We were scheduled to watch a production of Romeo & Juliet at the Shakespeare's Globe on the River Thames in Bankside, and I saw an option while purchasing tickets to enjoy an Afternoon Tea for extra at the Swan London, located on the same property. It was too good to pass up, and my wife and I were more than pleased with our tea time following the performance. The establishment comprises three floors with the Afternoon Tea set up the third floor with lovely views of the River Thames and the surrounding streets. A bee kept trying to fly in through our open windows and drink our tea., but our server saved the day and shooed it back out the window and buzzed away down the walls of the building. My wife enjoyed with her tea a Hibiscus Rose that comprised sparkling rose and hibiscus flower granita. I opted for just tea, enjoying their English Breakfast that was full bodied and robust. Just like me. Our afternoon tea comprised the standard three-level tier of pastries, freshly made scones, and finger sandwiches. I enjoyed the raisin and plain scone varietals, which were served with creamy Devonshire clotted cream and sweet and succinct strawberry jam. For the finger sandwiches, they served sweet corn and egg mayonnaise, smoked salmon and sheep's curd, roast beef and cowboy butter on what was called a rocket bun, and buffalo mozzarella, tomato and basil tartlet. Out of those, my favorite was the smoked salmon and sheep's curd. For the pastries, I enjoyed ones that comprised 70% Verona chocolate, raspberry mouse, and milk chocolate Chantilly, which was very magical.. the smoked cherry bakewell tart was also glorious with a chocolate cowboy boot on top of the pastry. The vanilla heart sable biscuit with rose buttercream was also tasty, while the Apple and elderflower sparkling potion was fascinating and made me feel like I was living Romeo's role without the death part. The passion fruit and strawberry fairy cake really spoke to me in a profound way, sealed by a golden true love's kiss -- like a sweet pastry kiss in shape that allowed me to embrace synergy. Synergy. The tea time was glorious and grand at Swan. The staff was lovely. The views were wonderful of the River. A lovely way to conclude the afternoon of delightful events. read more

I was going to see a show at the Shakespeare globe, and needed a place to eat dinner nearby. This restaurant is literally next to the venue which was perfect. The food was top notch. For a while reservations were fully booked, but I kept checking daily. Eventually I got lucky, and a table opened up. It was absolutely worth it. We loved it. read more

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The food was really delicious! Everything was made using seasonal fruit and vegetables, and cooked perfectly. We enjoyed the beautiful views, the convenience to the theater, and our attendant was knowledgeable, friendly and efficient. read more

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I knew that I wanted to have an afternoon tea experience in London I didn't know which one to choose since there seemed to be thousands of offerings. Did some research, read a lot of blogs and definitely watched a lot of YouTube videos on afternoon tea choices. I wanted someplace that I could take my partner that wasn't overly stuffy where we had to dress up in a three-piece suit. So what I decided upon was the Swan. It seemed to offer a lot of modern elegant design with a comfortable aesthetic. This was a particularly stormy and blustery day and I was appreciative that I could get out of the cold into a warm and welcoming space. We made a midday reservation at 12:30 PM and when we arrived they immediately welcomed us with open arms and were very friendly. They took us to our table and set us up in a very nice spot where we could look over onto the Themes. Our waiter arrived and went over the menu which was themed to correspond to the play that is currently being offered at the globe Theatre, which is right next-door. So this menu was themed around Pinocchio. Our waiter helped guide us on what particular tea would be best for each of us. I chose a peach white tea and my partner chose a peppermint tea. We did go for the full afternoon tea offering with the three tier food service. The tea arrived first and we were able to enjoy this for maybe 20 minutes before the full afternoon service came out. Of course, we started from the bottom and worked our way up. The sandwiches were salmon lox, egg curry and beef. Of course the middle were delicious and very freshly baked scones and the top had a huge offering of sweets. We took our time and just watch the rain pour all over outside onto the river and enjoyed each other as we sipped our tea. By the time we made it up to the top tier, which was the desserts we were already so full. This isn't light offering and if you come hungry, you probably won't even be able to finish as we were not able to. Atmospherically it was beautiful. We enjoyed the colors of the furniture and the lighting scheme and the people were very friendly. Food was scrumptious and delicious and we couldn't ask for anything better. The service was very friendly, but sometimes a little spotty. Often times our server would disappear as they got so busy with other people they forgot to check in with us if we needed anything else. For example, when the tea arrived, they disappeared immediately without offering milk or sugar, and it took me a good five minutes to get their attention so I could ask for that before we could enjoy our tea and I had to go and flag our server down just so we can get extra hot water as they hadn't checked in for well over 30 minutes. All in all, I would come back again for sure. I look forward to coming back to London, where I could enjoy another afternoon tea service with the Swan. read more

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Perfect afternoon tea setting on btwn rain showers. They took me with no reservation and it was yummy!!! read more

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We were here twice during our trip to London. The first, because we were seeing a show at Shakespeare's Globe and the restaurant is connected and the second on NYE's as we needed to get across the river early prior to boarding a boat at Bankside Pier which is across from the restaurant. Both times we didn't have a reservation and luckily they were able to squeeze us in to one of their high top bar tables. Both times we had excellent waiters and pretty good food. Liked the atmosphere. It was a great place to catch a bite to eat and have a drink in Bankside. read more

Came here for Afternoon tea. Was such a great atmosphere and wonderful staff. Did a walk-in right when it started on a Saturday morning with a minimal wait. We ordered the Classic and the Gentleman's. Good amount of food and it was all pretty yummy. Would recommend it as a tourist! read more

Swan - Afternoon tea - British Near Me - Bankside, XGL

If you want a filling afternoon tea with spectacular views for a good price, look no further than Swan London! The staff was friendly and quick. We came just in time for their holiday themed tea packages. I had the Classic tea and my partner had the Gentleman's tea. Both had a fabulous mix of sweet and savory. My favorites were the eggnog and nutmeg cheesecake on a speculoos biscuit, and the scones with all the fixings. The tea was also lovely - I had the Earl Grey and my partner had the Pear and Ginger. Can't recommend Swan London enough if you're looking for fun, British tradition to partake in. You definitely won't leave hungry or thirsty! read more

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This afternoon tea was AMAZING. it was better than I expected. We were visiting london during easter and wanted to experience the iconic london tea. I believe we got the class london package and it was more than enough. Also the service was incredible. Our server was very attentive and kept offering us more tea. We also had a nice view of the water. read more

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To be fair we didn't make a reservation for lunch, but when we arrived at 1:30 we were placed in a room off to the side away from the ambience of the restaurant and the views of the river. We were told it had been empty when arrived because of a training but later we were joined by someone filming with his equipment bags. Our food was good and out quickly but I had to go ask for salt and pepper. Our server never came back. We ultimately had to request our check from the hostess stand so we could leave. read more

We were visiting and walking the Blackfriar section of London along the Thames where the Shakespeare Globe Theatre is located. We wanted to take a break and found the Swan literarily next to the Globe with a nice outdoor patio off the bar and a view of the Thames. The upstairs restaurant was serving afternoon tea so we had to sit in the bar. It was a comfortable and pleasing indoor and outdoor space that overlooks the Thames. We weren't looking to having lunch or dinner, but we ordered a couple of dessert items with our cocktails. I am a sucker for scones so we ordered the homemade scones which were good but a bit doughy. Add the clotted cream and strawberry jam, though, I still enjoyed it. We also ordered the sticky toffee pudding. It was very traditional and exceptional. Swan is a nice place for a refreshment stop and break along the Thames. Service was adequate. I would consider having afternoon tea and/or dinner if I am back in this area again. read more

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Had a lovely afternoon tea here. Location is top notch, great views of the river and the north bank. Service was excellent; no complaints. Scones were spot on, tea was of a high standard. Would recommend! read more

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Fatphobic. I asked to go to the bathroom and they took my menu away and no waiters came to help me.

Afternoon tea is a quintessential London experience for visitors. In doing research, I found that Swan is listed in various blogs and so I gave it a try! In summary, this is an option to be considered if you are mindful of budget and are it is an efficient location near attractions. I would not recommend for someone looking for a memorable afternoon tea experience. We'll start on the high note... Pros: - Location - Swan is nestled in among many iconic London attractions. It shares the building with Shakespeare's Globe Theatre and is easy to find either by walking - we personally enjoyed the lovely Thames river walk - or you can also arrive via the relaxing Thames Uber boat. - Price - Many afternoon tea locations are upwards of £50. Swan has affordable options at £40. I ordered the Classic Afternoon Tea and left with a full tummy! - Alternate Diet Options - I am not sure if this has become common everywhere, but there were a variety of menus including vegetarian and vegan! - View - It seems like for anyone doing afternoon tea, you get seated upstairs with a view of the Thames and St. Paul's Cathedral across the river. The windows were cracked open to let in a lovely breeze. It was gorgeous and relaxing. Cons: - Food Quality - I am an American and I have to say that the scones tasted like doughy biscuits. Other scones I've had in London were flaky and flavorful but these did not impress. I even asked an English couple next to me what they thought, and they said these scones tasted like the kind you get in a complimentary hotel buffet. The dessert items were fine too, but reminded me of the kind of treats you get from event catering. Compared to bakeries, these treats didn't taste like they were made with craft and care. The sandwiches were 80% bread and 20% filling, but I will admit that I am not sure if that is typical of afternoon tea or not. - Service - For a location that advertises Shakespearean-themed tea, I was surprised that no one did an explanation of the menu or how the items are themed. Seems like a missed opportunity to take this tea from being simply tea to being an experience. In general, service was fine - nothing to complain about and nothing notable. - Atmosphere - It was a pretty place, but aside from a wall of photos of the Shakespeare's Globe plays, there wasn't anything that really themed it to Shakespeare. And if you're still planning to visit here are some other info based on my experience: - Don't forget to book a reservation. But only book if you are sure because there are cancellation fees. - In looking around at other guests while I was there, it does not look like there is a dress-code. This might be a plus for someone trying to do a variety of activities in one day! read more

Swan - Classic "Mucho Ado About Tea" Afternoon Tea - British Near Me - Bankside, XGL

Passed by this place a couple times on our recent vacation. Seemed like a decent menu online and decided to eat there. We walked in around 6:30 and asked if they could squeeze in two people for dinner. They handed us some menus and said to sit anywhere. I realized once we sat down, they gave us a bar menu. I asked for the dinner menu. They said they didnt realize we were there for dinner (even though thats exactly what I asked one minute earlier). We were brought upstairs and sat at the bar despite three open tables for two that remained unoccupied our entire stay. I ordered a glass of wine which name escapes me right now. Instead, I got a port desert wine. I mentioned it to our server who said there is a pino and a port with the same name. I would have guessed they would either ask which one for clarification or have enough knowledge to guess I would not want a desert wine before dinner. We ordered pumpkin soup, the ribeye, the cod and sticky toffee pudding. The pumpkin soup was bland. My ribeye had literally ZERO seasoning and came with a weak sauce to dip it in. A good steak shouldn't require a sauce. My wife said the cod was okay and the sticky toffee pudding was good. I wish I had four hands to give this place four thumbs down. I will definitely not be eating here again when I return to London. read more

Beautiful location with the Thames river view right next to Shakespeare's Globe. I am not into sweets so I was happy to see their savory Afternoon tea options (GENTLEMAN'S TEA ) Black pudding Scotch egg Beer battered Scottish haddock and chips Arbroath smokie, horseradish cream toast Slow-cooked pulled Scottish beef, gherkin, Scottish whiskey brioche bun Haggis, beetroot and apple tartlet Isle of Mult cheddar scone with Blue Murder cheese butter Cranachan, raspberry curd and vanilla bean namelaka filled tartlet We were 2 adults and 2 kids and asked our server if there were kids' option. He said no. So we did not want to be rude and ordered 3 regular and 1 Gentleman's afternoon tea. Unfortunately we could only finish 15 % of the food and left 2 towers untouched. I hate to waste food. read more

Swan - GENTLEMAN'S TEA - British Near Me - Bankside, XGL

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I visited Swan based on a friend's recommendation. The tea sandwiches were really creative, and the scones were delightful. However, I found the dessert a bit too sweet for my taste. Overall, it's a lovely space for high tea, and the prices are quite reasonable. ENJOY! read more

Jamie W. was determined to have fish and chips at least once during our recent brief trip to London. You know...Pip-pip, cheerio and all that sort of rot. We thought we found a place in Borough Market called (amusingly) Applebee's, but the manager was rudely abrasive and kept us waiting outside the restaurant when he had plenty of open tables available. Buh-bye. Applebee's. Hello Swan. We were greeted a lot more thoughtfully here even though they were twice as busy. Without a reservation, we were led to their small lounge where luckily a couple of chaise lounges and a coffee table were ready to be inhabited by us. At first, we didn't see 'fish and chips' on the menu but soon recognized that they spun the name for a more gourmand palate. It was the £18 Curious Brew Battered Haddock which came with 'chunky chips', crushed peas, and tartar sauce. We both ordered it, and they arrived on huge wooden boards that took up most of the coffee table (photo: https://bit.ly/3P580fK). It was just what Jamie wanted, and I liked it, too, because the fish was fresh and flaky and the crust not too overwhelming. The chips were indeed thick steak fries in an aluminum cup, so we asked for a full bevy of condiments -ketchup, mustard, and mayo. The server was responsive and thoughtful with our idiosyncrasies and freely replenished our Diet Cokes without us having to ask. It was also a great location for tourists like us who enjoyed strolling along the Thames on Bankside next to Shakespeare's Globe Theatre. FOOD - 4 stars...authentic fish and chips done right AMBIANCE - 4 stars...convivial spot, great location SERVICE - 4.5 stars...the server was aces TOTAL - 4 stars...in hindsight, we're glad Applebee's treated us like dirt RELATED - Exploring London? Here's a collection of places I've visited and reviewed: https://bit.ly/3zFACrx read more

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After touring the globe theater which I also highly recommend. I came here for lunch. The food is fantastic. This might be my favorite battered fish ever. The view is great. And prices reasonable. What sucks is the service is atrocious. They were strange from the go. They seemed surprised about needing to seat me. And then after seating me, it took 30 minutes to get someone to actually take my order. I'm pretty sure the wait staff just didn't communicate a shift change or something. I wouldn't come here if you are in a pinch for time. Or want to get a pleasant service experience. read more

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Reservations for afternoon tea are a must. Made ours weeks in advance, and there was only one 3:45m time slot left. Arrived early and, when asked, they let us sit as our table was available. Afternoon tea options included a Queen's, vegetarian, vegan, or Gentleman's tea. Mom and I ordered the queen's, daughter ordered the vegetarian, and the men ordered the Gentleman's teas. The sweets and scones were the same for the queen's and vegetarian teas. The scones with the clotted cream and strawberry preserves were the stand outs for me. So good! The tea sandwiches were ok and, unfortunately, the sweets were disappointing. The chocolate was grainy and the macaron was overly sweet. No real flavor to any of them. As for the Gentleman's tea, they were definitely filling. The hubs' fave was the sausage roll - flavorful even with the pastry being kinda hard. Rarebit had an interesting flavor. I thought the mashed peas were flavorful. The tiers were all presented beautifully and our table was overfilled with tea pots. Service was just ok. No one checked on us and we could've used more sugar cubes to go with our teas. Nice experience and I appreciated the options. read more

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Had a wonderful lunch here before seeing a show at the Globe. The fish and chips was delicious!! The fish was perfectly beer battered-just how I like it and the fish was fresh. The chips were nice and crispy. A+!!! read more

Swan - Fish and chips - British Near Me - Bankside, XGL

We booked a 1:30 tea time and waited after they walked us up stairs for our table to be ready. The host was as surprised as we were that our table wasn't ready. The room overlooks the River, so it's a beautiful place to relax. The room was full, so make a reservation. The theme was Midsummer Nights Dream - which is appropriate since it is next to the Globe. They offer 4 different menus - the regular, vegetarian, vegan and savoury. We chose the regular and vegetarian. They were busy and service was spotty, but the food was decent and beautiful. You can also more savory sandwiches (included in the £40) and they gave us 2 scones each. Though lovely, I'd try a new place bc of the lack of service. We had to call a waiter over every time we needed something - to get water, to get menus, to order, to get another pot of tea, to get a new tea cup ... you get the idea. They did refund me the 12.5% service charge. Okay the rose tea soap and lotion in the bathroom - loved it. read more

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I got the multiple course meal, and it definitely filled me up! I enjoyed the options we had and the food tasted fresh and was a good amount. It was the cutest environment as well. Service was fast too. read more

Disappointing. First time here was 4 years ago. Came because they were known for their Scotch eggs and they were delicious. They have no more Scotch eggs and no one here could tell me why. Their new menu is uninspiring and their beer menu has also shrunk. Got a couple of apps and left for a better place to dine. Inside is nice looks the same as it did first time around and the view of the river is great. Unfortunately I have no desire to come back. Bring back the eggs! read more

Had afternoon tea at the swan before seeing a show at the globe and the experience was great! The closest proximity made it super easy to relax without needing to worry about being late for our show. Food was good, not the best afternoon tea, but good for the price. Service was also great. We asked to be moved due to a very loud table near us and they were super accommodating. Overall an enjoyable afternoon. read more

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Our 3-course, prix fixe menu was terrific! Portobello mushroom soup with chestnut garnish was a highlight - braised shank, cheese platter - the whole meal was terrific! The atmosphere managed to be both formal (white table linens, well-set, service) and casual (friendly, view of the river, light, friendly). Would do it again!! read more

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The Swan was Exceptional! Service was incredible, staff always there and the food was worth every pound! read more

Swan - Fish & Chips! - British Near Me - Bankside, XGL

After doing some research, I chose the Swan because of it's location, it's themed afternoon teas, and that I had seen it featured on a few you tube videos that made it look great. It is a beautiful location, with a comfortable atmosphere. I was a little irritated with the service because although I appreciated our servers attention, it was too much. He kept checking on us, which I was hoping would not happen. An afternoon tea is meant to be slow and relaxed. It felt rushed. Then his shift must have ended and he disappeared. We had to flag down a couple of other staff to take care of us when we were finished. The food was not as good as I was expecting, and it hurts me to say it. Maybe if we had ordered something other than afternoon tea it would have been better?. I think I had really high hopes, and felt let down because I was expecting to be blown away. It's such a beautiful location, the atmosphere is perfect, but the food-at least the afternoon tea wasn't up to the standard we expected. I would still recommend, and I would definitely give it another chance! read more

First off, what a location! You get a gorgeous view of the city from its windows in certain parts of the pub, and the interior is beautifully lit to create an intimate setting, despite it being a touristy spot. It does get loud, though, so be prepared to shout out most of what you say to your friends/ family members. Being located right next to The Globe, you can definitely expect it to be crowded at most times during the day and evening; however, even on a Saturday evening it didn't take long for two of us to be seated in the corner room, which is a bit more secluded and quiet than the main dining area. The food is surprisingly good, and the menu offers enough that everyone in your party should be satisfied, kids included. I liked their fried chicken sandwich and fries, which were made all the better by something we Americans know nothing about: Brown Sauce. It goes on everything. Yes, everything. The drinks weren't bad, either, but also nothing to stand up and shout about. You can just be sure that you won't be disgusted by anything that you order. The staff is also surprisingly friendly and attentive, and do their best to accommodate your requests. Prices aren't cheap but, sans drinks, you shouldn't be breaking the bank, either. There are worse places to dine in the area, and I would definitely recommend coming once, for the experience. read more

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When in London, one must try fish & chips and Swan is the place. It was the best fish & chips that I had in long time. The beer batter was light and not oily. The Haddock was fried perfectly, crunchy, and melted in your mouth. Potatoes chips were fat, tasty, and plenty. Never had smashed peas with fried fish but it was surprisingly good and went well with the meal. Service was friendly and prompt. Our orders came quickly and served hot. read more

Swan - Fish & Chips - British Near Me - Bankside, XGL

The only thing going for this place is the view. Saw the reviews and really inspired by the fish n chips. The service is at best functional. Food came out hot but fish was soggy with way to much batter and the chips not seasoned. Really disappointing since the UK has been doing fish n chips almost forever. Pricing was a bit above average so it wasn't "you get what you pay for" it's a tourist trap to avoid. Cheers read more

If it's Saturday in Brazil you must eat Feijoida. If it's Sunday in the UK you must eat Sunday Roast. It might be a marketing gimmick, designed to get folks into restaurants on Sunday, but I couldn't help notice all of the special "Sunday Roast" menus I kept encountering. Sure, twist my arm, I'll have a Sunday Roast. But where? A recent article in the European Standard (ES) listed "The Best Sunday Roasts in London" and though they were listed in no particular order I made things easy, opting for the first one on their list: The Swan at Shakespeare's Globe, the official name of this place. The ES talked up places with puffy Yorkshires and top-quality, richly-flavored meat and even though this isn't the sort of fare I usually opt for I was up for the challenge. The restaurant portion of The Swan sits upstairs from its loud and crowded pub (at least the night I visited). Above, with Thames River views, it's quiet, serene even. Tables along the window are the most desirable though half your party will be faced inward, away from the view. Sunday Roast at The Swan is served in two courses (£29.50) or three (£32.50) and two will more than amply satisfy. The menu has 3 roast options each served with all the trimmings. Between two of us we tried the Dry Aged Rump of Beef and the Roast Free-Range Chicken (3rd option: Old Spot Roast Pork Belly). As starters we opted for Hot Smoked Salmon (with pickled apple, sour cream, and horseradish) and Fresh Mozzarella (with heritage tomato, shallot, and caper salad). With heritage tomatoes and pickled apples, if I'd considered only the starters I might have thought I was in California. What I learned about Sunday Roast is this: it's a whole lot of tryptophan-inducing comfort food. What I learned about The Swan is that they do an excellent job at preparing and serving that food, never rushing you along. I personally wasn't a fan of the cabbage in the side and was happy I chose the chicken over the beef but that said, this was just a very nice experience. So treat yourself. Head to The Swan for Sunday Roast then sit back and be served. Fill your belly with that comfort food while gazing out upon the iconic bridges and buildings dotting the skyline around the Thames. You're in no rush and neither is The Swan. Drink it all in. This meal in this location is the definition of satisfaction. read more

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Overlooking the south bank, we could not have asked for a better afternoon tea experience. We were seated on the 2nd floor overlooking the river with an absolutely incredible view. Our server was so sweet, going though all of the different sandwiches and pastries. She took the time to walk us through the right order to enjoy the pastry tower and give tea recommendations based on what each of us like. We were pretty surprised how much was served but we never felt rushed and took our time to eat and relax. read more

Ok, let's get this out there immediately: I am in no way a Shakespeare fan and I definitely am not an afternoon tea kinda person BUT you know who is? My girlfriend! Which in turn meant that we needed to book "afternoon tea" before a performance of "Taming of the Shrew" at The Globe. Sure! Why not?Anything to make her happy and it would be a first for me. Now, to my surprise, this meal made me very happy. Didn't expect much but left very satisfied. Sat at a beautiful table, the sun glistening through the windows, amazing views of the Thames & St. Paul's and incredible service that assisted us in ordering a big pot of English breakfast tea and two different food trays (classic & gentleman's tea). Have to say, I was impressed. Besides a way too strong blue cheese butter in the Gentleman's Tea tray and some sweets that were just too sweet, everything else was delicious and made for quite the lovely meal in wonderful surroundings. A bit on the pricey side BUT when you take into account the location, food quality and impeccable service, the price is more than justified. Again, NOT something one should do everyday but when you can, get over to Swan and splurge a bit,m as it would be money well spent. Extra points if it's meant for the wifey because no way she will NOT love it. A unique & cultural experience that will not leave you disappointed. read more

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Decided to visit Swan before a play at the globe. I definitely suggest a reservation. We wanted to do afternoon tea, but the only reservations available were at the bar. We were sat at a very nice table with a view. We had the summer crudités, wings and Sticky Toffee Pudding. The apps are what you'd expect. However, the Sticky Toffee Pudding- yum. It was a cool day, with on and off sprinkles. Paired the pudding with a coffee and it was everything. If you want to do dessert before the show, I'd recommend. read more

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[Insert witty Shakespeare quote about under performance here] I wasn't impressed with any of the dishes we tried. It was that it was bad by any means, it just lacked oomph. It needs some soul. There was contrast here. Amazing presentation but meh food. Polite service staff but super slow. Great location, well lit but underwhelmingly dim. read more

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Came here for afternoon tea. It was absolutely amazing. The ambience and the service are both wonderful. There was so much food that can with the afternoon tea Tower. The sandwiches were delicious and the scones were probably the best I have ever had. There were also lots of options for teas including herbal for those of us who can't have caffeine. Would love to come here again next time I'm in London. read more

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After walking around the Globe, I lost all willpower and decided to check out Swan for my first official fish and chips meal in London. Call me cliche, but it's like Shakespeare says - a girl's gotta do what a girl's gotta do. The place is less like a bar and more like a trendy diner. I loved the long communal tables in the middle of the space, and that's where I sat. It also allowed for the opportunity to meet strangers sitting next to you! I shared the fish and chips and had a tea. The fish was tender, super fried, and a pretty big portion, and comes with pea mash, which I wish there was more of, because it was a winner. The tea was refreshing and came in a cute little set. It was all slightly expensive, and the location might be a reason for that. The service was pretty slow, even on a weekday afternoon. We had multiple people, so that may have confused things. But overall, it was a solid dining experience in a relaxing atmosphere. Oh and if you go to the bathroom, you'll see vintage photographs of plays from the Globe, which I thought was pretty cool. read more

Swan - British Near Me - Bankside, XGL

Had such an amazing dining experience here! Got to have some afternoon tea with friends. While visiting London, we all knew we needed to have afternoon tea. The places we looked at were all booked in advance, unfortunately. And after attempting a different location and getting rejected since they were fully booked, we happened across Swan. They too were fully booked as well, but the hostess immediately attempted to find us a table despite this fact. And after a few minutes, she came back with a spot for us! So A+ customer service already!! The bottom plate was definitely my favorite of course. The savory foods, ughhh those small finger sandwiches are to die for. On the second plate were the scones, which were absolutely delicious! They melted in your mouth. On the final third plate on top were the sweet sweet desserts. All of them tasted amazing! The restaurant was I believe three floors, and the ambiance of the whole place is a big WOW! Modern, gorgeous and cute all at the same time. Also, the location of the place is walking distance to many tourist areas.. Service is amazing, the tea was great and they offered different choices. I also got a cocktail or 'love potion' as they called it, which was super good (& strong hahah!). read more

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The food and atmosphere were great! Toffee pudding was spectacular, not too sweet, and the toffee sauce was yummy and pooled around pudding. It is located right on the river, so it has a wonderful view, too. read more