A prime spot in a prime building overlooking London’s most famous square for your National Gallery afternoon tea! We think everyone from culture vultures to art heathens will love this experience as you get to sip on your tea and enjoy dainty miniature cakes at the nation’s favourite art gallery & museum.
You will be taking tea in the National Cafe by Peyton & Byrne. It’s a light and airy dining room just off the main National Gallery entrance. With muted colours and elaborate wood panelling all around it’s a rather elegant and charming affair with a mix of tables chairs and booth-style seating.
As London’s National Gallery is the fourth most visited art museum in the world when there is a big visiting exhibition on the restaurant can be quite busy but that all adds to the convivial informal atmosphere of the place. And in fact as the entrance to the permanent collection is free we think a little tour to see some of the 2 300 paintings housed here is the perfect pre-afternoon tea arty treat.
When you make your way to the National Cafe the maitre d’hôte will show you to tour table and take your drinks order. Waiting staff will serve your lavish spread which all comes on a three-tier stand. This high tea consists of dainty little sandwiches with tasty fillings such as smoked salmon or whipped mint ricotta cheese. The homemade bread used is delicious and includes bruschetta and brown breads too. On the sweet side of the things you might have a mini creme brûlée an eclair or an oh-so-cute little Victoria Sponge.
And of course no afternoon tea not even one at the National Gallery would be complete without freshly warmed scones with a good dose of Cornish clotted cream and fruit preserve. We have to say this is a very elegant place to have tea – especially if you go for the Champagne option. And with so much to see and do in the area as well it makes for the perfect pit stop to a day out in the capital.
