Named one of the most aesthetically pleasing book caf\u00e9s in the world was none other than Piccadilly\u2019s Maison Assouline. The shop, which is next door to iconic department store Fortnum & Manson<\/a>, is the flagship boutique concept store of luxury publishing house Assouline.<\/p>\n A refined refuge where books, design, and a dash of indulgence all come together, Maison Assouline was deemed the eighth-most beautiful book caf\u00e9<\/a> in the world, according to 1000 Libraries. Maison Assouline was the only book-caf\u00e9<\/a>\u00a0from London to be included in the list, with Turkey taking the top spot and France apparently the pinnacle of elegant reading.\u00a0<\/p>\n The store was opened in 2014 by Martine and Prosper Assouline, founders of the publishing house. Housed inside a former bank, the building was designed by Sir Edwin Lutyens in 1922, who also designed the Cenotaph in Whitehall. The Grade II listed building is\u00a0filled with a selection of curated art, fashion, travel and history books. Plus, there\u2019s plenty of antique furnishings and elegant furniture such as coffee tables, plush armchairs and bar stools from Assouline\u2019s own interiors collection.<\/p>\n Inside Maison Assouline you\u2019ll also find Swan\u2019s Bar, which is a bit more than an in-store Costa \u2013 and with prices to match. The bar serves light meals like foie gras and baba ganoush, as well as a wide range of drinks such as a Belvedere-caviar martini setting you back \u00a372.<\/p>\n Comprising two floors and a mezzanine, the book boutique is also available to host private dinners and cocktail receptions, and sells rare first editions of classic literature titles and hosts monthly pop up exhibitions.<\/p>\n Get the latest and greatest from the Big Smoke \u2013 from news and reviews to events and trends. Just\u00a0follow our Time Out London WhatsApp channel<\/a>.<\/p>\n![\"Maison](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/1759076413_18_image.webp.webp\")
\nMaison Assouline
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