How Soccer Player Eberechi Eze Spends an Off Day in London

After growing up in southeast London, soccer player—that’s footballer, if you’re reading this outside the U.S.—Eberechi "Ebere" Eze had a childhood dream come true when he joined Arsenal Football Club in North London. Now, he gets to play his favorite sport professionally and represent his hometown.

“Every part of who I am has come from somewhere in London,” says Eze.

When he has a rare Off DayOpens overlay in his home city, Eze enjoys exploring new corners of London and returning to old ones, including visiting coffee shops, chess cafes and, of course, shops.

“What I love about London is how much contrast there is here,” he says. “You can spend your whole life here and still not know all of it.”

Check out Eze’s recommendations for an Off Day in London, from Brick Lane to Barnet.

Where to Eat

On his free days, Eze usually opts for simple meals (think: casual cafes and classic dishes like fish and chips).

Brass Monkey
Radlett, Hertfordshire

Many days, you can find Eze at this small coffee shop. “It's just a good cup of coffee in a quiet room,” he says. “The vibe is calm, and the crowd is local.”

Deli House
Barnet, London

The line at this family-run deli frequently runs out the door, but Eze promises it’s worth the wait. His go-to order? “A salt beef bagel and a fresh coffee,” he says.

Skewd
Cockfosters, London

At the end of the Piccadilly line in Cockfosters, you’ll find Skewd, a Turkish restaurant that’s become one of Eze’s go-to spots. “The lamb is my favorite; I love the way they make it,” he says. “I'll bring my brothers and my close friends, and we can sit there for hours. The food keeps coming, the conversation keeps going. It feels like the perfect end to the night.”

Akoko
Opens overlayFitzrovia, London

“Akoko is one of the most highly rated restaurants in London, and it's for good reason,” Eze says. At Akoko, he enjoys West African flavors that remind him of his Nigerian roots, including classic dishes like ground melon seed egusi stew and jollof rice.

Oli’s Fish and Chips
Barnsbury, London

“Fish and chips is one of my favorite foods, and Oli’s does it as well as anywhere in London,” Eze says—fish and chips are both fried to order and impeccably timed. ”You can get fish and chips all over London, but not every spot treats it with that kind of care.” The restaurant is also conveniently located around the corner from his home stadium.

What to Do

On his Off Days, Eze likes to take things easy. That means spending time shopping, bowling and strolling through some of the city’s most beautiful parks.

Hollywood Bowl Finchley
Barnet, London

“You can find a Hollywood Bowl anywhere, but the one in Finchley is our spot,” Eze says of the British bowling alley chain. On free days, he heads here with his brothers and friends for laughs—and plenty of competitive energy.

Dover Street Market
Midtown, London

Eze enjoys hunting for the best clothing finds at this multi-brand retailer known for its unique collections. “You’ve got massive designers next to smaller labels, clothes mixed with art installations,” he says. “It feels less like shopping and more like discovering.”

Hyde Park
Kensington, London

When he’s looking to get away from the adrenaline of the soccer stadium, Eze heads to Hyde Park to clear his head. “I’ll go on long walks there and just let my mind wander,” he says.

Selfridges
Marylebone, London

No trip to London is complete without a stop at Selfridges, a department store on iconic Oxford Street. “Selfridges feels like one of those places where you can spend an entire afternoon and still not see everything,” Eze says.

Cafe 1001
Spitalfields, East London

Outside of soccer, one of Eze’s passions is chess, and when he’s looking to play matches, he heads straight to this East London mainstay that’s been on Brick Lane since 2001. “I don't go for the food, I go for the chess. But the coffee's good, the music's good and there's always something happening on Brick Lane after,” he says.

Where to Stay

One of Eze’s favorite stays in London is at the Shangri-La The Shard, London.

Shangri-La The Shard, London
Southwark, London

“[It’s] one of those places that completely changes your perspective on London,” Eze says of this sky-high hotel on London’s South Bank.

That includes the top-tier views from its 52nd-floor swimming pool, 34th-floor sky lounge and modern rooms, which are outfitted with marble bathrooms and Asian-influenced decor. The property also has four bars and restaurants that dish out everything from afternoon tea to sushi and short ribs.

Another bonus of staying at the property, according to Eze, is its prime location. “Everything’s right there. You can experience the energy of London all day and then come back somewhere that feels peaceful and elevated,” he says.