Deemed the world’s most Instagrammable café, EL&N takes your breath away with its stylish interiors and decadent dishes. Apple Sharma tantalised her taste buds with this chic little eatery’s speciality fare.

My Monday blues were nowhere in sight and quickly turned to perky pink at the thought of visiting EL&N London at The Avenues – Bahrain. I’d been meaning to check out this bougie café for quite some time, so there was a little skip in my step when my plans finally materialised for an out-of-office catch-up with colleagues.

EL&N – short for Eat, Live & Nourish and pronounced ‘Ee-lan’ – is hard to miss, with its signature cotton-candy pink façade (one of my favourite shades) beckoning you into its fairytale world. Cheerful exterior signage like ‘Espresso Yourself’ and ‘Pretty Chilled’ sets a fun tone that continues inside. Walking in instantly put me in a playful mood as I took in the charm of this ‘under the sea’-inspired eatery. I felt like I had stepped into an enchanting underwater garden, with huge jellyfish-shaped chandeliers and wave-like paper panels floating overhead.

The interior is a sea of pink with gold accents on seating and tables. The décor is dreamy yet chic, with plush powder pink and dusky blue scallop-back cocktail sofas. A cosy alcove holds similar love seats, beneath a neon sign declaring ‘You’re the sweetest’. A large LED screen plays clips from other EL&N outlets worldwide, and flowers in every shade of pink cover pretty much every wall and corner. The most Insta-worthy spot, though, is an open, oyster-shaped seat with a stool in place of the pearl (in pink, of course), surrounded by (yes, you guessed right) more pink blooms!

Impressed by the décor, the proud display of cakes and pastries hinted the food would be just as enticing. We grabbed a corner table facing the mall – perfect for people watching – and browsed the menu while admiring the pretty tableware. Pastel pink plates read ‘Love at first bite’ and the salt-and-pepper shakers announced, ‘You’re the Salt to my Pepper’ – crockery cuteness overload!

We started light with Caesar Salad, which came with pulled chicken breast, crunchy wafer-like focaccia croutons and shavings of parmesan. Setting the tone just right, the bread added a satisfying crunch, while the shredded chicken blended smoothly with the dressing, making each bite balanced and full of flavour. It disappeared quickly, a solid opener and a real hit at the table.

The Mango, Passion Fruit & Burrata Salad arrived next, looking as pretty as it was refreshing. A ball of burrata rested on a bed of greens, drizzled with sticky balsamic, with mango and raspberries adding colour and sweetness. The mild, creamy cheese paired wonderfully with the slightly tart fruit – fresh, tangy and sweet in equal measure.

Moving on to heartier fare, the EL&N London Burger arrived with cheesy skinny fries on the side. The juicy beef patty practically dissolved in the mouth, topped with melted American cheese, lettuce and tomato, all bound together by a special house sauce of ketchup, mayo and mustard that had everyone talking. The fries, drizzled with cheese sauce and chopped jalapeños, were dangerously addictive, prompting repeat reaches across the table.

Moving on, the mains had two clear winners. The Chicken Alfredo was indulgence on a plate: perfectly cooked chicken, blended beautifully with creamy sauce, mushrooms, truffle oil and plenty of parmesan. The rigatoni was al dente, the sauce divine and one of my colleagues almost polished off the entire bowl. The Tomato & Burrata Pasta (my favourite), on the other hand, proved how simplicity can shine. Large shell pasta coated in silky tomato sauce with torn burrata, olive oil and fresh basil delivered buttery, peppery and tangy flavours all at once – humble yet stylishly executed.

The Tuna Wrap, meanwhile, provided a lighter option without skimping on taste. The tuna worked well with creamy avocado, a hint of dill pickle, baby gem lettuce and just the right kick from jalapeños. The basil pesto tied it together, making for a fresh yet spicy wrap – an ideal lunch dish.

Renowned for its patisserie, we couldn’t possibly leave without dessert. The gluten-free Pistachio Cake, with layers of rose white chocolate and pistachio ganache, topped with fresh raspberries and pistachios, offered a delicious piece of creamy nuttiness – a great choice for those with gluten sensitivity. The Mixed Berry Cake, however, was the crowd pleaser. A classic EL&N celebration cake, its lilac frosting had caught my eye on arrival. With a jamlike filling between fluffy vanilla sponge and topped with an array of berries, it was surprisingly delicate with a lovely mellow taste.

EL&N is also known for its speciality drinks. We tried two mocktails – the Chemex Mixed Berry Mojito and the Butterfly Pea Flower tea – both refreshing in their own right. I finished with the V60 Hot, a drip coffee brew using medium roast beans from Honduras. But the real showstopper was the Blue Sapphire Iced Latte, made with crushed sapphire blue flower petals, condensed milk, vanilla syrup and exclusive blue matcha. Sweet, creamy and striking in colour, it’s easily the café’s most Instagrammable sip.

Walking out, EL&N’s charm stayed with me. Delivering more than a photo opportunity, its chic interiors, varied menu and well-crafted dishes make it the perfect spot for a quick catch-up or a leisurely afternoon surrounded by pink! ✤

GO: CALL 3354 0888 OR FOLLOW @ELAN_CAFE ON INSTAGRAM FOR MORE INFORMATION OR TO MAKE A RESERVATION