I LOVE afternoon tea. There’s something so scrumptious about digging into sweet bites with a steaming cup of something at your fingertips isn’t there. I’m a touch nervous of bringing Little Button along to one just yet *my overreacting mum brain worrying about hot teapots. So on the very rare occasions when I do get to go to an afternoon tea, on my own, with my bestie. Well, it’s cause for celebration isn’t it! We are both big foodies, so afternoon tea at the Buddha Bar in London sounded like just our cup of tea.
Buddha Bar, London
It’s what it sounds like. An über high end, pan Asian cuisine eatery come after work drinks hang out. It’s tucked round the corner from Harrods and at 12noon looked pretty unassuming and practically not there. It sort of melts into the side of a building, and if we didn’t know it was there, I doubt we would have noticed it. Though I do expect at peak times this place is rocking.
Meet And Greet?
We were both pretty excited to get inside. *It had a funny Harry Potter thing going on. All secret from the outside and ultra mesmerising from the inside. Unfortunately the front of house lady didn’t share our enthusiasm and met us with a disdained look of ‘what?’. Admittedly we both felt like we had hugely inconvenienced her by turning up for our booking. But finally being able to grab some slow-paced ME time meant that personally I didn’t give a hoot. But if it had been for a special occasion treat there’s no doubt I would have been a touch ‘meh’.
The Afternoon Tea
So anyway, The Buddha Bar was almost empty, but we had come for the food and a catch up. So lack of a bustling atmosphere wasn’t really a thing. And like I said before, I totally bet that this place rocks out to the max during the rush.
Once seated, we got asked for our choice of tea and were given the food menu by a super friendly chap, who totally redeemed his grumpy friend.
The best bit about afternoon tea at the Buddha Bar is that it’s unusual. Sandwiches are completely replaced by a selection of pan Asian goodies. Pretty cool huh?
*On our visit tuna tartare was featured on the menu which neither of us wanted to try. Our waiter happily switched this for a duplicate of something else. I switched for another steamed bun and Ed switched for another spring roll.
The first course was really delicious. By far my favourite thing was the crispy black cod and mushroom wonton. One just wasn’t enough though and I could have easily had 3! At least.
There didn’t seem to be a lot of food, but after devouring the plate over blogging, Instagram and social media tips, it turned out to be quite filling!
Unlike most afternoon teas, this one didn’t include an unlimited pot of tea. But we were given a big glass bottle of drinking water to share and for us that was more than enough.
Dessert Time
You can’t have afternoon tea without a good dessert right? They didn’t disappoint and although I could have gobbled more, the sweet treats certainly did the trick. Aren’t they pretty!
Overall thoughts
Afternoon tea at the Buddha Bar reminded me of a 2 course tasting platter. There was less focus on abundant cups of tea but more effort on delivering high end nibbles that tickled your taste buds. I think it’s fair to say that we came away happy but wanting more. I’d definitely recommend it for a grownups afternoon tea treat.
Sounds like an interesting version of afternoon tea! I love the look of the setting, but I’m not sure that I could ditch my traditional afternoon tea!! I guess it makes for something different though!! Glad you and Ed had a good catch up though! #DreamTeam
Sounds delightful. The teapots are so cute… wonder where I can get one? I’d love to do more afternoon teas but with dairy intolerance it invariably ends in disaster and stress. Glad you enjoyed some me time #wellbeing #dreamteam
I love afternoon tea – there is just something so sophisticated about it. But I love a full spread where I can select what I want. I don’t like it to be served on a tray and brought to the table. Coffee and tea must be bottomless. Oh and no skimping on quantity and then I am expecting to pay a fortune. Thanks for sharing and that macaroon just literally made my mouth water fro one.#Dreamteam
Haven’t had a good afternoon tea in ages! I’m afraid if a scone isn’t served then it’s not really afternoon tea 🙂 I love the look of the first course, that and scones would have been perfect! #DreamTeam
Oh my! *swoons* You know what a cake fiend I am… but those savouries actually won me over! They look incredible! So pleased you got to enjoy some much deserved me-time! x #DreamTeam
The food looks so good! And the dessert, just beautiful! I would have been happy too, that the hustle and bustle were absent. And for a brief blog-dream kind of moment, I envisioned meeting you there for a spot! Now that would delight me! #dreamteam xoxo
Just popping back again because someone loved this post so much, they added it to the BlogCrush linky! Congratulations! Feel free to collect your “I’ve been featured” blog badge 🙂 #blogcrush
This looks incredible. Especially that dessert platter. I’m a sucker for a good afternoon tea spot. #dreamteam
Not usually a fan of afternoon tea but that does look pretty good!
Sounds like an interesting version of afternoon tea! I love the look of the setting, but I’m not sure that I could ditch my traditional afternoon tea!! I guess it makes for something different though!! Glad you and Ed had a good catch up though! #DreamTeam
Sounds delightful. The teapots are so cute… wonder where I can get one? I’d love to do more afternoon teas but with dairy intolerance it invariably ends in disaster and stress. Glad you enjoyed some me time #wellbeing #dreamteam
I love afternoon tea – there is just something so sophisticated about it. But I love a full spread where I can select what I want. I don’t like it to be served on a tray and brought to the table. Coffee and tea must be bottomless. Oh and no skimping on quantity and then I am expecting to pay a fortune. Thanks for sharing and that macaroon just literally made my mouth water fro one.#Dreamteam
That all looks absolutely scrumptious! And now I’m really hungry! Thanks for sharing, I’ll definitely be paying visit #DreamTeam
Soffy // themumaffairs.blogspot.com
This just makes me jealous that I don’t live in the UK. Looks awesome. #DreamTeam
Looks smashing, I like different stuff. Pitty about the lady at the front of house.
This looks so grown up and fancy. What a lovely treat! #dreamteam
Haven’t had a good afternoon tea in ages! I’m afraid if a scone isn’t served then it’s not really afternoon tea 🙂 I love the look of the first course, that and scones would have been perfect! #DreamTeam
Oh this looks like an inter4sting twist on a traditional tea, nice to see they replaced the tuna for you #DreamTeam
This looks so good, what a beautiful place to enjoy eating and drinking at X #dreamteam
Wow! This looks fab! #DreamTeam
Oooo I love afternoon tea! And this seems like a nice twist on the traditional style. Those puddings look delicious! Mmmm #blogcrush
Oops sorry – I mean #dreamteam x
It does look great. It’s not too far for us, so might just give it a whirl!
#DreamTeam
Oooooh this looks and sounds divine! I’m a massive afternoon tea fan, and that dessert list sounds heavenly… hungry now!!!
#DreamTeam
Everything looked so delicious! That chocolate cake in the last picture had my mouth watering. #DreamTeam
I love afternoon tea and I love Asian food so this is right up my street. If only we still lived in London! #dreamteam
That looks absolutely stunning! I do love puddings 🙂 I’ve walked past there a few times but never actually gone in.
Making me hungry! Looks like an interesting take on afternoon tea #dreamteam
This sounds incredible! We’ll definitely have to add this to our vacation spot list! Thanks for sharing!
#DreamTeam
Oh my! *swoons* You know what a cake fiend I am… but those savouries actually won me over! They look incredible! So pleased you got to enjoy some much deserved me-time! x #DreamTeam
Never heard of this place and good to find out more. Got to love an afternoon tea! #DreamTeam
Those macarons look delicious! Definitely quite the alternative afternoon tea
#dreamteam
That dessert just looks so fab. YUMMY! and glad you got away for a bit without a kiddo in tow
#dreamteam
Katelynn, hampersandhiccups.com
That looks delish! I can’t resist a macaroon! #dreamteam
The food looks so good! And the dessert, just beautiful! I would have been happy too, that the hustle and bustle were absent. And for a brief blog-dream kind of moment, I envisioned meeting you there for a spot! Now that would delight me! #dreamteam xoxo
Oh gosh this looks amazing!!!!! the décor, menu and the service too! jealous!! #dreamteam
Annette, love it. Just put up this link as my “blog crush” at lucyathome.co.uk #BlogCrush linkup.
Aww thanks so much Jean! Xx
I have never head an afternoon tea and love the idea of the blend of the classic UK high tea with international cuisines #dreamteam
What a n interesting place #DreamTeam
We had a really similar experience a few years ago when it was elsewhere, snooty hostess but good food included. Love afternoon tea! #DreamTeam
I’m a bit fussy on the sandwich front so I like their alternative!! Looks yummy #DreamTeam
Just popping back again because someone loved this post so much, they added it to the BlogCrush linky! Congratulations! Feel free to collect your “I’ve been featured” blog badge 🙂 #blogcrush
Oh wow! It sounds like such a lovely experience. I love the sense of ceremony and the food looks and sounds delicious