Afternoon tea at The Shard: Aqua Shard

Afternoon tea, British·
££££
·
Bronze Award
·

SquareMeal Review of Afternoon tea at The Shard: Aqua Shard

Bronze Award

Ramping up the excitement surrounding the notion of afternoon tea is Aqua Shard, the 31st-floor restaurant from Hong Kong’s glamorous Aqua group. Tea, cake and a spot of Champagne is a happy combination in itself, but factor in incredible panoramic views across the city and you have one of those ‘red-letter day’ London experiences. Aqua’s contemporary-style afternoon spread includes fashionable, subtly innovative spins on teatime classics including chicken sandwiches perfumed with lavender mayonnaise and Victoria sponge cake with bugglegum macaroon. Leaf teas are by the Rare Tea Company. 

 

Good to know

Average Price
££££ - £50 - £79
Cuisines
Afternoon tea, British
Ambience
Fun, Quirky, Unique
Alfresco And Views
Great views
Perfect for
Special occasions

About

As far as whimsical restaurants in the capital go, Aqua Shard is up there (literally). Housed on the 31st floor of the Shard, it offers its guests playful house cocktails and top-notch modern British cuisine. However, there is even more magic to be enjoyed when it comes to the afternoon.

The Aqua Shard Peter Pan Afternoon Tea takes guests on a whimsical tour of Neverland with delicious food, adventurous teas and creative cocktails. Based on passages from the JM Barrie books, this menu has been carefully crafted to transport guests back to their childhood.

The savoury selection starts things off with a “baked pig” sausage roll, an “enormous mushroom chimney” with bread and duxelles and “codfish Captain Hook”. These playful dishes set the tone for this culinary quest in the clouds. The lost boys sandwich features roasted chicken, crispy bacon, mayo and mustard, while the little bird includes egg mayo, cucumber, chives and truffle.

Sticking to the original text, the vanilla and golden raisin scones come with Mammee-apple jam and coconut clotted cream, while the sweet treats celebrate key characters. Peter’s Secret Never Tree Entrance is a dark chocolate mousse with raspberry jam, chocolate sponge and ganache, while the Tinker Bell is a sweet pastry biscuit with white icing and gold fairy dust. On the villain side, Hook’s Perish cake is a lime green Victoria cake with coconut and fondant icing, while Tick-Tock the Crocodile is a raspberry and Rooibos tea jelly with a crocodile gummy.

Specialty teas are the darling, a blend of black teas from around the world with elegant rose petals and adventure tea, which includes sunflower blossoms, mango pieces, lemon and orange peel.

The additional Fairy Dust cocktail packs a punch, featuring mint and cucumber Ketel One, apple liqueur, ginger switchel, makrut leaf powder, absinthe and gold fairy dust, while the Never Grow Up Punch is a milder affair, made with pineapple, pear puree, elderflower tonic, lime and grenadine float.


FAQs

Do I need to book in advance?

Yes. We recommend placing a reservation over the phone or via the website.

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Location

Level 31, The Shard, 31 St. Thomas Street, London Bridge, London, SE1 9RY

020 7768 3416 020 7768 3416

Website

Opening Times

Afternoon Tea
Mon 12:15-16:15
Tue 12:15-16:15
Wed 12:15-16:15
Thu 12:15-16:15
Fri 12:15-16:15
Sat 12:15-16:15
Sun 12:15-16:15

Reviews

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3 Reviews 
Food/Drink
Service
Atmosphere
Value

Tim W

27 December 2022  
Food & Drink 4.5
Service 4.5
Atmosphere 4.5
Value 4.5

Anon

06 September 2022  
Food & Drink 0.5
Service 3
Atmosphere 0.5
Value 0.5
Disappointing high tea

I was gravely disappointed in our afternoon tea experience.

Food: Honestly, it felt like the same quality of food that one were to expect if you had high tea in a box from Pret a manger. It was small (a small saucer with 3 small sandwiches; and another small saucer with child cakes and gummy bear like candy). For 55£ per person , that's shameful.

This high tea is appropriate for a 4 to 8 year old child. In addition,  the food is not paired with tea, you just get a choice of one pot of tea (darjeeling or one other type).

For those seeking a true high/afternoon tea experience, this will not meet expectations.
Even then, we had a table of 6 and we got one clotted cream (which was the a tablespoon sized portion) for the table. When we asked for more were were told it was all out.

Ambiance; We had 6, we were put at a table for 4, and were so uncomfortable. We couldn't fit anything on the table, and we were so uncomfortable sitting bumping elbows.  We had a terrible view, no where near the windiw, although there was space near the window,  we were not moved closer.
Praise: Our server was wonderful, and attentive. So, at least we had that.

I took my mother and other family members for her 75th birthday,  and after 450£ we left with a massive feeling of disappointment.

Aqua Shard should cancel this afternoon tea service, it's appalling.

Donna S

28 June 2019  
The best views, great food and wine, excellent service - will definitely return.
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020 7768 3416 020 7768 3416

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