Welcome to yet another gorgeous part of London, and with it – a quality coffee shop. Marylebone manages to blend chick and charming, with an upmarket village feel: the pristine streets look busy with all variety of shop fronts, but most of the times I visited it also felt chilled and laid back.

On this visit to the Capital, The Monocle Café became the destination in Marylebone having walked past it on a few previous occasions and not stepping in due to it being packed! The coffee shop is obviously a popular destination, with a reputation way beyond its size… If you ignore the two small tables outside (sure to be occupied on a sunny afternoon), you are instantly sandwiched between the cake counter and till on the left, and the wall on the right. After a couple of steps this opens up to a small seating area, followed by a larger living room – because how else to describe a space with sofas, low coffee table, books on shelves and wall-hung TV playing a documentary?

Despite easily reaching my 10k step count to get there (inviting a little indulgence) I knew I was only staying for the coffee, so I huddled myself by the narrow shelf-making-for-a-table right by the door to the “living room” – that’s after I paid for my order at the till and helped myself to a herb-flavoured water from a glass dispenser next to it.

The coffee was served not long after, and beautifully presented. I loved the attention to detail: from the wooden serving tray to the little branded chocolate served on the side. But of course, it was all about the mocha, which (I could tell just by looking at it that it) would be a joy to sip. The foam looked silky and shiny – a great sign of a barista well skilled in steaming milk.

Alas! It proved somewhat underwhelming. While the drink had a nicely blended texture, the temperature was just warm – which may have resulted in the concoction lacking that kick of sweetness you’d want from a mocha.

It was still a very nice coffee and I left the place content – pleased to have made the journey; and if the milk had been steamed for just a couple of seconds longer, it could have just scored full marks!

To learn more about The Monocle Café, visit their website.