Time For Tea

A friend of mine took me here a couple of months ago. At first I wondered where on earth she had brought me.
As I stepped inside I felt as if I had wandered through a time warp. I’m not quite sure which decade I was in but it certainly wasn’t 2010.
I stumbled over one of the owners in full overalls fixing his vintage motorbike by the front door. It honestly felt like I was in their front room.
The décor was adorable. None of the tables and chairs match. I love the big rectangular table you can sit at with strangers, such a lovely touch. All the little nick nacks around the café (which I hear are also for sale) create a wonderful atmosphere. And what an atmosphere. It’s part Parisienne part War-​time, part bloody mental.
Through the back of the shop there is a little counter with a few cakes on offer. Behind the counter there are shelves heaving with battered tea cannisters all labelled with different teas I could barely pronounce. It’s like a treasure trove for tea-​lovers.
I had scones, jam and cream with assam tea. The scones were bloody marvellous and the tea exceptional. And all served in mismatched china tea sets which added to the charm.
The service was fast and totally silent. No-​one ever said a word to me. Infact the entire place was really peaceful. People reading the sunday paper, friends nattering in the corner and an old gramophone propped up in the corner.
And the bill. Just over £12 for three cream teas. Unbelievable.

Today i went for tea, cakes and gossip at Time For Tea in Shoreditch for my friend’s birthday.
There were a selection of teas to choose from and for 1 it was £2.50, 2 £3.50, 3 £4.50 and a pot for four was £5.50.
Unfortunately they had sold out of scones on the day (£2) but there was some cake left (£2.50) — though it was a bit dry.
It was a small, cosy place with very friendly owners — sporting some awesome handlebar mustaches — and a free jukebox playing all the 30s and 40s tracks. I also hear they have some events there too.
I had a nice time though I wasn’t bowled-​over by the place. I’d probably visit Time For Tea again — and look up one of their future events. oh I’m going to add half a star to my review since the owners were so lovely :) — so make that 3.5 stars.

This tea shop cum nik-​nak store recently opened in Shoreditch. Homemade cakes, British lunches and proper tea are the order of the day. While you sip tea from bone-​china tea sets you can browse the lamps, clothes, records, toys and other odds and ends, all for sale. It’s a charming place to take the weight off you feet.
I hear it also doubles as a cinema.