Did You Know You Can Have High Tea At London’s British Museum?

If you search “best high tea in London”, do you know how many options pop up? Wanting to find the right place for my daughter and I to have high tea on our quick weekend in London, I was a bit overwhelmed at first. That is until I found out we could have high tea in the British Museum making it that much easier to plan my London itinerary. One of the top museums in London and high tea, too? Winner winner chicken dinner… er, cucumber sandwich lunch to be more accurate.

Have just a short time in London but want to fit in all of the fun? Definitely consider high tea at the Great Court Restaurant in the British Museum. We LOVED it and it was a great way to take a break from the substantial museum, refresh, and get to see more of it, too.

The Great Court Restaurant, The British Museum, London, England

Find out why you should absolutely have high tea at the British Museum in London:

Basic Info
High Tea at the Great Court Restaurant
The Culinary Highlights
- The Sandwiches
- The Scones
- The Indulgent Cakes
3 Reasons To Have High Tea at The British Museum

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Basic Info

Address: Great Russell Street, London, England WC1B 3DG
Hours: Lunch: 11:30am ~ 3:00pm; Afternoon Tea: 11:30am ~ 5:00pm
Booking: Advanced booking is essential because it’s a very busy museum. We walked right in at our reservation time and found our table, however we saw numerous people sent away while we were enjoying our tea. You can book right on the museum website.
Website: www.britishmuseum.org

High Tea at the Great Court Restaurant

When you see images of the British Museum, you often see pictures of their gorgeous atrium. Imagine sitting in that atrium sipping tea and eating a high quality high tea set. Definitely a unique experience, it’s a way to upgrade your British Museum visit to be sure.

The only thing I think is important to point out is that because it is in the open atrium, you will hear the noise of people down below in the main museum space. The restaurant has a large decorative fabric covering which I’m sure is also a way to stifle some of the noise. A trick I’ve learned from my musician husband. I wouldn’t say the sounds detracted from our experience though.

The Culinary Highlights

With a menu that includes all the classic delicacies you’d expect, plus options to accommodate vegetarian, pescatarian, and nut-free diets, there’s something delightful for everyone.

The Sandwiches

Truffle free-range egg mayonaise, mustard cress: This is truffle heavy, which I found appetizing, but my daughter would have preferred a simpler egg-mayo sandwich.
Oak-smoked Scottish salmon, cucumber, and cream cheese: Very smoky and very delicious. If you like smoked salmon, you’ll definitely find this appealing.
Roasted turkey, spinach, and wild cranberry sauce: Seems simple but sometimes that’s just what you need. It was the table favorite but we love cranberries so that makes sense.
Wiltshire smoked ham, rocket and piccalilli, rye bread: Very delicious. I ended up eating both because my daughter was ready for the scones by this time.

The Scones

They give you plenty of scones, butter, and jam, that’s for sure. If you aren’t super hungry and can’t go for the whole high tea set, you can opt for a Cream Tea set instead which includes just the Earl Grey tea-soaked raisin scones, Somerset farm butter scone, strawberry jam, and Cornish clotted cream. A good option if you’re looking for more an afternoon snack.

The Indulgent Cakes

By the time we got to the cakes, we were so full but wanted to eat them so so bad. Luckily, if you can’t finish them, you can get a box to take them with you. My daughter and I decided to split one of each and then take one of each to go. Cakes for breakfast tomorrow? We’re on vacation. Don’t judge me.

Raspberry Bakewell Tart, matcha and ginger frangipane
Mango and passion fruit burnt meringue pie with mint leaves
Spiced carrot and quinoa cake, pistachio and candy orange
Red velvet torte, chocolate ganache and mulled berries

Honestly, all of these were very tasty. Can’t go wrong witch chocolate, targe, carrot cakes, and mango in our family. They were all happily eaten in the end.

3 Reasons To Have High Tea at The British Museum

It’s convenient: If you’re short on time but trying to see some big sites, like the British Museum, a must-see, having high tea here ensures you have ample time without all of the back and forth transportation.
It’s unique: If you search for places to have high tea in London, you’ll notice a ton of restaurants and cafes. Having high tea in the atrium of the British Museum is definitely one of the most unique places to enjoy the experience.
It’s high quality: The food and drink itself are high-quality, something that the Great Court Restaurant prides itself on. They keep standards high.

If you’re pondering whether it’s worth it, let me tell you, it absolutely is. Not only does the price offer good value, especially when compared to some of London’s more extravagant afternoon tea spots, but the unique setting and the fact that your enjoyment helps support the British Museum make it all the more satisfying.

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