Situated above Bread Ahead’s bustling Pavilion Road bakery in the heart of Chelsea, The Tea House is a cosy retreat for those seeking an afternoon filled with sweat treats.
Founded by Matthew Jones, Bread Ahead is synonymous with quality and renowned for exceptional bread and pastries.
Bread Ahead has embarked on a decade-long journey, expanding its schools and bakeries across London. The Tea House signifies an exciting new chapter for Matthew and his team.
My partner and I take a seat in the laid-back space overlooking a dedicated pastry kitchen where you can see the chefs work their magic. The atmosphere is friendly, the vibe casual, and the menu blends tradition with creative flair.
The carefully curated menu is simple yet indulgent. To start, we picked from a selection of Fortnum and Mason loose teas. Our pots were served alongside a plate of delicious cheese biscuits that melt in your mouth.
Next came finger-sized Bridge rolls, filled with London smoked salmon with zesty lemon crème fraîche, chicken and avocado cream, Burford brown egg mayonnaise with truffle and mustard watercress, and cucumber with whipped cream cheese and dill.
What follows was, for me, the highlight of the show. Served on a three-tiered tray was a selection of British cakes. These change with the seasons but during my visit we enjoyed the classics — Battenburg, Swiss Roll, and Black Forest gateau.
The top tier offers warm, fresh scones (both plain and fruit) served with clotted Cornish cream, homemade strawberry jam, and lemon curd. It’s a timeless touch.
For those eager to delve deeper, The Tea House now offers exclusive masterclasses that launched at the start of this year. This is a chance to learn the art of crafting afternoon tea in a relaxed setting.
Afternoon Tea is priced at £50 per person and is available Friday, Saturday and Sunday.
The Tea House from Bread Ahead
249 Pavilion Road, Chelsea, London, SW1X 0BP
