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Depending on who you are, and what experiences you’ve lived, the word “hotel” could conjure an entirely different image. But, if we were to say Hotel (capital H) then what comes to mind is certainly the Brown’s – London’s oldest hotel. Top-hat-wearing doormen usher you into the well-appointed and beautiful flowered lobby. Just to your right, afternoon tea is being served (more on that later) and upstairs the rooms are timelessly designed.
While one of the biggest perks of staying at the Brown’s is its location in central London, near Hyde Park, Buckingham Palace, and many, many tube lines, we would be just as happy spending a day within the walls of this enchanting place.
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We told you we would mention the Brown’s afternoon tea! A staple in London, any true Brit will tell you that the best high tea is to be found at the grand hotels. The atmosphere here is relaxed: live piano, endless finger sandwiches, newspapers to read, and a posh crowd.
If you play your cards right, this can be both a late lunch and an afternoon pick me up.
It’s no secret that some spots on Carnaby Street are mayhem; Bar Crispin is not one of them. This all-day cafe and wine bar is just as at home on a bustling London street as it would be in Williamsburg (in the best way.)
Another famed spot for Afternoon Tea, Sketch is perfect if you’re a fan of theater. When we visited, a live string trio provided the music in the golden room, and nothing was quite as it seemed at first glance. In addition to being entertaining and delicious, Sketch does another thing really well: dietary restrictions. That’s right gluten-free/dairy-fee/nut-free readers – this is one you can still enjoy to its fullest!
Right in the heart of Soho lies Rita’s: perhaps London’s buzziest restaurant. The casual-yet-cool spot draws the likes of creative directors and visiting New Yorkers to its intimate dining room and serene back patio. Book ahead if you plan to dine!
If there was one word to describe the service and experience at Claridge’s restaurant it would be, “class.” The personal old world service meets dialed-in takes on classics. This is where you’re going to get steak & potatoes and it will be expensive and good.
Soho’s Yeni focuses on open-fire Turkish cooking to the level of mastery – chef Civan Er has earned Michelin recognition for his cooking.
This Italian restaurant, named after the octopus they so greatly cook, is one of the best bites in Soho. And, if you can't make it in, be sure to snag a copy of their fantastic cook book.
Self described as, “the last bastion of “Old Soho,” this spot is decidedly not modern. What will you get in exchange for no music or online bookings? Fantastic wine selections, French-ish fare, hand-written menus, and a convivial atmosphere. PS the lack of a soundtrack means Andrew Edmunds is a PRIME spot for eavesdropping.
Calling all vegetarians! This meat-free mediterranean spot is good for when you’re in need of a break from the full english – trust us, you’ll get there.
Small plates, wine bar, great vibes. DUCKSOUP, like many of the spots on this list, provides a counterpoint to the happenings outside. What can we say, when it’s time for a meal – especially in London – we love a warm and relaxing atmosphere!
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Legend has it that Ian Flemming was a regular here back in the day, but the modern success of Duke’s is all thanks to Italian lead bartender Alessandro Palazzi. When you’re here, the drink to get is their martini: vermouth is poured into a chilled glass (then discarded onto the carpet) before the large vessel is filled to the brim with freezing gin and garnished with an freshly-flown-in Amalfi lemon peel. The ‘tinis here contain at least 4 oz of booze and are limited to 2 per customer.
Tucked away down a marble hallway of Claridge’s lies the Painter's Room – a small and newly renovated take on a lobby bar. Attentive servers strive to make bold riffs on classic cocktails and take pride in what they serve. When we couldn’t choose between the house Negroni and a classic, they insisted on trying one of each as a compare and contrast. Great, great, bar.
Located in the Prince’s Arcade, Compane serves specialty beans to a neighborhood full of energy. The modern cafe is a perfect fit amongst the designer stores located inside the arcade and would be a great place to catch up with a friend one afternoon – regardless of whether London was bright and sunny or its typical gray and dreary.
One of the only places on Saville Row that isn’t a tailor is The Service – a coffee shop that caters to the cutters of “the row.” The Service was started by menswear fanatics and makes a strong attempt to not just be among the great suit makers of the world, but be a part of their community, and often host events and small curated menswear shows.
This compact cafe on New Burlington Street is part of a small chain operated by coffee roasters. Kiss the Hippo is where you’ll go in the neighborhood when you need good coffee fast, and you’re already late for your first morning plans.
One more Natural Wine Bar for the books: Firebird. Since they’re also known for their food (Mediterranean, cooked over an open flame) we’d recommend grabbing a bar seat in front of the tiny kitchen, then ordering a few glasses of wine and a handful of small plates to share.
What’s the best way to shop in the rain? Underneath a covered walkway full of curated stores. Just off Piccadilly lies a handful of arcades: Burlington, Royal, Piccadilly, and Prince’s. Each of them full of exclusive shops, much of it menswear and accessories thanks to nearby Savile Row.
This wondrous temple to food and tea is an absolute MUST. Fortnum’s earned a royal warrant for supplying biscuits to the late Queen, and yet this luxury is accessible: at the end of the day how expensive can cookies be? You could easily spend an afternoon browsing the many floors of this large, beautiful building and even kill time at the bar or at afternoon tea. If you really want to live like a Londoner in summer, fill up an F&M Picnic Basket and live life like it’s 1899!
With two locations near Mayfair, the apothecary D.R. Harris & Co is a fun stop to pick up little replacements for toiletries that might have been *ahem* apprehended at the airport. It’s also a great place to find packable but sweet gifts that are sure to bring joy to whoever is on your list – whether it’s a handmade hairbrush or a tiny bar of soap.
Part designer department store, part fabric emporium, Liberty of London is worth a trip to the city itself if you’re a lover of textiles. Housed in a large Tudor building, Liberty is one of our favorite spots because it has something for everybody; there’s even a pet spa downstairs for our furry friends. Afterall, where else can you get a BODE shirt, your pet groomed, and 3 yards of a floral fabric?
Our crown jewel of Savile Row is Drake’s – the colorful and non-pretentious menswear mecca. Yes, they still sell suits at top dollar, but don’t expect to find the place filled with cigar chomping old men. In fact you’re more likely to find yourself shopping alongside an artist in need of a new beanie than someone getting a custom suit, but it’s great that there’s room for everyone here.
This curated retail store first came on our map a few years back when they hosted a pop up for artist Luke Edward Hall. The space carries a wide range from one-of-a-kind furniture to niche magazines and vintage watches. Come in and find a gem.
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Sometimes you need a haircut – in fact, you probably do right now. Why not get one at London’s oldest barber, Truefitt & Hill? We love that they still do things the old fashioned way here, involving mostly scissors and minimal machines. If you’re of the bearded type, this is where you can go for a nice hot shave.
London’s Central Park, this sprawling acreage is historic – connecting Mayfair all the way east to Kensington. If you’re staying at the Brown’s a jog through here is a great way to get fresh clean air right in the middle of a metropolis.
Last but not least, Mayfair is home to MANY world-class galleries – including London outposts of galleries whose names may ring a bell for the artsy New Yorkers reading this far.