Elan Café – Brunch Spot Review
Elan Café is probably one of the top 5 trendiest spots in London at the moment. It opened its doors in summer of 2017 with its gorgeous dare-to-pink and floral interiors. Taking inspiration, undoubtedly, from the rise of social media influencing, Elan Café is picture paradise. So much so that people actually dress in colours to match the interiors for that perfect Instagram shot. Yes, this is a thing!
Last saturday, my sister in law, Ogo was visiting from Southampton for the day and we thought to have a girly brunch date so Elan Café it was!
A few quotes spring up once you view their website “Eat, Live and Nourish”, “Uncompromising passion for coffee and food”. The website which is quite easy to navigate, gives you all the information you would need for a visit. There are Instagram pictures on their pages as well to give you a feel of what to expect. In my opinion, Elan café is keeping with the newer millennial theme of promoting business through social media and tbh, we are not mad at that!
Reservations
None. First come, first serve. This means there will most likely be a queue situation going on especially if you want to sit inside.
Location
There are a few different locations all over London – Market Place, Brompton Road, Park Lane, Selfridges, Hans Crescent and Lowndes Street. I went to the Flagship store in Mayfair at 9 Market Place, Fitzrovia W1W 8AQ. It is located just 3 minutes walk from Oxford Circus station. As it is very central, you are better off going via underground or taking a taxi.
Ambiance
Elan Café is very pretty. It’s all florals and pinks and pastels and just the most gorgeous spot ever. All corners are cute, from the terrace seating to the space inside. There is a cute bicycle (in pastel blue of course) with a wicker basket full of pink flowers just perched in front of the café and everyone has their phones snapping selfies and pictures from all angles to get the perfect shot. If you are not a fan of people being on their phones for most of their meals, Elan café is not for you lol. For me, I joined in the picture taking (well, I’m a blogger, that’s my excuse) and afterwards, tucked into my meal and had a lovely chat with Ogo.
Menu
The menu consists of an all day brunch menu, which had about 12 different options. Ranging from acai bowls to avocado on toast to pancakes, there was a good variety. There were salads, sandwiches, small bites, wraps and of course, desserts – the colourful Instagrammable desserts which attract 90% of the guests.
I usually have pancakes whenever I go to a brunch spot and use that as comparison to others but for some reason, I fancied a Full English breakfast. Surprisingly, this was not on the menu so I ended up having pancakes. I ordered the Teff Pancakes and Velvet Latte. Ogo had the Avocado on Sourdough with Smoked Salmon and a Milk Hot Chocolate. My pancakes were yummy and it looked like what I would have made at home; not like the perfect looking ones you get in the typical brunch spots haha I thought “hmmm someone does make pancakes like me”! I had some of Ogo’s avo on toast and it was delicious!! My latte was my favourite thing; it was so yummy probably because it had condensed milk in it.
Service
As I mentioned earlier, the no reservation meant that we had to wait on a queue. We got there at about 11.45am and waited about 15 minutes on the queue before we were ushered to our seats.
The waiter gave us the menus and advised that we were only allowed to spend a maximum of 45 minutes from when we made our order. I thought this was weird as you usually get 1hr 30mins in restaurants but I suppose that is when you are ordering a 3-course meal? I don’t know, I just found it a little uncomfortable. However, I must add that we did spend a little over 45mins and nobody asked us to leave. We deduced that they say that to everyone so you don’t just sit there taking pictures all day.
The staff was lovely and very polite. They always smiled and explained options on the menu in a non-forceful way.
Value for Money
Elan café is really good value for your money. I think it is actually very cheap considering the location. Almost everything on the menu is under £10 however; I will admit that the portions are quite small. If you are going there because you are actually very hungry, you might need to order 2 meals instead of 1. There is a service charge added to the bill as usual.
Elan café is a must visit, I think; especially if you like fancy spots and brunching and coffee. Or if you just want to see what all the fuss is about. The new wave of pretty cafés springing up all around London means that they are all constantly trying to outdo each other. I’m sure that in the summer, the queues will be as long as Timbuktu, so I was glad I went in spring.
Would I go again? Probably yes. More for the ambiance than the food if I’m honest. There is absolutely nothing wrong with the food but I’ve just had better brunches elsewhere. But then again, were those spots as pretty as Elan? Probably not.
I do recommend you go and see it for yourselves and it would be lovely to share your experiences if you have been already!
Bisous, ‘Bugo x
15 Comments
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Ola
Might check it out, will make sure I’m not as hungry since you mentioned the portions were small…😆
Bugo
hahaha hi Ola! The portions were definitely small and i’ll say that you go there mainly for the ambiance over the food.
Try The Ivy – see my post on it, i think you’ll like it. lush ambiance, lovely brunch and worth every coin! https://lifewithbugo.com/the-ivy-city-garden-brunch-spot-review/
Shauna
Thanks for sharing….i will check it out. The pics are sooooo gorg 🙂
Bugo
aww you’re welcome babe!!
Thank you for reading and for your lovely comment too x
Mielle
This place reminds of that beautiful place in Lekki, the Tea room. Same concept! Mainly for the social media pictures. It’s soooo pretty. And you fit right in sis!
Bugo
oh yeaaaa I’ve seen pictures of the Tea room on instagram. I’ll definitely visit when next i’m in Lagos.
Social media is driving everything these days so not surprised. Thank you sis x
Ivan
Wish I had something like this close to the office. Feels like a ‘let’s have a quick catchup’ type of spot – over a cup of coffee. Lush!
Bugo
Hahahahaha I know these “let’s catch up” meetings; even better when they are outside the office. I’m sure there’s one close to you; if not Elan, another fancy coffee shop since they’re springing up everywhere these days.
Thank you! x
Ogo
I made it to the blog!!!! I kid I kid.
Was a lovely spot for brunch though I agree and all the pictures came out perfect
Bugo
hahahaha Ogo!! I’m glad we went together!
Yes, I think you can never go wrong with pink and florals. Pictures will always looks cute haha x
Mokut
Lovely!!! Your pictures give this place life. I should definitely check it out when I visit next month.
Bugo
Hey Mokut!!
Thank you so much for reading 🙂 I’m glad you liked the pictures and yes, it is worth a visit. Hopefully, you’ll have a lovely experience. Be sure to go there early (before 11.30am) so you don’t have to queue to get in 🙂 xx
Uzo
Ok, I am not a pink kind of girl (although the color is growing on me in my old age) but I am all about good coffee and a great baked delicious good (technically good bc more than one will be consumed) and your pictures do justice bc everything looks delicious and pretty. Posts like these will have me looking up quick NYC-London extended weekend prices…
Bugo
hey Uzo!!!!!!
me too you know! never been a fan of pink and I’m sure I don’t own anything pink but I’m going to change this spring/summer. I realised I wear too much dark colours and I’m trying to find my inner colourful self hahahaha.
Yes, if you love coffee and cakes, Elan is deffo a good one to go to. There are so many cute cafés & cake shops popping up all around london so when you decide to come, you will have the best time 🙂 xx