Le Deli Robuchon, Mayfair
The little sibling of Le Comptoir Robuchon up the road is a dream pitstop for anyone racing between shows – stocked with fresh pastries, hot sandwiches that lean into the French vibes of the place (big-shot Parisian chef Joël Robuchon founded the namesake restaurants) such as jambon-beurre or a truffle Croque.
Address: Le Deli Robuchon, 82 Piccadilly, London W1J 8JA, United Kingdom
Website: ledelirobuchon.co.uk
Blank Street Coffee, Fitzrovia
Brooklyn-bred coffee house Blank Street only made its UK debut in summer 2022 but it has already dressed its mint-sage colourway for some of London’s coolest neighbourhoods, including Fitzrovia, Notting Hill, Marylebone, and Shoreditch (with more on the way). Trade in a classic latte with pistachio milk for a nutty kick.
Address: 44 Charlotte Street, London W1T 2NR, United Kingdom
Website: blankstreet.com
Pasticceria Marchesi, Mayfair
Potentially London’s slickest bakery; Marchesi hails from another fashion mainstay, Milan, and has been feeding Italy’s chicest set since 1824. These days, the brand is owned by Prada who oversaw the opening of this outpost on Mayfair’s Mount Street a few years ago. Top tip: pick up a few chocolates for later while you’re refuelling on Italian-style coffee.
Address: 117 Mount St, London W1K 3LA
Website: pasticceriamarchesi.com
Aimé Leon Dore, Soho
New York City-born and bred Aimé Leon Dore’s in-house café is as pared-back as the brand’s clothing drops. Taking inspiration from its sister across the pond, the London outpost (in Soho, on Broadwick Street) is all nutty wood and tiled floors, marble table tops and gold accents. Order a Greek-inspired Freddo Cappuccino and take respite from Soho’s thrum.
Address: Café Leon Dore, 32-34 Broadwick St, London W1F 8JB
Website: aimeleondore.com
Café Kitsuné, Knightsbridge
This cute-as-a-button Japanese-French café has locations in some of the world’s most fashionable cities: Tokyo, Paris, New York. The London imagining is set in Pantechnicon, a Scandi-Japanese mash-up of a venue that’s home to more of our favourite London restaurants (including Sachi, which is well worth a pit-stop if you’re hungry).
Address: Ground Floor, 19 Motcomb St, Belgravia, SW1X 8LB
Website: pantechnicon.com