London Reviews: Parcafé at the Dorchester

If you find yourself passing by Park Lane and in need a little pick-me-up, I know just the place for you.

The Dorchester has recently launched an in-house artisanal coffee shop… and as you’d expect of this bastion of old-world charm and luxury, it’s simply lovely.

Tucked away next door to the hotel’s grand ballroom, Parcafé certainly has an enviable location overlooking Hyde Park. The small but elegant space is outfitted with marble floors, warm wooden dune tiles – chosen to artfully mirror the rich coffee hues – and a gorgeous display of floral bouquets by the Dorchester’s resident florist, Phil Hammond.

Speaking of coffee though, it’s the shiny La Marzocco coffee machine that has pride of place against the gleaming service counter, while a tall, slow-drip cold-brew coffee maker towers elegantly behind. The coffee is from the renowned South London-based roasters, Alchemy Coffee, but if coffee isn’t your cup of tea then there’s also a selection of fresh juices and teas from master tea blenders, Harney and Sons.

As for eats, you can expect to find sandwiches, salads and fruits, alongside cookies, cupcakes, pastries and fudge – all freshly prepared in the Dorchester kitchens of course!

Given the very limited seating (comprising just a table for two, in addition to a handful of chairs against a sleek counter by the window), the café seems to primarily cater for takeouts. I suspect that I’ll somehow find reason to linger when I do pop in – for coffee (inevitably swapped over for a rich hot chocolate, once winter arrives), cake and a bit of me-time spent hiding away from the busyness outside.