Londoners and Britain-bound jetsetters, this one’s for you. If you haven’t already heard, Élan Café is the rosiest place to be in London—literally. With a convincingly real flower-lined wall, the over-the-top décor will seriously perk up your morning in the pinkest way possible—along with your requisite latte and slice of rose cake, of course. This café with an international cast of contributors (including a South African chef and Portuguese head of coffee operations) is upping the game in terms of pastel chic, making “pretty” feel very very cool. So hurry in for your blush-hued coffee cup and a serious dose of colorful energy, style and enthusiasm—which is precisely what élan means.



Photography: beansawayy 

Rose, Rouge, Watermelon, Blush

Equal parts sophisticated and stylish, Élan also exudes a giddy-as-a-schoolgirl personality due to the ultra-feminine décor—we’re talking a lot of pink, people. There’s also a “resident latte artist” who serves up your foam with pictures of pandas, bunnies, hearts, swans… and even the face of Marilyn Monroe. This, in addition to the sweeter-than-sweet confections available at the counter, the floral-heavy design, plush pink furnishings and a flamingo-tinted awning welcomes you in with cheery aplomb at not just one but two upbeat locations. Find Élan both on Park Lane in Mayfair and Brompton Road in Knightsbridge.




Photography: rosielondoner | nawalee_a_  | Élan Café

Confections, Coffee and Culinary Delights

For all the playful, excessive décor, Élan is serious about its culinary offerings and coffee. Paired with the delectable baked treats and an extensive variety of caffeine options is a decidedly hearty menu with a Middle-Eastern edge. In addition to your açai bowl you might order the Syrian Cauliflower Hash—or come back later in the day for Rose Harissa Grilled Aubergine complete with creamy burrata and a pomegranate salsa. To top it off, try some Pan-fried Banana Bread or a Saffron Dulce de Leche cake. And for the coffee-crazed, Élan prides itself on partnering with Union coffee roasters who have been sourcing beans directly from farmers since 2001 (the first roasters to do so in Britain). Trust us, no matter what you choose from the menu—sweet, savory, liquid or all three—you really can’t go wrong.



Photography: Scarlett London | Élan Cafe


Recycling Your Coffee

At the heart of this café ripe with sugary sweetness is also a deep belief in healthy, natural food, and an aim to nourish the body inside and out. They’ve even got a line of natural and sustainable body products, made from coffee by-products that allow them to use their waste for good rather than just dump it. Offering a range of scrubs and masks for face, body and hair, these products are made fresh on the spot to be used within the day. We think it’s the perfect pairing so you can pamper yourself with your coffee—and drink it too.

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