Dispatch From Mount Street, London

As someone who moves around a lot, I especially appreciate when I don’t have to. Every time we come to London, we find ourselves on Mount Street, be it for lunch at Scott’s, drinks at the Connaught, eyeballing the latest crossbody colors at our favorite Métier, and occasionally picking up a cigar at Sautter of Mount Street, which Matt will enjoy in front of Arthur Sleep while I browse their chic mules. Last week, our friends at the Connaught invited us to spend the weekend there, which we were thrilled to do, and we literally did everything in the neighborhood—never traveling more than a couple of blocks from Mount Street. Heaven. Here’s our list of favorites below, along with some from our friends who know it well.

EAT & DRINK

Marchesi – A pastel bijou of a storefront, this is easily the best place in central London for a true Italian coffee, fit with a charming coffee banco. The pastries are perfection, especially at Easter time!

The Farm Shop – A charming grocer from the Art Farm group (Fife Arms, Mount St., Audley Public House), stocked with produce from their Somerset farm alongside beautifully prepared takeaway dishes, perfect for a picnic in the gardens across the way. There’s also an immaculate frozen beef Wellington to finish at home, plus a tightly curated wine collection. Downstairs, the Wine Bar is an incredibly sweet, low-lit spot for lunch serving simple, well-executed fare, including easily the best chicken Caesar salad in London. 

“With its brilliant little wine bar underneath serving great wine by the glass and charcuterie plates, the Farm Shop on South Audley street is a new favorite.” —Paula Fitzherbert, The Maybourne Group

Jamavar – The first international outpost of the flagship location in Bengaluru, Jamavar is a pan-Indian fine-dining restaurant with elegant interiors inspired by the Viceroy’s house in New Delhi: lots of dark-wood paneling, hand-cut marquetry, and brass accents. 

“One of the best Indian meals I’ve had—the menu is vast and the food is incredible. Still thinking about the malabar prawns and the lamb chops cooked in the tandoor.” —Clara Hranek, Yolo associate editor

The Audley Public House – The contrast here is what makes it shine: a truly chic boozer in the form of a real old-school London pub with carpeting, a grand wooden bar, killer bar snacks, and a remarkable exhibition of contemporary art. 

The various bars at The Connaught – The sexiest bars in London (the Coburg Bar and the Red Room) are both in this hotel. Whether it’s tableside martinis at the Connaught Bar, a wee dram in the cozy Coburg Bar, or an after-dinner drink in the Red Room, each experience is classic, exciting and varied. 

“I love sitting in The Connaught Bar. Cozy tables fit for conversation with the seamless choreography of shaking, stirring, and popping of corks.” —Ariel Childs, CEO of Winkreative

Scott’s Mayfair – A true institution. Originally founded in 1851 as an oyster warehouse, it’s been in its current location since 1967 and is still the best (and fanciest) fish and chips in London.

“Scott’s is genius—doorman with bowler hat, caught-in-time interiors, great seafood, and you’ll always run into someone you know.” —Matt Hranek, founder of Wm Brown

Mount St. Restaurant – Created by architect Luis Laplace and Art Farm, the room here is the star, with gorgeous terrazzo floors and walls adorned with Calder and Freud (to name a few). The perfect sunny day lunch spot, and with the pub just downstairs, you can pop down for a pint afterwards.

Kai Mayfair – Turning out what it describes as “liberated Nanyang cooking,” Kai draws on culinary traditions from China’s southern seas, offering upscale Chinese fare with a vast and unique menu.

“If I want an indulgent meal I head to Kai—the best ginger chicken, and don’t miss the coconut lychee dessert.”—Jay Azam, founder of Arthur Sleep

Carbone London – The icon’s first UK outpost located in The Chancery Rosewood, the space is super chic with a great bar on the lower level and a huge dining room. They also recently just started their lunch service, which is decadent and delicious. 

Automat – You would never know there’s a restaurant hidden away in the back of the Tanner Kroll shop, but it’s incredibly cool when you do find it. Serving up American diner-style fare, the menu is classic, but it’s really all about the space and vibe. 

SHOPPING

Arthur Sleep – A favorite of menswear aficionados, Arthur Sleep is the place for custom slippers and footwear. Their shop is a gem down a small mews off Mount Street, outfitted with an Italian coffee bar and outdoor seating area.

Jessica McCormack – Even if you’re not in the market for one-of-a-kind diamonds in vintage-inspired settings, you should still stop in at the Jessica McCormack flagship on Mount Street. Across from The Connaught, the atelier occupies an entire townhouse and is decorated like a home, with collected objects, gallery-quality art and, of course, breathtaking jewels. 

Métier – If you’ve been reading Yolo for a while, you know we are big fans of Métier, founded by Melissa Morris, and their jewelbox storefront on Mount Street is a perfect expression of the brand, showcasing the incredible craftsmanship and beauty of some of our favorite bags.

Fueguia 1833 – Founded in 2010 in Buenos Aires, Fueguia is an incredible perfumery focusing primarily on botanical scents with references to nature and world travel. Their London shop houses a collection of vintage fragrances in their “cave,” which have been set aside to enhance their effect. Downstairs, the main fragrance room is dim, intimate, and  an arresting display of colorful perfume bottles. 

Mount Street Printers – A store you could spend hours in. Whether you’re there for custom letterhead or the chicest invitations imaginable, this shop’s collection is encyclopedic. They have refined paper goods, pens, gifts and objets—we are especially fans of their leatherbound notebooks. Having been granted a Royal Warrant, they work with various luxury and heritage brands across the world.

Barnaby Bars – Handmade chocolate bars with the best packaging—the perfect gift to bring back. Don’t miss their hot chocolate!

Nordic Knots – Designed as the Nordic Knots London pied-à-terre, this elegant space is both shop and showroom, where customers can discover the entire collection in the context of a home. 

James Purdey & Sons – A true English heritage gunmaker and sportswear outfitter, Purdey has been based in London since its foundation in 1814, holding warrants from the British Royal Family since 1868. The original Audley House shop transports you to an English countryside manor home with wooden built-ins and antique taxidermy. They’ve also just reopened the Purdey shooting school at Royal Berkshire, a short journey out of London, for those looking to sharpen their shooting skills.

Purdey’s address in Mayfair is more than just a shop, it’s a piece of living history.” —Eric Twardzik, WM Brown deputy editor

Sautter Cigars – An institution that greets visitors with a gust of cigar smoke upon entering. It’s occupied the same location for over 50 years in a storefront filled with old cigar boxes and classic gilded lettering. Home to an incredible selection, it’s one of the only places (excluding private clubs) where you can smoke cigars inside in London. 

EXPLORATIONS 

The Mount Street Gardens – A breath of fresh air in the middle of the neighborhood, these gardens are set just behind bustling Mount Street, and you would never know you’re in the heart of central London. An ideal spot for a coffee or morning stroll. 

Maison Sisley – The French luxury skincare brand’s London home is a great spot for a facial or body treatment. The space is lovely, with a sitting area designed to look like a private home and a painted ceiling resembling a circus tent.

Hamiltons Gallery – One of the world’s most illustrious and oldest photography galleries, also known for representing icons like Helmut Newton, Irving Penn and Richard Avedon.

HOTELS

The Connaught – The North Star of the Mount Street Neighborhood and a true London institution, The Connaught skews old-school London in all the best ways—dark wooden bannisters, a historical art collection, and bell hops in top hats—with modern twists that keep the property feeling contemporary.  (Read our Guest Book here!)

The Chancery Rosewood – Eero Saarinen’s former US Embassy on Grosvenor Square, recently transformed into an all-suite hotel with a quietly residential feel and massive spa, is shaping up to be London’s coolest new address. 

The Beaumont – With its lacquered wood interiors, British Racing Green Bentley, terribly charming muraled breakfast room that hosts many a power breakfast, and the best martinis at Le Magritte Bar, The Beaumont remains one of London’s sexiest hotels. Read our Guest Book here!

“It’s classic and reminds me of New York… and feels like the perfect staycation. I saw Salman Rushdie there once, and every time I go back I look for him.” —Melissa Morris, founder of Métier

The Twenty Two – Members club, hotel, and restaurant, this property is another Mount Street neighborhood anchor. It’s discreet yet incredibly charming, with maximalist interiors and a restaurant that serves a mean Sunday roast.