Lifestyled by Paula Joye

It’s the place where Julia Roberts walked into Hugh Grant’s book shop.

The famous stretch of road that runs smack through the middle of Notting Hill in London. Home to the famous Portobello Markets, over the years it has gone from being a true bohemian flea and antique hub to more of a tourist trail. But I still really enjoy a visit.

My tip is to get there early and when I say early I mean 8am. I like to start with breakfast at Pizza East (310 Portabello Road) – avocado on sourdough with chilli and then walk from there all the way up to the famous Red Tea Pot Arcade. This is the opposite way that most people walk it –  tourists tend to arrive at the other end.

You’ll find lots of antique shops that will make you start to think that the only thing missing from your life is silverware (there’s acres of it).

Keep your ears open – the buskers are terrific – this weekend there was Boby Dylan tribute busker, a modern Beatles quartet and a jazz pianist who was so incredible that I just sat in the sun, ate a fresh crepe and listened to him play for an hour.

That’s Portobello – unexpected, mellow and still cool.

Must Eat.

1. Hummingbird Cafe.

The best cupcakes in the world? Well maybe in the UK. It’s the London version of Magnolia. The Red Velevet Cupcake is the hero and worth the trip.

2. Pizza East.

So yummy. Just so yummy. Breakfast, lunch, dinner it is awesome. The salted caramel chocolate tart is a life changer. If you’re travelling with kids this is a great place to take them just as equally as it is a great place for romance – I don’t know how they bridge the two but they do.

3. Lisboa Pâtisserie.

The Portugese Tart is just incredible. You need to go over the Westaway in Golborne Road to find it but it’s out of the crowd and insanely good.

Joye-stagram.