How to spend a day in Mayfair

How to spend a day in Mayfair

Centrally-located and known to be one of the city's fanciest areas, Mayfair has no shortage of great places to eat, drink, shop, and be entertained. From fine dining spots to world-famous shops, you'll discover plenty of things to do in Mayfair. We've got you covered if you're planning a day in the area and aren't sure where to begin. From morning until night, this is our guide to how to spend a day in Mayfair.

In this guide
  1. Begin with breakfast
    1. Popina – Award-winning breakfast spot
    2. The Foyer & Reading Room – For sheer indulgence
    3. The Wolseley – Classic dining in Piccadilly
  2. Retail therapy
    1. Royal Arcade – Shopping arcade from 1879
    2. Fortnum & Mason – Gourmet department store
    3. Gieves & Hawkes – Luxury fashion for men
  3. Time for lunch
    1. Scott's – Classic seafood spot
    2. Apricity – Focusing on sustainability
    3. Gymkhana – Michelin-starred Indian cooking
  4. Things to do in Mayfair
    1. May Fair Spa – Rejuvenate yourself
    2. Handel Hendrix House – Discover musical history
    3. Royal Academy of Arts – Blockbuster art exhibitions
  5. Pre-dinner drinks
    1. Manetta's Bar – Glamorous cocktail spot
    2. Coburg Bar – One for the whisky drinkers
    3. Comptoir Café & Wine – All-day café and wine bar
  6. Places for dinner
    1. Taku – Luxurious omakase
    2. Hawksmoor – Steak and seafood
    3. Isabel Mayfair – Refined Mediterranean meals
  7. Don't go home yet
    1. Carwash Nightclub – Colourful pop fest
    2. The Palm Beach Casino – Large luxury gaming floor
    3. Mr Fogg's Residence – Eccentric cocktail bar

Begin with breakfast

Popina

Award-winning breakfast spot

Popina is an award-winning café that serves breakfast all day. The venue is crisp and contemporary with a light atmosphere. For breakfast you can try simple eggs on toast, shakshuka, Turkish eggs, or a full English breakfast. For something lighter, there's granola and porridge or you can try one of several French toast varieties.

The Foyer & Reading Room

For sheer indulgence

If you're craving a luxury breakfast then check out The Foyer and Reading Room at Claridges. This opulent space has a classic look with Art Deco mirrors and towering floral arrangements, plus a striking Chihuly sculpture. Sweet and savoury breakfast dishes are served ranging from pastries and pancakes to omelettes and traditional fry-ups.

The Wolseley

Classic dining in Piccadilly

The Wolseley in Piccadilly is a classic dining destination, bringing the European grand café tradition to London. Food is served all day in a refined and timeless environment. It's a popular choice for breakfast with light options like pastries, granola, and fruit, as well as cooked breakfasts like omelettes, a fry-up, and smoked salmon with scrambled eggs.

Retail therapy

Royal Arcade – A day in Mayfair
Royal Arcade
Royal Arcade – A day in Mayfair
Royal Arcade
Royal Arcade – A day in Mayfair
Royal Arcade
Royal Arcade – A day in Mayfair
Royal Arcade
Royal Arcade – A day in Mayfair
Royal Arcade
Royal Arcade – A day in Mayfair
Royal Arcade
Royal Arcade – A day in Mayfair
Royal Arcade
Royal Arcade – A day in Mayfair
Royal Arcade

Royal Arcade

Shopping arcade from 1879

You can't go shopping in Mayfair without checking out the Royal Arcade. Built in 1879, it's London's oldest purpose-built shopping arcade and is full of timeless charm. As you walk through you'll see original Victorian features as well as luxury boutiques from high-end retailers. Shop here for footwear, jewellery, antiques, modern art, and confectionary. 

Fortnum & Mason

Gourmet department store

Foodies can shop at Fortnum & Mason. This department store is bursting with high-end gourmet treats as well as bars and eateries, but you can also shop for tableware, stationery, and pet products. The store is also home to an experiential food hub with cookware, bespoke hampers, books, demonstrations, and its own gin distillery.

Gieves & Hawkes

Luxury fashion for men

Located in Savile Row, Gieves & Hawkes is a luxury tailor and menswear retailer that was founded in 1771. The store looks impressive and is classic but still contemporary. High-end suits are the speciality, with ready-to-wear, made-to-measure, and bespoke designs available. Wedding outfits and personal styling are also available here.

Time for lunch

Scott's

Classic seafood spot

Scott's is an A-list dining destination for seafood. The restaurant oozes luxury in both the setting and the menu. There are light dishes like sashimi on the menu that are fab for lunch or you can go for all-out indulgence with oysters, caviar, lobster, and champagne. Veggie and vegan dishes are available too.

Apricity Restaurant – A day in Mayfair
Apricity Restaurant
Apricity Restaurant – A day in Mayfair
Apricity Restaurant
Apricity Restaurant – A day in Mayfair
Apricity Restaurant
Apricity Restaurant – A day in Mayfair
Apricity Restaurant
Apricity Restaurant – A day in Mayfair
Apricity Restaurant
Apricity Restaurant – A day in Mayfair
Apricity Restaurant
Apricity Restaurant – A day in Mayfair
Apricity Restaurant
Apricity Restaurant – A day in Mayfair
Apricity Restaurant

Apricity

Focusing on sustainability

Fine dining restaurant Apricity is committed to sustainability, with even the restaurant itself featuring reused and upcycled materials. The menu is all about British produce and minimising waste. A set lunch menu is on offer with choices like trout paté, ox tongue salad, and roasted cauliflower, which you can enjoy with a zero-waste cocktail or low-intervention wine.

Gymkhana – A day in Mayfair
Gymkhana
Gymkhana – A day in Mayfair
Gymkhana
Gymkhana – A day in Mayfair
Gymkhana
Gymkhana – A day in Mayfair
Gymkhana
Gymkhana – A day in Mayfair
Gymkhana
Gymkhana – A day in Mayfair
Gymkhana
Gymkhana – A day in Mayfair
Gymkhana
Gymkhana – A day in Mayfair
Gymkhana

Gymkhana

Michelin-starred Indian cooking

Have a Michelin-starred lunch at Gymkhana. Evoking the elite members' clubs of colonial India, it's a luxurious place serving northern Indian cuisine, with several elegant dining spaces. A lunch menu with multiple courses is available, with dishes like Goan prawn curry and mutter paneer. Wine, punch, and signature cocktails are served.

Things to do in Mayfair

May Fair Spa

Rejuvenate yourself

Relax in the heart of London at May Fair Spa. This calming space offers rejuvenating spa experiences and has a range of facilities including heated beds, a steam room and sauna, and an ice fountain. Bespoke treatments and packages are also available, with services like wraps, massages, and facials.

Handel Hendrix House

Discover musical history

At Handel Hendrix House you'll find a unique museum encompassing the former homes of Handel and Jimi Hendrix. Discover more about their lives, works, and activities whilst living in London. The museum also puts on a weekly programme of events, talks, activities, and musical performances, including activities that are family-friendly.

Royal Academy of Arts

Blockbuster art exhibitions

The Royal Academy of Arts is one of the most famous art museums in the country. You can see blockbuster shows by a diverse range of contemporary and historical artists including Tracey Emin, Picasso, and Michael Armitage. The annual Summer Exhibition is always a big event on the London art calendar.

Pre-dinner drinks

Manetta's Bar

Glamorous cocktail spot

Full of glamour and 1930s style, Manetta's Bar is a swanky spot for a cocktail. Kick back in a plush armchair amidst rose gold furnishings and portraits of literary greats as you sip on a signature cocktail. There's a choice of eight different Negronis plus a concise choice of wine. Refined bar snacks are also served.

Coburg Bar

One for the whisky drinkers

Whisky lovers will appreciate a drink at Coburg Bar. There's a compendium of whiskies from around the world available at this refined establishment. Other drinks are also served including wine, cocktails, and tequila. Snacks and meals are available too. The setting is peaceful and calm and you're welcome to linger.

Comptoir Café & Wine – A day in Mayfair
Comptoir Café & Wine
Comptoir Café & Wine – A day in Mayfair
Comptoir Café & Wine
Comptoir Café & Wine – A day in Mayfair
Comptoir Café & Wine
Comptoir Café & Wine – A day in Mayfair
Comptoir Café & Wine
Comptoir Café & Wine – A day in Mayfair
Comptoir Café & Wine
Comptoir Café & Wine – A day in Mayfair
Comptoir Café & Wine
Comptoir Café & Wine – A day in Mayfair
Comptoir Café & Wine
Comptoir Café & Wine – A day in Mayfair
Comptoir Café & Wine

Comptoir Café & Wine

All-day café and wine bar

Comptoir Café & Wine comprises of an all-day café that becomes a wine bar by night, as well as a boutique wine store in the cellar. Combining classic and contemporary style, it's a relaxed and attractive spot with indoor and outdoor seats. Sample pastries, coffee, and sandwiches for brunch and lunch and in the evening try small plates with hundreds of wine options, including about 30 varieties by the glass.

Places for dinner

Taku

Luxurious omakase

Indulge in an exclusive Japanese meal at Taku. This fine dining restaurant specialises in omakase, or leaving things up to the chef. It's an intimate and upscale venue with only 16 seats and three sittings each day. Diners here sample unique 20 course menus of Michelin-starred cuisine, prepared using fine ingredients.

Hawksmoor

Steak and seafood

Hawksmoor in Air Street is the ideal place to eat if you're all about meat. The restaurant has a classic appearance with leather booths and low lighting. Steak is a big attraction but you'll also find other traditional dishes like bone marrow and onions and whole lobster. Cocktails and wine are served here too.

Isabel Mayfair

Refined Mediterranean meals

Isabel Mayfair is a refined restaurant in Albemarle Street specialising in Mediterranean cuisine. The rich interior has dark furnishings, bronze accents, botanical prints, and a distinctive feature bar. The seasonal menu is constantly changing but expect dishes like salads, scallops, pasta, grilled octopus, and steaks. Complete your meal with cocktails or wine.

Don't go home yet

Carwash Nightclub

Colourful pop fest

One of Europe's leading pop and disco clubs, Carwash Nightclub plays anthems and deep cuts from the 1970s to the 2000s, encourages dressing up, and is packed with colour and lively atmosphere. There are three floors of music here with themed nights on each week. The club also has a restaurant on-site and VIP packages are available for big nights out.

The Palm Beach Casino

Large luxury gaming floor

Home to one of London's largest gaming floors, The Palm Beach Casino is a luxurious destination for games. This glitzy establishment has its own lounge bar and a restaurant serving fine South Asian food. Games available here include baccarat, roulette, blackjack, and slot machines, plus you can visit the intimate high stakes room if you want to place some serious bets.

Mr Fogg's Residence

Eccentric cocktail bar

Enjoy cocktails until the early hours at Mr Fogg's Residence. This bar is full of eccentricity with artwork, hanging bird cages, curiosities, and plants. Try out exclusive signature cocktails prepared with exotic ingredients, as well as an extensive collection of spirits. Nibbles, including cheese and charcuterie, are also served here.

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Editors

At Thatsup, we have extensive experience of guiding our readers to a city’s hidden gems. Since 2008, our editors have been writing insightful guides covering restaurants, bars, cafes, hotels, and hairdressers, among other things. Our guides consist of carefully selected tips based on our local knowledge and are regularly updated with the help of our focus group, where we collectively discuss selections and content. We are constantly working to inspire and provide you with the best possible experience, no matter where you are or what you are looking for.