The London Tea Room has been a beloved St. Louis staple for 18 years in one form or another. It moved from Tower Grove South to Downtown West in 2022, then shuttered that space in 2024, but now it’s back in a new location. Throughout the years, it’s been run by members of the Richardson family, who are British immigrants that missed good tea after moving to the States. The newest version at 255 Union Blvd. in DeBaliviere Place just north of Forest Park is swanky yet homey, inviting and chic. During the build-out, designer Dottie Eaton restored historic floors and wood paneling, and she lets their glory shine in the space that is full of light thanks to walls of windows.
The tea room is run by the younger Richardsons, Joshua and Nathan, but their aunt Jackie James still has a hand in its success because she is a certified tea sommelier who heads The London Tea Merchant, the company that supplies the teahouse with its delicious teas. The most popular tea on the regular menu is the Naughty Vicar, a black currant, jammy tea that is perfect with milk and sugar. While Nathan’s grandmother at first did not approve of this cheeky name, it helped the tea and the business gain notoriety with customers. The menu offers seasonal teas as well, like the Dickens’ Christmas Blend, which is tart and cinnamony. The teahouse also has a retail shop that sells loose teas.
Nathan is the general manager and runs the kitchen. His menu is a marvelous mix of sweet and savory British bites. He and his team make clotted cream and soft scones fresh daily. The scone flavors change seasonally. At the time of publication, the menu featured Coronation Waldorf salad on a croissant, cashew butter and roasted red pepper bruschetta, and the requisite cucumber sandwich, among other savory items. For sweets, there were lemon meringue tarts, spiced Linzer cookies with raspberry jam, pumpkin and cranberry scones, and more. Nathan also knows when to call in the pros and order from experts instead of crafting certain items in-house. He buys cheesecakes from Hank’s and pasties that taste like a Sunday roast in a crust from Mr. Hand Pie.
Midwesterners are lucky to have this gorgeous British tea experience in the city. Get ready for an excellent cuppa.