The grand hotels, galleries, and boutiques have long made Mayfair the height of London posh, even if nothing ever really changed. But now a certain hipness—still very proper but more modern—has moved in, thanks to a wave of new talent arriving from Paris, Milan, New York, and beyond.
Davies and Brook at Claridge's
The arrival of Daniel Humm (a Global Dining Collection Chef who dazzled New York with Eleven Madison Park) at the storied hotel is a homecoming for the Swiss talent, who once worked in the hotel’s kitchen. He’s bringing his deft touch back with his famous dry-aged roast duck as well as dishes like crispy rice salad with citrus-marinated yellowtail and winter squab with bitter greens and lemongrass.
Connaught Grill
The famed restaurant, which closed in 2000, is finally returning with the help of Jean-Georges Vongerichten. The 46-seat restaurant, which has a wood-burning grill and rotisserie, serves dishes like grilled turbot and Wagyu-beef fillet. The space’s chairs and booths done in American black walnut and tables in East Indian rosewood were made under the direction of Mira Nakashima, the daughter of master woodworker George. In addition, Hélène Darroze, the Michelin two-star French restaurant, recently reopened after a revamp by cult designer Pierre Yovanovitch.
J. P. Hackett
Jeremy Hackett cut his teeth on Savile Row almost 50 years ago. Now he returns with his own flagship in an elegant townhouse. The store features a clubroom, decked out in Farrow & Ball emerald green paint with a cocktail bar. There’s a new and exclusive ready-towear collection as well as the brand’s made-to-measure and bespoke tailoring services.
Casa Loewe
Jonathan Anderson’s new Casa Loewe store features work by a selection of internationally renowned artists, including three oak sculptures by Ernst Gamperl, William Turnbull’s 1956 sculpture Idol 4 and Grayson Perry’s Mum and Dad vase. There are also standout fashion pieces exclusive to the store, like a jaw-dropping matte crocodile Lantern opera bag for $37,380.
The Row
The Olsen sisters’ first shop across the Atlantic is as luxuriously minimalist as the clothes—down to the art by James Turrell and John Chamberlain. Look for special pieces like vintage jewels and ceramics by the American-Japanese chef Masa Takayama.
Gabriela Hearst
This sustainably minded boutique, designed by Norman Foster, houses furniture made from reclaimed local woods and vegetable-dyed-leather chairs. The cult designer’s second stand-alone shop (the first is in Manhattan) features women’s, men’s, and accessories as well her friend Francisco Costa’s beauty line, Costa Brazil.
Pasticceria Marchesi
The Milanese bakery (Prada owns a large stake) opened a branch on Mount Street last year. With its mint-green and pink palette, the design is as alluring as the confections. Stop by for a macchiato and pastries served on Rosenthal porcelain.
Cartier
The venerable brand’s new five-story store on Bond Street offers a full immersion into the Cartier world, with a clubby, invite-only second floor where top customers can take in the archives. This is the only place to buy the New Bond Street Crash watch.
Herno
The luxe Italian brand just opened its first London outpost in an elegant Art Nouveau building on Bond Street. With beech bookcases, a fireplace, a vertical green wall, and tufted club chairs, the cozy space is ideal for trying on stylish outerwear. There are men’s, women’s, and kids’ collections as well as the higher-end men’s Sartorial Engineering pieces.
AP House
The Swiss watchmaker Audemars Piguet has created a by-appointment salon on Sloane Street. VIPs can browse the rare and limited-edition collections, attend art lectures by renowned curators, and dine on meals made by top chefs in the shop’s professional kitchen.
Twenty Grosvenor Square
Once the headquarters of U.S. naval forces in Europe, the building has been turned into 37 sumptuous apartments, overseen by Four Seasons (their first-ever stand-alone private residences). Amenities include a private wine cellar, spa, and cinema.
