If you walk down Marylebone Lane and see a shop that looks like a technicolor pantry from 1950, don't keep walking. That's it. You've found Paul Rothe and Son London, a place that has survived world wars, global pandemics, and the aggressive rise of overpriced sourdough toast.
Honestly, it shouldn't work. In a city where "new" is a religion, this deli is a stubborn, beautiful relic.
There are no QR code menus here. No minimalist concrete walls. Instead, you get Formica tables and shelves packed so tightly with jam jars that it feels like the glass might actually be holding the ceiling up. It’s a fourth-generation family business that opened its doors on August 2, 1900. Think about that for a second. When the first Paul Rothe started serving customers, Queen Victoria was still on the throne.
The Weirdest Menu in Marylebone (And Why It Works)
Most London lunch spots give you five pre-packaged options. At Paul Rothe and Son London, the "menu" is basically a dare.
Stephen Rothe, the current co-owner alongside his father Paul, has seen it all. People come in and ask for things that would make a Michelin-starred chef faint. We’re talking tuna and peanut butter. Or coronation chicken with a Scotch egg chopped up and stuffed inside.
"Nothing’s too weird," Paul Sr. used to say. "If we’ve got the ingredients, you can have it."
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That’s the secret sauce of the place. It’s a bespoke sandwich lab disguised as a vintage café. They have the classics, sure—the salt beef is legendary and the pastrami with Swiss cheese and pickles is a heavy hitter—but the regulars know the real gems.
The Famous Egg and Anchovy
If you want to look like a local, you order the egg mayonnaise with exactly four anchovy fillets. Not three. Not five. Four. Apparently, that is the scientifically correct amount of salt to cut through the richness of the mayo. They serve it on granary bread, usually cut into four neat squares. Why four squares? Because it’s easier to wrap.
The Soup Rotation
You can’t talk about this place without mentioning the soup. It’s usually a choice of two: one meat-based, one vegetarian. On a Tuesday in January, that might mean a thick, smoky beef goulash or a hearty dhal. These aren't watery "broths." They are dense, "drip-on-your-shirt" kind of thick. People queue out the door for them, and for good reason.
A Family Business That Actually Stayed a Family Business
London is full of "heritage" brands that were bought out by private equity firms ten years ago. Not this one.
The history here is tangible. The original Paul Rothe came over from Hamburg in 1898. He initially worked in Soho but eventually struck out on his own in Marylebone. Back then, it was a German deli serving the local immigrant community.
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His son Robert took over in the 1930s. Then came the next Paul in the 60s. Now, Stephen is running the show.
- 1900: The shop opens as a grocer.
- 1930s: Seating is added, and it starts looking more like the cafe we see today.
- 1960s: Paul (the current senior owner) starts working there as a teenager.
- 2020: The shop closes for the first time in its history due to COVID-19.
When the pandemic hit, it was a huge blow. Paul Sr. often mentions how his father kept the shop open throughout the Blitz during World War II. Having to lock the doors for a virus was a strange, difficult chapter in their 126-year story. But they came back. They always do.
Why the Shelves Look Like That
If you look at the walls, you’ll see rows of Tiptree jams, marmalades, and obscure chutneys. It’s not just for decor.
In the 60s, when parking restrictions started making it hard for people to do a full weekly grocery shop, the Rothes pivoted. They decided to stop being a general store and started specializing in things people couldn't find in a standard supermarket.
They stock the full range of Tiptree—not just the strawberry jam everyone knows, but the weird stuff like Mulberry or Tawny Marmalade. They also carry Black Bee Honey, which is unpasteurized British honey from single sources.
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It’s a "hyper-organized pantry," as some have called it. Every label faces forward. It’s satisfyingly neat.
Tips for Your First Visit
If you’re planning to drop by 35 Marylebone Lane, there are a few things you should know. It’s not a "hang out for three hours with your laptop" kind of place.
- The Noon Rush is Real: From 12:00 PM to 1:30 PM, it’s chaos. Construction workers, office types, and tourists all collide in a very narrow space. If you want a table, go at 11:30 AM or after 2:00 PM.
- Cash or Card?: They do take cards and mobile payments now (Apple Pay, etc.), so you don't need to hunt for an ATM.
- The Seating Situation: The tables are tight. You will likely be sharing a Formica surface with a stranger. It’s part of the charm.
- Check the Chalkboard: Don't just default to ham and cheese. The daily specials are where the kitchen actually has fun.
The prices are surprisingly reasonable for Marylebone. You can usually get a massive, custom-built sandwich for somewhere between £6 and £10 depending on how many extras you pile on. In a neighborhood where a salad can cost twenty quid, this is a steal.
The Verdict on Paul Rothe and Son London
Is it the "best" sandwich in London? That’s subjective. If you want a massive, sourdough, Instagram-ready monster that you can't actually fit in your mouth, go to Hackney.
But if you want a sandwich that tastes like history—made by people who actually know your name and remember that you hate butter—this is the spot. Paul Rothe and Son London isn't trying to be cool. It isn't trying to trend. It's just trying to be a good neighbor, which it has been doing for over a century.
Next Steps for the London Foodie:
- Visit mid-week: Go on a Tuesday or Wednesday to avoid the Saturday morning tourist crowd.
- Try the Liptauer: Ask if they have their Liptauer cheese spread (a nod to their Austro-German roots); it’s a creamy, spiced cheese that’s rare to find in London.
- Buy a jar: Don't leave without a jar of something you've never heard of. That Redcurrant Jelly or Black Truffle Honey is a lot better than anything you'll find at the big-chain supermarkets.