A classic cup of tea.
In London, something called “high tea” is extremely popular. High tea is the act of dressing up in your fanciest clothes and going to a fancy café to have tiny sandwiches, mini cakes and tea, of course. The only problem with high tea is that it is extremely expensive. On average, high tea will cost about 60 pounds per person, which is very pricey especially if you are traveling on a budget.
A great alternative to spending a bunch of money and having to dress up is to go to a smaller, more casual café for tea. This way, you don’t have to spend a lot of money and you can stay in your comfy jeans.
A great place that is cheap and casual is The Muffin Man Tea Shop in Kensington. The small café vibe doesn’t call for any specific attire, and since it is mostly locals who go there, you still get a very authentic tea experience.
The sign at the entrance of Muffin Man.
The atmosphere is very relaxed, and as soon as you walk in you feel as if you are at your grandmother's house, if your grandmother was English.
The view from inside Muffin Man.
The inside of Muffin Man is cozy and casual.
There is a wide variety of food at Muffin Man sure to please anyone. From muffins and eggs to mini sandwiches and cakes, the extensive menu is full of food that compliments tea nicely.
This is a toffee-filled muffin that pairs perfectly with the caramel tea.
This mini red velvet cake pairs perfectly with the peppermint tea.
And of course the mini cream cheese sandwiches are a must with tea.
Even though the food is great, the real shining star is the tea itself. From herbal to floral to fruity teas, Muffin Man has them all. When you order a tea, it comes in a little teapot with a teacup and strainer so you can pour your own tea. It feels very proper, even at a casual place. This is a huge reason why Muffin Man is perfect for still having the high tea feel but at a more affordable price.
Since the tea is as fresh and authentic as possible, you have to pour it thru a strainer to catch any tea leaves still in the teapot.
The beautiful tea party display outside of Muffin Man.
Overall, Muffin Man will not disappoint for anyone looking for an authentic tea experience. If you still feel the need to dress up fully and have the experience of real high tea, then go for it, but this is a great alternative. Having tea in the middle of the afternoon is very typical in the English culture, so if you get the chance, definitely do it.
