Cheerily nestled in the shadow of St Pauls Cathedral, Tea is the place to be if you’re looking for a quick, laid back cuppa.

The Venue
Part of the lineup of modern restaurants and bars lining Paternoster Square, Tea is perfectly positioned to catch both City workers and wandering tourists. Solid wood tables and chairs give the place an earthy ambience, but it’s complemented nicely with the hip decor, like the industrial-style ceiling and the green brick wall behind the counter.

The Atmosphere
The atmosphere at Tea is ultra-modern (without being snooty) and totally healthy (without a whiff of hippie patchouli). The patrons are a mix of tourists popping in after negotiating the halls of St Pauls, along with loads of City folk who stop by for breakfast, lunch, or just a quick tea break.

Breakfast attracts the biggest and most hectic crowds, partially due to Tea’s philosophy that the morning meal is the most important one of the day...and once you’ve tasted their pastries, you won’t be arguing. The rest of the day the atmosphere is much more chilled out, with lone drinkers sipping and reading a paper and couples chatting over their cups and saucers.

The Food
Although perhaps not a dinner destination, Tea knows what it’s capable of and does it well. You won’t find any posh meals on the menu but there’s plenty of sandwiches that are perfect for a quick bite and cakes, croissants and scones that are deliciously filling. If you’re in a traditional mood, go for the refreshing cucumber sandwich or the sweetly tart pear and ginger scones, which come served with fresh organic cream and fruity organic strawberry jam.

The Drink
But the main attraction of Tea is, of course, the tea. Divided up into five different categories (black, oolong, green, white, infusion and super), the teas all give you the maximum natural benefits. Prices are slightly higher than your average coffee chain, but with their seasonal and organic policy, that’s to be expected. You won’t find any PG Tips in this place.

What you will find, however, is a huge menu that’s easy to figure out even if you’re not a tea snob. From classics like English Breakfast and Earl Gray to exotic greens like the sweet chestnut-flavoured Dragon Well and the subtle Jasmine Silver Needle, they’ve got plenty of teas to suit your mood. And if you need a boost, go for the Superteas, which are specially designed for busy Londoners just like yourself. Serenitea is a fruity blend which tastes as good as it smells and is meant to de-stress, while the classically-flavoured Eternitea is full of anti-aging benefits.

The Last Word
If you’re in the mood for a cuppa, Tea’s got plenty to suit your tastes. It might cost you more than filling up the office kettle, but it’s certainly cooler than afternoon tea at the Ritz.

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