Every summer, the boroughs of Westminster, Kensington and Chelsea transform into a glittering summer playground for Gulf Arabs renowned for its luxury ambience, landmark department stores, and ever-growing Middle Eastern dining scene.
Knightsbridge, often referred to as “a republic of the Gulf,” has evolved rapidly, swapping native residents for cosmopolitan newcomers during its summer months. Similarly, nearby Mayfair’s allure to Arab visitors remains undiminished, anchored by its aura of sophistication and refinement, offering upscale boutiques, world-class art galleries, and Michelin-starred restaurants.
Together, these neighbourhoods epitomise London’s blend of historic charm and modern opulence, making them prime destinations for those seeking the very best of glitzy London this summer.
Eating out
Knightsbridge and Mayfair, with their reputation for exclusive members’ clubs and luxury boutiques, also boast a foodie scene that’s nothing short of spectacular. Here, white-tablecloth classics coexist with modern, Instagrammable eateries, offering a diverse range of dining experiences that get a GCC stamp of approval.
Where to go for breakfast in Mayfair
In Mayfair, a decadent breakfast or brunch is always on the menu. These spots attract a star-studded crowd for their upscale morning dining experience.
Why you’ll 💘 : For some old-school elegance with dishes like Welsh rarebit and truffle-topped eggs, alongside its famous Bloody Mary menu.
Why you’ll 💘 : A spot favoured by media VIPs, featuring classic Italian and breakfast dishes in a buzzing setting.
Why you’ll 💘 : A celeb-loved spot near The Ritz, serving modern European cuisine, including a Full English and a renowned lobster and caviar omelette.
Why you’ll 💘 : This IG-approved spot excels with a traditional breakfast menu in a rococo-style velvet lounge (p.s. don’t skip out on visiting the world-famous bathrooms).
Why you’ll 💘 : A continental experience beloved by A-listers around the globe.
Where to go for breakfast in Knightsbridge
Fueling up before your Knightsbridge shopping trip is a must. Head to one of these popular spots before you embark on a bout of retail therapy.
Harvey Nichols’ Fifth Floor Café and Terrace
Why you’ll 💘 : A go-to for bougie dishes like smoked trout and double Wagyu cheeseburgers.
Tiffany Blue Box Cafe at Harrods
Why you’ll 💘 : A glamorous breakfast with irresistible options like eggs Florentine and Cornish crab muffins.
Why you’ll 💘 : For an Italian-style brunch in a chic setting with salmon, avocado toast, and pastries.
Why you’ll 💘 : For something a bit different, this Japanese restaurant has unique brunch items like okonomiyaki and fluffy pancakes, with an option for bottomless beverages.
Sette by Scarpetta at the Bulgari Hotel
Why you’ll 💘 : A popular A-lister spot for elevated Italian dishes and live music for a stylish weekend brunch.
Why you’ll 💘 : Your IG feed will thank you for dining at this spot, known for its unique décor and diverse menu.
Instagrammable lunch spots
Saddle London: The UAE-born and leading Dubai café has made its way to Knightsbridge, bringing with it a loyal Middle Eastern crowd. Pair the sage green decor with a matcha for the perfect IG pic.
EL&N café: Also in Knightsbridge, the pretty-in-pink is as much of a London staple as it is Dubai’s.
L’eto: Motcomb Street’s GGC-approved lunch spot needs no introduction. This aesthetic spot truly is a home away from home.
Café Kitsuné: Another Motcomb Street staple, this stylish spot with a terrace serves French & Japanese fusion confectionery, with a side of coffee & mocktails.
Arabica: Arabic coffee in London? Yes, please. Find this beloved spot on South Molton Street.
Em Sherif: Head to Harrods for lunch, as Lebanon’s fave cafe is just waiting to serve you delicious food and aesthetic photo ops in equal doses.
Glitzy restaurants for dinner
Dinner is *served*. London’s elite spots draw in a crowd of VIPs on the daily, for their world-class cuisine and ambient settings. Here are some of the most glam spots to dine in London.
Bonus: If you’re in the mood for authentic Middle Eastern flavours, the infamous Edgeware Road is the place to be for dozens of top-rated Arab restaurants.
Why you’ll 💘 : Motcomb Street in Belgravia is often dubbed a GCC fashion show, for the stylish crowd circulating the lineup of dining spots. Notably, the namesake restaurant is a tried and true favourite for all-day dining.
Why you’ll 💘 : This Michelin-starred restaurant serves sophisticated and contemporary French cuisine.
Why you’ll 💘 : Located in the iconic Art Deco Barker building, this opulent Indian restaurant will transport you back to the jazz age.
Why you’ll 💘 : Knightsbridge beckons with culinary gems like Zuma, a Japanese dining experience with a twist that’s also a widely popular spot in Dubai.
Why you’ll 💘 : Another Dubai fave found in the Atlantis The Royal Hotel, this restaurant brings its fine dining experience to the streets of Knightsbridge.
Why you’ll 💘 : Around the corner from Harrods, this popular dining destination offers an elegant Italian experience with dishes like truffle arancini and lobster ravioli.
Hélène Darroze at The Connaught
Why you’ll 💘 : Over in Mayfair, this restaurant is an exclusive dining experience that’s sure to impress.
The Terrace at Claridge’s Restaurant
Why you’ll 💘 : A newly-opened spot for some al fresco dining on warm, summer days.
Why you’ll 💘 : If fresh seafood is your passion, head to this A-list Mayfair restaurant with a side of celeb spotting.
Why you’ll 💘 : The place to be for oysters and champagne in Mayfair.
Bars to end the night at
As evening falls, Mayfair’s vibrant nightlife scene comes alive. Trendy hangouts turn into exclusive gatherings of A-list crowds, late-night diners and more. Here are our faves…
Annabel’s: The bar at this private members club is reserved for the elite and the elite only. You can apply for a membership online and, should you get in, you can spend your Mayfair evenings rubbing shoulders with some pretty cool people.
Try the: If you get in, just try, well…everything. Pls, for us.
Sexy Fish: A lively Asian bar and restaurant frequented by celebs and VIPs.
Try the: Alcohol-free Sugar Snap Pea cocktail for £10.00.
Drunch Mayfair: A popular spot with the seasonal GCC crowd for shisha and socialising.
Try the: Good Times Only mocktail for only £8.00.
Park Chinois: A glamorous hidden gem Asian restaurant for food and fine wines to the all singing and dancing.
Try the: Jardin Botanique mocktail for £12.50.
Where the it-crowd goes to party
London turns up the heat when night falls on the city. If you’re in the party mood, join the bougie crowd at these hot spots:
Cirque Le Soir: This iconic venue with circus-themed decor sets a high standard for nightlife in Mayfair.
The Cuckoo Club: For the glam gals in the city, this club in Picadilly Circus has all the best DJs.
Buddha Bar: A buzzing spot in Knightsbridge that draws in the city’s influencer crowd.
Tape London: The celeb-approved Mayfair club known for extravagance and pulsating energy.
The Box: Soho’s famously exclusive and elusive cabaret club that’s best known for its lavish celeb guest list.
Shopping
The hot spots: Harrods, Harvey Nichols, Selfridges.
We can’t control the weather in London, but we can control the outfits. And shopping in Knightsbridge needs no introduction, because luxury department store Harrods is famous world over. The iconic labyrinth of luxury, home to designer brands and irresistible fashion and jewellery, is the epicentre of any London shopping experience. Its (slightly) smaller counterparts, Harvey Nichols and Selfridges are also primal spots for some luxury indulgence. Just…don’t tell your credit card.
For those with a penchant for exclusivity, take a short stroll from Harvey Nichols to Sloane Street, the heart of high fashion in London. This prestigious avenue houses some of the most esteemed fashion houses in the world. Just minutes from Knightsbridge and Sloane Square tube stations, pedestrianised Motcomb Street is lined with GCC-approved independent boutiques. Nearby, Bond and Mount Street in Mayfair will have you literally throwing ‘fits, with boutique and designer stores aplenty.
Best of British designer stores in London
London’s high-end British designer boutiques are hot off the LFW runway. Burberry’s revamped Bond Street flagship and Simone Rocha’s Mount Street boutique are great entry points into British high fashion, while Huishan Zhang’s store blends traditional Chinese elements with modern aesthetics.
Other stores to check out are:
Rejina Pyo’s Upper James Street.
Roksanda’s Mount Street.
Erdem’s South Audley Street boutique.
Alexander McQueen’s Old Bond Street.
Independent luxury boutiques in London
London has plenty of unique finds in luxury fashion, fine jewellery, fragrance, and homeware, located off the main shopping streets. Hit up…
Floris: For royal-approved fragrances on Jermyn Street.
Les Senteurs: For niche perfumes in Belgravia.
Carolina Bucci: For Italian-crafted jewellery on Motocomb Street.
Jessica McCormack: For art-inspired jewellery boutique in Mayfair.
Activities
Dnt txt…we’ll be at London’s most happening spots all summer. It’s no secret that SW1 is the place to be for attractions, hot spots and (ofc), Instagrammable photo ops. Here are some of our fave places to see and be seen in the city.
A stroll in the park(s)
Pair a summer afternoon in London with a walk, jog or picnic at one of the Royal Parks. The lush, green beauty of Central London’s parks is the perfect antidote to the city’s hustle and bustle. On a hot, sunny day (yes, these actually do exist in the UK sometimes), you can even take to the lakes on a peddle boat or for a swim.
Our fave spots:
📍 Hyde Park.
📍 Grosvenor Square.
📍 The Serpentine lake.
Get your art and culture fix
London is a work of art, literally. Art enthusiasts will find endless delight in Mayfair’s wealth of galleries, from contemporary masterpieces to age-old collections. London also has so many museums with treasure troves all waiting to be explored (and snapped up for the ‘gram).
Our fave spots:
📍 Hauser & Wirth, Mayfair.
📍 The Wallace Collection, Mayfair.
📍 Serpentine Galleries in Hyde Park.
📍 The Natural History Museum.
Afternoon tea, anyone?
You truly can’t get more quintessentially British than this. Tuck into delicate finger sandwiches, freshly baked scones, and exquisite pastries as you soak in the opulent surroundings of some of London’s finest establishments.
Our fave spots:
📍 The Dorchester.
📍 Claridge’s.
📍 The Ritz.
Summertime events in London
You’ll be booked and busy all summer long with the city’s lineup of warm-weather events. If you’re a London pro, you’ve probably already got Wimbledon in the diary. The Championships are from the 3rd-15th of July and promise for a fun (and fashionable) fortnight. Late At Tate is another popular spot in summer, where you can explore the galleries of The Tate Modern after hours. It’s a special experience and a great place to meet some cool people.
Music lovers, you know that London is the place to be this summer. The usual city festivals like Wireless bring with them a huge A-list lineup (we’re talking Doja Cat and Nicki Minaj, people…). This year, the city also welcomes some HUGE concerts, including an 8-night stint by a certain Miss Taylor Swift.
Your carriage awaits
In London, luxury takes true form in transportation, too. Swiss-born, England-based luxury service company Wheely is your go-to choice for luxury on-demand and pre-scheduled chauffeuring service in the city. Airport pick ups? Running errands? No problem.
Taking VIP travel to new heights with models like the BMW 5 Series and the Mercedes E, S, and V Class, Wheely has your transport sorted in both London and Dubai, offering Business Class, First Class, XL, and Perfect Airport Pickup.
A room fit for a queen: Our favourite hotels in London
Jumeirah Carlton Tower
A stone’s throw from Sloane Street’s designer boutiques, this hotel has long been a focal point of the neighbourhood for GCC guests.
Mandarin Oriental Hyde Park
Quintessentially luxurious, this iconic landmark sits both on Knightsbridge and in Hyde Park, with charming rooms and ultra-stylish facilities.
The Biltmore Mayfair
Nestled within Grosvenor Square, The Biltmore Mayfair is London’s top address for exploring iconic destinations like New Bond Street, Mount Street and Berkeley Square.
At Sloane
This luxury 5-star hotel blends British style with the unique French touch of interior designer, Francois-Joseph Graf. With designer stores on its doorsteps, it’s a convenient and stylish stay in one.
Claridge’s
Claridge’s timeless glamour is an attraction in and of itself. The Art Deco hotel in the heart of Mayfair is your ultimate destination for that desired British charm.
The Emory
London’s first all-Suite hotel in Belgravia is a new addition to the neighbourhood’s luxury hotel scene. Both discreet and distinctive, this stylish spot is an opulent choice for a sophisticated stay.
The Berkeley
Rooftop pool, anyone? Belgravia’s favourite luxury hotel is a perfect choice during the summer months, drawing in a fashionable crowd.