The ethnic cuisine in the city is often first rate and is highly recommended. All participants in the program got a booklet on establishment that previous students recommend and several places near the dorm became British studies hangouts. One favorite that was a far distance away was the Texas Embassy Cantina. Having Tex-Mex in London might seem a little narrow minded, after all you can have that type of cooking back home any time, but after three weeks of no ice in your drink and paying a pound for a refill, it was good to get a taste of home. If you want to get a feel for every day life in the United Kingdom, these are the places to go.
Some pubs are extremely old and have historical importance.
A good guide book will offer up a number of recommendations on the pubs worth seeing and the best places to eat. Some of the super department stores are sights themselves and worth seeing even if you buy nothing. The exchange rate between the pound and the dollar often makes shopping an expensive endeavor for the American traveler. There is, however, some good news. U.S. citizens are eligible to get tax refunds at the airport on the value added tax they paid in the store.