When you think of day-out destinations in London, do you think of Marylebone? Maybe not, but with its traditional Georgian architecture and unrivalled community of independent businesses, it’s well worth a visit. Just a stone’s throw from Selfridge’s, the area is nestled between Bond Street and Baker Street tube stations. Here are my favourite finds after spending a day in the Portman Marylebone area…
MONC
21 Chiltern Street, London, W1U 7PH
MONC is one of the UK’s leading brands when it comes to sustainable eyewear. It was a joy to discover their beautifully laid-out store on Chiltern Street, and speak with the founder, Freddie Elborne, about the store since its opening in November last year.
In short, I was blown away by the innovative approach that Freddie and his team takes: from the cornstarch foam shelving and ceiling, to the mycelium podiums where their spectacles rest, everything is thought-out and executed in a chic yet understated way. It’s the same for their eyewear too – glass is preferred over plastic, bio-acetate is used as standard, and even the cleaning clothes are cupro rather than polyester. If you’re looking for a new pair of glasses or sunglasses, be sure to pop in for a visit.
anatome
16 Chiltern Street, London, W1U 7PZ
Across the street from MONC is anatomē, a favourite wellness brand of mine. anatomē’s store in Portman Marylebone is a modern-day apothecary waiting to be explored. Inside, you’ll instantly feel your shoulders drop from the delightful aromas and calming interior. If you’re looking for a boost in productivity, nutrition, or sleep, I recommend visiting to get advice from the incredibly personable team. My current favourite product? Their Frankincense Recovery + Sleep oil, a rich, warming antidote to a long day.
Ssone
17 Chiltern Street, London, W1U 7PQ
Next up is Ssone, a luxurious womenswear brand I’ve been following for a while, and included in my guide to sustainable fashion. Their store on Chiltern Street is a true reflection of their ethos – an honest commitment to conscious progress – with their thoughtfully made garments nestled alongside complimentary pieces from likeminded designers. Retail Manager Rachel Davidson explained to me that they make the most of their space, with events, workshops, and more, which I love. Community is everything! Make a bee-line for the Ssone store if you’re looking to curate a slow fashion wardrobe with an edge.
Seymour Store
5a Seymour Place, London, W1H 5BA
For lunch, I visited Seymour Store, an organic grocers and deli on Seymour Place. Over lunch – an incredibly good roast aubergine, sweet potato salad, and coffee – I spoke with Founder, Bahman Rahbari, about his store and discovered just how passionate the local community are about his food and supporting the establishment. Now, wouldn’t it be lovely to see just as many visitors to the area also discover them! It’s clear they are one of Portman Marylebone’s hidden gems.
London Grace
7 Seymour Place, London W1H 5BA
After lunch, I walked next door to London Grace, a vegan, cruelty-free nail salon. While I’m a bit of a nail salon fan, London Grace is new to me, despite popping up all over London since 2015, with multiple locations including Marylebone. Here, I spent an hour with Manager Doina chatting about London Grace and their vast range of polishes, waterless treatments, and reusable items, while she gently did my nails. It was a really pleasant visit, and I’d be keen to bring my girlfriends to London Grace’s nail bar sometime soon!
Suzannah
3 New Quebec Street, London, W1H 7RE
For my final bit of window shopping, I took a stroll to the Suzannah London boutique, just a few blocks away from Seymour Place. Here, you’ll find a luxury womenswear brand that designs consciously, while being inspired by Parisian and American vintage couture. They invite their clients to wear, rewear, alter, and redesign their Suzannah dresses, and are actively investing in new premium textiles and eco-friendly techniques too. I had a wonderful chat with the team while feeling like a kid in a candy store!
Across the boutique I was shown how certain cloths had been used across different styles and years. How intricate embroidery was now made using recycled yarns. How Suzannah Crabb, the lead designer and founder, was keen to continue making improvements, despite already having a strong foundation of transparent supply chains and high quality garments. It was a joy – and their Sustainability webpage gives even more insight into this!
Jikoni
19-21 Blandford Street, London, W1U 3DH
Finally, let me give you a wonderful dinner recommendation if you’re ever in Portman Marylebone: head to Jikoni! This mixed heritage restaurant hones in on ‘immigrant cuisine’, a fusion of South Asia & the Far East, the Middle East, East Africa and Britain, which speaks to me in so many ways! And to top that, Jikoni was the first independent restaurant in the UK to go carbon-neutral. Unfortunately I didn’t have time to dine on this occasion, but if you go, be sure to get the Crispy Aubergine or the Okra fries!
Discover More That Portman Marylebone Has To Offer…
Portman Marylebone has become one of my new favourite destinations in London. I had a really wonderful day during my visit to create this guide, and can’t wait to go back! That being said, if you’re looking for more recommendations, check out the Portman Marylebone Directory. It was my guiding light here, and I’m excited to make even more discoveries! Thank you to The Portman Estate and the businesses featured here for the grand day out!
