A local’s guide to the best things to do and hidden gems in Mayfair, one of London’s poshest areas, from secret gardens to exquisite restaurants!
I’ve always found Mayfair to be a beautiful neighborhood to walk around, what with its large streets, shopping arcades with gorgeous architecture, and other aesthetic restaurants dotted around the Central London area.
Once you get over the beauty of Burlington Arcade and New Bond Street, though, you will find there are many secret places in Mayfair that deserve at least a glance or to.
If you’ve been here before, then you know what I’m about: I love all types of historical sites, controversial street art, and other secret alleys – and London just offers all of this.
Keep reading, and you’ll find below all of Mayfair’s prettiest streets, galleries, gardens, statues, along with some fine dining restaurants you should have on your bucket list!
The Best Hidden Gems in Mayfair London, from Gardens to Food
Where Is Mayfair Located?
Mayfair is easily accessible from stations like Bond Street, Green Park and Piccadilly Circus.
The beautiful neighborhood offers wide, clean streets with exclusive shops, unusual fashion brands, upscale restaurants and cute landmarks.
Walking around Mayfair will take you to Oxford Street on the northern side, Regent Street to the east, Piccadilly in the south, and Hyde Park in the western part of the area.
It’s really close to lots of London’s famous landmarks, and if you’re looking for places to see Christmas lights and decorations in London, Mayfair is one of the prettiest places to visit.
What Is Mayfair Famous For?
While we’re going to be talking about secret things to do in Mayfair in this guide, the area is one of the most famous in London, which means it is very frequented on a daily basis.
Whether you’re a tourist or a Londoner, you’ll find that you can’t really do shopping in London without popping by Mayfair – even if only to window shop.
The affluent district has a rich history dating back to the 17th century, and has been home to noble families and celebrities ever since.
Shops in Mayfair are definitely something to see, namely the bespoke tailors on Savile Row, but I would also recommend popping by the beautiful art galleries, such as Galerie Bartoux or the Richard Orlinski Gallery, to inspire your artistic mind.
In addition, if you ever feel hungry, there are lots of cute coffee shops in Mayfair to be visited for beautiful breakfast and brunch – and some are not even that expensive!
The Best Hidden Gems in Mayfair
Best Hidden Gems in Mayfair: Brown Hart Gardens Terrace
If you’re ever looking for free rooftops in London, you’ll find many, and one of the lowest – and most secret is the terrace at Brown Hart Gardens.
Located really close to Mount Street Gardens, Brown Hart Gardens is located on top of a former electricity substation, and often features public artworks.
It’s completely free to access, and you have benches here which make the terrace an amazing place to write in London, journal or read when the days are longer and warmer.
Since Brown Hart Gardens are quite low, the main views you have from the terrace are on the surrounding Mayfair buildings, a joy to look at while having a picnic.
If you’d like to have a romantic date in London but are on a budget, that’s definitely a place you will want to visit with your other half.
Read: The Best Hidden Gems in Soho
Best Hidden Gems in Mayfair: Mount Street Gardens
One of my favorite gardens in London is Mount Street Gardens, located right off Mount Street, one of Mayfair’s prettiest streets.
Originally established in the 18th century, Mount Street Gardens are one of the cleanest and most secret gardens in Central London, and really seem to be known only by locals.
It’s one of my favorite photo spots in London, and between the Victorian architecture of surrounding buildings and the quaint church built on the grounds of the gardens, you have here the opportunity to unwind for hours.
It is free to enter Mount Street Gardens, but there are set opening hours, so make sure you check before you visit!
Read: The Prettiest Palaces and Castles in London
Best Hidden Gems in Mayfair: Allies Sculpture, New Bond St
Another one of the best hidden gems in Mayfair is the Allies sculpture you’ll find when walking around New Bond Street – this public art installation is one I make a point to walk past every time I’m in Mayfair.
Crafted by Lawrence Holofcener, the bronze statue of Roosevelt and Churchill has been sitting on a New Bond Street bench since 1995.
Designed to commemorate 50 years of peace after World War II, the statues are sitting far apart enough that you can sit between them to take a picture.
I love finding artistic hidden gems and fun sculptures in London, so you can easily understand why I love the Allies sculpture so much – it’s a cool thing to do when in Mayfair!
Read: The Prettiest Medieval Sites in London
Best Hidden Gems in Mayfair: Mercato Mayfair
Some time ago, when I told you about places to have lunch under £5 in London, I mentioned Mercato Metropolitano in Elephant and Castle.
Well, while you’ll cash out more money when eating at Mercato Mayfair, the market located on North Audley Street, in St Mark’s Church, is very much worth a visit.
Some could say Mercato Mayfair is one of the most instagrammable places in London, and they would be right – but the quality and variety of Italian food available there is what makes it a must-visit.
Few markets in London are as photo-ready as Mercato Mayfair, and if you’re ever looking for unusual things to do in Central London, the regular live performances held there might be of interest to you.
North Audley Street is, by the way, one of the prettiest streets in Mayfair, and a perfect place to visit if you love architecture!
Read: The Best Hidden Gems in East London
Best Hidden Gems in Mayfair: Farm Street Church
Farm Street Church is another one of the best hidden gems in Mayfair, and is famous for its elegant architecture.
Completed in 1849, the beautiful church is a screaming example of Gothic Revival architecture and can also be spotted from Mount Street Gardens we talked about earlier in this guide.
There is so much beautiful architecture in London that if you don’t know where to go first, Farm Street Church is a good starting point, including its breathtaking chapels.
Officially known as the Church of the Immaculate Conception, Farm Street Church is still a place of worship but can be visited, if only to enjoy the beauty of the stained glass windows, sculptures and frescoes.
Read: The Best Hidden Gems in North London
Best Hidden Gems in Mayfair: Shepherd Market
Walking around town, you’ll find there are quite a few picturesque villages inside London, and one of the most central is Shepherd Market.
You’ll find in this historic area some of the cutest streets and photo spots, which make Mayfair so much more than just the ultimate shopping destination.
With a history dating back to the 18th century, Shepherd Market was named after Edward Shepherd, associated with the development of this area, which used to be a market area – hence the name.
Shepherd Market is located between Curzon Street and Piccadilly, and within walking distance of both Hyde Park and Green Park.
That’s a cute area where you’ll find many cafes, restaurants, boutiques and independent shops to purchase anything from clothes to antiques and jewelry.
Market Mews, Trebeck Street and Hertford Street are three really beautiful streets in the Shepherd Market area – and prove there are pretty mews even around Central!
Read: The Best Hidden Gems in South London
Best Hidden Gems in Mayfair: Sekhmet Statue, Sotheby’s
Sotheby’s is one of the most famous auction houses in the world, and with its location on New Bond Street, it’s easily accessible from Oxford Street – it’s also a must-visit fashion spot as there are often fashion exhibitions going on there.
At the beginning of the 19th century, the Victorian Egyptomania movement born from the Napoleonic campaigns in Egypt meant people all over Europe were actively seeking and collecting all kinds of Egyptian artifacts.
Hence another one of the best hidden gems in Mayfair, a bust of the goddess Sekhmet with her lioness looks.
Its history is pretty simple, really.
Sold at Sotheby’s in the 19th century, the Sekhmet statue, carved around 1320 BC, was never collected by the buyer and kept by the auction house to adorn the entrance.
It’s very well preserved and today a cute detail to spot when walking around Mayfair!
Read: The Best Hidden Gems in West London
The Best Shops in Mayfair
Best Shops in Mayfair: Santa Maria Novella, Piccadilly Arcade
I love perfume, and I have to admit that some of my favorites come from British perfume brands – and there are many easily shoppable in London.
Mayfair is home to some of the most luxurious shops in London, and while it’s not a British brand, Florence-born Santa Maria Novella is another must-visit.
Located in Piccadilly Arcade, Santa Maria Novella is one of the oldest perfume brands in the world since it was established by Dominican friars in 1612 and still follows traditional recipes and crafting methods.
Beyond their premium perfumes, Santa Maria Novella also offers skincare and incredible luxury candles – if you’ve been here before, you know that from DW Home to Yankee Candle and Baobab Collection, candles are my jam.
Piccadilly Arcade being one of the prettiest shopping arcades in London, it’s in itself worth a visit, but the tiny Santa Maria Novella shop makes it even more of an adventure.
Read: The Best Charity Shops in London
Best Shops in Mayfair: Sotheran’s Rare Books and Prints
You’ll find many unique shops in London; from jewelry to indie clothing brands, London is known for being one of the best shopping destinations in the world.
What I find myself loving more and more are beautiful bookshops, and Sotheran’s, Sotheran’s Rare Books and Prints of its full name, is a stunning place to visit, if only to look.
Focusing on rare books, collectibles, manuscripts and prints, the Mayfair shop was established in 1761 and one of the oldest antiquarian bookshops in the world.
The shop is open everyday but on weekends and can help you build your own collection of antique books if you wish to.
Its beauty and atmosphere make it one of my favorite hidden gems in Mayfair – if you’re as in love with beautiful bookstores as I am, do think of also including Marylebone’s Daunt Books on your bucket list!
Read: The Best Second Hand Bookshops in London
Best Shops in Mayfair: Galerie Bartoux, Mayfair
One of Mayfair’s best art galleries, Galerie Bartoux is one I always visit when I’m in the area. What I love about art galleries is that you can look around even if you’re not planning to buy the artwork.
At Galerie Bartoux, which has branches in London, New York, Paris and other cities around the world, what you can see is sculptures, paintings and conceptual art.
We do have lots of unusual museums in London, don’t we, but the vibe I feel in proper art galleries is very different, very new and fresh.
You never really know what you’ll find at Galerie Bartoux, but from holographic sculptures to minimalist statues, there will be something that makes you say ‘wow’.
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The Best Restaurants and Places to Eat in Mayfair
Best Places to Eat in Mayfair: Pasticceria Marchesi
Now, finding new Italian bakeries in London is something that always makes me really excited about life, and historic Pasticceria Marchesi is one of Mayfair’s secret spots.
Dating back to 1824, Pasticceria Marchesi can be traced back to Milan, and has other branches around the world in which they sell premium pastries, cakes, chocolates and other Italian desserts.
Located on Mount Street, close to both Mount Street Gardens and Brown Hart Gardens, Pasticceria Marchesi’s shop window is already very enticing.
Yet, that’s nothing compared to their upscale decor, hot chocolate, strong coffee and, obviously, cornetti alla crema.
Best Places to Eat Breakfast in Mayfair: Drunch Mayfair
If you’re looking for hidden gems in Mayfair, Drunch is not that much of a hidden gem – however, it is one of the most instagrammable cafes in London.
As such, for colorful lattes, pancake plates and other avocado toasts, it’s a must-visit in my book.
Drunch Mayfair is easily accessible from Oxford Street, so if you’re planning to pop by TK Maxx or other shops on Oxford Street after breakfast, that’s a good place to start the day.
The floral arrangements on the outside of the eatery change according to the season, and the terrace allows you to enjoy some kind of alfresco dining with a view on the Mayfair buildings.
Muslim patrons, Drunch is considered one of the best halal cafes in London because it blends a halal menu with a floral coffee shop background.
As such, if you’re looking for places to have a halal brunch in Central, stunning French toast and pastries, you know where to go!
Best Hidden Gem Restaurants in Mayfair: Benares
Founded by Chef Atul Kochhar, a figure of Indian cuisine in London, Benares is one of the only – and best – Indian restaurants in Mayfair.
It just so happens that if you’re looking for halal restaurants in Mayfair, all chicken and lamb is halal at Benares, allowing Muslim patrons to enjoy Michelin-starred cuisine without having to preorder it.
Chef Atul Kochhar was awarded his first Michelin star with Tamarind, another must-visit restaurant while in London.
His second was awarded with Benares, proof that his innovative and elevated approach to Indian cuisine hits the spot.
Located in the heart of Mayfair on Berkeley Square, Benares will warm you up with British-Indian fusion food ranging from lamb sheesh to goat’s milk paneer tikka, to be enjoyed with uppity naan options, of course.
Best Hidden Gem Restaurants in Mayfair: Sartoria Mayfair, Savile Row
One of the best restaurants in Mayfair, Sartoria offers an Italian menu that revolves around upscale Calabrian specialties.
Mayfair does not lack fine dining restaurants, and while there is a strong Italian influence in London, few are the places that offer such delicious vitello tonnato, grilled octopus and, my favorite, melanzane alla Parmigiana.
I currently live between London and Rome, and being able to find Italian cafes, authentic Neapolitan pizza and Italian bakeries helps release a bit of that homesick feeling I inevitably experience when I’m in the UK.
Located on Savile Row, famous for its bespoke tailors, Sartoria Mayfair might not be a hidden gem, but it is for sure one of the most elegant restaurants around – and a top pick from breakfast to dinner.
Read: The Best British Shops in London
The Best Hidden Gems in Mayfair London, from Gardens to Food
There you have them, all the best hidden gems in Mayfair, from beautiful churches to quaint streets and Shepherd Village, one of London’s most secret villages!
This is a good starting point if you’re visiting London for the first time and would like to really take in Mayfair’s atmosphere.
Undeniably one of my favorite neighborhoods in London, Mayfair offers a plethora of brunch spots, Michelin-starred restaurants, and incredible shops and art galleries you have to discover.
Once you’re done with this area, why not discover some of Oxford Street’s hidden gems next?
You’re really close, and in a matter of minutes, you’ll be able to enjoy a much more bustling vibe in the historic street!