St James's

The galleries, art specialists and auction houses of St James’s command respect worldwide and offer a considerable contribution to the area’s character and reputation.

Bury Street, Duke Street, St James’s and King Street have long contained a large concentration of private galleries and, more recently, the strikingly modern White Cube and David Gill Gallery have opened to further emphasise the significance of St James’s as a cultural destination of excellence.

Food and drink have long played a pivotal role in reflecting the character of St James’s.

The offering continues to evolve with an evident focus towards attracting the world’s most eclectic and high-quality independent restauranteurs, striving to provide for the needs of residents, professionals, shoppers and visitors alike. St James’s is popular for the quality of its portfolio of restaurants; from the established favourites such as Wiltons and Quaglino’s to the contemporary Avenue and Saka no Hana on St James’s Street.

Fashionable coffee and chocolate houses came to dominate the area and throughout the 19th century, many of these – including The Cocoa Tree, Boodle’s and White’s – were to set the trend for the establishment of the capital’s most exclusive Gentlemen’s clubs. Whether there is a desire to meet, eat or to relax at the end of a long day, St James’s is able to perfectly meet each individual’s needs. There are bars and restaurants which boast truly international reputations and an appealing mix of luxury hotels including The Stafford and the Ritz.