  📍 Discover the best attractions in Berlin 🏛️ Our ultimate guide to what to do in Berlin
The Rose

The Rose

4 out of 5 stars
Choosing the right hotel is pretty important in a place like Deal. I’ll tell you for why: there’s really not an awful lot to do here. Instead, you come to Deal to eat, to drink, to stroll, possibly even get an early night – and I’d argue you should also come simply to stay at The Rose. This boutique hotel feels a bit like you’re staying at your rich, distant aunt’s house (if your aunt were a little eccentric and incredibly stylish). A former pub, there’s just eight rooms in total here, all small (and dare I say shabby chic) but very sweet. Each of them has its own distinct vibe: floral blinds, vintage taps, bright-green cushions against deep red walls. On the chest of drawers you’ll find stacks of vinyl and little bowls of Haribo. In the hallway, you can help yourself to tea and biscuits, or pour yourself a dram of whiskey from a communal decanter. Yes, it’s all a bit Accidentally Wes Anderson. In a good way.  Downstairs is where the magic happens – at The Rose’s restaurant, which is suitably intimate with a fabulous seasonal menu, wine and cocktail list. We had perfect little crab doughnuts, proper skinny, salty chips, butter-soft John Dory and a serious chicken schnitzel with fennel slaw. I pray you get to try the olive oil cake we had to finish: warm and doughy and sprinkled with flaky salt. It’s standardly pricey, but fairly so – starter portions are perhaps a bit small (£11-14), but mains are hefty (£20-30). Whatever you do, make sure you get down to breakfast as early a
Strip Hair Removal Experts

Strip Hair Removal Experts

What is it? Part waxing joint, part lingerie shop, Strip is a one-stop destination for your nether-region needs. There are six branches in London, but our favourites are probably the dinky Soho outpost with its themed treatment rooms and choice pick of luxury labels, and the Covent Garden branch on Floral Street that shares the space with a hairdresser.  What’s the vibe? For high-quality products, best-of-the-best wax technicians, a cheeky bit of Friends on Netflix on the telly, and minimal pain (we said minimal, but when I visited, my technician Zara worked wizardry, and the wax was almost painless. No guarantees though). There’s a choice of strip wax or hot wax, with a number of different options to choose from, and Brazilians start at £55. The full works (underarm, full arm, full leg, bikini basic, lower back, navel line) starts at £144. Strip also offers laser hair removal services, with frequent sales – we haven’t tried it ourselves, but we’d trust these guys with everything hair-related. 

News (128)

You can now book the cottage from ‘The Holiday’ on Airbnb

You can now book the cottage from ‘The Holiday’ on Airbnb

Looking to live out your The Holiday dreams? Discover the best cosy cottages in the UK, right here We’re finally less than a week away from the Big Day, and Christmas is in full swing in the UK. We’re talking about twinkling lights lining every street. We’re talking mulled wine in a blanket on the sofa. And we’re most certainly talking about watching The Holiday, over and over again.  Well, if you think you’ve exhausted the classic Christmas romcom (and you’d like to be the envy of literally all of your pals) we’ve got some very, very exciting news for you: you can now rent the real-life cottage from film on Airbnb. The movie’s producers visited Honeysuckle Cottage in Holmbury St Mary, Surrey, before they started filming, and immediately picked it as one of the key filming locations (they had been looking for the ‘cutest, smallest, most English cottage’ they could find, obviously).  Photograph: Airbnb Photograph: Airbnb The cottage itself was too far from the London cast and crew, so they meticulously recreated the property for the film, naming it Rosehill Cottage. Much later down the line in 2019, couple Jon and Cressida Bromley bought the cottage for £625,000, but had no idea it was the one from the film. They eventually realised after reading about it in a property magazine, which is lucky, because fans of The Holiday frequently show up at their door to have a look.  Now they’re renting Honeysuckle Cottage out on Airbnb for around £295 a night. The house features low
The 7 Coolest Neighbourhoods in the UK in 2025

The 7 Coolest Neighbourhoods in the UK in 2025

What makes a neighbourhood cool? For eight years now, Time Out has been answering that exact question. A genuinely exciting roster of restaurants, cafés and bars, irrepressibly colourful nightlife and art scenes, a welcoming and diverse community, a sense that a place is really having a moment – these are the sorts of things that, in our eyes, make somewhere truly cool. Last week Time Out published the 2025 edition of our global ranking of the planet’s coolest neighbourhoods, celebrating places that embody the many different ways a place can be ‘cool’. Two British areas made the cut – one in London and another in Birmingham – but that was only a teaser. Now it’s time to crown the coolest places in the UK. Our hottest ’hoods in Britain were chosen by local Time Out contributors who live, work and eat in them day in, day out. Some of these areas are established hotbeds of creativity, some are where you’ll find the city’s hottest new openings, and others are currently hitting their peak, after years of gradually increasing buzz. Critically, all of the neighbourhoods you’ll find on this list are genuinely great places to be right now.  1. Camberwell, London Photograph: Chris Bethell Camberwell captures all the stuff that makes southeast London the liveliest corner of the capital – the young-at-heart vibe, the independent spirit, the multiculturalism – and crams it all into a green, community-oriented little patch. The jewel in Camberwell’s crown is its food. Church Street is ea
Estes são os destinos mais procurados para o Verão de 2025, segundo a Expedia

Estes são os destinos mais procurados para o Verão de 2025, segundo a Expedia

Depois de um Inverno longo (e frio) para muitos de nós, o Verão começa finalmente a espreitar por entre as nuvens. E sabe o que isso significa? Que está na hora de marcar férias. Sim, f-é-r-i-a-s, no plural, se nós tivermos alguma coisa a dizer sobre o assunto. Mas, com a chegada da temporada de reservas, surge a grande questão: para onde vamos? Os destinos mais famosos do mundo continuam no topo das listas de desejos (e por lá vão lá continuar) mas, às vezes, compensa sair da caixa, explorar cidades em países onde nunca esteve ou trocar as férias clássicas por algo diferente. Se quer estar um passo à frente, temos boas notícias: a agência de viagens Expedia revelou as principais tendências para este ano, com base nas estatísticas da sua plataforma. Os dados comparam os hábitos de reserva entre Dezembro de 2024 e Março de 2025 com o mesmo período do ano anterior – e há três destinos que se destacam. Em terceiro lugar está Tbilisi, a capital da Geórgia, com um aumento de 145% graças à sua riqueza cultural, à vida nocturna animada e à variedade de coisas para fazer. Em segundo lugar surge Basileia (com +185%) e no topo está Zurique (+225%), o que significa que a Suíça é oficialmente o país sensação deste Verão. Photograph: Shutterstock A seguir surge Gotemburgo, na Suécia, com um aumento de 135% nas pesquisas. Pode confiar: estivemos lá e entrou directamente para a nossa lista de destinos mais injustamente ignorados da Europa. Mas nada disto nos surpreende – da Islândia à Nor
These are the world’s top trending destinations to book this summer, according to Expedia

These are the world’s top trending destinations to book this summer, according to Expedia

After what was for many of us a long, cold winter, summer has finally begun to peek through the clouds. And you know what that means? It's time to book a summer holiday. Multiple holidays, if you ask us.  But as travel booking season begins, many of us face the big decision: where on Earth do we go? While the world's most famous destinations are still top of many of our bucket lists, they'll always be there – and sometimes it's worth thinking outside the box, exploring cities in countries you've never traveled to before, or ditching the summer holiday altogether for something a little different.  So if you're looking to get ahead of the curve, we've got good news: travel brand  Expedia has just released this year's travel trends, according to stats from its platform. These stats compare summer holiday booking habits from December 2024-March 2025 to the same period the year before – and three destinations have come out on top. In third place, we've got Tbilisi, Georgia's capital, up 145 percent as travelers get stuck into its culture, nightlife and things to do . Coming in second we've got Basel (up 185 percent) and Zurich (up 225 percent), meaning Switzerland has officially come out on top this year. That's followed by Gothenburg, Sweden , for which searches are up by 135 percent year-on-year. You can trust us on that one  – we visited  Gothenburg ourselves, and it immediately made it to our list of Europe's most underrated destinations . But all of this is  no surprise  – fr
Marseille’s coolest restaurant is coming to London

Marseille’s coolest restaurant is coming to London

It’s no secret that every Londoner was obsessed with Marseille last summer. We travelled to the Provençal city in our masses, filling Instagram feeds with snaps of galleries, bouillabaisse and the glistening Plages du Prado. And the few of us who didn’t make it down to Marseille were jealous, oh so jealous.  But fear not. If you wasted your precious summer 2024 not visiting Europe’s it-city, we‘ve got good news: Marseille’s coolest restaurant is coming to London.  Tuba is a magnificent dining spot in Les Goudes, right on the water (if you’ve been researching your Marseille holiday, you would’ve seen it already), once a diving centre and now a hotel-restaurant where you can eat seriously good seafood sharing plates right on the rocks overlooking the sea. It’s Time Out’s second-best restaurant in Marseille, and it’s the sort of thing we dream about when the weather in the Big Smoke can’t climb above 11 degrees.  Now for the big news: Tuba chef Sylvain Roucayrol is coming to London, collabing with Jackson Boxer to chef up a seven-course seafood menu at Parisian bistro Henri, using British produce but with the vibes (and flavours) of Marseille. Jackson Boxer is the chef behind our faves Dove, Brunswick House and more, by the way – and one of our hottest chefs in London. Just saying.  The Tuba X Henri menu costs £85 per person, and there are two sittings, at 6.30pm and 8.30pm. The only catch? This is a one night only affair, taking place on Tuesday March 25. To secure your spot, v
Time Out Market Barcelona opens tomorrow – here are 8 reasons to visit

Time Out Market Barcelona opens tomorrow – here are 8 reasons to visit

At midday tomorrow (July 5, 2024), Barcelona will gain a new landmark, and it will make history. We don’t say that lightly: Time Out Market Barcelona is the largest permanent space dedicated to dining in the city. The upper floor of the Maremagnum will host a gastronomic and cultural market of over 5,000 square metres, bringing together a plethora of culinary offerings – from the best tapas in the city to dishes by Michelin-starred chefs – to make quite literally the best dining experience in the city. Not convinced yet? Here are eight reasons to get yourself to Barcelona as soon as you possibly can.  1. It’s (actually) the best of the best At the Market, we don’t have just one spectacular restaurant. We have 14! And all have been selected by the editorial team at Time Out Barcelona, the same team that has been recommending the best places to eat and drink in the city for the past 16 years. Oh, and each of those restaurants has chosen its top dishes to offer at the market. That’s why our motto is the best of the city under one roof. Get it? It’s the best of the best. Foto: Cinc SentitsCinc Sentits 2. You can choose your own adventure Why should you miss out on a dish by a Michelin-starred chef if your companion fancies sausage and beans? Why should you forgo devouring a good grilled steak after starting with a seafood appetiser? Why can’t you begin with an authentic Mexican taco and continue with a pizza? At the Market, every food combo is possible. Both for what you fancy
The 8 ways you can help homeless people right now

The 8 ways you can help homeless people right now

  Those facing homelessness are vulnerable all year round, but particularly at Christmas, when the temperature drops and many homeless people face extreme weather conditions. Across the UK, there are a number of ways that we can all support the homeless, whether it's setting up a monthly donation to a charity or offering food, clothing or money to individuals wherever we can. Wherever you are based, here are eight ways you can help this Christmas.  1. Download Streetlink Streetlink is a website and phone app that allows users to alert authorities to someone sleeping rough in England and Wales. Volunteers can help people facing homelessness find a bed for the night, as well as point them to long-term support services. Download the app here. 2. Contact your local council Streetlink is the quickest way to find support for those sleeping rough, but it does not guarantee the person will receive help. You can also contact your local council, which can help locate a bed for those facing homelessness. In some UK areas, SWEP (Severe Weather Emergency Protocol) has been activated, which means more beds will open up in local shelters.  3. Speak to the homeless Facing homelessness is extremely challenging, and there can be days where they might not communicate with anyone at all. If you are able, you can ask a homeless person what they need, and help them source food, a hot drink, money for shelter or warm clothing. The Big Issue has some helpful tips for reaching out to homeless people
What is the winter solstice and when is it?

What is the winter solstice and when is it?

So the festive season has finally arrived, meaning it’s dark at 5pm and we’re all getting Monzo warnings to chill on the spending. But though it doesn’t necessarily feel like it, it’s still technically autumn right now. It’s not actually winter until we reach the Actual Shortest Day of the Year, aka the winter solstice. But that moment is coming up relatively soon, and you know what that means? The days are going to start getting brighter again. Final push, eh? Here’s everything we know. What is the winter solstice? It basically just means the shortest day of the year (and the longest night of the year, obvs). The winter solstice occurs when the Earth turns on its axis, to the point where its poles reach their maximum tilt away from the sun. It happens twice a year – creating the shortest day and the longest day. The actual winter solstice only lasts for a moment, but the name refers to the whole day. When is the shortest day of the year in the UK? The winter solstice usually falls on December 21 to 22. This year, it will fall on Friday December 22. The exact time of the solstice is 3:27am. For some context, you’ll get eight hours and 49 minutes less daylight on that day then what you get on the June solstice.  How do we celebrate the shortest day of the year? There are a whole load of ways people celebrate the winter solstice all over the world. Prehistoric monuments like Stonehenge are aligned with the sunset for the winter solstice, so people often visit them on the day. P
Reading and Leeds Festivals have just announced their 2023 headliners

Reading and Leeds Festivals have just announced their 2023 headliners

What with all the Christmas cheer, summer seems a long way off right now. But the more organised among us know that this is the time to start getting events booked in. And if you want to avoid having to stay in while your pals all get wrecked, we’d strongly advise getting on those early-bird ticket sales ASAP. And if you don’t know where to start? Reading and Leeds have just announced their line-ups for next year, and they’re looking pretty promising. Here’s everything you need to know about the 2023 editions of these two banging festivals. RECOMMENDED:Here’s the full Reading and Leeds 2023 line-up and stage timesThe best UK music festivals to book for 2023How to get tickets for Reading and Leeds festival 2024 When are Reading and Leeds Festivals? Both of the three-day events will take place from August 25 to 27 2023. Leeds Festival will be in Bramham Park, while Reading Festival will take place at Richfield Avenue.  Who are the headliners? The headliners for both festivals were announced today on BBC Radio One, with Billie Eilish, Sam Fender, Lewis Capaldi, Foals, the Killers and Imagine Dragons all set to top the bill. Other performers will include Shy FX, Yung Lean, Slowthai and Bicep. Headliners play both festivals on different days throughout the weekend. Reading and Leeds is traditionally a rock festival, but features artists across indie, dance, pop and more. Scots singer Lewis Capaldi tweeted that he expected some backlash from rock music lovers for headlining the fe
Do Europeans drink water? A TikTok investigation

Do Europeans drink water? A TikTok investigation

So, it’s officially Euro Summer. And if you don’t know what that means, well, we don’t blame you. It’s not entirely clear. But all the Americans are doing it on TikTok (the hashtag alone has nearly 700m views), and ‘Europecore’ is now its own category on Depop (it features cowboy boots, Nike t-shirts and long jean shorts, obviously). Essentially, young Americans travel to unspecified countries in Europe, and post about it on TikTok. And thus their Euro Summer commences. But quickly, Euro Summer turned from a highly-anticipated travel opportunity into hurtling controversy. Americans discovered that ‘Europe’ (exact location still unclear) ain’t all sunshine and roses. And onto our TikTok ‘for you’ pages tumbled a series of American bugbears: Europeans don’t eat vegetables. Europeans charge you for the toilet. European train stations smell bad.  The most controversial of all? That Europeans don’t drink water. Apparently.  But is it true? Do Europeans simply not drink water? And if so, how do they survive? There was only one way to find out. We’ve asked Time Out editors in Barcelona, Madrid and Paris the big question. Do you drink water, or not? @taylorhuntleigh Maybe it’s just me? #europeansummer ♬ Summer - Calvin Harris First thing’s first: Do Europeans drink water? María José Gómez, Time Out Barcelona: ‘Many tourists act as if they don't know that people from Barcelona are actually living beings, but, certainly, we are, so if we don't drink water, we die. ‘T
Wetherspoons has just put these 39 pubs up for sale

Wetherspoons has just put these 39 pubs up for sale

It’s no secret that pubs are struggling at the moment, especially independent ones. But the one guy you’d think would be fine is ol’ Wetherspoons, with its nearly 900 pubs across the UK and Ireland.  But it looks like even Spoons isn’t thriving in the current climate. The chain has just announced it will be selling another seven of its pubs – bringing the total to 39 this year.  The location of those seven pubs hasn’t been revealed yet. Owner Tim Martin announced in July this year that the chain could be set to lose around £30 million in revenue this year, but it looks like the sales haven’t been as bad as predicted. A spokesperson said trading at the minute is ‘broadly’ in line with its expectations, though it had dipped in October. And if your local does hit the market, don’t fret – the venues are going to stay as Wetherspoons for now, until someone buys them. And if no one does, they’re just going to stay as Wetherspoons, so you can still get your pink gin pitcher and chips ‘n’ gravy fix. Martin said that ’in the absence of further lockdowns or restrictions, the company remains cautiously optimistic about future prospects’.  The list of the 32 venues we do know are up for sale are as follows: Barnsley – Silkstone Inn Beaconsfield – Hope & Champion Bexleyheath – Wrong ‘Un Bournemouth – Christopher Creeke Cheltenham – Bank House Durham – Water House Halifax – Percy Shaw Hanham – Jolly Sailor Harrow – Moon on the Hill Hove – Cliftonville Inn London Battersea – Asparagus Lond
We went off-grid in a cabin in the forest and I barely touched my phone

We went off-grid in a cabin in the forest and I barely touched my phone

What with the cozzy livs and commuting and all that, city life can get a bit much sometimes. You might find yourself wishing you could throw your phone into the ocean or go live in the woods in the middle of nowhere. Well, it turns out there’s a bit of a market for that – sans phone-throwing – and it’s really catching on.  Unyoked is an Australian company offering city dwellers the chance to hide away in a cabin and immerse themselves in nature for the weekend. It now has cabins in different spots throughout the UK, including Norfolk and Wales, and they’re mostly reachable by a short-ish train journey from London or another major city. We popped down to our cabin in the South Downs National Park after work on a Friday. Simples.  The 20-minute cab ride from the station to the cabin cost an eye-watering £28 each way, something you definitely might want to bear in mind as an extra expense when choosing your spot. Arriving in the dark is vaguely horror movie-esque, but the bright yellow ‘Unyoked’ signs quickly remind you that you’re not quite as in the middle of nowhere as it seems in the dark. I wondered whether we’d be able to spot signs of life from where we were staying (I hoped not), but although you pass a whole house and another Unyoked cabin on the way, once you reach it, you really do feel isolated.  Photograph: Intone Films Photograph: Intone Films Photograph: Intone Films The cabin is cute and shed-like, with a tiny little kitchen, fridge and shower room. You c