The OWO Residences: National Coffee Month at Café Ciel

Some of the most memorable experiences are found in life’s simplest rituals. A carefully prepared coffee and a freshly baked pastry, enjoyed in a beautiful setting, can turn an everyday moment into something special. This October, Café Ciel brings that idea to life with Coffee Club, a month-long celebration of coffee, pastries and London’s independent food scene, set within the historic surroundings of The OWO in Whitehall.

Running from 3 to 31 October 2026, this limited free-entry event brings together a selection of remarkable London coffee and bakery names, each showcasing their own interpretation of coffee-inspired flavours. Alongside exclusive creations, visitors can also enjoy a coffee flight, a specially developed brunch menu and weekend DJs, all within the café’s tranquil courtyard setting. For The OWO, the experience reflects a contemporary approach to London living, where architectural heritage, considered design and thoughtful hospitality come together.

 

A Coffee Celebration in the Heart of Whitehall

Located within The OWO’s Grand Courtyard, Café Ciel offers a different perspective on one of London’s most recognisable neighbourhoods. Away from the movement of Whitehall, the courtyard provides a sheltered setting where visitors can enjoy brunch, coffee or a relaxed afternoon. The Ciel Coffee Club builds on this atmosphere by bringing together independent businesses with their own approaches to coffee and baking. Rather than a single menu defined by one style, this event introduces a changing selection of considered creations throughout the month of October, giving each collaboration its own moment.

The concept is simple: taking a familiar daily ritual and giving it a little more thought. Whether stopping by for a morning coffee or meeting friends for something sweet, visitors can enjoy Café Ciel as a place to pause within the capital. It is an approach that feels particularly suited to The OWO, where historic grandeur is balanced by spaces designed for modern life.

 

Upcoming Events at Café Ciel

As part of National Coffee Month, Café Ciel’s Coffee Club continues throughout October with a series of weekend collaborations celebrating London’s independent coffee and bakery scene. The programme’s upcoming takeovers bring together three distinctive names, each creating exclusive treats for visitors to enjoy in The OWO’s Grand Courtyard.

Puffy Paris will present its signature pastries alongside an event-exclusive Dirty Chai Coffee Cookie, while Reemie’s Cakes will serve a specially created Layered Banana Coffee Cake. Boxcar London, the Marylebone neighbourhood bakery, will feature across the final weekends of the programme, introducing its Salted Caramel and Mocha Knot.

The takeovers run on Saturdays from 9 am to 7 pm and Sundays from 10 am to 6 pm. As the guest pastries are baked in limited quantities and may sell out early, arriving in the morning is recommended for those hoping to try these exclusive creations. With a changing line-up of flavours and collaborations, Coffee Club offers visitors a new reason to return to Café Ciel throughout the month.

 

Beyond Coffee: A New Take on Brunch

Coffee Club extends beyond the café’s drinks and pastries, with a coffee-inspired brunch menu that brings familiar dishes into a more unexpected setting. Coffee tasting flights and weekend DJs add another dimension to the experience, creating an atmosphere that moves comfortably between a relaxed morning and a more sociable afternoon. This flexibility is part of Café Ciel’s appeal. The space is designed to accommodate different rhythms of the day, from a quiet coffee break to a leisurely brunch with friends. As the light softens, the courtyard takes on a different mood, with cocktails and small plates offering a natural transition into the evening. Rather than making dining feel formal, Café Ciel places emphasis on the pleasure of spending time in a thoughtfully designed setting.

 

The OWO: Where History Meets Contemporary Living

The setting is central to the experience. Formerly the Old War Office, The OWO is a Grade II*-listed Edwardian Baroque landmark, historically associated with Winston Churchill during his time in government. Today, it has been reimagined as a destination for hospitality and long-term living with The OWO Residences by Raffles, combining its architectural grandeur with contemporary interiors and amenities alongside services from the iconic Raffles brand. Café Ciel occupies the Grand Courtyard, providing an informal point of connection between the building and the surrounding city. It shows that the character of a landmark property is not preserved solely through its architecture, but also through the new experiences that bring it to life.

 

A Landmark Reimagined for Modern London

Café Ciel’s Coffee Club offers a glimpse of how the OWO’s historic setting continues to evolve. From independent coffee and pastry collaborations to leisurely brunches in the Grand Courtyard, the experience reflects a more considered approach to enjoying the city of London. It is this balance of heritage, hospitality, and contemporary living that gives The OWO its distinctive character, creating a place where London’s past and present meet naturally in an everyday setting.