Oliver's Tea Room In Dickens Sweets & British Museum

Delicious and Delightfully Kitschy. My partner and I love this place. Every once in a while we like to go for the High Tea and to browse the British sweet shop.

The Service:

The waitresses are always friendly, pleasant, and attentive without hovering. But be forewarned: the atmosphere IS very casual, so one must occasionally wait to be noticed and seated, and if having your waitress spending time chatting with other customers is going to upset you, I recommend you opt for tea elsewhere. Don't be afraid to ask the staff for anything - they're very kind.

The Food:

There is a very impressive tea menu, with a wide variety of black, green, and herbal teas. A personal favourite is the Monk's Blend. The tea is served in tea pots with cozies, with china creamers, and the table is set with china teacups and various sweeteners. I assume that if one wanted lemon or honey with their tea, they only need to ask.

Beyond the tea, the food menu features a small selection of pies, scones, and other British favourites. The scone with devon cream and jam is filling, with a large, hot scone and generous amounts of cream and jam. The High Tea doesn't look like much when it arrives, but it is also definitely enough for a satisfying lunch, with a good variety of treats including sandwiches, savoury puff pastries, and petit fours.

There is nothing exotic or intriguing about the food menu. I would classify it as comfort food, but it is well done comfort food.

The Atmosphere:

If nothing else, come for the atmosphere, which reminds me of a fun, eclectic British grandmother's place. English kitsch is everywhere and always provides something to look at. There is a museum surrounding the tearoom, with various items that would interest a fan of British history (turn of the century onwards), including an upstairs room devoted to the Titanic.

There is a well-stocked British sweet shop, as well as a tea shop selling the teas featured on the menu, and place to buy handmade pies and pastries. There is also a variety store with an emphasis on baking and cake-decorating supplies. The entire place seems to be owned and run mainly by English expats. (I have met the owner, who is a very lovely lady.)

As I mentioned, the atmosphere is very casual. The patrons are mostly older folks who enjoy taking tea in small groups, but I have seen other younger couples there as well. There is often a classic tv show playing on the television at a low volume (Keeping Up Appearances was on the last time we went), so even if one dines alone there is something to look at.

If nothing else, try it for the spectacular array of teas available. I haven't yet tried one I didn't like.

Has undergone some major changes during Covid. Tea room has moved. Seems smaller. Generous offering of sandwiches and pastries but some of the fillings were thin. Flavourful. Friendly staff. The museum is now closed but they have an eclectic collection of tea cups and pots. There is now a new room for tea sales. Clean. Continue to support Covid safety protocols with hand sanitizer available. Tables well spaced.

I love shopping at dickens! It’s always a treat to get to pick up some cool baking supplies, a fun gift for a friend, a bag of sweets for my own sweet tooth, a ginger beer and a teapot all in one run! ❤️ haven’t been able to try the high tea yet, hopefully soon. I just wish they were open later they always close at 4 so I don’t get in much due to work.

I was so pleasantly surprised by this place! There's tons of baking and decorating supplies and all sorts of imported food. The museum had so much to look at and my toddler enjoyed looking through the books. Unfortunately the tea room was closed but we will be back!