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In the bustling boroughs of London, Mayfair is a haven for everyone from the most sophisticated palate to those looking for a cosy cuppa. Oscar Wilde famously said: “Tea is the only simple pleasure left to us.” Whilst we’d argue that there is an abundance of simple pleasures left to us in Mayfair, the area’s selection of cafés really are second to none. Here’s a local’s guide to the 11 best cafés in Mayfair.
the connaught pâtisserie
Those with an appetite for delectable pastries will adore The Connaught Pâtisserie in a corner of the celebrated 5-star hotel The Connaught on Mount Street. With creations from Nicolas Rouzaud, you will find seasonal pastries alongside favourites including pecan pie, freshly baked croissants and the signature Connaughty Hound, a chocolate hazelnut cake in the shape of an elegant greyhound, the hotel’s emblem. Owner Paddy McKillen says: ‘It has always been our goal to open this little jewel of a patisserie at this special location, and I’m so happy to be doing it at this time for our Mayfair neighbours, and London community. Never have we needed the joy and comfort of cakes more.’ Hear hear!
hagen
At Hagen, sustainability and environmental impact drive community projects and collaborations. Born in Copenhagen and founded in London, Hagen brings cosy ‘hygge’ vibes and possibly the world’s best cinnamon buns to Mayfair. In a collaboration with the award-winning Blake’s Kitchen, a third-generation family-run bakery based in the Cotswolds, small batches of fresh buns are delivered to the café on Swallow Street on Wednesday and Sunday mornings. Run, don’t walk, then enjoy your speciality Himalayan coffee standing up (al banco / håndkaffe), knowing that 100% of sales proceeds go directly back to the farmers and their communities in Nepal. A worthy addition to our best cafés in Mayfair.
queens of mayfair
Queens of Mayfair was created by sisters Grace and Victoria Sheppard, and once made headlines for serving what was touted as the most expensive coffee in Britain. This dubious accolade aside, Queens is a must-visit Mayfair café for its seasonal, fresh produce, inspired by the sisters’ home county of Dorset. Try the King’s Salad for lunch, which plates up roasted heritage beets, gem lettuce, duck magret, Forelle pear and Sherry dressing, or stop by for afternoon tea with banana, maple, and pecan loaf. The local charm of the place will win you over before that pecan loaf hits your lips.
el&n mayfair
Short for Eat, Live & Nourish, EL&N is one of the most Instagrammable cafés in the world. Today you will find branches across Europe and the Middle East but Alexandra Miller opened the original in 2017, just a stone’s throw from Hyde Park Residence. Here you’ll find a stylish mix of fine coffee, delicious food and chic design, in a fashionable pink setting, completely unique amongst the best cafés in Mayfair. It’s an experience crafted for the cosmopolitan customer, as much about people-watching as eating.
the wallace café
If you’re looking for somewhere a little different to enjoy a cup of tea, then we recommend you head to Manchester Square and the Wallace Collection, the former home of Lord and Lady Wallace, which was opened to the public as a museum in 1900. The museum is free to look around and includes Renaissance paintings by Titian, exquisite French furniture and princely armour. At its centre you will find The Wallace Café in an airy glass-ceilinged courtyard, planted with orange trees. Food is served all day, from breakfast to lunch, cakes and pastries to afternoon tea. You can even enjoy cheese and charcuterie boards with a glass of wine, or that most English of cocktails, a Pimm’s.
claridge's artspace
Coffee meets culture at Claridge’s ArtSpace, where café-style seating and a patisserie counter open onto a gallery of contemporary art exhibitions. Previous Culinary Director Dmitri Magi says: “This is a new kind of dining for Claridge’s – an informal style which will focus on building community, both locally and in the art world.” Signature crepes and galettes share the spotlight with seasonal salads and monster madeleines, amongst stunningly designed interiors by British architectural designer John Pawson. Of course the coffee is delicious but for those with a sweet tooth the café’s signature hot chocolate is made with blocks of chocolate emblazoned with the Claridge’s crest.
marchesi 1824
An institution in the café world for over 200 years, Marchesi first opened in Milan in 1824. Today it is one of the best-regarded pastry shops in Milan, serving impeccable pastries and a panettone that is nothing short of iconic. In 2019 the first Marchesi outside of Italy opened at 117 Mount Street. If all it served in its pistachio-green interior were panettone, business would still be booming. Throw in top-notch coffee, sacher-torte and plum cake, and it’s easy to see why this spot is considered one of the best cafés in Mayfair.
everbean
Everbean is a true hidden gem and an easy inclusion in our list of the best cafés in Mayfair. It’s the perfect place to sit with a coffee, read the paper, chat with some locals and enjoy the vegan granola for breakfast or the chewy flapjack or the lemon drizzle cake mid-afternoon. Everbean established itself as a name when its homemade scones attracted those craving food made with love, and almost everything is made from traditional family recipes. With its neighbourhood charm, this café metamorphoses from a buzzing coffee spot by day to an intimate wine bar by night. Take a seat on the mezzanine and slip into the life of a local in Mayfair.
parcafé
Overlooking Hyde Park, Parcafé at the Dorchester is the perfect no-nonsense local to grab your morning coffee on the go. Beans are sourced by The Difference Coffee Company from countries around the world including Panama, Jamaica, Brazil and Guatemala. The tiny space has a few small tables but we recommend taking your homemade pastry and coffee to the park for a stroll amongst the trees and flowers (as long as London weather behaves).
Parcafé Website >
langans
Including this iconic French brasserie in our list of best cafés in Mayfair is a misnomer, but Langan’s is not to be missed for its breakfasts. Whether you choose the caramelised banana french toast, eggs from Clarence Court or a full English breakfast, the Langan’s experience is reassuringly elegant. A variety of teas, freshly pressed juices, breakfast cocktails and health shots will make sure you leave feeling ready for the day ahead. Open from 8am, you’ll find it round the corner from Green Park station.
h.r. higgins
On 1 April 1942, H. R. Higgins (Coffee-man) Ltd was born. Working from a top-floor room in a Mayfair street with a hand-driven 7lb roaster, Harold Rees Higgins and his 16-year-old daughter Audrey, began making coffee. At the height of the Second World War, Harold worked as an air raid warden by night, and roasted coffee by day. Today the family-run business has a Royal Appointment and is located at 79 Duke Street. For both its extraordinary backstory and its exquisite coffee, H.R. Higgins is one of our favourite cafés in Mayfair.
conclusion
Step into these iconic cafés and sip on the luxurious side of life. Whether it’s for the tradition, the art or the sheer deliciousness, there’s something for everyone in our selection of the 11 best cafés in Mayfair.
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