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Where To Eat, Drink & Shop In St John’s Wood

St John’s Wood was once exactly that, acres of woodland beneath the hills of Highgate and Hampstead. Today, its famous high street offers high-end shopping and dining in abundance, while Regent’s Park, Lord’s Cricket Ground and Abbey Road Studios make the area a hit with tourists. Here’s why it’s worth a visit…

WHERE TO EAT & DRINK

Soutine

Set on St John’s Wood High Street and taking inspiration from the great boulevard cafés in Paris, Soutine is the newest venture from Corbin & King, the team behind the Wolseley, Brasserie Zedel, Bellanger and Colbert. Soutine is set in an impressive period building: the front room and pavement offer a relaxed café and bar seating, leading to a slightly more formal space – resplendent with grand portraits – at the rear. The all-day offering takes in salads and sandwiches, café classics such as French onion soup, steak tartare and coq au riesling, plus a choice of pâtisseries, gâteaux and ice-cream coupes for dessert.

60 St John's Wood High Street, NW8 7SH

Visit Soutine.co.uk

The Ivy

The Ivy in St John’s Wood features an all-day brasserie-style menu offering breakfast, elevenses, weekend brunch, lunch, light snacks, afternoon tea, cocktails and dinner. In the warmer months, guests can dine al fresco with the restaurant’s Parisian-style street seating and enjoy the charm of the high street. Inside, expect a friendly, neighbourly environment with 96 covers, plus a semi-private dining area seating eight guests – a great spot for parties.

120 St John's Wood High Street, NW8 7SG

Visit TheIvyStJohnsWood.com

Chicken Shop

For something a little more casual, Soho House Group’s Chicken Shop serves birds direct from the spit, delicious sides and deep-filled apple pie. A short walk from St John’s Wood High Street and Abbey Road, Chicken Shop marinades its rotisserie chickens overnight. They’re then steamed and spit-roasted over charcoal for a superlative finish. This branch has recently started serving brunch on weekends.

128 Allitsen Road, NW8 7AU

Visit ChickenShop.com

Good Life Eatery

Three years ago Yasmine Larizadeh and Shirin Kouros founded The Good Life Eatery. A fresh and healthy addition to the neighbourhood’s food scene, the St John’s Wood spot opened earlier this year. A delicious all-day menu features the team’s own line of cold-pressed juices and smoothies, plus gluten-, dairy- and meat-free options. Expect to find everything from acai bowls and chestnut and almond waffles to avocado on toast seven ways and ‘skinny’ eggs benedict. We like to savour one of the cold-pressed juices while admiring the views from nearby St John's Wood Church Gardens.

1 St John's Wood High Street, NW8 7NG

Visit GoodLifeEatery.com

Harry Morgan

Harry Morgan (or ‘Harry’s’ as it’s known to locals) is one of London’s most famous NY-style delis. Established in 1948, the store serves traditional home-cooked favourites such as challah French toast, smoked salmon bagels, chicken soup, salt beef sandwiches and pastrami melts. The team serves breakfast, lunch and supper as well as offering take-out from its well-stocked delicatessen, which serves a selection of spreads, salads and cold cut meats. Make sure to leave room for a slice of Oreo cheesecake or key lime pie.

 29-31 St John's Wood High Street, NW8 7NH

Visit HarryMs.co.uk.

Soutine
Soutine
Chicken Shop
Chicken Shop
The Ivy
The Ivy

GAIL’s Bakery

The first GAIL’s Bakery opened in Hampstead High Street in 2005. Today, there are 50 bakeries in neighbourhoods in and around London. At this St John’s Wood site, the team bakes fresh, handmade sourdough bread, pastries and cakes every day, served with a helping of house-blend coffee. Away from the tempting trays of still-warm loaves, diners can order seasonal breakfasts, lunches and afternoon teas. Trust us, the team’s chocolate sourdough is well worth a try.

5 Circus Road, NW8 6NX

Visit GAILSBread.co.uk

Panzer’s Deli

Since 1944, Panzer’s Deli has been a landmark in St John’s Wood. Just around the corner from the high street, the deli offers an array of delicious epicurean treats for cooking, eating and entertaining. Inside, guests can shop products from over 80 countries, where suppliers include small Italian producers, a citrus farm in Southern Spain, speciality Russian ice-cream makers and Manuka honey suppliers in New Zealand. Inside, there’s also a coffee bar to relax in and enjoy homemade cakes and cookies.

13-19 Circus Road,  NW8 6PB

Visit Panzers.co.uk

Unico Gelato

Originating from the Italian food capital Bologna, Unico Gelato is a family-run spot with a 60-year history. From gourmet favourites including crema bologna and Sicilian lemon zest to classic Italian flavours such as pistachio and stracciatella, the store stocks a variety of sweet treats. The shop also caters to vegans and serves savoury Italian favourites including focaccia.

138 St John's Wood High Street, NW8 7SE

Visit UnicoDelicacies.co.uk

The Gate

The Gate has four restaurants in London – Marylebone, Islington, Hammersmith and most recently St John’s Wood. Here, the focus in on creating inspiring vegetarian and vegan food. Plant-based pioneers since 1989, hits from the menu include avocado and beetroot tartare, crispy fried tofu marinated in maple syrup and soy sauce served with a quinoa, avocado and tomato salsa, and a coriander and lemon dressing; and teriyaki aubergine. Make sure to keep an eye out for the team’s ‘Secret Vegan Supperclubs’.

87 Allitsen Road, NW8 7AS

Visit TheGateRestaurants.com

Gail's Bakery
Gail's Bakery
Uunico Gelato
Uunico Gelato
Panzer's Deli
Panzer's Deli

WHAT TO SEE & DO

Core Collective

Core Collective’s mission is to make working out the highlight of your day. The team makes fitness fun, effective, innovative and simple, free from the usual gym stigmas and personas. Whether you want to pay-as-you-go or commit, there’s a choice of ten different class formats so you can find a programme that's bespoke to you and your goals. Post-class, visitors can strengthen their results in the super-healthy C/C Kitchen. 

51 St John’s Wood High Street, NW8 7NJ; opens in autumn 2019

Visit Core-Collective.co.uk

Face Gym

Face Gym offers a revolutionary take on conventional facial treatments. From warm up to cardio, sculpting to cool down, an expert team of ‘Face Trainers’ combine their signature muscle manipulation techniques with hi-tech tools to lift, sculpt and tone your facial features.

41 St John's Wood High Street, NW8 7NJ

Visit FaceGym.com

3 House Club

3 House Club is a place for families to get together for a chat over a coffee, make friends, share experiences, learn from experts, take part in fun and educational classes and celebrate special events with beautiful parties. Mums can even free up some time from their busy schedule through its last-minute childcare and crèche services. From cooking and drama to yoga and science, 3 House Club offers over 30 classes per week to ignite your child's natural curiosity and spark a passion for learning.

Bridgeman Street, NW8 7AL

Visit 3ClubLondon.com

The Gate
The Gate
Core Collective
Core Collective
House Club
House Club

ba&sh

No one makes wearable, feminine fashion with that cool, French influence quite like ba&sh, and this season’s pieces are no exception – think relaxed, everyday blouses, suiting that works from night to day and pretty evening dresses that look just as good with trainers and denim jackets as with killer heels. From beautiful red dresses to chic, sophisticated jumpsuits, ba&sh knows how to dress women with elegance throughout the seasons.

37 St John's Wood High Street, NW8 7NJ

Visit Ba&sh.com

ME+EM

Frustrated by how hard it was to find well-made, on-trend clothes that didn’t cost the earth, Clare Hornby founded ME+EM in 2009. The result is a premium British womenswear label which creates on-trend, flattering and affordable clothing. Each collection is designed on the three principles: flattering, functional and fashionable, meaning women don’t have to choose between quality and cost.

9 St John’s Wood High Street, NW8 7NG

Visit MeAndEm.com

Space NK

This branch of Space NK is home to a finely-honed edit of the most innovative products from a large variety of beauty brands including Laura Mercier, Caudalie, NARS and Eve Lom. In store, the team can help you find your perfect skincare regime based on your skin type with one-to-one consultations. From updating your makeup bag or learning how to create a desk-to-dinner transformation, the expert in-store artists will be on hand to inform and inspire.

73 St John's Wood High Street, NW8 7NL

Visit SpaceNK.com

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