Top Places for a Sip of Tea & Piece of Cake in London
Whether you want to catch up with friends, regain energy after an afternoon shopping or a comforting pause in the day, a cup of tea and a piece of cake are always the answer. Here are a few of the best places in London to get everything from an afternoon high tea to just a single sweet treat.
- Drink, Shop and Do is only a few minutes walk from St Pancras station and really worth a stop. Its beautiful tearoom has a glass roof, which baths the place in natural light. There’s vintage cups and furniture, board games available and counter loaded with beautiful cakes. Plus, everyone there is great with kids! Join them in the evening too as they often have fun craft sessions.
- If you are strolling around Brick Lane, Vintage Emporium is the perfect haven. The basement hides the most beautiful vintage shop with delicate lace and amazing Victorian dresses. The café offers a selection of homemade treats and does a fabulous chai laced with a touch of honey. Amazing games also are available on the shelves. Be careful, you might find yourself staying the whole afternoon.
- The Mandeville Hotel has created the yummiest afternoon tea for gentlemen with tender beef sandwiches, savoury delicacies, and basil pannacota, which they could also match to a whiskey. Your partner might even decide to send you do more shopping to savour it on his own!
- Sit down at Teasmith’s wooden counter in Spitafields and order a Japanese matcha. It’ll be prepared in front of you, and the ballet of cup and teapot is fascinating, as the aromas will put a spell on you. Choose from William Curley’s Japan inspired creations, such as sesame shortbreads or sensational chocolates, for a treat and admire the beautifully crafted china around.
- For the wildest creations, try Sketch. The parlour decoration is incredible with ghost furniture coming out of the walls and a spider lamp. They do the loveliest macaroons and other creative pastries.
- When I feel like a French touch, I rush to Café Luc, a beautiful brasserie in Marylebone that makes you feel as if you were in Paris. You can order the full set or each part separately. They even have a cookies and milk option for children and an assortment of delicious miniature treats if you can’t decide what to have.
- The Sanderson Hotel has created a Mad Matter’s themed afternoon tea. It is a visual feast inspired by Alice’s adventure with a Drink Me potion that tastes of lemon curd and toffee, magical blueberry lollipops, colourful finger sandwiches. It’s not to be missed!
- Try the cinnamon buns at the Nordic Bakery. The atmosphere is Scandinavian, with a very natural vibe. Those pastries are, literally, finger licking good and ideal in the winter with a strong coffee.
- The Wolseley is so famous you have to book weeks in advance for an afternoon tea. Try going at 14:30 and ask to be seated in the front room with the round table showing beautiful cakes stands. It is as much a celebration, and you will get this Vienna café feeling that makes it irresistible.
- Tea lovers will find the most beautiful selection at Teanamu in Notting Hill. Beautiful furniture, delicate cups, and a very zen feeling. This is quite a contrast with the buzzing of Portobello market! Pei is passionate and can tell you amazing stories about the tales of tea. He is also an amazing cook and gives the afternoon tea an Asian twist, like flower-shaped shortbreads. It’s the most poetic place in all London.
Do you have a sweet tooth? Is there any little known café you would like to share with us?
Photography by mpieracci, Morten Rand-Hendriksen, su-lin and Sue Lowry
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