The Wolseley (café)

Embodying all that’s good and great about afternoon tea, the Wolseley is the destination of choice for those who like to highlight their day with cream teas, fresh sandwiches and elegant pâtisserie. It’s no surprise that this beautifully appointed art deco hall is as popular with business types and media bigwigs as it is with champagne-sipping ladies and privileged young families. Staff are as attentive as they are friendly. After several visits, we’ve been impressed by the consistency of service and quality of preparations. Standouts include sharply cut finger sandwiches with not a crumb out of place; light scones with all the trimmings; and excellent sponges, tarts and mini mousse cakes. Our top choices included an orange-scented madeline sponge crowned with a ruff of cream, and a darkly seductive viennese ‘opera cake’ made of coffee-steeped almond sponge layers, filled with coffee buttercream and chocolate ganache. We can’t recommend the excellent loose leaf teas highly enough, particularly the darjeeling for its fragrance and delicacy.

Time Out Eating & Drinking Guide 2008

Services:

Booking: Booking advisable
Child facilities: Babies and children welcome: crayons; high chairs; nappy-changing facilities
Disabled: toilet

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