Last Updated on November 8, 2025
Afternoon Tea with a Twist of Magic in the City – Perfect for Junior Wizards
4.0 out of 5.0 starsEntertaining an eight-year-old during the school holidays is no small feat, but combining finger sandwiches and scones with a dash of illusion turned out to be a winning formula. The Magic Afternoon Tea at Vintry & Mercer offers just that, a traditional spread laced with sleight of hand and showmanship, designed to delight both adults and wide-eyed children alike.
We started with a stroll through the city to build up an appetite. Shay marvelled at St Paul’s and enjoyed taking in the sights, with a little impromptu history tour along the way. Our walk led us to Vintry & Mercer, set along a cobblestone street and overlooking St. James Garlickhythe church. This stylish five-star boutique hotel, tucked between St Paul’s Cathedral and the Thames, nods to the area’s historic trading past while offering a calm, contemporary escape from the City’s glass-and-steel bustle.
Downstairs, the candle-lit dining room feels like a secret discovery: low ceilings, marble-topped tables, red-leather banquettes and fringed lamps casting a warm glow. A small bar glistens with bottles, while atmospheric classical music plays softly in the background. It’s moody and a little mysterious, or, as my young companion put it with a grin, “cooler and more magical.”
The magic began with the menus, which lit up with small torches to reveal mythical creatures and the sword Excalibur glowing across the pages. It instantly caught Shay’s attention and set the tone for what was to come – an afternoon where even choosing your tea felt a little enchanted.
Choices included the Magical Afternoon Tea for adults or the Wizard’s Tea for kids, both with vegetarian options. I wisely chose a crisp glass of Charles Heidsieck Brut – delicious!
There were also three tempting otherworldly cocktails on offer. For those who prefer non-alcoholic drinks, there’s the Wild Idol alcohol-free sparkling rosé or the Magical Tea Pot Tails, an artisanal tea selection.
Shay’s eyes lit up when a small wooden trunk arrived in a swirl of smoke – the Hocus Pocus Elixir. Inside were tiny bottles filled with colourful, glittery potions, just waiting to be mixed into something a little bit special. Alongside it came a generous mug of hot chocolate with marshmallows to sprinkle on top – and he was a very happy boy.
Next, a tiered tray appeared is a dramatic sea of mist, stacked with goodies: sausage rolls with ketchup, jam sandwiches, crisp cheesy straws, warm buttermilk scones, and brilliantly crafted sweet treats – a white chocolate and mango Excalibur sword cheesecake, a chocolate and almond cake disguised as a book of spells, a cute chocolate-and-blueberry owl, and finally the pièce de résistance, a ‘Box of Bones’ filled with delicious chocolate soil.
The grown-up treats were just as impressive. I loved the truffled egg mayonnaise tucked into a mini brioche bun, and the classic smoked salmon with horseradish was perfectly balanced.
A playful twist on Sunday dinner arrived in the form of a dinky Yorkshire pudding piled with tender roast beef – comforting and indulgent without being over the top.
The scones were fresh and springy, served with plenty of clotted cream and strawberry jam. The cakes were beautifully crafted, very sweet but not cloying, each a clever little treat that proved this tea was just as enjoyable for adults as for children.
The Vintry & Mercer afternoon tea was a definite hit with my young companion. The magical touches, the mood-evoking lighting, and the playful presentation all added to the atmosphere. Glancing around, it was clear that it wasn’t just the children having fun; this tea has enough charm and enchantment to delight anyone who enjoys a little magic with their afternoon treats.
Vintry & Mercer Hotel
19-20 Garlick Hill,
London EC4V 2AU
020 3908 8088
https://www.vintryandmercer.com/whats-on/the-magic-of-afternoon-tea/
Looking for something similar but across the other side of town? We also recommend the Science afternoon tea at Ampersand Hotel
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