The Best of Marylebone

Steeped in history with grand Regency squares, excellent shopping and a steady stream of restaurants, Marylebone never goes out of fashion. Stretching from Selfridges all the way up to Regents Park and across to Harley Street, the warren of streets within boast a charming village-like atmosphere. One of the loveliest places to spend a day in London, the only trouble is knowing where to start:

Things To Do

Les hasards heureux de l’escarpolette (The Swing), Jean-Honoré Fragonard © The Wallace Collection

The Wallace Collection and Wigmore Hall have culture covered in idiosyncratic English style. To the north there’s Regents Park, with this summer’s Frieze Sculpture exhibition a highlight, as well as the Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre.

Italian restaurant, La Cucina Caldesi has been around for donkey’s years but even better than the restaurant is their cookery school that runs courses for adults like fresh pasta and pizza making,  and brilliant half-day sessions for children in the workshop next-door.

Shopping 

Big names like Matches, Conran and Margaret Howell provide luxury draw, but it’s the volume of specialist independent stores which gives Marylebone its unique character, from John Bell and Croyden, contenders for most beautiful pharmacy in London, through VV Rouleaux, the celebrated haberdashers, to Steinway Hall, the piano salesroom which also hosts concerts.

Caramel

Caramel on Marylebone Lane stocks a good womenswear line as well as the beautiful children’s clothes. Next door KJ’s Laundry is a perfectly curated boutique that’s a good one-stop shop before a holiday. Visit Mouki Mou on Chiltern Street for presents – there’s always something unusual and interesting.

Restaurants and Bars 

Brunch at the Tapa Room

Start your day with breakfast at The Providores and Tapa Room – the fusion breakfast and brunch menu at the downstairs Tapa room is one of the most innovative and delicious in London. Arrive early to ensure you bag a spot in the coveted window seat, and watch the well-heeled local residents trip by.

Stop for a quick lunch of Korean street food at On the Bab, their Yangyum chicken with Sweet Spicy sauce is dangerously addictive – ask for extra shredded salad which comes with the most divine dressing.

For something more substantial try Jikoni, where Indian-inspired menu is matched with a warm and friendly welcome. This summer they are running a Community Lunch Menu – a brilliant scheme that offers daily-changing platters of 3 -4 lovely things for £12 with £1 from every dish donated to Marylebone Food Cycle and The Felix Project supporting the local community in the Lisson Green Estate. Available Tuesday – Friday 12-3pm.

Fischer’s Viennese café is the place for tea, indulge in one of their classic European cakes, their Sachertorte is glorious if you are struggling to choose.

Bar Termini Centrale is the sister restaurant to Soho hot spot Bar Termini. A little slice of Italy in London, it’s the perfect spot for a cocktail (try the rhubarb infused Spritz Termini) and bar snacks, or something more substantial from Fat Tony’s (the pasta specialists who started as a pop up here but have stayed on due to popular request).

In the evening, Chiltern Firehouse continues to pull a cool crowd, or for something more low-key, Zoilo serves Argentinian small-plates with a buzzy atmosphere.

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