Touring London is always exciting. The city never runs out of spots and stops that offer interesting sights and things to do. Aside from the iconic and touristy areas, there are also some hidden nooks and crannies to enjoy.

One of the more popular areas for tourists is Soho and Covent Garden. But aside from these two, there are also lots of other attraction that you can visit while you’re in the area. Here are some of the popular spots to roam, shop and unwind in Covent Garden and Soho:

Soho

One of the districts that are creating a buzz for both locals and tourists nowadays is Soho. The maze of narrow streets lined with shops and other curiosities make it look like the set of a movie. Most of those who roam the area are the young people as well as members of the gay and lesbian communities.

True to its tag as the hip and happening place in London, there are several restaurants, clubs, and bars lined up in its narrow streets. It is safe to say that this place is considered the nightlife capital of the city.

Leicester Square and Chinatown

As there is a Chinatown anywhere in the world, so is there one in London. And this Chinatown is always worth a visit. This is where you can get interesting finds from the East and have a taste of authentic Chinese dishes as well. Dropping by Leicester Square allows you to enjoy street performers and tours and if you happen to be there at night, there are several drunks as well.

Covent Garden

Just near the area is one of the famous flower markets in the world. If you want to take good photos of everyday life in London, this is one spot you should visit. It has been London’s main vegetable and flower market for over 300 years. Now, it has become a popular shopping and entertainment district. It is home to several housing shops and entertainers. There is also a lot of trendy spots. There are also a lot of theatres in the area. Covent Garden is also home to the English National Opera and the Royal Opera with year-round concerts and events.

Wildwood Kitchen

After strolling around Covent Garden, you can enjoy a good lunch at one famous restaurant in the area, which is Wildwood Kitchen. It has a wide selection of Mediterranean dishes, as well as some pizzas. It also offers some classics with a twist such as the wild boar and chorizo burger.

Tristan Bates Theatre

Aside from the established theatres, the area also has some houses for up and coming artists in the industry. If you are into the modern theatre experience, the Tristan Bates Theatre would be the perfect spot for you to see who the rising stars of London’s theatre scene are.

Kopapa

In between shopping or catching theatre shows is a perfect spot to chill before hopping to your next destination. Kopapa is a restaurant, café, cocktail bar rolled into one. And it's head chef Peter Gordon is easily one of the most popular in London these days. It is a sophisticated but very reasonably priced place which makes it a popular choice for a lot of people.

Scoop

Another worthy stop while roaming Covent Garden is Scoop. It is, in fact, one of the most popular ice cream parlours in London. It offers a lot of interesting flavours including stracciatella, biscotti, and the highly recommended Cioccolato Extra Fondente, made from ingredients straight from Madagascar.

Monmouth Coffee

If you are craving for a coffee fix, Monmouth Coffee is one of the best in town. It has, in fact, become one of the fixtures of Covent Garden. The old-fashioned coffee house is a perfect place to take a break from all the sight-seeing.

National Gallery

Saving the best for last, as this gallery is for free. But more than that, the National Gallery allows you to get a glimpse of actual works of Leonardo da Vinci, Vincent Van Gogh, and Claude Monet.