Pubs and Tearooms in London

[Anonymous]

I'm going to be in London in June with my family (kids 11 and 7). Looking for recommendations for pubs and tearooms to try with them because they are excited by the idea of these traditional British dining experiences. I'd prefer if they be pretty traditional (like not a modern gastropub), reasonably priced, and kid-friendly, and hopefully not too packed with tourists, though that may be too much to hope for as we are staying in a touristy part of town and who looks for this other than American tourists? We'll be staying near Holborn/Covent Garden and then in South Kensington.

It's been many years since I've been in London and the last time I went (visiting friends there) I had tea in a cute little place decorated like a grandma's parlor, and a pub meal in the kind of pub where people hang out all afternoon and eat and drink and talk. Of course I don't remember their names. Now all the tea places I can find in online recs are in fancy hotels and geared to tourists and the pubs seem to be either crowded bars for 20 somethings on a pub crawl or basically gastropub-ish restaurants. Are places like those I remember still around?

[Anonymous]

I’ve been to London several times, but have only done the whole afternoon tea thing once. My understanding is that afternoon tea is more of a touristy thing, so you’re unlikely to be able to find tea places that locals would go to.

Still, I really recommend the following two places:

- For a fancy tea: the Ritz. If your kids can do well in that sort of environment, it’s really wonderful. You’ll need to get dressed up.

- For more of a casual environment: The Pavilion at Kensington Palace. My in-laws did this one and really enjoyed it.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I'm going to be in London in June with my family (kids 11 and 7). Looking for recommendations for pubs and tearooms to try with them because they are excited by the idea of these traditional British dining experiences. I'd prefer if they be pretty traditional (like not a modern gastropub), reasonably priced, and kid-friendly, and hopefully not too packed with tourists, though that may be too much to hope for as we are staying in a touristy part of town and who looks for this other than American tourists? We'll be staying near Holborn/Covent Garden and then in South Kensington.

It's been many years since I've been in London and the last time I went (visiting friends there) I had tea in a cute little place decorated like a grandma's parlor, and a pub meal in the kind of pub where people hang out all afternoon and eat and drink and talk. Of course I don't remember their names. Now all the tea places I can find in online recs are in fancy hotels and geared to tourists and the pubs seem to be either crowded bars for 20 somethings on a pub crawl or basically gastropub-ish restaurants. Are places like those I remember still around?

I wouldn't say the pubs are geared toward 20 somethings on a pub crawl, but a lot of them are filled with Londoners after work getting a drink and they do get quite crowded. There are literally hundreds of pubs in London though.

We usually stay near Mayfair, so I love The Guinea and The Punchbowl.

[Anonymous]

There are traditional old pubs everywhere. Really, just look around you when you get there and pick one! But it will hard to find the kind of pub where you and kids have a meal and hang out all afternoon in London because that isn't really a thing that British families do in London. They would go to restaurants or gastropubs, and the old pubs aren't very busy for food during the day and fill up with people going for drinks after work. You might find some places like you want in the suburbs but you probably won't be spending time there. There are a few that I can think of that are nice, but I think they may qualify as gastropubs, because as a Londoner, there's no chance I'd go and eat in any old random pub - e.g. the Prince Regent in Marylebone High Street.

The kind of pub you want will be found outside the city so if you're doing a day trip somewhere or going outside London for part of your trip, you'll find more of what you want there.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:There are traditional old pubs everywhere. Really, just look around you when you get there and pick one! But it will hard to find the kind of pub where you and kids have a meal and hang out all afternoon in London because that isn't really a thing that British families do in London. They would go to restaurants or gastropubs, and the old pubs aren't very busy for food during the day and fill up with people going for drinks after work. You might find some places like you want in the suburbs but you probably won't be spending time there. There are a few that I can think of that are nice, but I think they may qualify as gastropubs, because as a Londoner, there's no chance I'd go and eat in any old random pub - e.g. the Prince Regent in Marylebone High Street.

The kind of pub you want will be found outside the city so if you're doing a day trip somewhere or going outside London for part of your trip, you'll find more of what you want there.

Take the train to Oxford and go to the Perch or the Trout. The Harry Potter tour of sites where the movies were filmed is also fun for kids that age.

[Anonymous]

https://www.timeout.com/london/restaurants/afternoon-tea-in-london

Most of these seem more aimed at adults but your kids might love the second one on a route master bus.

[Anonymous]

https://thenudge.com/features/the-best-afternoon-tea-in-london/

Some more great options.

[Anonymous]

The Victoria in Paddington is a pub that I think would fit the bill.

[Anonymous]

I would google the lists of oldest pubs in London and pick one of those. We were near Blackfriars so went to Ye Olde Cheshire Cheese but near Covent Garden I would try Lamb and Flag (also might be better with kids).

For tea I think the Orangerie near Kensington Gardens is great because it’s sort of inside/outside— not too formal but you still get the experience.

[Anonymous]

I'm the Londoner PP. Forgot to add - Ham Yard hotel has (I think) the best value/quality afternoon tea.

[Anonymous]

I'd probably look for a pub with a garden, as these tend to be more child-tolerant. Or maybe something down by the river? But if you're looking for something in central London, most are not really that child-friendly. FYI, I worked in central London for years and don't remember seeing kids in pubs there. Gastropubs are more likely to be suitable for children.

You might find something here:

https://www.theinfatuation.com/london/guides/best-pub-gardens-london

[Anonymous]

PP here. I'm a Londoner and I've never had afternoon tea. I think this is more of a touristy thing, or something you might take an elderly relative to? But's here's a list:

https://www.bbcgoodfood.com/review/best-afternoon-teas-london

The Peter Pan tea at the Shard sounds interesting. Actually, I might take my kids when we visit the grandparents this summer!

[Anonymous]

Just be aware that many pubs in the UK are not kid-friendly, some do not allow them in. In fact, when I was growing up, it was illegal for under-14 year olds to even enter a pub. That said, any pub with a garden or where food is a major attraction tends to be kid-friendly.

[Anonymous]

For a family friendly pub, I would recommend The Royal Oak in Borough.

https://royaloaklondon.co.uk/

I had brought my children there, who were then under 10 years old, and I've seen families with small kids and babies there also.

[Anonymous]

Hi - I live in London at the moment and I think your best pub experience is a Sunday Roast. Go for lunch on Sunday- there will be a lot of families there having a leisurely meal. Neighborhood pubs with gardens sometimes have play areas- but not sure about that in the city, I’m a bit further out in the suburbs.

Afternoon tea is a bit much for kids - very fancy and for special occasions - think bachelorette party or reunion lunch with an old friend - but tea rooms can be found at many tourist attractions and even garden centers. You can get cakes and scones ala carte and this is a more common day to day indulgence.

If you really want to enjoy your holiday like a local, you have to have an ice cream - that is the true mark of a British day out - rain or shine - hot or cold, I’m constantly seeing people with ice cream cones, because that’s what you eat at the beach/park etc.