With summer still in full swing on Bond Street, why not start your day with an iced latte at Ralph's Coffee? From here, you can watch as the world and their beloved pooches stroll by. From Gucci swimwear to Maison Diptyque's signature summer scents, it's easy to update your holiday wardrobe here. When the temperatures soar, the covered walkways of the Burlington Arcade and the Royal Arcade provide a respite from the sun. Alternatively, dive into world-class art at the Royal Academy of Arts or the Halcyon Gallery. As for sumptuous seasonal dining and the finest cocktails in town, we've got you covered.
Dine alfresco
What could be better than lingering over a plate of linguine or enjoying an Aperol spritz on a sun-drenched terrace? Thankfully, plenty of outdoor options are available to while away a summer afternoon or evening in and around Bond Street, starting with The Terrace, Claridge's.
Indeed, this leafy little oasis might just be the best place to enjoy signature fried chicken and flutes of crisp champagne after a day of shopping. Meanwhile, the storied hotel's current summer pop-up with New York-based restaurant and aperitivo bar Dante has proved so successful that it has been extended until 29 August. Expect delicious weekend brunch and signature cocktails served in true Claridge's style.
With its neighbourhood vibe, the curvy Jean-Georges Terrace at The Connaught is ideal for enjoying a leisurely lunch in the sunshine. The menu is bursting with summertime delights, including truffle cheeseburgers, salads and mocktails. The “Lovebird”, made with strawberry purée, lemonade, elderflower and matcha tea, will have your tastebuds dancing.
For the ultimate cocktail experience, there's nothing quite like the The Rooftop. Sitting atop the Mandarin Oriental Mayfair, the 50-seat bar and outdoor terrace boasts stunning panoramic views of Mayfair, which stretch as far as Hampstead Heath to the north and the London Eye to the south. As part of the The Rooftop’s Live Beats & Bites series each Thursday, DJ Earl The Kid will perform a live set, while on Saturdays, a trio of musicians will play cool lounge beats as you drink in the views.
Delight in summer flavours and zingy cocktails
The Beaumont Mayfair offers a coastal escape in the heart of the capital, with its all-new Summer Seafood Menu. The offering ranges from rock oysters served with classic accompaniments such as red wine shallots, lemon and green Tabasco. Chilled lobster salad topped with fennel and seaweed is a must. The talented chefs have worked hard to ensure that every plate is a tribute to the ocean's bounty.
Elsewhere, seasonal ingredients form the basis of The Ritz London's new summer menu, created by executive chef, John Williams MBE. The vanilla mascarpone mousse, topped with a strawberry compote and little drops of meringue, is quite simply summer on a plate.
For something a little different, the “bellini colada” at Brown's Hotel offers a new twist on the classic Venetian aperitivo. With its refreshing twang, the summertime tipple is topped with shavings of frozen cucumber.
Discover last-minute holiday essentials
Diptyque's Summer Essentials, £230, is a curated selection of 10 scented staples that will have you dreaming of Mediterranean climes. Presented in a sustainable cardboard box illustrated by the French artist Marie-Victoire de Bascher, each internal drawer contains a fragrant holiday must-have. Top picks include mini versions of the lemongrass and geranium summer body spray, perfumed shampoo and a Cypress candle.
Whether you are beach-bound or plan on making waves closer to home, Gucci's printed swimsuit, £520, made from white and blue stretch fabric and featuring the brand's archival Marina chain print, is cut to perfection.
Dolce & Gabbana's Maiolica sunglasses, £235, are notable for their violet-coloured acetate frames and dark grey mirror lenses. They also pair nicely with the Majolica print cotton top, which features in Dolce & Gabbana's current ’60s-inspired spring/summer 2025 collection.
View world-class art and pre-sale exhibitions
Sketch, the Mayfair establishment renowned for its eclectic art-filled interiors and memorable dining experiences, presents From Sun to Flame, a solo exhibition of works by MTArt Agency artist David Aiu Servan-Schreiber. Running until 9 September 2025, the exhibition features a selection of artworks from the French artist Servan-Schreiber’s Planet series. Servan-Schreiber's practice uses nature's elements: earth, water, air and fire to explore some of the planet's greatest struggles including deforestation and climate change.
For fans of Downton Abbey, costumes and props from the successful TV drama series will go on show at Bonhams’ New Bond Street auction house, 18 August-16 September. In addition to the 1930s-inspired dresses worn by the show's leading ladies, Dame Maggie Smith and Michelle Dockery, a clapperboard used in the production of the film Downton Abbey: A New Era carries an estimate of £1,000-£1,500. The sale will run online on bonhams.com alongside the exhibition.