Lifestyle

How to best spend one day in Fitzrovia?

Visiting Fitzrovia
Lifestyle in Fitzrovia Quarter

Fitzrovia is one of London’s most walkable neighbourhoods — a compact mix of design-led cafés, independent fitness studios, hidden galleries, and leafy corners. Whether you’re planning a calm reset or want to explore with intention, this area makes it easy to plan a well-balanced day.

And if you’re visiting in mid-May, you’re in for something special: the Fitzrovia Quarter Wellness Festival, running 12–18 May 2025, is a week-long celebration of movement, mindfulness, self-care, and community. Expect free fitness classes, exclusive beauty offers, nourishing food experiences, and wellness-focused events hosted by local businesses.

Our perfect 1-day itinerary includes

  •   –  Grab a slow breakfast at one of Fitzrovia’s cosy, independent cafés

  •   –  Get moving with a morning workout or wander the neighbourhood’s historic streets

  •   –  Stop for a fresh, feel-good lunch at a wellness-focused spot

  •   –  Spend the afternoon at a gallery or tucked-away museum

  •   –  Treat yourself to a little self-care — maybe a facial or a quick massage

  •   –  End the day with a relaxed dinner and a botanical cocktail (or two)

1. Don’t forget your Fitzrovia breakfast

Fitzrovia is made for slow, purposeful mornings — and that starts with a good breakfast. From protein-rich plates to plant-based bowls, the area’s cafés offer flavourful starts with a wellness edge.

  • Drunch (Great Titchfield St): Known for brunch favourites with a twist, this laid-back spot adds a bit of fun to your morning routine — especially if you opt for their feel-good coffee creations.
  • Kaffeine (Great Titchfield St and East Castle St): A local cafe favourites in Fitzrovia with New Zealand-style coffee culture and a menu built around whole ingredients. Pair their Paleo Granola with fresh OJ — and if you’re here during the festival, that combo is 10% off.
  • Burger & Lobster (Little Portland Street): Craving something heartier? This unexpected breakfast pick offers a satisfying start, ideal for those fuelling up for a full day ahead.

 

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2. Morning activities in Fitzrovia Quarter

For your weekday visit: Get your morning movement at these studios

Begin your day with movement. Fitzrovia is home to some of London’s best boutique fitness studios, offering everything from classic strength training to next-gen tech workouts:

  • Health & Performance Studio (Little Portland Street): Bookable sessions include Lift Off (weight training), Engine Mode (HIIT), Stretch & Rehab, and Gravity Shift, a tech-enhanced circuit. Sessions vary daily and are open year-round — though some are free if visiting during festival week.
  • FS8 & F45 Rooftop Workouts at CREO: Held on the rooftop terrace of the CREO workspace, these open-air classes are a local secret worth booking in advance.

 

For your weekend visit: Go on a walking tour

Fitzrovia is best enjoyed at walking pace. On weekends, trade the gym for a self-guided route that weaves through the neighbourhood’s heritage streets and independent stops:

  • Start at XO Chocolate for a quick treat or takeaway iced mocha
  • Pause at the Langham Estate buildings for a look at Victorian and Edwardian architecture
  • Stroll past All Saints Church, one of Fitzrovia’s more peaceful landmarks

If you’re visiting on a Sunday during the Wellness Festival, join the guided Sunday Wellness Walk with @kirbyanne — a bookable, mindfulness-focused stroll designed for reflection and reset.

 

 

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3. Have a lunch break at these Fitzrovia restaurants

When midday hits, Fitzrovia’s dining scene offers a satisfying mix of healthy lunch options and relaxed settings — perfect for recharging before your afternoon plans.

  • Pahli Hill (Mortimer Street): Celebrating the rich variety of Indian regional cooking, this stylish spot serves dishes rooted in seasonal produce and Ayurvedic principles.
  • Arros QD (Eastcastle Street): Led by a Michelin-starred chef, this wood-fired kitchen brings elevated Spanish cuisine to the heart of Fitzrovia. 
  • Arros QD

4. Check out the museums and galleries in Fitzrovia

An afternoon in Fitzrovia pairs well with a bit of quiet cultural wandering. Here are two current exhibitions from two prominent Fitzrovia galleries worth stepping into:

  • The Cartoon Museum (Wells Street): If you’re after something lighthearted, the ‘Cats in Cartoons’ exhibition (running until 7 September 2025) celebrates feline humour through animation history.
  • Ab Anbar (Mortimer Street): This Iranian contemporary art space is showing ‘Figure Ground’ (until 24 May), exploring space and perception through minimalist sculpture and painting.

Ab-Anbar

5. Pamper yourself up after a long day of exploring Fitzrovia

After a day of walking, dining, and soaking up culture, a little self-care goes a long way. Fitzrovia is dotted with sleek salons and boutique clinics where you can freshen up:

 Sipping while having your nail done at The Beauty Club

At The Beauty Club – one of the most famous nail bars & salons in Fitzrovia, blend luxury with leisure. You’ll be welcomed with a complimentary cocktail and can opt for:

  • 10% off hair extensions
  • A free consultation with a stylist

Just mention the Fitzrovia Quarter Wellness Festival if you’re visiting during May for added perks.

The Beauty Club

Quick glamming boost at these hair salons

Whether you’re prepping for the evening or just want a pick-me-up, Fitzrovia has some of London’s most respected hair salons:

For men:

For women:

  • Nicola Clarke (Goodge Street): A top choice for standout cuts and colour, particularly if you’re after a stylist who knows their way around a complete transformation.

Pied de Poule (Mortimer Street): Expect a rotating schedule of thoughtful offers throughout the week — from brow touch-ups and manicure sets to haircare product discounts and scalp consultations.

 

6. Do a spa and skin reset

After a day of exploring, a bit of quiet rejuvenation goes a long way. Fitzrovia is home to several clinics offering skin-focused treatments in calm, design-forward spaces.

Cavendish Clinic (New Cavendish Street): Try one of their free 15-minute advanced taster treatments, including skin scans and LED therapy. New clients can also access vouchers worth up to £250 off premium services, like injectables or CoolSculpting.

LAPO (Mortimer Street): This boutique skin clinic blends Asian skincare traditions with high-tech therapies. Their Signature Custom Taster Facial (£45 for 30 minutes) includes a double cleanse, bespoke peel, facial massage, ultrasonic serum, and more — all redeemable against a full treatment. Only 50 spots are available during the festival, so booking ahead is smart.

Lapo Skincare

7. Time for dinner in Fitzrovia

As the evening settles in, Fitzrovia offers plenty of spots to refuel — from seasonal plates to modern comfort food with global influence.

Kin in Oxford Circus

KIN (Foley Street): With a focus on fresh, whole ingredients and global plant-based flavours, KIN is a go-to for a nourishing evening meal. If you time your visit right, you can try their rotating daily tasters — like mini pancakes, falafel, or açai bowls.

nineteen-o-five

1905 (Mortimer Street): For a more mellow vibe, this Greek-Cretan eatery offers a casual bistro setting with a strong wine list. If you’re passing through on a weekday afternoon, their Happy Hour might surprise you: think £6 G&Ts or house rosé by the bottle.

8. Drink your night away at these Fitzrovia bars

If you’re up for a nightcap, Fitzrovia bars strike the perfect balance between atmosphere and mixology. Here’s a relaxed bar-hopping route built around wellness-friendly sips:

  • Start at Riding House Café’s bar, where the cocktail list leans fruit-forward and easy-going — ideal for a gentle wind-down.
  • Then head to Mr Fogg’s House of Botanicals on Newman Street for whimsical garden-party vibes and botanical cocktails made with herbs, teas, and floral infusions.

9. Optional: A touch of luxury before your wellness day ends

For those wanting to finish on a high note, The Mandrake Hotel offers one of the most immersive spa experiences in London, which is called Damu Spa. This in-house spa merges ancient rituals with modern wellness in a sensorial, art-inspired setting.

Let Fitzrovia to be your guide to feel good

Whether you’re planning a mindful day out or simply exploring a new corner of the city, Fitzrovia is built for balance — where great food, energising movement, art, and calm coexist on every block. It’s a neighbourhood that invites you to slow down, take notice, and reconnect with what makes you feel your best.If you’re visiting us in May, keep an eye out for added experiences and offers throughout the Fitzrovia Quarter Wellness Festival – a week-long celebration of wellbeing across the area’s best-loved businesses.

Don’t miss out! View the full schedule, book your free sessions, and explore all events below