By Dirk Ebener - December 11, 2025 The Churchill Arms: Where London’s Stories Gather Over a Pint "I didn’t go to the Churchill Arms to chase history. I went in to rest for a moment. Somewhere between the first sip and the low murmur of conversation, the pub reminded me that London reveals itself when you stop asking it to perform. That’s when a place stops being a stop on the map and becomes part of the journey."   Some pubs in London serve just beer, but others serve as livi

Pub Rules & Etiquette. With this legacy in mind, it’s important to know how to navigate a London pub today. If you are visiting London, remember pubs have their own rhythm. You order at the bar, not at your table, and it’s polite to know what you want before stepping up.

By Dirk Ebener - December 5, 2025 Source: Dirk Ebener London often reveals its treasures slowly, rewarding those who explore beyond the...

By Dirk Ebener - December 4, 2025 Food vendor at a street food stand in Borough Market, one of the largest and oldest food markets in London, serving Green Thai Curry in a bowl. Travel has a way of testing your imagination long before you ever board a plane. Over the past few weeks, I’ve talked about my upcoming “Eating London for £60 a Day” experience with friends, travelers, and people who love London as much as I do. Their reactions say everything—surprise, curiosity, envy

By Dirk Ebener - December 1, 2025 The Ship & Shovel Pub in London Tipping customs in London often surprise visitors who are used to the strong tipping culture in the United States and parts of Canada. In the United Kingdom, tipping is viewed very differently, shaped by local wages, cultural expectations, and the natural rhythm of dining. Enjoy reading " Understanding Tipping in London: A Practical Guide for Travelers." As travelers prepare to explore London’s vibrant food sce

By Dirk Ebener - November 20, 2025 Piccadilly Circus in London The countdown is officially on! Just two more weeks until I return to London, and I can already feel my suitcase judging me for planning more meals than outfits. I woke up this morning with that familiar mix of excitement and slight panic—the kind that reminds you you’re about to dive back into a city you feel connected to, but you still haven’t decided which market stall deserves your first bite. Enjoy reading "

Understanding this background sets the stage for appreciating today’s pub customs. The word “pub” comes from public house, a place meant to welcome all—something I’ve always appreciated. In the Middle Ages, alehouses offered weary travelers rest and sustenance, much as they do for me today. As London expanded, pubs became essential meeting spots not just for workers, merchants, and politicians, but also for people like me seeking connection. Some, like Ye Olde Cheshire Cheese

What sets London apart from other European capitals is its unparalleled diversity. Nearly 40% of its residents were born outside the UK, and over 300 languages are spoken here. This cultural richness is most evident in the food scene, where the city’s restaurants, markets, and cafés create a global dining map without ever leaving the Underground. Food here is not simply sustenance, it is the story of London’s people, each dish a chapter in the city’s evolving identity.

Tucked into the rock upon which Nottingham Castle stands, Ye Olde Trip to Jerusalem is not just a pub—it’s a living relic. The sign above the entrance proudly proclaims its founding year as 1189 AD, the year Richard the Lionheart ascended to the throne and called for the Third Crusade. Though legend claims that knights preparing for their journey to the Holy Land would gather here for one last drink, giving the pub its curious name, the true origin of the tradition remains un