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Time Out says 12 Users say Rate it
As much as coffee has taken the city by storm, we think most Londoners still have a soft spot for a nice cup of tea and a sit down. And some cakes, perhaps a few sandwiches - and don't forget the scones. Yet proper tea-focused cafés are few in their number - and that caff you go to for a mug of builders' tea doesn't count.
To a Tea is as quaint as it sounds. It's a tea emporium and café that is incongruously located on a dull, grey stretch of Farringdon Street. It's a much bigger space than you'd expect - with lofty ceilings and ample room for perusing the grand floor-to-ceiling display of the own-branded loose-leaf teas for purchase.
There are tall seats at counter tables for lone sippers; two long communal tables for chai chinwaggers; and along the wall goes velvety high-backed chairs for pairs.
The teas are keenly priced, starting at £1.95 for most teas and increasing only slightly for rarer and/or more interesting brews (dragon well, 'monkey-picked' tea, flowering teas). Iced varieties such as darjeeling with apple, simple jasmine, or Russian caravan (a blend that incorporates oolong, keemun and sometimes smoky lapsang souchong tea leaves) with ginger are refreshing thirst quenchers for a hot day.
Pots of tea are brewed by staff using timers to ensure you get the optimum flavour when they're finally delivered to your table (goodbye bitter, overly tannic teas).
Cakes play a big role, and on our visit there were seven types on offer, along with scones, crumpets and cupcakes. A banoffee cake was supremely indulgent, as was a dark chocolate number rich with cocoa. Victoria sponge was oversweetened, but went well with Formosa oolong (a light-bodied tea with subtle floral notes and a cooling aftertaste).
Savouries such as sandwiches, salads (nothing fancy) and a hot daily soup (a soothing tomato, basil and Wensleydale cheese version on our visit) provides lunchtime sustenance for nearby office workers.
But it's during a lazy afternoon that this place shines, when you can sit back with a pot of tea and a slice of cake to wile away the hours. It makes a lovely change to the frantic espresso-charged coffee culture of late.
To A Tea details
Follow To A Tea to receive updates on special offers here.
What is 'following'?020 7248 3498
6.30am-6.30pm Mon-Fri
Light meal for two with tea: around £13
To A Tea map
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See all bars & pubs near To A TeaComments & ratings 4/5 (Average of 12 ratings)
Wow, this place is constantly packed. Brilliant salad selection all made fresh daily - can't find that anywhere else near my work. The staff pay attention to the way you like your food cooked if you are choosing one of their plenty hot and scrummy dishes. Wash it down with one of their overwhelming selection of fine loose teas and watch the world pass you by in this place - great ambience and excellent decor. Busy during lunch times but great buzz. Try tea time and select one of their cupcakes - constant change of selection from pistachio to ginger root cupcakes or try their delicate fruity pastries and OMG their Red Velvet cake!
great lunch place! The best gnocci I've ever had, followed by a pot of "monkey-picked" tea. Staff friendly and helpful - tea perfectly done - all for only £8!
I'm planning to go back for afternoon tea and bring a friend.
Staff unfriendly... Service could be better. Avoid this place !!!!!!
To a Tea is like a tea musuem, fabulous ambience and I love their Lampsung, Rose Bud and White Peony teas presented in glass teapots. Service is great and the staff are friendly. Salads and food are freshly made daily and great array of cakes and muffins to accompany your tea or coffee. A real treat and a great find in the City!
Service could be better my tea was over brewed and while I was sitting in there today someone within to a tea set the fire alarms off. not impressed at all.
Extra special little spot to go and enjoy your tea, fabulous teas and cakes!
Great tea place. Food is good too - agree with the comments below on the bacon sarnies mmmmm.
Even though it is a tea room, their coffees are great. And they have probably the best bacon and egg sandwiches I've ever found in London, served on delicious seedy bread rolls. The décor is pleasant and the place is normally pretty quiet. I love coming here for business meetings.
If you like herbal tea that tastes good as well as smells good, you must try this place. Their apple and cinnamon tea is astonishingly good (and you can buy a packet of it to have at home, too).
Cannot fault this place, a vast array of tempting teas', mouthwateringly naughty cakes, friendly service and of particular note, they do the most amazing breakfast AND they take note of how you like your food cooked. I don't go often enough, probably a good idea given the food on offer!
I go to To A Tea at least once a week during my lunch hour. I LOVE IT !!! Wonderful service, really friendly staff, delicious cakes and great teas. I love the Lemon Drizzle cake and Lavender cake. Had the Banoffee Cake the other day, but I think was slightly over baked...still tasty though. I always look forward to relaxing here and escape the world of work.
Just a quick note to say thanks again for an AMAZING tea, really enjoy it. Your scones and Lemon Drizzle cake was fabulous! I thought the service was so nice and your manager very attentive. I am sure it will continue to be a huge success
I recently visited To A Tea and I have to say in all honesty that I loved it! Its cosy ambience along with the delicious food, the lovely desserts- you have to taste the lemon drizzle cake!- and of course the great variety of tea, made me feel at ease, relaxed..As if time stops running at this small tea place...As I was leaving, I decided to buy the rose bud tea and next day the whole office smelled of roses :)
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