I recently visited the Great Court Restaurant for Afternoon Tea during a day out in London. The restaurant is on the top floor of The British Museum, under the impressive arched glass roof. The Afternoon Tea was very nice, featuring a selection of sandwiches, scones and cakes. I was slightly disappointed with the cake selection as a couple of them were a bit tasteless, and it would have been nice to see some chocolate on one of them.
The service was friendly and efficient, and our waitress was always happy to help. The only problem I had with the restaurant was the ambience. As it was a busy Sunday afternoon, the noise of thousands of people exploring the museum was rebounding around the entire restaurant, and after an hour, it was getting harder to tune it out. I think potentially if the restaurant were a bit more enclosed, it would make it a much more enjoyable experience.
Overall, it was a nice Afternoon Tea and a nice way to spend an hour between exploring.
13/9/2023. London with Leng
Great court restaurant is big, we booked high tea together with museum tickets 2 weeks before. The service is great, handsome waiter checking us out a few times if everything was alright. The sandwiches must have been laid out on trays too long, the bread is dry . The fillings are unusual to us, interesting. The scones are also cold. It would be nice to heat up a bit just before serving.
It remains an extraordinary place to eat. Besides the beautiful museum, this place in the vast atrium is also a place to be overwhelmed. And the food, too, actually delivers. It is a nice change between traditional English choices and some modern ones—more than worth a stop.
Afternoon tea is a must here, but to avoid the lines and ensure a table, it's best to reserve ahead of time. We were seated promptly and were treated to a nice selection of teas and a delicious assortment of sandwiches and desserts. I was always under the impression that afternoon tea would not be filling, but we felt so stuffed towards the end that we actually couldn't finish our food!
Service was very nice, and the ambience was quite soothing, due to the openness of the space and the light from the magnificent glass ceiling of the atrium. The cost of 33 pounds per person was a little steep, but given the amount and quality of the food, as well as the setting, it was worth it.
Excellent choice when you plan to cruise the museum for more than two hours. You'll get easily tired you don't know how. I made payment in advance with no problem. The payment included 2 course lunch - either starter + main course or main course and a desert. I chose traditional fish and chips with no regrets. Of course it's good to have something to drink. Service fee £5. Payment at the cashdesk. Waitresses and waiters was hurried a little. Rush hour (came around 1 PM). For me a favourable experience.
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This was a really delightful and unique place to have afternoon tea in London! Do plan ahead and make a reservation in advance as it can get busy. It was a terrific break and I had tea as my lunch, after I spent the morning walking around the museum.
I loved the Burleigh china service and the selection of sandwiches and petite desserts was nice. The sandwiches seemed a bit nicer than the desserts. I am a vegetarian and they easily adjusted the sandwiches to meet my needs. The Lea Valley cucumber with the black truffle crème fraiche and the Portland crab with why the dill and seaweed mayonnaise were both lovely and tasty. The scones with Devonshire cream and jam were delicious.
Of the desserts, the Guinness black velvet cake was the most delicious. The Yorkshire rhubarb and strawberry tart tasted lovely but was an odd color—the filling was a bit brown and unappealing. I didn’t like the carrot and quinoa cake or the English sweet green pea and lemon cake the flavors and textures seemed a little off to me.
Tea at the Great Court Restaurant probably falls between four and five stars as the desserts could be better. Service was good and polite but did slow down as they got busier.
However, the location is outstanding and very convenient if you are going to have a morning/afternoon at the museum anyway.
"My experience at the British Museum BENUGO’s restaurant was truly delightful. I opted for the 3 courses meal and also indulged in the afternoon tea. Each dish was a burst of flavors, but the lemon tart stood out with its perfect balance of sweetness and citrusy notes. Furthermore, the variety of options and the quality of the food exceeded my expectations. The reasonable pricing makes the experience even more satisfying. I highly recommend this venue for anyone seeking an exceptional culinary experience in the cultural heart of London."
Despite the gorgeous setting amid millennia of history, what really made this restaurant stand out was the outstanding service we had from our waitress Emma. She was attentive without being obsequious, she was informative without being intrusive, and she showed the utmost professionalism in attending to our table. Despite being one of the last tables for the day, she still took the time to track down the name of a delicious tea brand for me. A wonderful server can make or break even an excellent meal. She is fantastic!
We had high tea, and the sandwiches, scones, and desserts were all delicious. The scones and pastries were inventive, delicious, and fresh. The tea was excellent. Truly, the eating experience added a whole new layer of enjoyment to a most memorable day at the British Museum.
We were going to the New Year's Eve lunch at BM with some shyness. There were a lot of visitors and customers. A table was found for us very quickly. The menu is not extensive but it's easy to choose something for yourself. The service is quick and kind. The kitchen delivers the order quickly. Everything beautifully presented and tasty. To be honest, we left the restaurant fully satisfied and full. Thank you for a wonderful meal and we wish the chefs and staff a Happy New Year.
We were a group of 3 that came here recently for afternoon tea. I love that their afternoon tea is £30 for one serving and that was plenty for us to share. And we just got extra tea pots. We didn’t want to be filled up with too much afternoon tea stuff if we each got a tray. You can add additional items as you like. I would highly recommend this place for afternoon tea.
Ok for clearly tourists place. Waited for like five or ten minutes at entrance. Food is fine. It's under roof and no air conditioning, so a bit hot at summer warm day.
May recommend if you are at the museum and want something more serious than sandwich.
Went in for a coffee with a friend the other week, and was served by such a warm and nice South African girl that we ended up staying for lunch! She was so helpful in letting us know what each option on the menu consisted of, and was always there for whatever we needed at any time. I was a bit anxious as I felt a bit out of place in there, but she made me feel right at home. Will definitely be back when I'm next in London!
We had a lovely lunch here. The service was excellent. Food was very nice. Would definitely recommend.
Had the perfect lunch after and before continuing our exploration of the British Museum. Our server, Claudia, was so helpful with tips for what to do in London, and also gave us impeccable service! It was such a nice surprise on top of an already great museum visit. Will be recommending to friends!
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I had the pleasure of having lunch at The Great Court Restaurant recently, and I was truly impressed by the outstanding service provided by our waitress, Claudia. From the moment we were seated to the moment we left, Claudia's attentiveness, professionalism, and warm demeanour made our experience truly memorable.
One of the standout qualities of Claudia's service was her impeccable attention to detail. She took the time to explain the menu thoroughly, offering insightful recommendations based on our preferences. Her genuine enthusiasm for the dishes and the restaurant's offerings was evident, and it truly enhanced our choices.
Throughout the meal, Claudia's timing was impeccable. Our orders were delivered promptly, and she consistently checked in to ensure that everything was to our satisfaction. Despite the restaurant's bustling atmosphere, Claudia made us feel like we were her top priority, which significantly contributed to our overall enjoyment of the evening.
What truly set Claudia apart was her ability to create a personal connection with her customers. She engaged in friendly conversation, striking the perfect balance between being attentive and giving us space to enjoy our meal. Her genuine interest in our dining experience made us feel welcomed and valued as patrons.
It's not only her technical skills that make Claudia exceptional, but also her positive attitude and genuine passion for her job. Her radiant smile and upbeat demeanour were infectious, creating an uplifting atmosphere in the restaurant that added to the overall enjoyment of our meal.
In a world where outstanding customer service can be hard to come by, Claudia shines as a prime example of excellence. Her professionalism, attention to detail, personable nature, and genuine passion for her role as a waitress make her an asset to The Great Court Restaurant. I left the restaurant not only satisfied with the delicious food but also deeply impressed by Claudia's dedication to making our dining experience truly exceptional.
I wholeheartedly recommend The Great Court Restaurant and specifically request Claudia's section for an unforgettable experience. Her exceptional service sets a high standard for others to follow, and I look forward to returning to the restaurant soon to once again enjoy her outstanding hospitality.
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