Afternoon Tea at Sketch in London

This stylish pink tea room has become “Insta-famous” and for good reason — everything from the design aesthetic to the vibrant art and the delicious food is part of a quirky and amazing experience.  I was so excited to finally get to visit for afternoon tea on my recent trip to London… and, let me tell you, it did not disappoint.

Here’s everything you need to know about visiting Sketch!

---

About Sketch London

Located on Mayfair’s Conduit Street, Sketch London is a grand three-story Georgian townhouse home to four concepts: The Gallery, The Lecture Room & Library, The Parlour and The Glade.

Afternoon tea is held in The Gallery which is probably the room you’re most familiar with because it’s ALL PINK!

Opened by restauranteur Momo Mazouz and designed by architect India Mahdavi, The Gallery’s pink interior is adorned with artwork by David Shrigley — even the dishware feature his quirky designs.

Walking into Sketch is a bit like stepping onto the pages of Alice in Wonderland. 

Everywhere you turn, you’re delighted with a fun surprise — the artwork on the menu that reads more like a storybook, the dramatic pouring of champagne, egg-shaped toilets and a full bar in the bathroom to name a few.

Afternoon Tea at the Gallery

After you’ve been seated and have had a chance to take in the beautiful, unconventional tea room atmosphere, you’ll be given a menu of which you can select from A la Carte, Dessert or Afternoon tea with has three options as well: a classic afternoon tea (£59/$76 USD), a champagne afternoon tea (£73/$94 USD) or a children’s afternoon tea (£30/$39 USD).

We chose the Champagne Afternoon Tea which was such a fun experience!

The Afternoon tea includes a selection of tasty finger sandwiches like coronation chicken, salmon and Jacob’s cream and egg gougere.  Along with the sandwiches, the other savory items include caviar and egg and soldiers — delicious!

And, on to the sweet stuff: scrumptious sultana scones with cornish clotted cream and homemade jams and an assortment of beautiful cakes from the trolley.

And last but not least, you of course get tea and champagne (with the ‘Champagne Afternoon Tea’).  The tea options range from Darjeeling and Chai to Rose, Lemongrass and Green.  There are more than a dozen tea options so there’s bound to be a tea for you!

At some point during your afternoon tea, make sure to pay a visit to the iconic bathroom.

I know what you’re thinking: bathroom, you say?!  But trust me!  This colorful bathroom is just as quirky as the tea room itself, with egg-shaped toilets and even a full bar inside.

Tips for Visiting Sketch London

• Make a reservation. Since Sketch is such a popular spot, it’s a good idea to make a reservation, especially if you’ve only got a few days in London.  You can make a reservation via phone (+44 020 7659 4500) or on their website.
• Make sure to make a reservation at the correct room!  Before visiting, I didn’t realize there were multiple restaurants at Sketch so we booked a reservation at the three-star Michelin restaurant by mistake (turned out to be a happy mistake — more on that in a separate post!).  So, make sure to make your reservation at The Gallery if you’d like to visit the pink tea room!
• Visit during the flower show.  Every year, Sketch showcases one of the most beautiful floral displays in London ahead of Chelsea Flower Show in May.  If you’re visit aligns, make sure to pay a visit to Sketch!
• Dress smart.  Sketch’s dress code calls for “Art smart” asking their guests to dress with a sense of style and character.  Note that shorts are not permitted.
• Go to the bathroom.  This may seem like an odd tip for anywhere other than Sketch!  The restaurant is famous for their colorful egg-shaped toilets There’s also a full bar within the bathroom — just in case you need a beverage while using the loo!
• Take a peek at the other rooms.  While at Sketch, we were able to take a look at The Parlour (while grabbing a cocktail!) and The Glade, both of which are as beautiful and uniquely designed as the famous pink tea room.

SHOP SKETCH INSPIRED STYLE

PIN FOR LATER