Marylebone for me, is the Monopoly board brought to life!
In this ‘The London Series’ post, I focus on Marylebone: a wealthy part of London that I have come to know relatively well thanks to my former office job being near Marylebone High Street.
Marylebone is an expensive area of London and always reminds me of the board game Monopoly. It is home to some gems. I would explore the area on my lunch breaks or pass through on weekends, thinking about where I wanted to try next. Now that I no longer work in the area, I am going to miss it; however, one perk is that it might help me save some money as I am now not as regularly tempted by all it has to offer.
So let’s dive in. Here are some recommendations to check out in Marylebone, including coffee shops, my favourite bookstore in London, restaurants, and a boutique gym.
Carlotta – a Big Mamma Restaurant
Located at the top of Marylebone High Street is one of the Big Mamma Group’s London restaurants – Carlotta. I first came across the Big Mamma restaurant group in Paris when I was a student studying there. They have this massive location showcasing the best of their menu called La Felicità, and I was immediately hooked. I would study there with friends and enjoy the coffee and extensive selection of pastries. In London, I have visited nearly all of the Big Mamma restaurants, apart from ‘Gloria’. The more I go, the more I have become accustomed to the atmosphere they offer. You cannot go wrong with an evening at one of their Italian spots, especially if you are entertaining guests who have never been or live outside of London.
Carlotta has a lot of character, offering outdoor seating but also lots of funky indoor seating. It is perfect for date night and catching up with friends or family.
More Food!
If you are looking to impress over dinner in London or grab something for lunch, then Marylebone has you covered. It has some great options for food, and I would argue that you can find something to suit varied budgets, despite it being an expensive part of London.
Lina Stores has multiple locations in London and is an Italian restaurant and deli. I first tried Lina Stores for lunch one day when I was in the office, and I became obsessed with their lunch plates. The food is fresh and nutritious. I have also been to breakfast with some of my work colleagues and for dinner to try their pasta and have a Negroni (these are my current cocktail obsession). Additionally, you can find Italian products here, including pasta, sauces, and spreads. Try Lina for when catching up with friends, to grab a healthy yet quick work lunch or a coffee with a client.
Bonne Bouche on Marylebone High Street is a great one for pastries and lunch, or a coffee with colleagues. It sells traditional pastries as well as fresh baguettes and paninis every day.
A Mediterranean restaurant specialising in health-focused sharing plates – Delamina is a great choice for a date or a catch-up with friends. I went here with two friends from Dundee when they were visiting London, and we had a great night chatting over delicious food and wine.
Selfridges – Pizza Pilgrims & the Brasserie of Light
Selfridges, known for its designer brands and food hall, also has a few restaurants inside!
An affordable and delicious pizza spot in Selfridges is Pizza Pilgrims. Admittedly, I have never been to this location, but either way, I know the pizza is good! Their Nutella tiramisu is a must-try for those with a sweet tooth!
For something a little bit fancier, head to the Brasserie of Light. I first went here with my mum for some bar snacks and drinks. We then went back to celebrate my 24th birthday. The setting is the main thing which entices me about this restaurant. The food is good, but I would say you can spend the same or less on a better meal somewhere else. If you fancy trying it, go for the vibes!
Daunt Books
Daunt Books in Marylebone has got to be one of my favourite bookstores in the world. I love the architecture and design of the store. When you walk in, you will see the latest release of books for sale as well as some themed tables. If you head towards the back of the store, the books are then categorised by location. I adore this as it means that if you fancy reading about a story that takes place in France, you can head to the France section, or if you want to read about travels through Asia, you can head downstairs to the Asia section. The way the books are organised unites two of my favourite activities: travelling and reading.
Coffee & a pastry spot
Marylebone is home to some iconic London coffee shops and cafes, including Hagen Espresso, SHOT and Monocle Café.
- SHOT London: You can buy very expensive coffee and coffee beans here. I think they do a nice cup of coffee, and the standard price isn’t too bad considering how much a cup of coffee costs from a mainstream coffee chain. However, some would argue it is overpriced and overhyped.
- Granger & Co.: Recently featured by TopJaw on their Best Brunch Spots in London, Granger & Co. is an Australian restaurant chain whose menu is filled with staples. I love their hot chocolate and would grab one on a cold day in Marylebone.
- Hagen Espresso Bar: This little espresso bar on Marylebone High Street is a Danish coffee brand born out of Copenhagen. They believe in “harbouring the best coffee through modern design”.
- The Monocle Café: This was recommended by a friend and is on my ‘to try’ list. Specialising in coffee and open later in the evening for a glass of wine.
- Panadera: I have only tried the coffee here, and I really enjoyed it. One other thing Panadera create which looks mouthwatering are the sandwiches. As I write this, I am thinking maybe I need to take a trip to Marlyebone for lunch soon…
- Arôme Bakery: The almond croissants here can feed two! Or one if you are really hungry! The smell from the freshly baked pastries always enticed me to nip in when I would wander past on my way into the office in the morning.
BXR London
BXR is a boutique gym in London centred around an elite boxing-gym concept. They have two locations in London, one in Marylebone, which was the first gym they opened, and now a second in East London. With a third location in Daios Cove!
BXR offer membership with access to their gyms, boxing classes and personal training. As well as other classes called Sweat by BXR, which include things like pilates, strength and conditioning, and other muscle-focused workouts.
I first heard about BXR when I helped out at a running event hosted by BXR and ON Running. Since that event, I have been lucky to have used the gym in Marylebone and also tried out a pilates class. The staff and coaches are friendly and will help you to push yourself physically.
What are your thoughts on Marylebone, and have you or do you plan to check out any of the spots mentioned above?
I feel lucky to have experienced working in the area and because of that, discovered so many places to eat, explore and grab a coffee. Marylebone High Street offers a haven away from the hustle and bustle of Oxford Street and Selfridges. Therefore, if on a busy shopping day you want to escape and find somewhere that feels a little more exclusive, then consider some of the places I have recommended.
Click here for my Google Maps list of the locations mentioned, plus a few more.
See you for the next one!
Lots of love,
Laura-Jane
Laura-Jane Adventures 
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