Our Guide To Farringdon

Shimmering with urban charm, Farringdon marries historical monuments with contemporary hospitality to create the perfect formula for a good time! We want to spill the secrets on the best things to do in Farringdon to ensure your next visit to us at Vivat Bacchus is nothing short of spectacular.

Settled in the southern nook of the London Borough of Islington, with Clerkenwell and Holborn above and below, Farringdon manages to be part of London’s financial centre, without having any of the attitude! If you’re looking for some after-work drinks, this is the place to be. With watering holes dotted all around, you’ll find our very own South African wine bar and restaurant amongst it all. We’re in good company too; with many exciting bars and pubs in Farringdon worthy of exploring.

Beyond clinking glasses and raising toasts, you can also be transported back in time, with historical gems tucked around every corner. It boasts landmarks such as the esteemed Smithfield Market, a Grade II-listed spot that has been standing tall and in commercial use since medieval times! Then there’s the timeless St Bartholomew-the-Great, London’s oldest surviving church, exuding an elegance that recounts tales of bygone eras.

Navigating Farringdon is a breeze, with Farringdon Underground Station being a centre of connectivity. It services the Circle line, Hammersmith & City line, Metropolitan line, and the Elizabeth line to whisk you around London in a flash. The Thameslink also traverses through, while the Central line swings by Chancery tube station, and buses crisscross Farringdon’s streets, making sure everyone can arrive hassle-free.

Vivat Bacchus South African Restaurant in Farringdon

Our Vivat Bacchus South African wine bar and restaurant is conveniently located on the corner of Farringdon Street and Charterhouse Street. Take the short stroll from Chancery Lane or Farringdon tube station and, once you step inside our restaurant, you’ll feel the welcoming ambience of our interior: a beautiful green tiled bar, wooden barrels, and wine bottles lining the walls.

If you were unaware, at Vivat Bacchus we proudly house the largest South African wine list in all of London. Whether you’re seasoned in the world of South African wine or a complete newbie, our wine bar in Farringdon invites all to come in and indulge. When you dine with us, we can also show you around our walk-in wine cellar for you to pick out a bottle to take home, or venture into our cheese room for tastings that promise to please your palate! The South African food in our Farringdon restaurant is also unparalleled, with the chefs creating traditional South African dishes that use unique ingredients such as ostrich and crocodile; we really are one of a kind!

Discover more about our restaurant in Farringdon and book a table here.

If you find yourself wanting more reasons to explore the area, we’ve collated our favourite things to do in Farringdon to tempt you towards us at Vivat Bacchus!

Our top picks for Farringdon

Explore the street food market at Leather Lane

For quick places for lunch in Farringdon, look no further than Leather Lane, which has food from all around the world in their market. With 103 stalls and running every weekday from 10am until 4pm, it’s a great way to spend a lunch break.

Visit St Bartholomew-the-Great

St Bartholomew-the-Great is London’s oldest surviving church, having celebrated its 900th anniversary in 2023. It has stunning architecture that you might recognise from the films Four Weddings and a Funeral or Sherlock Holmes, automatically making it a must-see on your way to one of the restaurants in Farringdon.  

Visit one of the activity bars in Farringdon, such as Bounce

Just a 5-minute walk from our South African restaurant in Farringdon, you’ll find Bounce. A bar filled with interactive ping pong tables for you to play and get competitive with your friends. It’s a great post-dinner activity after tasting our delicious South African food at Vivat Bacchus.

Relax in one of the pubs in Farringdon, such as The Eagle

One of the original gastro pubs in Farringdon, The Eagle’s motto is ‘good food and drink with great people behind the bar’. A guaranteed good time, this is the place to nurse a pint with friends after a long day at the office.

Explore the shops and cafes at Exmouth Market

Exmouth Market is a semi-pedestrianised street with lots of unique independent shops to browse. It’s also host to some of Farringdon’s trendy cafes, making it the perfect spot to grab a coffee.

See an event at the Barbican Centre

The Barbican Centre showcases thousands of performances, events, and exhibitions each year to encourage learning and engagement with the arts in London. With three cinema screens showing the latest films, they cater to all interests. Browse their What’s On page and you’re sure to find some fun things to do while in Farringdon.  

Look out for the Golden Boy of Pye Corner

You’ll have to look hard to find this small golden statue; once known as ‘The Fat Boy’, this monument was built where the Great Fire of London stopped in 1666. Perched on the corner of Giltspur Street and Cock Lane, why not take this route to spot him on your way to our Vivat Bacchus Farringdon restaurant?

Discover Barts Pathology Museum

Based on the grounds of St. Bartholomew’s Hospital, this Victorian museum holds 1,000 medical specimens, making it one of the largest human pathological collections in the UK. For things to do in Farringdon, this one is definitely a bit different, with CNN naming it one of the world’s weirdest museums, so you have to see it for yourself!

Explore Smithfield Market

Smithfield Market is the largest wholesale meat market in the UK and has been for over 800 years. Open every weekday morning from midnight until 7am, visitors and buyers will have to wake up early to experience this piece of history, but it’s worth it, being one of the top things to do in Farringdon.

Relax in Postman’s Park

Postman’s Park is a small, tranquil garden located just behind St Paul’s Cathedral. It has many benches for you to escape the busy London streets and got its name from postmen doing exactly that on their lunch break.