10 of the Best Things to do in Mayfair

Mayfair is jam-packed with restaurants offering an array of cuisines from all over the world.

Some Mayfair restaurants have stood the test of time and have become institutions in their own right, whereas others have only just started their journey and are out to prove their worth with a sparkly new Mayfair address.

Here are a few of the best restaurants in Mayfair.

Location: 65 South Audley Street, Mayfair, W1K 2QU
Price: From £80 per person (starter, main, dessert & drink)
Overview: Multi award-winning Michelin-star Chinese restaurant in the heart of Mayfair
Website: https://www.kaimayfair.co.uk/

What makes it special: From light lunches to delicious dinners, and even an exotic afternoon tea, Kai of Mayfair is an absolute must for those seeking a taste of the Orient in central London.

This multi-award-winning Michelin-star restaurant is located on the beautiful South Audley Street, in the affluent area of Mayfair. Respectful of traditional Asian flavours, this modern yet classic restaurant offers some of the most delicious Chinese food in London, in an opulent, dramatic and atmospheric restaurant.

Reserve your table for lunch from 12pm till 2.30pm, or enjoy an early or late dinner, from 6.30pm all the way to 11pm. Afternoon tea is served from 3pm until 4.30pm, Wednesdays to Sundays, and you can book your table directly through the KAI website.

Location: 68 Duke Street, Mayfair, W1K 6JU
Price: Set lunches start from £35 per person
Overview: Sustainable, locally sourced menus from world-renowned chef Chantelle Nicholson
Website: https://www.apricityrestaurant.com/

What makes it special: The brainchild of award-winning chef Chantelle Nicholson, Apricity is a tribute to simple, minimalistic and absolutely delicious UK dining. With its roots firmly set in sustainability and no-waste practices, Apricity on Duke Street offers seasonal and ever-changing menus that include locally sourced, home-grown British fare.

Tucked away among the many other bars and restaurants of Duke Street, the Apricity restaurant is a stripped back haven of casual dining, perfect for an evening with friends or family.

Open five days a week, from Tuesday to Saturday, Nicholson serves up her incredible lunches from 12pm until 2.15pm, and then dinner from 5.30pm till 9pm. The relatively early closing time is due to Apricity’s devotion to the welfare of their staff, so that the team can finish before midnight and take public transport home.

If you have a pooch in tow, Apricity is a dog-friendly restaurant. Just remember to make a note on your booking to let the staff know that your furry friend will be accompanying you.

Location: The Connaught Hotel, Carlos Place, Mayfair, W1K 2AL
Price: From £75 per person (starter, main, dessert & drink)
Overview: Eclectic and imaginative relaxed dining from chef Jean-Georges Vongerichten
Website: https://www.the-connaught.co.uk/restaurants-bars/jean-georges-at-the-connaught/

What makes it special: if you’re lucky enough to snag a table at Jean-Georges at The Connaught, you’re in for an exquisite dining experience. Whether you’re looking for the perfect breakfast with friends, or a delicious late-night dinner with a loved one, Jean-Georges has the ideal dish for you. And, of course, you can enjoy every meal in the sumptuous surroundings of the stunning Connaught hotel.

The imaginative and striking flavours found in the menus at this one-of-a-kind restaurant range from right here in the UK, all the way to the farthest reaches of Asia, and everything in between; meaning that diners here can choose from casual staples, such as pizzas and salads, as well as more refined cuisine, such as caviar and blue lobster.

Plus, chef Jean-Georges Vongerichten has brought together all of his experience and worldly gastronomical knowledge and created the most amazing six-course dinner menu for you to try for £125 per person; ideal for something special at the weekend, or even a naughty midweek treat!

One thing we love about this restaurant is that you can find Jean-Georges’ incredible creations from 7am all the way through to midnight every day of the week. So you can enjoy breakfast, lunch and dinner in the five-star surroundings of The Connaught any time you wish.

Finally, as a wonderful addition to the already unparalleled customer service here, the restaurant will deliver your meal directly to your home between 12pm and 8.30pm.

Location: 34 Grosvenor Square, South Audley Street, Mayfair, W1K 2HD
Price: Brunches start from £15.50 per person, excluding drinks.
Overview: Argentinian grill and other casual dishes served in an Art Deco-inspired brasserie
Website: https://34-restaurant.co.uk/

What makes it special: A local institution, 34 Mayfair is the stunning Art Deco-inspired brasserie with entrances on Grosvenor Square and South Audley Street. If beautiful surroundings and the odd celebrity sighting tickle your fancy, then 34 Mayfair is definitely the place to be.

This laid-back and vibrant restaurant offers casual dining with a twist. We love the simple menus done perfectly, and the 34 Bar & Grill offers up an incredible selection of brunch, a la carte, dessert, wine, cocktails and spirits menus. There’s even a cigar menu and children’s brunch menu.

Top dishes at 34 Mayfair include the heritage Tomahawk steak, surf and turf with tiger prawn skewers; and the famous coconut-fried sweet potato burger. A short walk from the bustle of Oxford Street, 34 Mayfair offers a lively yet relaxing lunch, brunch or dinner, seven days a week, and all the way until midnight on Fridays and Saturdays.

After all that eating and drinking, you’ll need a place to rest. Luckily, Mayfair is home to London’s most exclusive and world-famous hotels. Here are a few of our top picks:

Location: Brook Street, Mayfair, W1K 4HR
Price: Starting from £1,320 per night
Website: https://www.claridges.co.uk/

What makes it special: Synonymous with luxury, Claridge’s is a five-star luxury hotel located at the corner of Brook Street and Davies Street in Mayfair.

Originally opened in 1856, Claridge’s has a long, rich history connected to the British monarchy. So much so that it’s often referred to as an ‘annex to Buckingham Palace’. This world-famous institution is a must for those who want to visit Mayfair and stay in one of the most exquisite settings in all of London. From light and spacious rooms, to individually decorated opulent suites, Claridge’s offers the perfect base from which to enjoy the surrounding Mayfair area.

Guests at Claridge’s can also take advantage of the sumptuous spa and multiple restaurants and bars within the hotel itself. Enjoy a light lunch in the Art Deco Painters Room, or sip on a late-night cocktail in the atmospheric Fumoir bar. Rooms charges vary, but you can snap up a beautiful room from just over £1,000 per night, where you can look forward to the Claridge’s staff making you feel like royalty throughout your stay.

Location: Brown Hart Gardens, Mayfair, W1K 6TF
Price: Starting from £747 per night
Website: https://www.thebeaumont.com/

What makes it special: Located in the elegant Brown Hart Gardens of Mayfair is the classic and traditional hotel, The Beaumont. Another Mayfair institution, The Beaumont is known for its plush interiors and traditional decor.

This glorious hotel feels like a trip back in time, even though it was only opened in 2014 and is an homage to the roaring 20s, where Art Deco ruled supreme. With its bold wooden panelling and black and white chequered floor, this hotel’s interior is completely unmistakable. And the rooms and suites here reflect both the historic romance of this hotel’s creative vision, along with all the expected modern-day trappings of a central London guesthouse.

Relax in the spa and gymnasium, which offers hammam and other holistic treatments. And grab a bite to eat or a drink in one of The Beaumont’s incredible bars and restaurants, including the Colony Grill Room and Le Magritte Bar & Terrace.

Finally, in what is the ultimate testament to this hotel’s love of the 20s, you can enjoy afternoon tea in Gatsby’s Room, which offers another time-warp experience from early morning until late at night.

Rooms at the Beaumont start from £747 per night, and you can also take advantage of many offers, gifts and experiences on their website as well.

The Mayfair area is synonymous with classic fashion, which isn’t surprising, given the area’s proximity to Bond Street. But did you know that this London area is also the birthplace of many new and emerging labels on the cutting-edge of fashion?

Here, you’ll find a selection of some of Mayfair’s top shopping spots. From high-end fashion to unique pieces of jewellery, antiques to floristry, there’s not much you can’t find in and around Mayfair.

Location: 39 Brook Street, Mayfair, W1K 4JE
Specialities: Luxury boutique department store with high-end fashion brands
Website: https://www.brownsfashion.com/uk/boutique/browns-brook-street

What makes it special: The stunning grade II-listed building at 39 Brook Street is the perfect location for Browns flagship Mayfair store.

Browns offers its customers a bespoke and exclusive shopping experience, from men’s and womenswear, to kids, homeware and beauty, Browns is stocked full of all the most sought-after brands in the world. And if there is just simply too much for you to choose from, then why not take advantage of the boutique personal shopping experience and the made-to-order tailoring appointments? Or, if you can’t make it to the Browns store itself, then you can always do your shopping online via their uber-modern virtual personal shopper tool.

Finally, if you fancy some refreshment after a hard day’s shopping, then pop into the award-winning Native at Browns for a light bite and drink. Open seven days a week, check the Browns website for full details of their opening hours, which change a little from day to day.

Location: 58 Davies Street, Mayfair, W1K 5LP
Specialities: One-off antique pieces, including jewellery, art and ceramics
Website: https://www.graysantiques.com/

What makes it special: For a unique shopping experience, pop along to Grays Antiques Market at 58 Davies Street.

First imagined in 1964, Bennie Gray had a vision to create London’s first permanent covered antiques market. Little did he know, this amazing space would become one of Mayfair’s most beloved locations.

Shoppers flock from all corners of the globe to discover fine art and antiques at Grays, along with jewellery and other arty pieces. Now home to more than 200 antique dealers, Grays is one of the world’s largest and most diverse antiques markets, overflowing with one-off pieces, such as costume jewellery, luggage, and antique perfume bottles. All in all, it’s the perfect place to browse for unique treasures and original gifts.

Location: 5 Carlos Place, Mayfair, W1K 3AP
Specialities: Flagship fashion house stocking menswear and womenswear from more than 650 designers.
Website: https://www.matchesfashion.com/

What makes it special: Matches Fashion’s most beautiful London store boasts a collection of more than 650 designers. Freshen up your wardrobe at Matches, where you’ll discover everything from high-end fashion classics to the most forward-thinking, modern and conceptual fashion brands on the market.

Open Monday to Saturday, from 10am till 6pm, this Mayfair store offers a cosy and intimate shopping experience over its various floors. Esteemed customers here can also take advantage of bespoke services, including a private shopper and even a loyalty program.

Location: 29 North Audley Street, Mayfair, W1K 6WY
Specialities: Stunning floral arrangements for any event from master florists, McQueens
Website: https://www.mcqueensflowers.com/

What makes it special: Tucked away behind all of the hubbub of Mayfair lies the quaint little flower shop, McQueens, at 29 North Audley Street.

This multi-award-winning florist is the perfect place to stop for some of the most elegant and beautiful bouquets, created by master florists, perfect for absolutely any occasion. If you’re visiting friends or family in London, and you want to make a lasting impression, then you can’t go wrong with a gorgeous selection of flowers from McQueens.

Not only does this shop offer colourful and stunning freshly-cut flowers, but you can also pick up the perfect vase, candle or bottle of Champagne to accompany your present.