Le Café by Nicolas Rouzaud: Inside London's Award Winning New Bakery in Mayfair

London is now home to one of the most celebrated new pastry destinations in the world.

Le Café by Nicolas Rouzaud, located inside the historic Burlington Arcade in Mayfair, has been named Pastry & Bakery Opening of the Year 2026 by La Liste, one of the world's most influential gastronomic guides. The recognition places the London café alongside acclaimed winners in Dubai and Tokyo, instantly cementing its status as one of the most exciting new openings in global pastry.

Le Café is the first all-day café to open inside Burlington Arcade. Spread across three beautifully designed floors in the heart of Mayfair, it combines French pastry craftsmanship with brunch, coffee, lunch, cocktails and the relaxed elegance of French café culture.

Whether you are planning a dedicated pastry pilgrimage or simply looking for one of London's best brunch spots, here's everything you need to know before you go.

Why Le Café by Nicolas Rouzaud just won a Global Pastry Award

The accolade comes from La Liste, the internationally respected restaurant and hospitality ranking platform that annually recognises excellence across the global food industry. For its 2026 Pastry Awards, La Liste named Le Café by Nicolas Rouzaud as one of the recipients of the Pastry & Bakery Opening of the Year award.

The recognition is particularly significant because the award focuses on new openings. It highlights venues that have made an immediate impact through quality, innovation and overall guest experience.

For London, it is another reminder that some of the world's most exciting pastry talent is no longer confined to Paris.

Another reason Le Café stands out from many bakery openings is its all-day format. Alongside pastries and brunch dishes, you'll find:

• Specialty coffee
• Light lunch options
• Savoury dishes
• Seasonal desserts
• Cocktails
• Afternoon pastries

Their wide range of items makes it equally suitable for breakfast, lunch, afternoon coffee or evening drinks.

Who is Nicolas Rouzaud?

If you've followed luxury hospitality or fine pastry over the last decade, chances are you've already encountered Nicolas Rouzaud's work.

Before opening Le Café, Rouzaud built an impressive career at some of Europe's most prestigious hotels and restaurants. His journey includes:

• Le Bristol Paris
• The Lanesborough London
• Eight years as Executive Pastry Chef at The Connaught
• Nicolas Rouzaud at The Connaught
• Four Seasons The Pearl Doha
• Place Vendôme Mall, Doha

During his time at The Connaught, Rouzaud became known for combining technical precision with a more emotional, ingredient-driven approach to pastry.

His philosophy is simple: use exceptional ingredients, avoid excessive sweetness, respect seasonality and create comforting food.

That philosophy is visible throughout Le Café's menu.

The story behind Le Café

Inspired by his childhood in Toulouse and the traditions of French café culture, Le Café was created as a place you can enjoy throughout the day. You can stop by for a morning coffee, settle in for brunch, catch up with friends over lunch or return later for cocktails and pastries.

Le Café is built around the slower, more relaxed rhythm of a traditional French café, where you can settle in, enjoy your food at leisure and return throughout the day for different experiences.

Inside Burlington Arcade's first ever café

The location is a major part of the appeal. Le Café sits inside Burlington Arcade, one of London's most iconic covered shopping arcades.

Opened in 1819, Burlington Arcade stretches between Piccadilly and Burlington Gardens and is famous for its luxury boutiques, historic architecture and distinctive uniformed Beadles who still patrol the arcade today. For more than two centuries, the arcade has been associated with craftsmanship and luxury retail.

Le Café marks a significant evolution of that heritage, bringing world-class dining into one of London's most elegant shopping destinations.

Designed by Sabrina Caisson Design, the café spans three distinct levels.

A signature raspberry-inspired red runs throughout the interiors, creating a cohesive identity while giving each floor its own personality.

The ground floor is the most vibrant and visually striking part of the café. A glossy red lacquered counter serves as the focal point of the space, reflecting light much like a freshly glazed pastry. Large windows open onto Burlington Arcade and create a lively connection between the café and the walkway outside.

The first floor is lighter and calmer. Natural light floods the room, making it an ideal place for brunch, coffee meetings or a relaxed afternoon pastry.

The lower ground floor offers a more intimate atmosphere inspired by the heritage of Burlington Gardens, creating a quieter setting away from the bustle of Piccadilly.

Throughout the space, you'll find bespoke design details including commissioned artwork, mirrored surfaces and sculptural ceramic installations.

The result captures the charm of a contemporary Parisian café without feeling like a staged imitation.

What to order at Le Café

The menu covers everything from breakfast and brunch to pastries, desserts and cocktails. However, a few dishes have quickly emerged as the café's signatures.

Brioche à Tête

This traditional French pastry sits at the heart of Rouzaud's culinary identity and is available in both sweet and savoury forms.

Prepared using traditional techniques rarely seen outside specialist French bakeries, it showcases the balance of richness, texture and precision that defines the entire concept.

My Father's Brioche

One of the most personal dishes on the menu, My Father's Brioche draws inspiration from Rouzaud's childhood and family memories.

The dish features Rouzaud's signature buttery brioche served warm and enriched with flavours inspired by traditional French family baking. It is presented as a nostalgic tribute to the brioche Rouzaud grew up eating, combining the rich, tender texture of expertly made brioche with refined pastry techniques that elevate it beyond a standard breakfast bake.

It has become one of the café's most talked-about brunch offerings for those looking to experience a dish that reflects the chef's personal story.

Trio au Chocolat

Chocolate lovers should not leave without trying the Trio au Chocolat.

Created using dark, white and gianduja Valrhona chocolate, the pastry is a hallmark of Rouzaud's refined and balanced approach to pastry-making: multiple textures and flavours, while avoiding excessive sweetness or richness.

Brioche Bowl with Bresaola and Cheese Fondue

The dish is served in a warm brioche bowl filled with thin slices of air-dried bresaola and a silky cheese fondue. The richness of the melted cheese is balanced by the savoury, slightly salty character of the cured beef, while the buttery brioche absorbs the fondue as you eat.

It is one of the menu's most indulgent savoury options and a good choice if you want something more substantial than the café's sweeter pastry offerings.

Summer Brioche Soft Serve

One of the café's seasonal highlights pairs the signature brioche with vanilla soft serve, finished with either caramelised pecans or raspberry coulis.

This item perfectly captures the playful side of the cafe’s concept.

What to expect at the brunch

Brunch is served daily from 9am until 4pm. The menu includes:

• Homemade granola with Greek yoghurt and berries
• French toast with vanilla whipped cream
• Vanilla chia pudding
• Avocado toast with poached egg and ricotta
• My Father's Brioche
• Signature pastries and baked goods

The menu sticks to well-loved brunch classics, but each dish is elevated through high-quality ingredients and the meticulous craftsmanship that Nicolas Rouzaud is known for.

How to get to Le Café by Nicolas Rouzaud

Address: Burlington Arcade, 51 Piccadilly, London W1J 0QJ
Nearest Tube Stations:

• Green Park Station (approximately five minutes on foot)
• Piccadilly Circus Station (approximately five minutes on foot)

Several London bus routes also stop nearby along Piccadilly. If you're exploring Mayfair, St James's or Soho, the café is easily reachable on foot.

Key details

Opened: January 2026
Floors: Three
Brunch Hours: Daily, 9am to 4pm
Chef: Nicolas Rouzaud
Signature Dish: Brioche à Tête
Must Try: Trio au Chocolat, My Father's Brioche, Brioche Bowl with Bresaola and Cheese Fondue
Format: All day café, pastry shop and dining destination

The La Liste award may have brought international attention, but the real reason to visit is much simpler. The food is outstanding, the atmosphere is inviting and the Brioche à Tête alone is worth the trip.

If you're looking for one of London's most exciting food destinations right now, Le Café deserves a place at the top of your list.