Discovering St Christopher’s Place: London’s Hidden Gem

Finding those hidden little exclusive areas in London is just so exciting, and St Christopher’s Place is one such place.

Just off Oxford Street lies a pretty piazza, bustling with life and vitality. You will find a huge array of boutiques, bars, restaurants, and flagship stores. It is the ideal spot to catch up with friends, relax, and unwind. Take advantage of dining al fresco or enjoying a coffee and croissant, and indulge in a little retail therapy in one of the stunning independent boutiques.

Summer Celebrations and Dining Highlights

From 8th June, St Christopher’s Place will be home to a 6-week celebration of the summer season welcoming new dishes, offers, and shopping experiences. Shop ‘til you drop and complete your perfect holiday wardrobe at Platform and Reiss, dine in Feya, Ole & Steen, Ristorante Olivelli, or enjoy a coffee in Workshop Coffee, or just meander around taking in the St Christopher’s Place vibe.

You will find a huge choice of restaurants, including BAO serving delicate cold dishes and plates of freshly folded dumplings, Cocochan with a Japanese bar devoted to sushi and sake, providing something for everyone. It was tough to walk past Crosstown, an award-winning doughnut, handcrafted cookie, and small-batch ice cream shop. They roll their signature sourdough dough by hand, with all the jams, compotes, fillings, glazes, and toppings made in-house using the finest seasonal ingredients—completely yummy; do not bypass this one! Homeslice was busy with customers enjoying their takeaway or Take & Bake range.

Our Favourite: Harry’s Bar

Our absolute favourite eatery in St Christopher’s Place was Harry’s Bar, bringing a unique blend of traditional Italian dishes. We were seated outside on this warm sunny day; we actually had our four-legged friend with us too, and he was welcomed with lots of cuddles and treats. We began our lunchtime treat with a glass of bubbles while we checked out the menu. We started with a bread basket and some olives, then I chose my favourite starter: creamy burrata served with datterini tomatoes, basil, and extra virgin olive oil—it was delicious, light, and fresh. My partner decided to go for the Gamberi, oven-baked prawns in a creamy ‘nduja sauce with delicious datterini tomatoes, basil, and a squeeze of Amalfi lemon. Honestly, we could have stopped there; we were so happy with our choices we almost forgot we had made our main course options of the classic Pollo Milanese, but it was not too heavy and served with a rocket salad—it was perfect. Our other choice was a Harry’s Pizza created from San Marzano tomatoes, fresh basil leaves, fresh buffalo mozzarella, Parmesan, wild oregano, and Harry’s Olive Oil. The pizza base was thin and crispy, and the toppings were authentically Italian. We shared another classic, tiramisu, for dessert. The Harry’s Bar team was incredibly attentive, our table was superb, and all-in-all we had a fabulous lunch. Dining al fresco is always a treat in the UK, and Harry’s Bar is a great people-watching spot.

Indulgent Shopping Experiences

Following our wonderful lunch, we decided it was time to walk off some of those calories, so we walked around the whole of St Christopher’s Place. We popped into Astrid & Miyu, a stunning jewellery brand selling timeless, classical, effortless pieces with a subtle twist. We also visited a beautiful store, Platform, which is a collaborative space featuring independent designers and artists. There are also a variety of well-known brands such as Rituals, Mulberry, Reiss, The Body Shop, and Whistles. The independent boutiques are fascinating, and supporting new and unique designers is so important to keep that exclusivity alive. We purchased one or two items as gifts for a couple of weddings and birthdays, and individual items seem so much more special when personally chosen.

We spent a couple of hours in Reiss. I was after a wedding guest outfit, and the choice was huge. The Reiss team was friendly with lots of ideas, helping to style me for my special occasion. The store provides a vast classic and stylish selection of wardrobe essentials, beachwear, and occasionwear for both men and women, as well as accessories. After trying on at least 20 pieces, I finally found the perfect outfit: a stunning soft and floaty number and a pair of heels. Thank you to the extremely patient team—I would not have found this without you. You encouraged me to try new styles and step outside my comfort zone, building my confidence along the way. I left the store floating on air. Reiss is my new ‘go-to’ store!

Final Thoughts

St Christopher’s Place is such a fantastic find; it is compact but has everything you need for a great day of shopping and dining. Have a look at the website to see a full list of shops and restaurants.