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.

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, 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 practical, functional, cold dishes and plates of freshly folded dumplings, Cocochan has a Japanese bar devoted to sushi and sake, providing something for everyone.  It was tough to walk past Crosstown which is an award-winning doughnut, handcrafted cookies, 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 by-pass this one! Homeslice was busy with customers enjoying their takeaway or Take&Bake range.

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 tomato, basil and extra virgin olive oil, it was delicious, light and fresh, my partner decided to go for the Gamberi, which was oven baked prawns in a creamy ‘nduja sauce with delicious datterini tomato, 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.

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 brand of jewellery, 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 the 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 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 a 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 make me step outside of my comfort zone, building my confidence along the way, I left the store floating on air. Reiss is my new ‘go-to’ store!

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.