The hidden delights of Shepherd Market

Shepherd Market was built in the mid-eighteenth century by Edward Shepherd on the open ground used for the annual May fair (the reason for the surrounding neighbourhood’s name). Its narrow streets and small square were preserved during the Victorian era, forming a secluded village among the grander boulevards of Piccadilly.

These streets were once home to London’s red-light district, and in the 1920s they attracted writers like Michael Arlen and Anthony Powell. Today, that bohemian character can be found in its colourful restaurants mixed with sophisticated shops and galleries, as well as discreet businesses and the sought-after members’ club of 5 Hertford Street.

Here are six more of our favourite spots:

Named after an infamous courtesan from the Georgian Era, this is one of the neighbourhood’s best-known restaurants. The interiors have dark tables and red velvet banquettes, creating a traditional atmosphere. Meanwhile, the menu features a fine selection of English recipes and ingredients, resulting in simple but delicious dishes.

If Kitty Fisher’s offers traditional British dining, Maru is about modern Japanese cuisine. Diners are treated to a 21-course omakase tasting menu, regularly altered to include the most seasonal and locally sourced ingredients. The kitchen is led by third-generation sushi chef Taiji Maruyama, who was previously the executive chef at Nobu London.

One of Mayfair’s most popular wine bars, easily recognised from its mustard yellow façade. Inside you will find shelves stacked with bottles from the finest French vineyards, as well as from respected international winemakers. These can be mixed with cheese and charcuterie platters sourced from France, Switzerland and Italy.

Maddox Gallery was founded in 2015, and its Shepherd Market space opened the following year. The gallery exhibits a range of up-and-coming artists, alongside well-known figures such as Basquiat, Warhol, Kusama, Banksy and Damien Hirst. With outposts in West Hollywood and Gstaad, this is one of London’s most fashionable places to invest in art.

Vertex Watches was founded by the horologist Claude Lyons. Born in London, at the age of 17 he began working in the watch trade, and later established a company supplying Swiss-quality timepieces to the British army during the two world wars. In 2015 the firm was refounded, offering a range of watches that combine military standards with modern sophistication, in homage to this remarkable history.

On a warm summer evening, the pubs of Shepherd Market are filled with people enjoying an after-work drink. There are several to choose from, many of them with long histories. For instance, the Chesterfield Arms has been a pub since 1737, while Ye Grapes was first founded as the Market Coffee House in 1742. Meanwhile, the Punch Bowl on nearby Mount Street dates from roughly 1750 and retains many of its original Georgian features.