Inside the Must-Visit London Restaurants Everyone in Fashion Is Secretly Obsessed With
Once upon a time, it was about what you wore to dinner. Now? It’s also about where you’re having dinner. In the fashion world’s ever-growing love affair with food, restaurants have become more than just places to eat — they’re part of the look. From Dua Lipa’s go-to Persian haunt to North London’s cult ravioli spot, these aren’t just restaurants. They’re cultural currency. In an era where style and sustenance blur, food has become a new kind of flex. Whether it’s that Palace x McDonald’s tee or a perfectly lit plate of burrata, the fashion set has made it clear: dining out is the new drop. Think editor-approved menus, DJ takeovers, and interiors as curated as a runway set — and yes, we’re absolutely screenshotting it all for the grid. Let’s break it down — from the TikTok-viral to the IYKYK gems: Berenjak (Soho & Borough) Dua Lipa’s Persian fave. Think sizzling kebabs, house-made flatbread, and rustic, Tehran-inspired interiors that feel like a Wes Anderson film if it were set in the Middle East. Rochelle Canteen A low-key bike shed-turned-garden dining dream. Hidden entrances, rotating seasonal menus, and the kind of off-duty model crowd that make it feel like London’s fashion campfire. Permit Room (West London) Dishoom’s cooler, chattier little sibling. Bombay-style all-day cafe with spicy puffs, French toast, and actual rooms upstairs you can crash in. Yes, sleepovers are back. Gaia (Mayfair) Greek, glamorous, and good for a scene. If you like a little performance with your grilled octopus, this is your moment. Zephyr (Notting Hill) Greek Island vibes with London polish. Instagrammable lighting, fashion week sightings, and flavor bombs disguised as small plates. Trullo (Islington) A fashion institution, not just a restaurant. Sage-buttered pumpkin ravioli that could make you cry, and now doing a Harvey Nichols residency? Elite behavior. Rita’s (Soho & East London) Modern American with a British accent. Known for cult sandwiches, intimate lighting, and natural wines you won’t stop thinking about. Alley Cats Pizza (Marylebone & Chelsea) Vintage cartoon chaos meets New York-style pies. Fashion girls love a slice, especially one served with garlic butter and a side of irony. Nina (Marylebone) Italian classics reimagined — and yes, the tiramisu is bigger than your clutch. Dress accordingly. Bar Crispin (Soho) Small plates. Natural wine. Beef tartare on a crumpet. It’s giving: food for people who know their fabrics. Strakers (Notting Hill) TikTok’s favorite chef-turned-restaurateur. Think low-intervention wines, perfect pastas, and chaotic good energy.
Topshop’s Big Fashion Comeback Is Here—And You (Yes, You) Could Walk the Runway
Topshop is back. And this time, they’re bringing you with them. After disappearing from the fashion frontlines in 2019 (RIP those Oxford Street escalators), Topshop and Topman are officially staging their grand return—with a live runway show in London this August and an open casting call that’s basically saying: No agent? No problem. This could be your It Girl moment. The upcoming Summer runway showcase is more than just a nostalgic revival—it’s the official relaunch of Topshop’s website and the debut of its Fall/Winter 2025 collection. Expect sharp tailoring, throwback denim, boss-babe coats, and enough “Take My Money” moments to justify blowing your budget on the spot. Literally. It’s all See Now, Buy Now. But here’s what’s making the headlines: Wilhelmina Models is co-hosting an open casting. Which means any unsigned, unscouted, unbothered fashion lover could end up stomping that runway. The goal? Find fresh faces. Shake up the status quo. Make the next big star come from the comments section instead of the casting couch. Location? Still under wraps. Vibes? Think landmark London moment, street party, surprise guests, and DJ sets that go way past the final walk. In other words: they’re not just giving us a show—they’re throwing a full-blown fashion blockbuster.
The Algorithm Decides Now: TikTok Is Officially Rewriting the Rules of Luxury Shopping
Let’s not pretend the shift hasn’t been coming. TikTok didn’t just disrupt style inspo — it cracked open the luxury market and rewired how people shop at the top. A new UK study confirms what the timeline’s been telling us for a while now: we’ve officially entered the era of discovery commerce. Luxury isn’t being sold by billboards or celebrity campaigns anymore — it’s being explained, styled, and sometimes side-eyed by creators in their bedrooms. The study reveals that 38% of users now discover brands through user-generated content, while 32% are turning to creator videos for their research. It’s no longer just about showing off a product — it’s about breaking it down: the price point, the fit, the real-life utility, and whether or not it holds a water bottle and clout. And it’s not just first-hand buys. TikTok’s rapid trend cycles are also boosting resale. One in four luxury shoppers say the app nudged them toward second-hand purchases — a direct result of seeing pre-loved pieces go viral or get recontextualized by someone relatable. With Gen Z and Millennials projected to control 60% of luxury spending by 2026, the influence here isn’t hype — it’s market reality. TikTok is no longer just influencing what’s popular. It’s rewriting the entire sales funnel, from discovery to decision-making. Which means the next It Bag might still show up in a campaign, sure — but you’ll probably believe it’s worth it after a 23-year-old shows you how to style it five ways while giving you the backstory on why it’s sold out everywhere.