108 Brasserie Marylebone and Maison Mirabeau have brought a bit of the Côte d’Azur to central London with Provence on the Lane, a summer terrace that offers guests one of the best al fresco dining experiences in London.
A favourite among both locals and visitors, the terrace at 108 Brasserie is always buzzing with life. With its smart black awnings, bistro chairs and the easy rhythm of conversation, it evokes the charm of a chic neighbourhood brasserie in Paris. It’s the kind of place where people linger not just to dine, but to watch the world go by – coffee in hand, sunglasses on, immersed in the village-like flow of Marylebone Lane.
This summer, the terrace has taken on the charm of Provence, thanks to a sun-drenched partnership with Mirabeau. Cascading floral displays in soft Mediterranean hues trail up the walls, creating a romantic, Riviera-style setting that feels worlds away from central London. It’s the ideal spot to sip rosé and graze on a seafood-led, sharing-style menu designed for long, leisurely lunches.
Left: Three of the “Light Bites” in the Provence on the Lane menu – Caprese Ciabatta, Seabass Crudo and Crispy Gnocchi.
Right: A feast for the senses – the Seafood Platter to share as a main.
And that is exactly what I did when I visited with a friend. I took the afternoon off to enjoy the unusually hot weather in London and the promise of an indulgent lunch at Provence on the Lane.
My first piece of advice is to skip breakfast the day you visit. Even the starters under the “Light Bites” epigraph on the menu are so generous that they could easily be enough to be shared by three people. We hesitated between the Seabass Crudo and the Caprese Ciabatta; finally opting for the latter. Sweet tomatoes and slightly salty, tangy mozzarella covered in vibrant pesto sauce. Sunshine on a plate.
The mains are no different. Whether you choose the Whole Butterflied Sea Bass or the Seafood Platter, there is no way you’ll leave hungry. The Sea Bass comes with fritto misto (fish/seafood in the kind of batter only Italians manage to make), roasted rosemary potatoes, chargrilled broccoli and citrus mayonnaise.
The Seafood Platter is a beautiful assortment of smoked salmon, hot smoked rillette, tiger prawns, prawn cocktail, dressed white crab meat and peppered mackerel. In a very French style, it comes with bread and several sauces. If your favourites are not there, the friendly staff will do their best to accommodate your preferences.
Provence on the Lane pays homage to English summer. English Strawberries & Cream for dessert and a glass of Mirabeau La Folie.
Of course, a Provencal lunch would not be so without rosé wine. We shared a bottle of Pure by Maison Mirabeau. Light and crispy, its refreshing character make it versatile and therefore it paired beautifully with the different flavours from the ocean starring our lunch.
For dessert, back to British shores. The choices are English Strawberries & Cream or Eton Mess Strawberry Summer Sundae. Unfortunately, we were too full to try them, but I have in good authority that they are both delicious and worth the extra session at the gym.
Provence on the Lane has few tables so I wouldn’t even dream of going without a booking. You can easily reserve, HERE. Bon apetit!
Author: Julia Pasarón
If you are a fan of al fresco dining, you may like to explore Dalloway Terrace at the Bloomsbury, the Radio Rooftop at ME London, or The Oystermen Covent Garden.
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