High Tea
50 Highgate High Street Highgate Village London N6 5HX
Highgate locals are prone to whining about the takeover of their high street by chains, so it comes as little surprise that everyone from arty students to pensioners has embraced this cute newcomer. No one comes here to grab an Americano. As its candy pink facade and the crooners on the stereo suggest, Highgate’s High Tea is a place best savoured at leisure – a café for afternoon tea (and morning coffee), yet one which balances nostalgia with crisp modern style. So, tea – loose-leaf and blended in-house, naturally – comes in pretty china teacups and with milk in a cow creamer. Nibbles are all homemade: fresh scones and classic British cakes such as lemon drizzle served in generous portions by charming waitresses. And to round off a perfect afternoon, you can browse its small gallery and crafty knick-knacks for sale, including those adorable cow creamers.
