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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.
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.
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!
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.
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!
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.
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
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.
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.
8 years ago
I went there for breakfast before the show in The Globe and came back for cream tea. Egg benedict was absolutely fantastic. It's incredible how they kept it so simple and yet gave it a luxurious taste . Scones were scrumptious unquestionably. It's was lovely day and one of highlight of my trip ,you should try it too. read more
10 years ago
Touristy during the day but trendy/ hipster during the evening. I came here three times during my stay in London. Yes, I am both a glutton and a creature of habit when on vacation. First time, to grab dessert and a drink before the the play "Comus: A Masque in Honour of Chastity". As part of my solo dirty 30 celebration. Second time, after the play for a bit of warm soup and two cocktails (2 of the Rose Sangria and does taste like rose!). The third time, for an actual proper meal... I had the soup again, the main course special: pheasant, and apple pie with vanilla ice... My favorite was the peasant because it had a nice umami sauce with rosemary. The second favorite part of the meal was the dessert with its fresh out of the oven pastry and delicate apple goodness. Also the people you meet are worth it. Ranging from the locals to Aussies to drunk out of their minds folks, it won't be a dull evening. So, I recommend coming here during the evening if you want a savory English meal or a pint. read more
7 years ago
15 years ago
I got a 50% off deal through toptable and went to the Swan for brunch today. Overlooking the Thames on a gorgeous sunny day with chill out music in the background, heaven! Attentive and friendly service, I had the vegetarian English breakfast which was perfect, delicious and beautifully presented. I loved it so much that I got a gift voucher for a friend - champagne brunch will be on me! read more
Literally writing this review as I'm dining at the restaurant right now (after ordering our food) because I'm just that blown away. Marvelous space overlooking the Thames. Service thus far has been excellent. Update: the food was top-notch. Great, great meal... read more
8 years ago
On a stretch of river in our capital city filled with world famous buildings and iconic views, there can only be two sureties; loud, jostling hungry tourists, and overpriced, substandard restaurants to feed them. One of the jewels along the waterside is the Globe Theatre. Only a teenager (started by Sam Wannamaker in 1970, opening after his death in 1997), it fits in perfectly with its older neighbours and has rightly become a real destination along the bank. For the last year or so they've also been blessed with the Swan. A lovely little bar and brasserie adjoining the theatre 'directed' by ex Ramsay cohort Mark Sargeant, there's a sense of real purpose about the menu. They shout loud and proud about their reliance on foragers, farmers and local markets (they are just up the road from Borough Market after all) and the menu reflects this seasonality. Sadly that season has just passed. On a gorgeous spring night it's a shame that most of the food on offer has a distinctly wintery note. Don't get me wrong, I love the sound of the Cashel Blue macaroni cheese and spiced Elizabethan mutton casserole is just what you'd expect to eat before outdoor Shakespeare, but not when the weather outside is so warm. I went for the one seasonal starter. Trimmed asparagus with hollandaise. Sometimes kitchens have to realise that you don't mess with perfection and that was certainly the case. Cooked for a couple of minutes, lightly drizzled with a zingy sauce, it was heaven. Nicco Polo was slightly less lucky. His scallop and spring onion gratin was average at best, with an excess of herbed breadcrumbs and a strong gratin sauce overwhelming the more delicate scallops. The confit pork belly was a big homely portion. Again, not necessarily suited to a spring night, but I'm a big fan of the pig and won't let a little thing like seasonality get in my way. The large slab came with a sweet honey and dill glazed crackling, sweetly tender fat and a creamy, mustardy celeriac remoulade that set it off perfectly. Finishing off with the summer pudding, I was struck by just how conducive the restaurant was to having a good time. It was so friendly and comfortable with some excellent food, that and the very central location mean I'll certainly be coming back. For a very reasonable price, we had three strong courses, an aperitif and a Chilean Pinot Noir from a tasty little list that struggled to top £40 a bottle. Looking out at the tourists crossing the Millennium Bridge as the light gradually faded behind St Paul's dome we wondered how many of them would look up and check out the Swan, or given the sad state of occupancy would they all end up flooding into the overpriced 'ye olde pubbe' or one of the chain restaurants that infest the area. More fool them if they do. read more
I am always on the look out for romantic brunch restaurants and by the Thames is always a win win situations for things to do after and the beautiful scenic walk there. But sometimes I want something more casual, no fancy dress code, somewhere I can relax and be cosy and Swan at the Globe is always one of those places I return to for that. It is a mix crowd of people depending on what time you come. I am recommending an early brunch as it's definitely more quiet and peaceful before the bar gets busy and the louder crowd comes in, especially during the weekends for pre-theatre drinks. They have recently refurbished their upstairs restaurant if you prefer more formal dining but I haven't been upstairs to comment. One thing I find myself drooling for are their beautiful rich yolky poached Legbar eggs. It must be the reason why their eggs Benedict is known to be their signature dish being voted top 10 in London by the Evening Standard too. We started with a mocha and an Americano presented in two different classic mugs like I entered someones's home. Very cute. Mocha was rich and chocolatey and Americano smooth and fragrant. Good coffee! For food we ordered: Eggs florentine Just like how I ordered them 3 years ago. The muffin was light and fluffy, toasted do was nice and crisp around the edges. The spinach was fresh, velvety and cooked to perfection. But the highlight of it all were those two large poached eggs sitting on top. The yolk came out blood orange, deliciously rich and thick. The accompanied hollandaise sauce did it much justice adding that lovely creaminess to it and bringing everything together. Full English breakfast It didn't have all the fancy presentation or looked like much. But the beauty was inside as everything tasted great. Juicy portobello mushroom, silky creamy scrambled eggs, sweet crispy bacon, the sausages were very flavoursome, full of herbs and texture and same goes for the black pudding. It came with a jar of baked beans so it was kept warm inside but you ate it and a slice of toast. Service was great and efficient. We even asked for more of that delicious crisp fluffy toast to accompany it all and they gave it to us without no questions. Buttermilk pancakes, berry compote and vanilla cream. These were slightly disappointing. The pancakes themselves were slightly too dense and bland. The berries were tart but refreshing if you like that kind of sourness. The vanilla cream did a good job balancing out the flavours though. Overall I really enjoy Swan at the Globe. Although it is right next to the Globe theatre itself, a big tourist attraction, prices are still affordable. If you manage to grab a booth table and able to enjoy the comfy leather couch seating then you can find yourself here letting time fly by. Otherwise it might be a shared table with other diners next to you. Whatever it is just order an eggs Florentine/Royale/Benedict. You won't regret it. read more
My brother and I came here as we were exploring our first area after we settled into our hotel and we found this place on an empty stomach. We were actually looking for sunday roasts and this place had it, which was really convenient. So, we ordered that and some mulled cider too, both of which were new to us. Without any point of comparison, I will just say that I found the food to be very delicious and the mulled cider was pretty good. My roast came with a side of cauliflower gratin and had, on the plate, potatoes, yorkshire pudding, kale, and bone marrow. All of it was quite good, but I liked my brother's roast better. He got a crispy pork belly roast with kale and potatoes and an applesauce dip. Overall, I enjoyed this place and would consider coming back. In writing this review, I noticed other stuff on their menu that I might try out next time. read more
After completing the arduous jet journey from Miami to London, we ended up here as my daughter is studying/performing at the Globe. As the name implies, it is conveniently located in the Globe complex and near the Tate Modern. It is a cozy space with a lovely view of the Thames and St. Paul's cathedral. For lunch I had an excellent soup (Jerusalem artichoke with spinach and hazelnut pesto. I had a half pint of prawns...they were ok but then I'm spoiled with locally sourced Florida Keys seafood. Maybe it's me but the service seemed inattentive but my daughter says the Brits are unobtrusive in that way. It was pricey but I'm attributing that to the location. This seems like a good place for a pre or post show meal. read more
I really enjoyed my meal at the Swan. We arrived on a Tuesday night and we got a spot for 4 at a communal table right away. I ordered fish and chips with mushy peas. The chips were thick and delicious. The peas were well seasoned. The portion was huge. My only gripe was the stools at the table were uncomfortable. Highly recommend coming here over all the chains on the south bank. read more
Love it! It's so cute and yummy here!!! We came here for the Titania's brunch and loved it! It's so girly and perfect! The little sandwiches were adorable. The egg sandwich did nothing for me, but the chicken salad and the smoked salmonella were quite nice! The leek and mushroom mini quiche was divine. The chocolate cake, macaroons, and pudding were divine. The scones with clotted cream and jam were lovely. The tea comes with a glass of bubbly and a lovely tea selection. All this comes in a gorgeous floral room, and adorable "Midsummer's nights dream " china. Lovely just lovely!!! read more
17 years ago
I can't say I've tried the food (and couldn't do better than the review below!), but the Swan also makes for a decent wine/cocktail bar. The decor treads the fine line between trendy and kitsch (the angel-winged lightbulbs somehow work) and creates a nice space the views across the Thames to St Paul's don't hurt either. With a decent wine and cocktail list, it's no surprise all the window seats are taken by loved-up couples. During daylight hours, the outdoor balcony would be a great place to sun yourself while sipping something cold. A welcome respite from the string of chain restaurants along this stretch of river! read more
8 years ago
Great food, great service. I absolutely loved the chicken pie and fish cake. Would definetly come again. Views are wonderful and a perfect meal before a Hamlet play next door. read more
9 years ago
18 years ago
If you like literature, or have studied, or even if you know the name William Shakespeare, then the Globe Theatre is definitely worth a visit. One of my favourite places in London, the replica theatre (the original burnt down and was further back from the Thames) takes you back to a time when theatre was the main form of entertainment. The tour around the Globe itself is interesting and full of facts - just make sure you ask all the questions you want as you will find the tour guide will then open up and let you deeper into Shakespeare's world! Best to sign-up to the Globe website so they can let you know when their summer theatre season begins. I am going to see King Lear in June and I absolutely cannot wait! read more
12 years ago
I am hesitant to recommend Swan at Shakespeare's Globe. It's definitely designed for tourists and I was extremely hungry when I decided upon eating. The service was iffy at best and I found that my cutlery was not clean. My eggs florentine was decent but not the best. You also pay far too much for subpar food and service. Skip if you can. read more
4 years ago
15 years ago
In its first staging at The Globe Theatre, All's Well That Ends Well is brought to life in John Doves production. It tells the story of Helena (Ellie Piercy) who is in love with her Count Bertram (Sam Crane) though he doesn't seem to notice she exists. After curing the King of France (played wonderfully by Sam Cox) she is allowed to marry the man of her choosing and chooses Bertram, much to the delight of his mother, the Countess of Roussillion (played delightfully by Janie Dee). As this is a Shakespeare story, nothing goes to plan and Helena is left feeling rejected and in need of a plan to truly win the heart of the man she loves. Although it is one of Shakespeare's lesser than plays, All's Well That Ends Well is the perfect production for a place like The Globe, with its simple storyline and modest scenery and cast. You really feel as if you are personally witnessing this love story unfold as if you were a member of the household and can't help but feel your heart warmed by an ending, that for once, ends the way you feel every love story should. All's Well That Ends Well is showing at The Globe Theatre until August 21st. http://www.itsnosmallthing.weebly.com read more
4 years ago
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8 years ago
Came here after the play and was super pleased with the ambience and the food. Its was very romantic and our table came with a view. The food was delicious!! Highly recommend this place! Even thought we were more than 15min late for our reservation because of the play but they were very friendly and got us a table. Again, highly recommend it!!! read more
4 years ago
7 years ago
7 years ago
16 years ago
We had some food and drinks in the restuarant on teh first floor and I was stunned by the view over St. Paul's and the beauty of the place. The quality of food and drink was good and the service was good (efficient and attentive) even though they were clearly out of their depth as to the food they served (no bread plates with teh bread and do't even try to make them filet the fish). but if you are not a snob and can ignore these, you will have a lovely dinner. read more
7 years ago
7 years ago
9 years ago
We had the hotel concierge make reservations after they recommended The Swan for afternoon Tea (when we found out the London Ritz was full). We are glad we went to The Swan instead! I wouldn't even consider PM Tea as a meal if it weren't for my wife, but the Swan has a very well prepared "gentleman's Tea" that includes a BBQ beef slider, scotch egg and a pint of appropriately paired ale. No complaints here, as my wife is happy with her multi level terrace of treats (mine was on a cutting board). Go enjoy an afternoon on the Thames! read more
9 years ago
This is a very romantic and beautifully styled place for dinner!!! Located in the Shakespeare Globe the fish stew and chicken pot dishes we had were incredible! I will be craving the fish stew until I can recreate it at home ;) read more
7 years ago
9 years ago
I had the most lovely afternoon tea experience here. We sat at a table by the window overlooking the River Thames. We also opted for the love potion cocktail which was wonderful. Our favorite snack on the spread was the smoked tuna wrap, which was wonderful. I also enjoyed the whipped truffle cheesetart (although I'm a truffle fanatic). The desserts were wonderful and the Darjeeling tea was perfect. What a magical afternoon with a lovely interior. Also, our waiter was a pleasure to have. read more
I had such a lovely time here. I came here alone to enjoy high tea and had the A Midsummer's Night Dream afternoon tea and the Sapphire Earl Grey Tea. It's definitely a lot of food for one person but I enjoyed trying everything, it's a great value. I was seated right by the window and enjoyed the view of the Thames and people watched lazily. The presentation of the meal was all star (coming in four tier and with beautifully designed desserts and sandwiches) and served on Anna Westler's custom designed tea seat for Shakespeare's Globe. read more
11 years ago
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Swan - british - Updated June 2026
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