Barbican Estate
A celebration of contemporary art housed in a giant brutalist maze
Where tech meets arts and culture on the outskirts of the financial district – there is no other area in London quite like Barbican and Old Street. Discover impressive architecture old and new, hang out with creatives in hidden coffee shops or immerse yourself in the many world-class galleries, bars and restaurants. This once up-and-coming and diverse area is still going strong, firmly established as London’s melting pot of creativity and entrepreneurial spirit.
A neapolitan ice cream of culture – agency, gallery, and shop
The warming atmosphere of Polpo Smithfield makes it hard for us to resist if we’re on the border of Old Street and Farringdon. Chocolate Salami, six different types of meatball, and “Escaped Birds” skewers tempt you to try something new from the self-proclaimed simple Venetian bàcaro menu. Lunchtimes get busy quickly, so arrive early to avoid disappointment – they don’t take bookings. This small chain doesn’t want your experience to stop there – they also have the extraordinary Polpo cookbook (which you can get 20% off online – thank us later).