Why Marylebone Is London's Most Underrated Neighborhood To Visit

Forbes

11 hours ago

Marylebone district, London, England, UK getty
Although it is in central London, near all the main attractions, Marylebone Village is a far cry from the other hectic shopping areas nearby. And with a neighborhood feel, the area is more than just your typical shopping area, with loads of independent shops, bars, cafes and restaurants. Located just minutes from the hustle and bustle of Oxford Street, the area offers an array of shopping, eating and cultural experiences in a picturesque setting, surrounded by period architecture and attractive green spaces. One of London's best art museums is in the area and well worth a visit. The Wallace Collection, on Manchester Square, bequeathed to the British nation in 1897, houses masterpieces from the 14th to the 19th centuries by artists including Titian, Velázquez, Rubens and Fragonard.
A guest room at The Zetter Marylebone, London Darren Chung
The Zetter Marylebone is a delightful 4-star boutique hotel, in a row of attractive Georgian townhouses, tucked away on a discreet side street, just minutes away from Oxford Street. When stepping inside the book and antique filled parlor, you'll immediately feel you're in a sumptuous home rather than a hotel. The decor is cozy and inviting and while the service is attentive, there's no formal check-in desk, contributing to a laid-back vibe. The property has a whimsical feel with 24 individually designed rooms decorated with antique furniture, floral curtains and fun curios inspired by London's quirky Sir John Soane's museum. If you want to stay somewhere with a typical British Victorian ambiance but with all the modern conveniences like Wi-Fi and decent showers, the Zetter Marylebone is ideal. The guest rooms also feature flatscreen televisions, Marshall or Sonos speakers, tea-and coffee making facilities, a minibar and free bottled water.
The Parlor Lounge at the Zetter, Marylebone Andreas von Einsiedel
The hotel's activities center around the Parlor, the hotel's lounge, a comfortable space where guests can enjoy breakfast, afternoon tea, drinks and small plates. The cocktail menu has the classics along with some experimental options like Absinthe Colada and the very tasty Green Sorrel Sour. The Parlor at Zetter Marylebone is also the perfect setting for afternoon tea with finger sandwiches, cakes, vanilla and lavender scones and a great selection of loose-leaf teas. A full vegan afternoon tea menu is also available.
Rates at The Zetter Marylebone start from £400 per night.
Studio suite at Holmes Hotel, Marylebone, London Ben Carpenter Photography
Holmes Hotel, a 4-star on Baker Street, is made up of four Georgian townhouses with 118 hotel rooms that range from cozy doubles to luxurious, 50 square meter duplex loft suites. The rooms and suites are individually styled, blending original Georgian features with rich textures and bespoke furniture. Other welcoming aspects are the plush Egyptian cotton bedding smart TVs with Chromecast and a gym. The Loft Suites are like spacious London apartments, while the heritage deluxe rooms offer attractive period details.
Sherlock Holmes plaque outside of museum at Baker Street 221b getty
The hotel is inspired by Baker Street's most famous resident – Sherlock Holmes and there are quick mysteries to solve on each floor as well as vintage curiosities, hidden nooks and velvet reading chairs. And for a more extensive dive into the life of the Victorian detective, The Sherlock Holmes Museum at 221b Baker street (the address of Conan Doyle's fictional sleuth) is a five minute stroll from the hotel.
The bar and restaurant at Holmes Hotel Ben Carpenter Photography
For all-day dining, Kitchen at Holmes, an expansive all day bar and restaurant is open to both hotel guests and non residents. Mediterranean-inspired dishes are offered by Head Chef Stefano Motta (the lobster spaghetti is excellent). The restaurant spills out onto a buzzy outdoor terrace on Baker street.
A double room at Holmes Hotel starts from £250. Where to Eat and Drink
Cafe Murano, Marylebone, London John Carey
Chef Angela Hartnett's eagerly anticipated Cafe Murano Marylebone opened last week on 26 July and judging from the busy, buzzy atmosphere, it's destined to be one of the most popular restaurants in the area. Like her Cafe Murano in Bermondsey and Covent Garden, the Marylebone location is a more casual restaurant than her Michelin-starred Murano, in Mayfair, originally co-owned with Gordon Ramsay. And, unique to this location, the restaurant has a breakfast menu too, with dishes like grilled sweet peaches with yoghurt and smoked trout crostini. Drawing inspiration from the chef's southern Italian heritage, the dinner menu features traditional cicchetti , primi , secondi and dolce , with hand-rolled pasta, generous plates to share and regularly changing specials. New and exclusive to Marylebone is half chicken Salmoriglio, roasted to perfection in a zesty sauce of lemon, garlic and fresh herbs. The second new dish is the extremely moreish r igatoni al ragù bianco, a white bolognese-style pasta from Tuscany. Other standout dishes are lamb and pea arancini and braised octopus with potatoes and aioli.
Opso from Chef Nikos Roussos offers a new approach to modern Greek food. Yes, you'll find a Souvlaki kebab with Greek yoghurt and classic Greek salad but also on the current menu is lightly cured sea bass in smoked aubergine broth and lamb shank with fresh black truffles. And across the road is Chef Roussos's Kima an equally delightful seafood restaurant that embraces a 'fin to gill' philosophy meaning 'use-all, waste-not' with dishes using the entire fish from head to tail.
Caldesi, founded in 2002 by Chef and Restaurateur Giancarlo Caldesi and his wife Katie, is rightly loved for its authentic Italian regional cuisine. Try the spaghetti vongole or the seabass ravioli, both house favorites.
Fischer's offers a classic Viennese menu of schnitzel, sausages and strudel, from early morning breakfast and afternoon coffee and cake, to a late-night dinner.
Once you've eaten a sausage roll at Ginger Pig on Moxon Street, all others will pale in comparison. With an extensive deli, this is a great place for a hot takeaway roast lunch. Each night the shop hosts butchery classes, where you can learn the tricks of the trade.
La Fromagerie, next door to Ginger Pig, has been one of London's most popular cheese and wine bars since opening in 2002. The shop features a walk-in Cheese room where you'll see cheese maturing and dedicated eating areas to enjoy cheese, wine and product. Where to Shop
Daunt Books storefront getty
Marylebone High street is the main shopping street but don't miss Chiltern Street for its eclectic range of menswear shops.
Founded in 1990, Daunt Books remains one of the few independent booksellers in the UK. Housed in a graceful Edwardian building with long oak galleries and graceful skylights, Daunt Books on Marylebone High Street is one of London's most beautiful bookshops.
Independent boutique KJ's Laundry, on Marylebone Lane, sells interesting and highly wearable brands from all over the world. From covetable womenswear, handbags, jewellery and shoes to lingerie and beauty products, you'll find an ever-changing repertoire of new finds made by saavy owners Jane Ellis and Kate Allis.
Established in 1997 in Wales, Toast began with nightwear and loungewear and today's collections include simple, modern and functional pieces intended to last. The Marylebone boutique has a great range of clothing, homeware and accessories, produced in collaboration with artisans, weavers and mills from across the globe.
The London outpost of Belgian ' haute chocolatier ' Pierre Marcolini can be described as a ' maison ' that, like a high fashion house, releases seasonal 'collections.' This is no ordinary chocolate producer. Pioneer of the 'bean to bar' movement, Pierre Marcolini has created his own chocolate from cocoa beans in house since 2001 and you can taste the difference.
Agnès b, founded by French fashion designer Agnès Troublé, combines art and fashion in this light and open space on Marylebone High Street.
Since 1989, Cologne & Cotton has sold gorgeous bed linen, bath products and soaps, table linen and eau de cologne.