26-04-2025
The new whimsical afternoon tea inspired by one of Shakespeare's best-known plays
A new afternoon tea has arrived in London inspired by Shakespeare's A Midsummer Night's Dream, with whimsical charm and themed cocktails.
Created by the geniuses behind The Secret Garden Afternoon Tea, Taj 51 has created their latest literary-themed afternoon tea inspired by this over 400-year-old play, with romance, confusion and magic.
Launching on April 23, the tea features five 'acts', beginning with a potion inspired by the Elixir of Enchantment love potion slipped to the sleeping lovers by Puck, then moving onto savouries and the sweets for acts two and three.
The tea features five 'acts', beginning with a potion inspired by the Elixir of Enchantment love potion. (Image: Switched On Comms)
The setting couldn't be more apt for this afternoon tea, with the historic courtyard of this Grade I listed building featuring a hand-carved frieze depicting many of Shakespeare's most famous plays.
Afternoon tea is served in the Kona restaurant featuring whimsical décor, with toadstools, fairies and foliage to recreate the setting of the play.
This Grade I listed building features a hand-carved frieze depicting many of Shakespeare's most famous plays. (Image: Switched On Comms)
Savouries included fillings like spiced butternut squash hummus and caramelised onion, orange-zested ricotta and cucumber, dill cream cheese and smoked salmon, thyme roasted chicken and apricot mayo, and finally roast beef and horseradish cream served in a brioche bun.
The savouries were a mix of both sandwiches and pastries with a variety of flavours, and as far as savouries go the Taj certainly didn't disappoint from when I visited last.
The savouries were a mix of both sandwiches and pastries with a variety of flavours. (Image: Switched On Comms)
Moving onto the sweet treats, this was where the whimsical charm really came in, with butterflies, flowers and edible silver leaf to conjure up a fairy-themed feast inspired by foraging in the forest.
Sweet treats included the Heart of Love and Confusion chocolate and tropical mousse, the Enchanted Forest tarragon and cherry mousse, the Mystical Grove lemon and pistachio choux pastry, and finally finishing with the The Blood of Pyramus & Thisbe tart served with blackberries.
The sweet treats was where the whimsical charm really came in. (Image: Switched On Comms)
The sweet treats created by the talented team were certainly impressive to the taste, with an experimental mix of flavours like tarragon and cherry and lemon and pistachio.
The sweet treats definitely were what won me over with this afternoon tea and I would struggle to pick a favourite.
The event was finished off with a round of freshly baked scones. (Image: Switched On Comms)
Finally the event was finished off with a round of freshly baked scones, served with an array of preserves and clotted cream, as well as a Puck's Magic – a colour-changing cocktail served in a decorative flower-shaped glass.
Whether you've experienced afternoon tea at the Taj 51 or not, their latest afternoon tea is well worth a visit if you enjoy one with a theme.
The Midsummer Night's Dream Afternoon Tea at Taj 51 is priced at £75 a person, with options available for vegetarians and vegans, with bookings available on Fridays to Sundays.
