The good people of EL&N (the artist formerly known as Élan Café) know what the internet loves. And they’re dishing it out across their London venues with aplomb. For those not familiar with EL&N, you need only know that the buzzword is “pink”, and that you’ll have ample opportunity to soak in some of these vibes…
These guys dish up breakfast, brunch, lunch, cake, coffee, and more in a pink-hued paradise. It’s pink, pink, pink, and even more pink. The whole place is just deliciously extra.
I say ‘place’, but after an incredible expansion, EL&N now have ten sites spread out all around London. They’re found everywhere from Knightsbridge, all the way to St Pancras International and even Heathrow Terminal 3. Although, they’ve definitely got a bit of a soft spot for the fanciest areas in town, clustered around the outskirts of Hyde Park.
And while a design aesthetic clearly combines the visual identities of the brand, each venue has its own unique touches and signature features. This makes each venue instantly recognisable to fans of the brand and provides a new experience (and new photo opportunities!) with each new visit.
On the menu at EL&N
Right, let’s talk about the food. The offering differs slightly across venues, but the brunt of the menu remains largely the same. There are wholesome breakfasts as colourful as they come. Think Acai Smoothie Bowls and Smashed Avocado Toast. But they’ve also got some deliciously naughty options, such as the Nutella French Toast and the Croissant Bread & Butter Pudding. Meanwhile, are you really going to say no to these gorgeous pastries and cakes?!
For savoury daytime meals, the menu is a hit list of Londoner cravings. Dishes like Truffle Cacio e Pepe nestle up alongside the Spicy Pulled Chicken Burgers and Chicken Caeser Salad on the menu at the more sit-down venues. The more casual EL&N’s, meanwhile, have a more snack-y, grab-and-go style menu with bagels, focaccia sandwiches, and plenty of pastries to choose from too.
Oh, and naturally they serve up a stunning afternoon tea too. I mean just look at that!
But let’s not forget the drinks. After all, these colourful delights contribute to the pastel delights of the venues just as much as the décor itself. Drinks range from classic café offerings to colourful specialty hot chocolates, teas, juices, shakes, smoothies, and more. Not sure what to order? Each menu has an ‘Instagrammable lattes’ section, plus a whole host of outrageously over-the-top frappés and mocktails. Anyone for a Nutella Martini or a Chemex Strawberry Mojito? As with the food, though, offerings vary across locations, so be sure to double-check the menu before you go.
EL&N cafes are generally well-positioned to explore the city after a slice of cake. The Knightsbridge branch – which boasts its own Love Hearts cave, because of course it does – is perfectly placed for a jaunt around the V&A Museum’s latest art exhibition. Meanwhile, the St Pancras branch is certain to be the final stop before a whirlwind trip to Paris. But mostly, they offer a chance to Live Your Best Life™️ and rack up those likes.
See you there!
EL&N counts 10 locations spread around London, with various opening hours between 7.30am – midnight, seven days a week. However, times vary across all sites, so be sure to double-check the website.