The Wolseley is one of those London institutions that seems to have figured out exactly what it wants to be and has little reason to change. The soaring arches, geometric marble floors, dark wood, and beautifully judged lighting make it handsome and timeless. At the same time, the constant flow of people gives the place a wonderful energy from morning through late evening. What I admire most is how naturally it combines grandeur with warmth: the service is polished and attentive without pretension, and the atmosphere suits a business breakfast, afternoon tea, or celebratory dinner. Set on Piccadilly beside The Ritz and a short walk from Green Park, it feels quintessentially London and remains one of my favorite places to experience the city at its most elegant and alive. read more

This is going to be an unpopular opinion, but I really didn't love my experience at The Wolseley. It's overpriced for Afternoon Tea, and not even that special. While the overall look of the restaurant is beautiful with all the black and white flooring and gold-trimmed accents along the doors and walls, it is just a loud spot filled with tourists. The Afternoon Tea did include ample food, but scones and fingers sandwiches and cakes are not my favorites. Also, the tea selection is fine, but not very robust. I was hoping for a good mint tea, and asked for Earl Grey, but they brought me Afternoon Break instead. I didn't complain because honestly service was so slow and it took forever to get the attention of a waiter. I will say they let us linger with a glass of champagne beyond the 90 minute rule, so we were able to kill some extra time at our table before a theater show nearby. But overall, I'd skip this and get high tea somewhere else. read more

Despite having a reservation a month in advance, we waited quite a long time to get seated and get our orders in. Would recommend sharing an afternoon tea if you're full, as the portions were quite generous. Each part of the afternoon tea was quite delicious - especially loved the scones and the cheesecake. read more

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a delicious and delightful afternoon tea experience. i chose this place based on my budget and the plentiful positive reviews i had heard. the finger sandwiches were yummy and the little cakes/pastries were unique and very sweet. for me personally as someone who doesn't have a huge sweet tooth, i couldn't finish all of the pastries. my favorite sandwich was the chicken curry sandwich! the interior was beautiful and made for a pleasant afternoon tea experience for a few american girls' first time in the UK! read more

The Wolseley - Afternoon Tea - Cafes Near Me - London, XGL

Expensive? Absolutely. Incredible? A solid 10/10. Would I do it again? Maybe... it really felt like a once-in-a-lifetime kind of experience. I visited The Wolseley with a friend and we had an absolute blast. If you're going to do "tea time" in London, this is the place. At nearly £50 per person it's far from cheap, but it's such a fabulous, elevated experience that it genuinely adds something special to your London trip (especially if you're visiting from out of town!). I went with a local who's been several times, so it's clearly not just for tourists, though it definitely draws more out-of-towners than Londoners. My first reaction walking in was "woah." The place feels incredibly posh, almost like stepping into the lobby of a grand hotel. It was buzzing on a Friday night, busy, energetic (bordering on chaotic but in a charming, eclectic way). And you absolutely need reservations. The place was packed. The menu is pretty extensive, but we went with the tea service; basically tea plus scones, sandwiches, and pastries which set us back a little over £100 for two. Steep, for sure. But the tea was phenomenal, the vibe was faaaaancy (white tablecloths, elegant china, the whole thing), and the food was good and classic: sandwiches, scones with butter and jam, and a generous selection of pastries. It was actually a lot of food, so much so that we ended up taking some home. If you're in London and want an unforgettable, refined spot for tea, I definitely recommend The Wolseley. It's fancy, memorable, and absolutely worth experiencing at least once. read more

The Wolseley - Cafes Near Me - London, XGL

We're not from the UK, but we wanted to experience an afternoon tea. After searching the internet for great quality and prices, we found The Wolseley! The location is perfect, the staff was very friendly and helpful. We ordered the regular afternoon tea at the suggestion of our waiter and the caramel tea! If you've never had caramel tea, it's a must! Very flavorful and delicious! The food tasted fresh and the scones were very yummy! We would definitely return for a regular meal! The ambiance is upscale work/professional cafe? It's for everyone! read more

The Wolseley - Afternoon tea with caramel tea. - Cafes Near Me - London, XGL

This place is stunning!! I came here for afternoon tea by myself. I was seated immediately when I arrived for my reservation. I got the afternoon cream tea which comes with a pot of tea and 3 scones/biscuits (all the same). I was recommended the caramel tea, which wasn't too sweet at all. The scone/biscuit was fine. Adding jam definitely helped! The presentation was amazing. Service was great. I didn't feel rushed at all. Domenico was fab!! The restrooms are downstairs. You enter the stairs from under the clock. read more

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Food: the food was good, not a fan of the English breakfast so would not order that again but not on the restaurant Service: best part, service was really nice and we had an issue with an order not going in so they gave us free dessert Ambiance: very nice interior, posh vibes haha read more

The Wolseley - The English, Royal (for two) - Cafes Near Me - London, XGL

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We were 30 plus minutes late because of the parade going on, maître D was very nice and sat us immediately. The dining room is really gorgeous and comfortable. We started with oysters and shrimp avocado cocktail, all delicious. Our entrees took a very, very long time, I was a bit under the weather so I just had the chicken matzo ball soup. It arrived with no matzo and very few mince pieces of chicken. Very disappointing to say the least. The schnitzel was beautifully prepared and a very large portion. Server was efficient and they did bring me some matzo. read more

The Wolseley - Cafes Near Me - London, XGL

Great experience for tea time! We were in London for a day & this was a great place to go for tea time. The place was very unique and beautiful. They were very busy but service was good. I ordered afternoon tea & my husband had a chicken sandwich. All of the desserts & sandwiches were very good. The tea was good. Overall good experience. read more

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When I made reservations, I notified the staff my daughter has an egg allergy. The day prior to dining, they confirmed they could accommodate her. I arrived, was promptly seated, and the server confirmed he knew about it. The waiter took our order making sure to help us select egg free items for my daughter. We were delighted that they were taking her allergy so seriously as it's a very serious issue. The food came, and within 30 seconds ... BOOM she was having a reaction. Wtf? I expected way more from this place. Not good dealing with this type of thing while traveling in a foreign country. Beautiful dining room, but serious training issues with the staff. This oversight could have ended in tragedy, fortunately for us, it just ruined our day. Thank goodness we travel with medications. We expected more from the Wolseley. read more

We got a reservation here during our London trip over the summer for afternoon tea. The place itself is beautiful in the inside. Our servers were okay. I don't recall the service being overly memorable. They have a decent cocktail list to choose from, and our drinks were good. You receive a selection of scones, sandwiches and cakes with your choice of tea as part of the afternoon tea service. We struggled a little as they placed us at a very small table which made it tough. We enjoyed this tea but did not find it to be overly special compared to other tea services we've had, and for the price expected it to be a level up. I would return though! read more

The Wolseley - Tea service - Cafes Near Me - London, XGL

I went here just for English breakfast and it did not disappoint! Upon arriving, they asked me what newspaper I would like. I felt like a real businessman! The English breakfast was quite good. In particular, the black sausage was notable. It had a nice crumbly texture, and a rich savory flavor. Everything else was tasty, but the black sausage was beyond. read more

The Wolseley - The English - Cafes Near Me - London, XGL

Beautiful vibes of a traditionally art deco building. From 2:30-3:00pm they serve both afternoon tea and their lunch menu so we opted for this time so my husband and daughter could order from a traditional menu. It's a busy bustling restaurant in here so the ambiance is a bit hectic but we had a lovely time. The afternoon tea was good and is priced lower than some of the tea rooms. If you have members in your party who are not interested in afternoon tea, it could be a good option to come here during this time so they could order from the lunch menu. read more

Beautiful place, went in randomly while strolling. I knew it was an establishment worth visiting. I was placed in their side room, which based on the noise level it was probably for the best. The food was pretty good as was the tea. Service was not great. Super slow and felt completely neglected. Took maybe 30 minutes to get some water. read more

The Wolseley - Spinach Eggs Benedict - Cafes Near Me - London, XGL

My gosh, it's become even more disorganized and messy since my last visit. I was offered tea quickly but then it was 15 minutes before anyone took my breakfast order. There appears to be plenty of staff about but they to be in random motion. My eggs Benedict, however, were marvelous. read more

The Wolseley - Cafes Near Me - London, XGL

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We loved this place! I wanted afternoon tea, but my husband wanted a full lunch and was able to order Croque Monsieur. Perfect! We just walked in at 2:30om on a Friday in June and it was a 30-minute wait. Worth it. Lovely maitre'd checked in on us if we were "enjoying the show." read more

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While in London, I booked a pre-show dinner at the Wolseley in Piccadilly. I had heard about it on some foodie shows and got good referrals from people who had eaten there. When we arrived we were greeted immediately and checked in. We were early and needed to come back, however when we did, the hostess recognized me and greeted me by name - super attentive. We were seated right on schedule. We were not disappointed by the architecture, atmosphere, vibe, and excellent service (Deyana). The food selection was excellent, and we sampled many! The pictures attached are good, but the real thing, even better. I felt the prices were good value for money and the location easy to get to. Overall we had a great evening and would definitely recommend it. Please make a reservation ahead so you don't miss the chance to dine here. read more

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Just happened I would have my birthday during my London trip. I would like to pick a place that impressive. It is not easy since it would be a Friday but I got a spot at the Wolseley. From the location and the decorations, this place is very classy and nice. Lovely! However, the food was not as great as we expected. I ordered steak tartare to start and Roast cannon of Lamb as entree. They tasted okay and on the bland side. My husband had the prix-fixe and he had the similar comments. We were quite disappointed. I think I should reserve for afternoon tea instead... read more

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Close to the Main Street need to queue up to wait for a table around 2pm for lunch. Have newspaper read more

The Wolseley - Cafes Near Me - London, XGL

Absolutely fabulous tea service. Stellar service, beautiful ambiance, and great selection of tea, sandwiches, and pastries. read more

The Wolseley - Cafes Near Me - London, XGL

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Had a pescatarian afternoon tea here. It's a classic English tea experience for an affordable price. They have a cute dining area with lots of different table options, though a reservation is definitely recommended. Service was very attentive for British standards. For my fellow Americans: I came in jeans and a sweater and was a little under-dressed. While, the staff treated me well, I would dress it up a little more next time (nice slacks and a blouse at least). Now, the most important part -- the food! The sandwiches were very good (probably my fav part of the meal). They have vegan, vegetarian, pescatarian, and meat eater options; you just have to let them know when you make your reservation. The desserts were good but some were slightly too rich for me. The scones were solid, but not warm like they'd just been made. Overall, I'd consider this a staple that is probably consistent in experience and food quality. I'd go again! read more

We enjoyed the afternoon tea experience here at Wolseley. It has great ambiance, the quality of afternoon tea was great, staff were friendly and quick. We did not have reservation on Monday afternoon, so we had to wait 20 minutes, but they let us in. Overall super happy with the experience. read more

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Tasty Afternoon Tea and a place to be seen. Good ambience, tiny sandwiches, delicious desserts! Friendly service. An easy recommend!

Food was good, especially the cucumber sandwich. Curry had great flavor! Cakes and dessert good but cheesecake was best. My favorite was the scones on the top with the clotted cream and jam. Service was good, very busy staff. Ambiance was very nice and elegant. Very upscale and reservations a must. read more

The Wolseley - Classic Afternoon Tea - Cafes Near Me - London, XGL

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Food: the Eggs Benedict, Omelette and The Wolseley Cheeseburger with tea was superb!!! Service: great, timely service Design: interiors is a beautiful, elegant Victorian design with black & white checkerboard marble floor that is carried throughout the rest of the interior color palette Overall: if you want the ULTIMATE BRITISH TEA EXPERIENCE, then this is an AMAZING place to go; please make reservations in advance read more

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If you're a tourist looking to experience afternoon tea for the first time, this is the place. I've been here twice, once three years ago while studying abroad and again this past October. The experiences were nearly identical, from the afternoon tea menu to the stellar service. It's so incredibly consistent--same offerings, same stellar service. The value is great, about $25 a person, the waiters won't upsell you on ordering more sets than you need. The food itself is alright, but you're more there for the experience. There's a wide variety of teas to choose from, we loved the caramel tea the most. read more

The interior was stunning, the ambience and decor were picturesque. Our waiter was busy but still provided great service. This was the best gnocchi I've ever eaten they were pillowy soft and the sauce was great as well. Definitely an intimate date spot and worth the money for the experience. read more

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This place is absolutely beautiful inside, especially during the holidays. We were excited to take our parents here for their first breakfast experience in London. Their service was consistent and welcoming which is always a great thing to experience from any food establishment. Makes the meal that much more engaging and enjoyable. We ordered some teas which is an obvious must for our morning meal. English breakfast was shared since it tends to be a bit overwhelming in size for us 4. We also ordered Eggs Benedict which tasted fabulous. Great thing about traveling with the family is that we can share and sample more without being overstuffed. My family truly enjoyed the meal and experience here. Can't wait to visit again in the future. I would recommend this amazing establishment if you were looking for an elegant morning meal. read more

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'Eggs-elent' eggs Benedict and a cup of coffee that will make any atheist convert to believing all gods are real. Seriously, I happily hummed while eating the eggs Benedict. It is all about the hollandaise sauce, a key component to the Benedict gastronomic parable. There are few restaurants that do a proper concoction and I was so happy to add The Wolseley to that list. Ps: Sorry the 'eggs-elent' play on words. That was a proper dad joke and I could feel your groan through the time m-space continuum. read more

The Wolseley - It was so good that I could not help but inhale my eggs Benedict and lemon meringue eclair before I could take a photo. - Cafes Near Me - London, XGL

#FlashbackFriday Who's ready for some fancy English afternoon tea?!?! Finger sandwiches, fruit scones, pastries, cakes, homemade jam, clotted cream, and a variety of tea options.... Hold me closer tiny dancer because this wasn't me. But my wife and daughters have looked forward to this so I was in for the ride. I was not going to miss this as I was here for them and the experience. The Wolseley is located at 160 Picadilly right next to The Ritz. It was a very short walk from the Green Park Underground Station where we came out from. As we made our way to our table, all I could say was the interior looked very elegant and nicely decorated. All four of us had the Classic Afternoon Tea and were served sandwiches, pastries, and scones neatly stacked on a 3-tier plate stand. We had 10+ tea selections to choose from while the finger sandwiches came with curry chicken, cheese, roast beef, salmon, and cucumber. But the scones were the real deal here - warm, moist, buttery, and with a nicely browned top and bottom. They even came covered for a dramatic reveal. Our server was very attentive which contributed to a pleasant stay. We had a refill of everything even the cucumber sammich. That and the salmon were the closest I could get to a sushi roll! Although skeptical at first, it did turn out to be a wonderful time for everyone. Of course I'll do it again if the family wants another go in the future, but I'll be fine having done it once... read more

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This is my #1 most recommended high tea to experience while traveling to and through London! The space used to be a Rolls-Royce Dealership from our former century and the acoustics only add to that vibe! It's nice and loud and the dishwater alone are so very one of a kind that you want stop photographing. The Service here is of course impeccable and everything just comes together for that well rounded multi-coursed fun loud tea time! I suggest getting the package as it has unlimited Champagne! Enjoy this place - it's special! Cheers! read more

I give this a 5/5 for ambiance and vibes and a 2/5 for the actual treats. They were cute, but not delicious. Overall 3.5 read more

The Wolseley - Cafes Near Me - London, XGL

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So in preface this review with several caveats to be absolutely fair. First, we had no reservations and agreed to wait almost 3 hours to be seated. Candidly, we didn't mind and appreciated the willingness to seat us at all. Second,I am not disagreeing with our seating option which was an small balcony upstairs--which would have been terrific--but since there were only 2 tables on the balcony--we barely saw waitstaff and could not flag anyone down. Maybe, based upon our attire--we are American--we were judged as not having the "money" to eat there as we did not receive the service or food quality that we expected. (I always find ironic as we just ate Epicure in Paris where there were people in loungewear--not us--but clearly indicating that the ability to pay comes in all forms of attire.) But, regardless to all that, a complete honest review of the food. It was okay. Nothing going out of our way for as there many other incredible restaurants in London. read more

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Great ambience. Classic English breakfast. Great service. Super high prices. Not handicapped friendly - restrooms are down tiny staircases at the back. read more

"I can tell that we are going to be friends. Yes, I can tell that we are going to be friends." Jack Johnson It appears to me that closed minded thinking leads to closed minded living, and when you choose (or allow yourself) to do that I'm pretty sure that the missed opportunities in life are gonna begin to pile up on your side of the fence. While waiting excitedly at the airport in San Diego for our flight to London, we were presented with the opportunity to meet (and get to know) @misterfai_scorpio. Am I thankful for the honor! Such a gracious, intelligent person! Why Fai's sister is the family favorite is a mystery to us. ‍ Although traveling in the opposite direction that day, Fai took the time to provide us with some great advice about where to experience a proper British high tea...and so here we are! While The Wolseley offers a full menu, we set our sights directly upon their rendition of "high tea" offered each afternoon. I have to admit that I quite enjoyed attempting to appropriately engage in this activity. From learning to navigate the accompanying tea strainer that was provided, to the numerous pictures required to execute a "propa" pinky raising (which prob never happened), this was a great way to spend some time on a gloriously rainy day. A multi-tiered tray of goodies accompanied our tea, but I delayed partaking in the scones. However, when properly adorned with the friendly companions of cream and jam, they were actually excellent and made me begin to question my self-assessment that, "I'm not a bread guy." Although reservations aren't strictly required, I'd recommend that you consider trying to make one. We arrived without the benefit of one, and although we were seated immediately, it felt like we swooped up the last table. This experience is unmistakably pricey, but they replaced any of the trays of food items when requested (including the little sandwiches), and I'd certainly do this again if I have the opportunity. Cheers to you, Fai. Long may our friendship reign! And that's...Henry's Take. #britishhightea #london read more

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We scored a really early time slot 7:15 am... never been up and out that early but it was perfect! We were very warmly greeted in this ambiant and charming restaurant, located next to the Ritz. The restaurant already had a couple of locals starting out their day with porridge and a copy of the Times. We ordered delicisious avocado toast and fried eggs, French toast, the English and the pancakes. The food was really good but an even better and authentic British experience. It's safe to say we'll be regulars here! read more

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This is a London institution so I had high expectations. You can see the former glamour from age. The food was decent although not necessarily better that what I'd had in other brasserie style restaurants. The afternoon tea is exorbitant at £46.50. Yikes! The service was sloppy and it got comedic as we progressed through our meal. A beer was forgotten, silverware haphazardly placed on the tables, waitstaff talking to themselves about that they needed to do, dishes taken away too early. Like teething pains of a newly opened restaurant. I enjoyed our meal but unless you're looking for an English institution, there are better options in London. read more

Takes reservations, service was great, food was delicious. The restaurant was beautiful too. We tried something we've never had too, a candied grapefruit. It was fantastic. Plus it was filled with locals, business men, felt like it wasn't a tourist trap. read more

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An absolute 5 star and worth the wait. The service was wonderful, the food delicious. Everything I wanted in breakfast. Enjoy a drink at the bar while you wait. read more

The Wolseley - Bubble and squeak - Cafes Near Me - London, XGL