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Discover Marylebone Village, London’s most charming neighbourhood
By Judy Cogan | 9 October 2023 | Food & Drink, Lifestyle
Packed with history, from traditional independent stores and eateries to contemporary boutiques, this pocket of London has it all
Take a stroll down any of Marylebone Village’s pretty Georgian streets and it’s hard to fathom that Oxford Street’s crowds and honking red buses are so close by. Immersed in this quaint old-world London bubble you’ll find storied pubs, scandi-style cafes and the kind of restaurants that, if the walls could talk, they’d tell fascinating tales of yesteryear.
Moxon Street is a food lover’s home – pick up a vintage cheese or snack on a ridiculously delicious sausage roll before sampling the finest French wines – or head to Marylebone Lane to discover achingly cool one-of-a-kind concept stores and independent boutiques. Make a vow not to bypass this charming pocket of the capital any longer. With our guide to Marylebone, you’ll soon know it like the back of your hand.
Where to Stay:
The Marylebone, Welbeck Street
Positioned in the heart of the village, this bolthole is a short walk from all the boutiques, restaurants and pubs in the area. Enjoy them, then boomerang back to unbridled luxury. The hotel’s striking corner suites are light and airy with living areas, private terraces offering views across the capital and Eames-inspired furniture. Expect plenty of personal touches during your stay as well as access to health and leisure club the Third Space; with a slick 18m pool, a ‘retro’ gym, yoga classes, and a spa offering an excellent range of treatments.
doylecollection.com/the-marylebone-hotel
Where to Drink & Dine:
Breakfast at 108 Brasserie, Marylebone Lane
You only have to hop in a lift to start the day the right way at this standalone restaurant attached to the hotel. Staying true to its roots as part of The Doyle Collection, there’s a full Irish breakfast, organic Irish porridge and oak smoked salmon. The menu – a combination of order-to-table delights and an impressive buffet – also includes healthy options (juice blends, smoothies and a superfood egg white omelette) alongside the more indulgent (belgian waffles anyone?). The restaurant is flooded with natural light, the perfect place to plan your day.
Coffee at Hagen, Marylebone High Street
This super-cute espresso bar offers standing space (håndkaffe) and tables inside. It serves premium specialty coffee with a dash of Danish hygge. We recommend snagging one of the kerbside benches outside the sky-blue shop front to enjoy a strong flat white, frosted cinnamon bun and some people watching.
Lunch at 28-50, 15-17 Marylebone Lane
Grab a table outside (weather permitting) or inside next to the open kitchen and enjoy sharing plates from the seasonal bistro-style menu, which includes charcuterie, cheeses and croquettes alongside over 30 wines by the glass, carafe and bottle.
Afternoon Tea at 108 Brasserie
Stroll back to the hotel via the beautifully landscaped Marylebone gardens to experience a brand new afternoon tea at 108 Brasserie. Themed ‘English country garden’ it gives classics such as cucumber and coronation chicken sandwiches a twist with plenty of sweet treats including elderflower and strawberry Battenberg and lavender panna cotta. There’s a vegan-friendly menu and English sparkling wines to pair.
Drinks at The Coach Makers Arms, Marylebone Lane
A pub built 140 years ago on what was the banks of the now buried River Tyburn. The beautifully restored Georgian building was once an Inn for coach-making craftsmen (hence the name) and now works as the perfect place for a pre-dinner beverage. Order a glass of wine with devilled eggs and caviar, or sticky chicken wings to start. Spread over three floors there’s a relaxed pub on the ground floor, a seventies style club in the basement, and a top floor gastropub dining room. You’ll be coming back time and time again.
Fischers, Marylebone High Street
A stylish but informal neighbourhood restaurant and konditorei, expect waiters in waistcoats, butter-soft leather booths under tiled walls and ever-so-low mood lighting. The menu, curated by Head Chef Claud, is inspired by the best local and seasonal produce and the rich cultural heritage of Vienna. Typical dishes include cured fish, schnitzels, Tafelspitz, wild boar goulash and apple strudel alongside a mittel-European wine list.
Where to Shop:
Koibird, 62 Marylebone Lane
Next take a look inside this technicolour colour burst of a boutique – as bold and expressive as the unique styles it houses. Expect pointy bra tops, claw emblazoned bodysuits and wired midi-dresses as well as all the lace, crystals and faux fur your brain can handle at once.
O Pioneers, 76 Marylebone Lane
Check out this independent British clothing label set up by Londoner’s Clara Francis and Tania Hindmarch in 2019. Unable to find their dream dresses, the pair set about designing their own. Elegant modern forever pieces with some eccentric, classic English Victoriana.
Tracey Neuls, 78 Marylebone Lane
Treat yourself to some new hand-crafted shoes for the winter season (and some soft-as-a cloud cashmere socks) at this flagship store, open 20 years. You’ll notice the display shoes hanging by a string in the air while the boots are designed to fit like a second skin.
VV Rouleaux 102 Marylebone Lane
This may be a destination for designers and decorators, brides and party planners, but it will also appeal to lovers of make believe, colour and texture. The shop holds over 6,000 ribbons, trimmings, braids, flowers, feathers and there’s a bespoke hat making service on-site.
Daunt Books, 83 Marylebone High Street
Don’t leave without a visit to this gorgeous travel-themed Edwardian bookshop. With its long oak galleries, stained glass windows and skylights it straddles the feel of a magical library and museum, where buying the books is encouraged. There’s a roster of readings and talks.
La Fromagerie, 2-6 Moxon Street
Cheese lovers won’t be able to resist a souvenir from the finest cheesemongers in London. There’s a maturing cellar, a walk-in cheese room and an affineur (cheese specialist) on-site to help with your selections and artisan breads, fine wines and extra virgin olive oils on sale.
Rococo Chocolates, 3 Moxon Street
Head next door for more indulgent treats buoyed by almost four decades of British style hand-crafted chocolate production. All confections from the crumbly mint creams to silk pralines are made by specialist chocolatiers from ethically sourced ingredients. Look out for seasonal flavours such as Earl Grey tea and autumnal orange marmalade chocolates.
Where to Relax & Recharge:
A facial at Fresh, Marylebone High St
Meander around Marylebone in the autumn sunshine towards the flagship store of the luxury beauty brand Fresh. You can browse the innovative skin, hair and body care products, make-up and fragrances made from natural ingredients such as sugar, milk, rose petals, rice and soy as well as the more unusual Japanese sake and Umbrian clay. Then settle into the on-site treatment room for a sublime 50-minute signature facial.