Extra pink and extremely flowery, Élan Café is insanely pretty, making it one of London’s most Instagrammable shops. Whether it’s the Park Lane branch or the one on Brompton Road in Knightsbridge (yes, perfectly placed close to Harrod’s), Élan is the perfect choice for starting your day right, having a well-earned lunch break or treating yourself to an afternoon dessert.
The Décor
You know the décor is going to be so on point when there’s a cute pastel-coloured bike with a rose-filled basket involved! As well as the pink, white and cream flower walls, which make you instantly want to document all the beauty, the other light and airy colours found around the café, like pastel greys and greens, are instantly calming. However, it’s not just the soothing atmosphere that makes you want to go back. Being surrounded by endless flowers, pink cups and coffee related quotes in neon makes it a really fun place. It’s just the right kind of space where you can meet up with a friend to catch up on all the juiciest news and have some laughs with the camera.
Food & Drinks
As well as being totally halal, Élan is known for serving healthy food as the founder, Alexandra Miller, is a fervent proponent of healthful eating and living. What’s more, with her background in fashion and an eye for detail, all the food and drinks are beautifully styled, making Élan even more of an Instagram haven.
Breakfast options include the acai bowl with fresh fruits, coconut and granola (plus cute little flowers), the chia porridge with almond milk, avocado on sourdough and a breakfast plate, which is infused with Mediterranean flavours like ful mudammas and hummus. In fact, most of the menu is Mediterranean -inspired, including open flat bread sandwiches with ingredients like pomegranate molasses and za’tar.
The sweets section includes all kinds of pastries and cakes, and while you have some trusted favourites, there are some really innovative options too. Whether it’s the coloured croissants that match the ingredients inside, like pistachio cream, the Garsageel Saffron and Rose Cake or the Popcorn Tart, it’s always a great idea to try something new.
Coffee is a passion at Élan, which has partnered with award-winning Union coffee roasters. While the coffee comes from South America or Africa, the beans are hand roasted at the micro-roastery in east London. Some alternative signature drinks include the Ruby (beetroot and ginger) and Jade (Japanese matcha green tea) lattes and the beautifully presented pots of tea, like the Flora tea.
