Popular fashion and lifestyle brand Aimé Leon Dore has a flagship London store in Soho. As with the New York branch, this means there is also a cafe on the ground floor: Café Leon Dore. So, while perusing the boutique clothing, you might want to swing by the café to sample the goods. As you walk in from the busy streets of Soho, you’ll be greeted by some rather swanky interiors. Think marble floors, walnut panelling and a charming corner terrace, along with various nicknacks and artefacts on the art deco shelves. The terrace itself, meanwhile, is filled with plants and sheltered by an on-brand green awning with Aimé Leon Dore’s signature sine wave-esque trim.
There isn’t a whole lot on the menu, but as long as you’re only after a drink and a snack you’ll be well-catered to. Traditional tea, coffee and hot chocolate is available, as well as almond, chocolate or plain croissants. But, since the café is “inspired by Greek culture”, it’s certainly worth trying the Greek parts of the menu on your visit. These include Greek mountain tea, a caffeine-free herbal tea made with the sideritis plant (also known as ironwort). The tea is packed with antioxidants, polyphenols and essential oils, while also aiding digestion.
Another quintessentially Greek drink available here is freddo cappuccino. This iced coffee is made by adding chilled, skimmed milk to iced espresso, and sometimes finished with a sprinkle of cinnamon or cocoa. In the snacks department, you’ll find three traditional Greek cookies: kourabiedes (almond), melomakarona (honey and walnut) or koulourakia (Greek butter). If you fancy something a little fruitier, there are also bottled drinks like Three Cents pink grapefruit or Amita peach, as well as more mainstream options like San Pellegrino and Coca-Cola. Be sure to stock up on Greek chocolates and wafters before you leave!