This is a helpful area guide to Mayfair, one of London’s most elegant and culturally rich neighbourhoods. Perfectly positioned between Hyde Park and Green Park, Mayfair offers a rare blend of calm, beauty and world-class experiences. You’ll find yourself strolling between garden squares and Georgian townhouses, past historic pubs, high-end boutiques, and celebrated art galleries. Whether relaxing over coffee in a quiet mews or dining in a Michelin-starred restaurant, Mayfair delivers a sense of effortless luxury and charm. I hope my guide will help you navigate Mayfair’s highlights and hidden spots.
The Best Things To Do in Mayfair
Mayfair is blessed with green spaces. It’s perfectly positioned between Hyde Park and Green Park, two of London’s grand Royal Parks. Within the neighbourhood, Grosvenor Square is a grand patch of greenery framed by stately embassy buildings. Berkeley Square is one of Mayfair’s grandest garden squares, known for its historic plane trees, elegant Georgian architecture and quiet sense of refinement. My favourite Brown Hart Gardens is a peaceful raised terrace garden built above a former electricity substation.
The Royal Academy of Arts is a cornerstone of Mayfair’s cultural life, hosting acclaimed exhibitions throughout the year. Its courtyard and surrounding galleries offer a great starting point for an afternoon of art. Burlington House, Piccadilly, London W1J 0BD.
On Brook Street, the Handel Hendrix House is a unique museum dedicated to two musical legends who once lived next door to one another: composer George Frideric Handel and rock guitarist Jimi Hendrix. Their stories, separated by two centuries, come together in one atmospheric townhouse. 25 Brook St, London W1K 4HB.
Mayfair is steeped in musical history, with plaques honouring legends from Handel and Hendrix at 25 Brook Street to the Bee Gees at 67 Brook Street, where they lived and composed in the 1970s. Montagu Square marks the former homes of Ringo Starr, Paul McCartney and John Lennon, while 23 Heddon Street is commemorated with a plaque marking the spot where David Bowie posed as Ziggy Stardust.
Tucked away on Bourdon Place is a trio of bronze statues capturing a moment from a 1960s fashion shoot. Created by artist Neal French and unveiled in 2012, the piece features model Twiggy, photographer Terence Donovan, and a passing shopper. Although the original photo was taken in Knightsbridge, the sculpture pays homage to Mayfair’s fashion heritage and Donovan’s later studio, located nearby. Commissioned by Grosvenor Estates, it marks the opening of their Grosvenor Hill building. Bourdon Place, London W1K 3AB.
Best Places To Shop In Mayfair
Bond Street and New Bond Street are known for high-end fashion and luxury. You’ll find designer flagships like Chanel, Louis Vuitton, Hermès, Dior, Prada and Gucci, along with Balenciaga, Saint Laurent and Alexander McQueen. There are also luxury jewellery stores, including Cartier and Tiffany & Co.
One of my favourite places to browse designer labels is Dover Street Market. It’s a cutting-edge concept store founded by Rei Kawakubo of Comme des Garçons. Now housed in a striking former Burberry building on Haymarket (on the edge of Mayfair), it blends high fashion with streetwear, art installations, and cult labels across multiple floors. More than just a shop, it’s a curated experience that redefines the boundaries between retail and gallery. On the top floor, you’ll find a café hosted by Rose Bakery. 18-22 Haymarket, London SW1Y 4DG.
Savile Row remains at the heart of British tailoring. For generations, its esteemed ateliers have suited kings, politicians and screen legends. Beneath the elegant storefronts, many still hand-cut fabric the traditional way. Even if you’re not shopping, it’s worth strolling the street and glancing into the windows. While you’re there, check out The Service, a relaxed lifestyle café and collaborative space on Savile Row, offering premium coffee in a setting that celebrates the craft of tailoring.
Bourdon House is Alfred Dunhill’s elegant Mayfair flagship, set in a restored Georgian townhouse. Alongside fine menswear and leather goods, it offers a traditional barbershop, walk-in humidor, private cinema, and Alfie’s café, making it more than a store but a refined retreat for modern gentlemen. 2 Davies Street, London W1K 3DJ.
Burlington Arcade is worth a visit for its heritage as much as its shopping. This covered 19th-century arcade houses small specialist retailers, including jewellers and perfumers, all under a beautifully preserved roof. 51 Piccadilly, London W1J 0QJ.
If you’re looking for antiques or a special one-off, head to Grays Antique Market on Davies Street. It’s home to dozens of independent dealers across two levels, selling everything from vintage watches and jewellery to maps, coins and fine collectables. 58 Davies Street, London W1K 5LP.
Sotheby’s auction house often opens its doors to the public for viewing. You can see rare artworks, watches and antiques without needing to place a bid. 34-35 New Bond Street, London W1A 2AA.
Mayfair’s gallery scene is thriving, with Cork Street at its heart—home to institutions like Waddington Custot and The Mayor Gallery, alongside newer spaces such as Lyndsey Ingram and JD Malat. Nearby, Dover Street features names like Clarendon Fine Art, Richard Green, and CCA Galleries, while Albemarle Street hosts Connaught Brown and Marlborough Fine Art. With global heavyweights like Gagosian, Hauser & Wirth, Sadie Coles HQ, and David Zwirner also in the mix, Mayfair remains one of the most concentrated and dynamic art districts in the world.
Best Places To Eat In Mayfair
Mayfair is home to some of London’s most exclusive restaurants, from the three-Michelin-starred Hélène Darroze at The Connaught to the richly decorated Sketch. Gymkhana brings bold, Michelin-starred Indian cuisine to Albemarle Street, while The Ivy Asia Mayfair serves pan-Asian dishes in a dazzling cherry blossom–filled setting. For those seeking even more privacy, Mark’s Club offers British classics in a discreet townhouse, and Harry’s Bar delivers timeless Italian elegance on South Audley Street. I recently dined at Silva, which was a beautifully sophisticated experience with a delightful Mediterranean-inspired menu.
Mayfair is full of characterful dining spots that offer a more relaxed alternative to the area’s glitz and glamour. Heddon Street, just off Regent Street, is a lively pedestrianised hub. Avery Row combines style and ease, featuring contemporary Italian cuisine at Sparrow and Riviera-inspired French cuisine at La Petite Maison. For something more tucked away, Shepherd Market offers cobbled charm and a village-like feel, ideal for a casual drink or bite at one of its pubs or pavement restaurants.
You’ll also find some laid-back brunch or lunch spots in Mayfair. Try LALÏ Café or Entree Artisan Bakery and Deli at Bruton Place, Popina eatery on Duke Street, or their restaurant at Weighhouse Street. Alternatively, consider NAC and Kleinsky’s, both located on North Audley Street.
Mercato Mayfair is ideal for casual get-togethers, set in a deconsecrated church. It is the perfect spot for group dining, a solo lunch, or a casual date night dinner. Next door is the iconic Mayfair Chippy offers a refined take on classic fish and chips.
For coffee, croissants and cakes, try H.R. Higgins (Coffee Man) Ltd. on Duke Street, Shot on Berkeley Street, Comptoir Coffee and Wine on Weighhouse Street, or Hagen on North Audley Street.
Those after a proper pint in a historic setting, The Coach and Horses on Bruton Street is one of Mayfair’s oldest pubs. It offers cask ales, a traditional menu and a calm first-floor dining room. The building itself has hosted everyone from 18th-century playwrights to royal residents.
Helpful Information About Mayfair London W1
Mayfair is situated in the heart of the West End. It lies between Hyde Park and Green Park, bordered by Oxford Street, Regent Street, Park Lane, and Piccadilly. It’s easily accessible via Green Park, Bond Street, and Oxford Circus stations. Once you’re there, the best way to explore is on foot. Its most interesting corners are often the quietest, from converted mews lanes like Bruton Place to small passageways like Avery Lane and adorable streets like North Audley. Whether you’re browsing art, shopping for handbags, or enjoying a long lunch, Mayfair offers a calm and elegant backdrop to explore at your own pace. Visit the Mayfair website for more information.
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Author: Homegirl London. Photographs: Homegirl London. To avoid disappointment, please verify that the places I referenced in this article are still in operation before visiting.