Bea's of Bloomsbury
Price guide: Budget
First Floor, One New Change, London, EC4M 9AF
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#90 of 115
expert-rated restaurants in London- Recommended for:
- Backpackers / Students, Business travellers, Families with teenagers, Foodies, Singles, People watching, Shopping, Trendiness
Expert review of Bea's of Bloomsbury
Glamorous cake shop and café that provides a tempting alternative to hotel Afternoon Teas.
Bea Vo, formerly a pastry chef at Nobu, opened her first outlet on a nondescript stretch of road between Holborn and Chancery Lane, yet soon it was full of cake lovers of all persuasions. This new branch in the City, near St Paul’s, is I would think simply stage two in a plan for world domination.
Food and drink:
Cupcakes are still very much the vogue (they even do classes in icing them) but the eye-popping display of goodies includes various pimped-up brownie options, cloud-like meringues, and rich (I think too rich) layer cakes. But it’s not all sweet: lunch is served too. As a nod to Bea’s American heritage there’ll often be a hearty chowder of clam or chicken. Sandwiches are inventive – think manchego cheese with quince preserve, rocket, roast pear and chervil – while salads of the day will be based on pasta, couscous or barley, roast veg and cheese, or greens with a grabbag of Mediterranean antipasti. This place is very serious about its coffee and tea, using top suppliers, but it’s worth forgoing these for a cup of Bea’s excellent own-made chai.
Ambience:
Feminine with rich floral fabrics, jewel colours, and chandeliers. Watching cooks at work in the open kitchen is part of the charm.
Service:
Tends to be young but mostly friendly, if not always on the ball.
Location:
The first floor of shiny new St Paul’s shopping mall One New Change.
Price advice:
Individual cakes and savouries range from £3-£7.50. Set Afternoon Teas start at £9.90 per person.
Other useful branches:
The original outlet on Theobald’s Road is theoretically in Bloomsbury, but not so close to the British Museum to make it a useful stop afterwards.
More information on Bea's of Bloomsbury:
- Price guide:
- Type:
- Café, Deli, Tearoom
- Food:
- American, British, Snacks
- Address:
- First Floor, One New Change, London, EC4M 9AF
- Telephone:
- 020 7242 8330
- Website:
- http://www.beasofbloomsbury.com/ONC
- Serves:
- Breakfast, Lunch, Afternoon Tea
- Opening times:
- Mon-Fri 8am-8pm, Sat 9am-8pm, Sun 11am-7pm.
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Reservations:
- Suggested
- Free tags / Keywords:
- afternoon tea, cakes
