The V&A Cafe

£8 - £20 / British, European, Vegetarian options

Cromwell Rd, London

Awards

Excellent Quiche 2024

Opening hours

10AM-5PM

Sunday 10AM-5PM
Monday 10AM-5PM
Tuesday 10AM-5PM
Wednesday 10AM-5PM
Thursday 10AM-5PM
Friday 10AM-9PM
Saturday 10AM-5PM

Luxurious Ambiance: A Museum Café Delight

Nestled within the ornate corridors of London's glorious Victoria and Albert Museum, the V&A Cafe offers visitors a dual sensory feast. As you enter, the splendor of the high ceilings adorned with opulent Victorian decor captures your gaze, setting the mood for an elegant yet accessible dining experience. While some patrons lament the self-service chaos during peak hours, others revel in the rhythmic clinking that accompanies the clearing of tables. With live piano notes dancing through the air, the ambiance is undeniably one of the highlights, transforming ordinary museum-goers into daydreaming monarchs savoring their coffee in palatial surroundings.

On my recent mid-morning diversion to this enticing café, I delightfully encountered quintessential British treats: crisp scones slathered with clotted cream encompass both taste and tradition. The café’s forte, arguably, lies in these simple joys rather than its elaborate entrees, which many patrons describe as lackluster. It may be wise to curb grand culinary expectations and instead indulge in delightful afternoon teas while enjoying a covey of artistic elegance. Despite a few snags with service consistency and pricing pangs reflective of its prestigious postcode, the V&A Café remains an enchanting nook—a picturesque spot where sustenance meets serenity amidst the majestic heart of London. — Audrey Al Dente