New On My London Guide: 108 Marylebone, Fucina, Daphne’s, Mazi, The Bluebird

As someone who loves catching up with friends over a good meal or an innovative cocktail, London has no shortage of wonderful places to visit (and re-visit)! If you’re new to The SavvyBostonian Blog, I keep a massive London Guide which links to allllll of my recommended places in London. From restaurants to places to excellent cocktails, things to do and more, I’ve got you covered. For my latest additions to my London Guide, I’m adding my favorite Marylebone anytime spot, two fabulous Italian restaurants with very different vibes, an incredible Greek restaurant and a trendy Chelsea spot made famous by a certain reality TV show. Read on – but be warned, the food photos will make you hungry!

108 Marylebone: A Lovely Anytime Hidden Gem

Spread out over the ground floor of The Marylebone hotel, 108 Marylebone has a little something for everyone – at any time of day. The space has four distinct areas. There’s a chic yet quiet lounge bar just off of the lobby with some cute little outdoor seating options that most people do not know about. It’s formally called The Cocktail Bar and it’s the perfect place for when you want to go out, but you don’t want to be around tons of people. There’s also 108 Pantry, a great daytime spot for coffee, cake or afternoon tea. When I used to live in Marylebone, I would sometimes work from here for a few hours or take my business meetings here – the Wifi signal is great! Down a small flight of stairs you will find 108 Brasserie, a great all-day restaurant that’s pretty underrated in my opinion. I’ve been for all meals and it’s great.

 

Last but certainly not least is the 108 Marylebone bar, which is my favorite spot. There’s a mix of bar seats, high top seats and cozy couches and chairs to pick from. The interior is glam and buzzy, but not so much so that you cannot speak to your drinking companions. The menu is a mix of cocktails, wine and bar snacks, but you can also order from the entire restaurant menu. Which, is handy, when you pop in for a drink but somehow stay for hours. Also, there’s very sought-after outdoor seating along charming Marylebone lane. The only downside? They don’t take reservations. But, such is life! I’ve always been able to find a table.

108 Marylebone is located inside the Marylebone Hotel at 108 Marylebone Ln, Marylebone, London W1U 2QE, visit their website here.

 

Fucina: Italian Glam In Marylebone

Fucina is another underrated spot in Marylebone. Located at the corner of Paddington and Chiltern street, the space is both grand and glam, with the most lovely servers. The menu is Italian, with all of the dishes meant to share. Be prepared to feast on decadent pasta dishes, little pizzettes, innovative twists on burrata, fresh veggies and of course, meat and seafood. The wine menu is excellent, but I’m also partial to their generous Aperol spritz drink in the summer. They’re also open for lunch and brunch, but I have never tried it. You can make bookings on OpenTable and I’ve never had a hard time getting a booking.

Fucina is located at 26 Paddington St, Marylebone, London W1U 5QY, visit their website here.

 

 

 

 

Daphne’s: Quite Possibly My Favorite London Restaurant

Daphne’s is an institution. It is also an Italian restaurant and I like to describe it as both trendy and old school. There’s something wonderfully old school about the vibe and the service, and I say this in a complimentary way. The atmosphere is always buzzy with a mix of groups both large and small. My absolute favorite place to sit is at the bar – they have a big wrap around bar and you can book seats at it in advance by calling. Which, is a bonus, as Daphne’s does the best cocktails! They always have a clever seasonal spitz drink that is the size of your head. Their bar menu and appetizer options are also generously sized, so a spritz, apps and sometime to enjoy them with and you have the recipe for a great night.

Daphne’s is located at 112 Draycott Ave, South Kensington, London SW3 3AE, visit their website here.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Mazi: A Must-Visit Cozy Yet Chic Greek Restaurant In Notting Hill

Located on a quaint street in Notting Hill, Mazi is a must-visit if you enjoy Greek food. One of my dearest friends in London is Greek and it’s her favorite place! What I like about Mazi is that the restaurant is simple and elegant and the food follows suit. The plates are beautifully curated, delicious and all meant to share. If you go in the summer, try and snag a seat on their patio, located in the back of the restaurant.

Mazi is located at 12-14 Hillgate St, Kensington, London W8 7SR, visit their website here.

 

 

 

 

Bluebird: For The Made In Chelsea Crowd

The Bluebird is a fun spot for a night out – especially a girls night out. They have a bar area upstairs, a restaurant and an outdoor terrace. The interior is beautiful, like a secret garden. The crowd is fun for people watching – lots of stylish 20- and 30-somethings, as this restaurant was made famous from the reality show “Made In Chelsea,” which is like The Hills in the US, but for wealthy UK 20-somethings. Given that vibe, the crowd can be a bit hit or miss, depending on if that’s your thing. I’m not sure it’s my thing to be honest, but it does make for a fun night out. I would call the food and drinks here solid but not exceptional.

Bluebird is located at 350 King’s Road, London SW3 5UU, visit their website here.

 

 

 

 

For my full London Guide, visit: https://thesavvybostonian.com/london-guide/