Today I want to bring you my guide to the best things to do in Belgravia. This is one of the most beautiful parts of central London, and there’s plenty to experience here. Whether you like pretty streets, grand squares, or hidden mews, it’s sure to delight. I’ve included a map, too.
Things to Do in Belgravia
Right near the stately form of Buckingham Palace and the airy halls of Victoria station, Belgravia is one of the most beautiful London neighborhoods.
The area is known for its plethora of embassies and luxury hotels, not to mention its pretty shopping streets, leafy squares, and winding mews.
There are also great boutiques, restaurants, cafes, and pubs here. And if you love food markets, it has you covered.
When I moved to London in 2007, I was lucky enough to enjoy a 3-week stay at a beautiful hotel just off Belgrave Square in the heart of the area.
While staying in the neighborhood, I got to live like a local, discover the hidden mews around Motcomb Street, and try the restaurants and cafes on Elizabeth Street and Eccleston Street.
Since then I’ve been coming back as often as I can, and I still love being here. If you want to follow in my footsteps, read on for my top picks for things to do in Belgravia.
1. Elizabeth Street
I’ll start my list with Elizabeth Street. It’s one of the prettiest places in London, and it’s worth a special trip.
Elizabeth Street is known for its floral facades, which grace everything from perfume shops to bakeries. Interspersed among them are celebrity milliners, pink cake shops, and boutique clothing stores.
Elizabeth Street is a must if you like lovely shopfronts and all things aesthetically pleasing. The decorations change seasonally, so it’s worth coming back again and again to see what’s new. If you’re here in spring, the Belgravia in Bloom floral installations are particularly beautiful.
2. Farmers’ Market
Next on my list is the weekly market. Pimlico Road Farmers’ Market takes place every Saturday in Orange Square, which is on the corner of Pimlico Road and Ebury Street.
This beloved local number is a great place to pick up everything from fresh produce to baked goods. Traders sell a range of foods, including seasonal fruits and vegetables, cheese, bread, fish, meat, and juices.
The market is the perfect spot to pick up groceries or picnic supplies for an al fresco meal on Chelsea Embankment or in Battersea Park.
3. Eat & Drink
Perhaps my favorite thing to do in Belgravia is explore the food scene. This area is home to an overabundance of good restaurants, cafes, and pubs, not to mention afternoon teas.
On Eccleston Street, Olivo numbers among my favorite restaurants in London. It’s the perfect place for Sardinian food. The crab linguine is one of my favorite things to eat in the city.
Olivo’s sister restaurant Oliveto is a great spot for casual meals. The dining room can get loud, but the pizzas are good and the place has a fun energy.
Tomtom Coffee House is another neighborhood staple. It’s a cozy place for espresso drinks. And that’s to say nothing of Poilane, a famous French bakery that makes me willing to travel for croissants (and bread, and pretty much everything else they bake).
If you want something light, the Nikkei cuisine at Uni is sure to hit the spot. Its blend of Japanese and Peruvian dishes means it fits the bill for everything from inventive sushi to tiny tacos.
When you need a cupcake—and when do you not?—the prettiest in London are at Peggy Porschen on Elizabeth Street. This pink pastry palace has one of the most famous facades in the city.
If you have Scottish ancestry like me (or if you simply like a fun place to eat and drink), Boisdale of Belgravia is just the ticket. Its red facade and warren of tartan-filled rooms make it a tried-and-true classic.
Closer to Knightsbridge, Motcomb Street has more good places to eat and drink. The Pantechnicon complex houses everything from cafes to restaurants and a roof terrace.
Over on Pimlico Road, La Poule au Pot has one of the prettiest dining rooms in the city. It’s the perfect spot for a date night, romantic dinner, or Valentine’s Day meal.
Then there’s Amaya, one of my favorite high-end Indian restaurants in London. I can’t get enough of their grilled dishes and cocktails.
When it comes to pubs, my go-to is The Thomas Cubitt. Right in the heart of Elizabeth Street, it’s one of the area’s most popular watering holes. And if you want to stay in a pub, The Orange on Pimlico Road has rooms.
If you’re after something hidden, The Grenadier is just the spot. This pub was once an officers’ mess. It’s tucked away down a winding mews, and inside it’s steeped in military history.
You’ll also love The Star Tavern on Belgrave Mews West and The Nags Head on Kinnerton Street. Up a pretty little road from Motcomb Street, the latter is a local place with memorabilia covering every inch of the walls and a strict ‘no mobile phone’ policy.
Elsewhere in the area, the Horse & Groom is tucked into a corner of a cobbled lane near Belgrave Square. Rumor has it that Brian Epstein, the manager of The Beatles, once lived nearby and entertained guests (including the band) here.
Speaking of drinks, Belgravia is home to some of the best afternoon teas in London. The one at The Goring is a treat, and I like the offerings at The Halkin as well. Whether it’s classic, themed, or seasonal, there’s always something to get excited about.
4. Shop
Another of the most popular things to do in Belgravia is shop. From Elizabeth Street to Motcomb Street and Pimlico Road, the area has no shortage of places to indulge your inner retail lover.
There’s a range of spots to browse and buy here. Whether you’re looking for a hat for a special occasion, antique chairs for your home, or an outfit for your dog (or yourself!), you can find it in the neighborhood.
There are beloved florists, perfume shops, and home goods boutiques, not to mention high-end grocers, furniture showrooms, and shoe stores.
5. Streets & Squares
While you shop, you can explore the area’s famous streets. And squares, for that matter. From Belgrave Square with its embassies to Eaton Square with its long gardens and Orange Square with its aforementioned market, there are a lot of grand spaces here.
But it’s the mews and lanes that really get me excited. Kinnerton Street and the narrow alleys that radiate from it are a treat to discover.
Halkin Mews is another favorite. The cobbles, flowers, and houses are some of the loveliest in the area. And that’s to say nothing of Groom Place and Wilton Row, which both wind around and hide pubs in their nooks.
Speaking of hidden, Eccleston Yards and Newson’s Yard are great courtyards to discover. The former is lined by restaurants, and there are great seating areas in the middle. The latter is a covered space bordered by interior design shops.
Not far away, Bloomfield Terrace is home to pretty houses, pint-size Victoria Square features a statue of Queen Victoria, and there’s a blue plaque dedicated to Mozart on Ebury Street near Orange Square (not to mention a statue of him in the square itself).
If you want to explore these places and more, my free self-guided Belgravia walking tour will show you the best of the area.
Map
As promised, I created a map of all the places I mentioned in this blog post. You can see it here. I hope it helps you find your favorite spots!
Best of Belgravia
I hope this guide to my favorite things to do in Belgravia has inspired you to visit the neighborhood and explore its grand squares and hidden corners. There are great places to discover, and I’m sure they’ll inspire you to come back as often as I do.
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