North Audley Street runs quietly between Oxford Street and Grosvenor Square, and halfway along it you’ll find a white-walled, brick-lined dining room that locals simply call NAC.
NAC Mayfair, short for North Audley Cantine, has been open for more than a decade. It works as a weekday lunch spot, a lively weekend brunch and a relaxed dinner before a night out.
This guide covers what the place is like, what to order and what it costs, how brunch and dinner differ, how to get there, and a few tips for booking a table.
What is NAC Mayfair?
NAC restaurant Mayfair was opened by three young French friends as a modern take on the Parisian cantine, a casual neighbourhood canteen. Today the menu has moved beyond French classics to light, seasonal small plates with Mediterranean and international touches, but the easy-going feel has stayed the same.
You’ll sometimes see it listed as cafe NAC Mayfair because of its daytime trade, but it’s really a full restaurant and bar rather than a coffee-and-cake café.
The concept and atmosphere at NAC
The ground floor is bright and simple, with white walls, exposed brick and big front windows onto the street. In the evening, the lights go down, the music goes up a notch, and the cocktail list takes over.
- Daytime: relaxed, with office workers, shoppers and local residents
- Weekend brunch: the busiest and loudest time of the week
- Evening: date-night tables, after-work drinks and pre-dinner cocktails
- Private dining: separate spaces for groups and events, booked through an enquiry form
What to order at NAC: menu highlights and prices
The menu at NAC Mayfair London is built for sharing. Most people order two or three small plates each, or a few to share and a main. It changes with the seasons, so some dishes come and go, but these are the regulars:
| Dish | Type |
|---|---|
| Halloumi fries with honey sriracha | Nibble |
| Flamed aubergine | Small plate |
| Burrata | Small plate |
| Popcorn chicken | Small plate |
| Truffle burger | Main |
| Rigatoni alla vodka | Main |
| Seabass | Main |
| Steak au poivre | Main |
| Truffled mac and cheese | Side |
| Milk chocolate cookies with Frosties soft serve | Sweet |
There are good options if you don’t eat meat, including the quinoa, baby spinach and kale and cabbage salads, which you can top up with miso salmon, halloumi, sumac chicken or smoked paprika prawns. For two people sharing a few plates and a drink each, budget roughly £45 to £70 a head before service.
Drinks are a big part of the evening. The cocktail list has often played with British flavours, and past menus have included the Lady Grey, an Earl Grey-infused gin cocktail topped with Champagne. There’s wine by the glass too, so it works if you only want a drink and a couple of plates.
Who does NAC restaurant Mayfair suit best?
- Groups who like to share and try a bit of everything
- Vegetarians, who get far more than a token option
- Couples after a relaxed dinner rather than a formal one
- Anyone staying nearby who wants a dependable local
Brunch, lunch and dinner at NAC Mayfair
Each sitting has its own menu, so it’s worth picking your time on purpose.
| Sitting | When | What to expect |
|---|---|---|
| Lunch | Mon to Fri, 11.30 am to 6 pm | The full daytime menu, plus the Big NAC burger |
| Brunch | Sat and Sun, 10 am to 5.45 pm | Eggs, salads and sweets alongside the small plates |
| Dinner | Daily from 6 pm | Small plates, mains and desserts with cocktails |
Weekend brunch is the big draw. Turkish eggs cost £14, shakshuka £18 and poached eggs with avocado toast £19, and the ricotta pancakes and speculoos French toast (£15 each) are the sweet orders most tables end up sharing.
If you’re planning a longer morning around the area, there are plenty of other brunch spots in Mayfair to compare, and some earlier options for breakfast in Mayfair on weekdays.
Where is NAC London Mayfair, and how do you get there?
You’ll find NAC London Mayfair at 41 North Audley Street, between Oxford Street and Grosvenor Square. It’s one of the easiest places in the West End to reach on foot. Bond Street is on the Elizabeth line, so if you’ve just landed at Heathrow, you can get there directly in around half an hour, drop your bags and be at the table for a late lunch. It’s also a natural stop on any list of what to do in Mayfair.
- Bond Street station: Central and Elizabeth lines, a few minutes’ walk
- Marble Arch station: Central line, a short walk along Oxford Street
- Buses: plenty of routes along Oxford Street and Park Lane
- Driving: not recommended, as parking is scarce and the Congestion Charge applies
Being so central, it’s easy to fit around a day out. Selfridges is just around the corner if you’re shopping in London, and you can walk off lunch in Hyde Park, where there are plenty of things to do in Hyde Park beyond a simple stroll.
Tips for booking a table at NAC Cafe Mayfair
Walk-ins are often fine on a weekday afternoon. For weekend brunch and Friday or Saturday dinner, book ahead.
Must-do checklist:
- Reserve online through the restaurant’s own website, which uses SevenRooms
- Book brunch for 10 am or after 3 pm to avoid the peak rush
- Ask for a window table if you like to watch the street
- Try the cookies with Frosties soft serve at least once
- Use the enquiry form for birthdays and groups, which have their own private spaces
- Check the current menu online before you go, as dishes change with the seasons
Make NAC Mayfair part of your stay with Urban Retreat Apartments
NAC Mayfair isn’t the most formal table in the area, and that’s exactly why it’s popular. It’s a reliable choice when you want good food without the ceremony of a tasting menu. If you’d like something smarter for another evening, 34 Mayfair is a short walk away.
Urban Retreat Apartments offers boutique apartments in Mayfair within walking distance of the restaurant. If you’re weighing up where to stay in Mayfair, being a few minutes from Grosvenor Square, Oxford Street and Hyde Park is hard to beat.
