Monocle Café, Marylebone

Just past the luxury independent boutiques that line Chiltern Street, Marylebone, you'll find Monocle Café sitting proudly under the rust brick. A spin-off of Monocle, a global affairs and lifestyle magazine, this compact café is a cosy corner to read, work or relax. And in today's fast-paced world, where better to slow down than in here?

MARYLEBONE, LONDON

Marylebone is possibly my favourite village in London, though I do say this about every one, I know! But it truly is special with plenty of green spaces to make you feel far out of the city bustle like Wimbledon or Richmond, and yet borders Bond Street and Oxford Circus - the heart of London. Here you can find beautiful specialist boutique shops, top luxury hotels, a wide range of restaurants of all cuisines and classic British pubs. It's littered with rich families, chic business-people and a young but quiet hipster crowd (you'll found the latter down Chiltern Street.)

There's also a killer high street with everything from Whistles and Claudie Pierlot to Cath Kidston and Sweaty Betty. Should you find yourself here, step inside the magical Daunt Books, an independent bookseller specialising in travel books. Hello heaven!

And then there's St. Christopher's Place, just off of Oxford Circus but a ten minute walk from Baker Street (the main Tube station for Marylebone). This square flourishes with some of London's best-loved restaurants and is best enjoyed in the nice weather since each of them boasts beautiful outdoor seating.

A Marylebone guide is coming soon so stay tuned!

The modest menu proffers both Japanese and Scandinavian goodies, from matcha lattes and chicken katsu sandwhiches, to sweet and sticky cinnamon buns supplied by Fabrique Bakery, another Scandi London café. Sure it's not cheap, like most independent retailers and cafés, but when the food, drink and environment is this good, it's worth the small splurge. And coffee is an Allpress blended roast, a.k.a the best coffee in London.

They also happen to have an alcohol license in which happy hour is served from 5:30pm until closing every day (hello post-work treat!) For this winter, order the sweet and rich mulled wine or the hot toddy.

Top - & Other Stories; jacket - New Look; necklace - Accessorize

The environment perfectly fuses the Japanese and Scandi-chic vibe Monocle offers. In here, you'll find Westminster University students (the campus is just around the corner), businessmen on the hunt for a quick espresso pit-stop and fashionistas who work at the local boutiques.

You'll also find plenty of magazines and Monocle reading material to keep you occupied should the rain start to downpour outside or you find the setting too pleasurable to work in!

18 Chiltern St, Marylebone, London W1U 7QA