A theatrical afternoon tea: The Swan at Shakespeare’s Globe, London
When you’re a big ole nerd visiting London, there are a few bucket list experiences that spring to mind.
Strolling by the Thames in a misty spring rain.
Having a fancy afternoon tea with those glorious multi-tiered cake stands.
Seeing Shakespeare’s Globe in person (fun fact: it’s the only thatched building built in London after the Great Fire).
Well, there’s a way to tick off all three in one delicious afternoon — and you don’t even need to put on a tie.
Afternoon tea for everyone
Swan London, located on London’s Bankside, opened in 2007, ten years after the reconstructed Globe Theatre staged its first performance. The restaurant and bar serve seasonal British dishes, with part of the proceeds supporting The Globe. Their afternoon tea (not high tea) has become a popular experience for Shakespeare fans and visitors alike.
We were in London to catch up with family and wanted to mark the occasion with something special. A lot of the classic London afternoon teas are hotel-based — formal, expensive, and often not vegetarian-friendly (three out of our four were vegos). Some required booking months in advance or came with price tags that made us wonder if we should take out a second mortgage.
A bit of research led us to the afternoon tea at The Swan: strong literary connection, vegetarian and vegan options, and a relaxed smart-casual dress code (think nice trousers or skirt, not ballgowns).
Our experience
We booked for four and noted the vegetarian requests in advance. Upstairs, the space felt quietly elegant without being stuffy — tufted sofas, rough wooden tables, and stunning views of the Thames and city through multi-paned windows.
The afternoon tea menu wasn’t just a standard one with a few substitutions. Instead, they offered a dedicated vegetarian menu thoughtfully crafted for our dietary needs. At the time, the theme tied in with A Midsummer Night’s Dream, which was showing at the Globe — and these themes change regularly.
When the food arrived, the phones came out. The charming crockery was decorated with Shakespeare-inspired illustrations, and the sweet and savoury treats were as colourful as they were delicious. Unlike many “dietary” menus, ours didn’t just swap salmon for another egg sandwich — every item felt intentional.
Favourites? The dill and orange-scented carrot sandwich, Waldorf salad tartlet, chocolate and hazelnut mushroom, and honey panna cotta. (So basically… everything.) You can read our full menu here.
Would We Go Again?
As we left, feeling full and happy, the heavens opened — and with only two umbrellas between four people, we made the soggy trek back to our hotel. But we were too busy chatting about the food, the space, and the vegetarian options to care much about the rain.
We got exactly what I’d hoped for: a shared family moment that felt special, memorable, and uniquely London.
If you’re looking for an afternoon tea in London that’s vegetarian-friendly, has a relaxed atmosphere, and doesn’t break the bank, The Swan at Shakespeare’s Globe should be high on your list. It certainly will be on ours next time.
Swan afternoon tea at a glance
Where - 21 New Globe Walk, Bankside, London
When is afternoon tea served - Mon-Sun 12-5pm
How much - 42.50 pounds per person
Current Options - Classic tea, cowboy tea, vegetarian tea, vegan tea, non-gluten containing tea
We highly recommend booking ahead of time
