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Canary Wharf Reset: Your Back to City Guide

Looking for the best way to ease back into city life this September? From new coffee and lunch spots to workout resets and after-work drinks, Canary Wharf has everything you need to make the return to routine feel like a fresh start.

Annabel Trelfa

The summer holidays might be over but getting back into city life comes with lots to look forward to. September brings a fresh start of its own, with new places to discover, plans to put in the diary and reasons to spend more time around the Wharf. Why not stay at Edit while you’re here?

Start the day well

Early mornings are always easier with a brew in hand – and newly opened Yellow Ladder Coffee has you covered. Expect carefully made, speciality coffee with fast service, ideal for early mornings or afternoon pick-me-ups.

For a slower start, settle in at Caravan over jalapeño cornbread, chorizo and potato hash, poached eggs with whipped yoghurt or vanilla pancakes.

Make lunch worth leaving your desk for

Returning to work doesn’t have to mean the return of uninspiring lunches. Canary Wharf has options for every kind of day, including quick on-the-move options and relaxing spots for longer catch-ups.

The Lunch Market brings a changing mix of independent traders to Montgomery Square, making it easy to try something different during the week. It’s a good excuse to step away from your screen, get some fresh air and pick up anything from street-food favourites to something sweet for later.

If lunch calls for a proper sit-down, Dishoom’s new lunch menu is made for sharing and packed with flavour. Dishes include Chicken Tikka, Sheekh Kabab and Makhmali Paneer.

Find your routine again

September is always a good time to reset. If working out has slipped down the list over summer, there are plenty of ways to get moving again.

Keep things close to home with a workout in the fully kitted-out gym at Edit or head to Third Space for a class. Barry’s is there when you want something a little more intense.

If you’d rather be outdoors, take a walk or run along the waterside paths or head to Sea Lanes Canary Wharf at Eden Dock for a swim in its 50-metre floating pool, followed by a warm-up in the waterside saunas.

Put after-work drinks back on the agenda

The evenings might be getting shorter but there’s still time to squeeze in a drink after work. 

At Canada Square, The Parlour gives you the choice of a cocktail lounge, wine room or spacious terrace to settle in for the evening. Nearby, The Ivy in the Park has two outdoor terraces overlooking the greenery, with DJs playing from 6pm on Fridays and 3pm on Saturdays.

Wine lovers also have a new reason to stick around after hours. Vagabond has arrived with its self-pour experience, offering more than 120 varieties by the glass and plenty of opportunities to discover a new favourite.

Take the long way back

Canary Wharf is home to London’s largest collection of free outdoor public art, with pieces tucked between buildings, parks and waterside paths.

This month is your last chance to catch Rebecca Strickson’s mirrored Look Back at Love installation at Eden Dock and the winning images from Wildflower Photographer of the Year. Follow the art trail or simply take a slower route home and see what you find.

Back to the city, on your terms

The return to city life feels much easier when there’s plenty waiting to do. Make a few plans, try somewhere new and enjoy being back in the Wharf.

  • New coffee and brunch spots to start the day right
  • Lunch options worth leaving your desk for
  • Ways to get back into a fitness routine, from the gym to Sea Lanes
  • After-work drinks at new bars around the Wharf
  • Free public art, including your last chance to catch Eden Dock’s summer installations
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