Pop on a sweatband and don your whitest clothes, as Wimbledon is back. If you didn’t manage to get tickets this time around, you can still mark the occasion with these tennis-tinged desserts, cocktails and afternoon teas from London’s restaurant and bar scene. Well, it beats a punnet of strawberries. Read on to see the Wimbledon treats on offer and book a table today.
Gillray’s Steakhouse, Southbank
What: Toast to Wimbledon with Gillray’s free flowing G&T Afternoon Tea. For 90 minutes, enjoy endless Gin & Tonics, or swap them out for a Pimm’s to drink alongside your tea while watching the match. It’s the full Wimbledon effect without the sweltering tennis court heat.
How much: Wimbledon afternoon tea, £39 per person
Where: London Marriott County Hall, Westminster Bridge Road, SE1 7PB
The Ivy Café, Wimbledon
What: This branch of The Ivy is celebrating with a special Champagne Strawberries and Cream cocktail which blends strawberries, fruits, vanilla and champers, as well as dishing out a twist on its signature chocolate bombe dessert, this time comprising a white chocolate bombe served alongside fresh strawberries and shortbread.
How much: Champagne Strawberries and Cream cocktail, £10.50 and Centre Court Chocolate Bombe, £9.25
Where: 75 High Street, Wimbledon Village, SW19 5EQ
Lanes of London, Mayfair
What: It’s game, set and match at Lanes of London where you’ll find a tasty, drool-worthy afternoon tea, served daily from midday until 5pm. Alongside sandwiches and scones, you’ll find Wimbledon-inspired desserts such as a white chocolate ‘tennis ball’ topped with pistachio, basil and strawberries, and a cream trifle with Champagne jelly and strawberries.
How much: Wimbledon afternoon tea, £29.50
Where: London Marriott Hotel Park Lane, 140 Park Lane, W1K 7AA
Manetta’s Bar at Fleming’s, Mayfair
What: For an elegant way to mark the tournament, indulge in an upmarket Eton Mess at Manetta’s. Its Wimbledon package for two includes a glass of Champagne Devaux per person and an Eton Mess sharing dessert, which tastes just as lovely as it looks. Champagne and strawberries…well, how else would you celebrate Wimbledon?
How much: Wimbledon package, £22.50
Where: Flemings Mayfair, 7-12 Half Moon Street, W1J 7BH
P.F. Chang’s Asian Table, Covent Garden
What: Just like you can’t have Sonny without Cher, you can’t have Wimbledon without strawberries. At US import P.F. Chang’s, you can get your hands on the Grand Slam dessert, which includes fresh strawberries and cream with meringue, a dainty white chocolate tennis racket and a macaron tennis ball – we think you’ll love it (geddit?).
How much: £5.25
Where: 10 Great Newport Street, WC2H 7JA
The Promenade at The Dorchester, Mayfair
What: The Dorchester is serving up its annual Wimbledon afternoon tea for the duration of the tournament. Tennis fans can tuck into the likes of the Wimbledon Tennis Sponge made with lemon verbena, strawberry, white chocolate and cream ganache, alongside a glass of Champagne with strawberries and cream.
How much: Wimbledon afternoon tea, £70 per person
Where: 53 Park Lane, W1K 1QA
Restaurant at Sanderson, Fitzrovia
What: We usually wouldn’t recommend biting into tennis balls, but at the Sanderson they’re encouraging dinner guests to do just that. This illusionary dessert is made to look like a tennis ball, and is made from yuzu and bergamot, alongside crispy meringue and fresh berries. It’s sure to taste like summer in a bowl, or…a ball.
How much: Dessert, £11
Where: The Sanderson, 50 Berners Street, W1T 3NG
William’s Bar & Bistro at The St James’s Hotel, Mayfair
What: If you’d rather get your sweetness fix from a drink than a dessert, head to Seven Park Place where you can sip on a Wimbledon-themed cocktail, called Kiss My Line. The tipple combines flavours typically associated with the tournament, including strawberry and basil liqueur and strawberry jam flavoured gin. Cheers to that!
How much: Kiss My Line cocktail, £16
Where: 7-8 Park Place, St. James's, SW1A 1LS
Besides the restaurants in the feature, Lanson has a few of its own recommendations:
Best place to enjoy Wimbledon outdoors: The Apex Temple Court
Best places to enjoy Champagne Afternoon Tea: Reubens at the Palace
Best place to enjoy Lanson with caviar: Caviar House & Prunier
Best Food Pairing: Grosvenor House
Best place to enjoy Wimbledon if you live outside London: Champany Inn, Edinburgh
If you’d rather be close to the action, take a look at our pick of the best restaurants in Wimbledon here.