Swan at the Globe

I had a really pleased experience at Swan at the Globe. Very nicely decorated inside and with beautiful views over the River Thames, St Paul's Cathedral and other central landmarks. The staff was polite and welcoming and we were seated immediately. The place is very clean throughout. The food was very nicely presented and reasonably priced. They have a set menu that is very affordable. I had the 3 meals set menu and all the dishes I choose were really nice and tasty. I totally recommend the mushroom soup, pork cheeks and the fig tart. You won't be disappointed. I would definitely come back hopefully with a table by the window for the best city views. Enjoy!

Baby / toddler friendly. It's a great restaurant. I went there expecting upper crust gastropub, I got a middle market fine dine experience. The three course menu is great value! My favourite thing was the complementary bread and butter and the main course/roast. Really good drink selection and the waiting stuff have a great eye for detail.

Had a pleasant afternoon at the Swan. We had afternoon tea, as part of a voucher deal and the food was quite good. Tye interior is light and bright, with views beautiful over the River Thames. The staff was polite and welcoming and we were seated immediately. We went for a savoury and sweet afternoon tea each. The savoury is quite large but also quite delicious (pic below). We left feeling quite full. Would like to visit again for just a regular meal as most bit if the tea were quite nice.

I had a really nice experience here at the Swan. Myself and my partner are from a set menu which by all accounts was reasonably priced at £26.95 for three courses. We arrived a little bit late for our booking but we were still seated and I didn't feel we were rushed into eating. We had to choose our food pretty quick as the kitchen was closing as we were the last booking for the evening. But as we were late, we can only blame ourselves. The food we ordered was presented really nicely on the plate and was relatively filling. The waitress who served us was very nice and accommodating. Would I recommend the Swan, I really would. If you can get a window seat you will have a lovely view of St Paul's Cathedral which looks fantastic in the night sky of London.

Yum! We got dinner here before seeing a show at the Globe. Service was great, food was even better! We would absolutely come back, super convenient right next to the theater. We got the sourdough bread (complimentary), ribeye, the pork belly, and the sticky toffee pudding. All excellent!

Great looking place. Beautiful views of the Thames and St. Paul’s cathedral. Staff are very nice but slightly disorganized. Regarding the food, the dishes we had were presented nicely but ended up being bland in flavour. Crab cakes were cooked nicely but lacked flavour. Hummus was very boring to eat. Fish and chips lacked a nice crisp and had the skin on the cod (wasn’t necessarily gross or anything, just did not appear as a nice clean piece of fish like I’d expect). Also the beer from the tap was not very cold either oddly enough.

Lovely environment by the River Thames, friendly staff and delicious food! Good price for the three course meals. Would definitely recommend for people who enjoy an ambient dining environment

Lovely restaurant, with a good selection of mid/high priced food. Not ridiculous but certainly not cheap. The sticky toffee pudding was one of the best I ever had. The pudding and the ice cream really complemented each other well. For the main I had an aubergine steak, delicious, but quite small. The sort of place you go for the taste of the food rather than ensuring you are full up!

Afternoon tea is a quintessential London experience for visitors. In doing research, I found that Swan is listed in various blogs and so I gave it a try! In summary, this is an option to be considered if you are mindful of budget and are it is an efficient location near attractions. I would not recommend for someone looking for a memorable afternoon tea experience. We'll start on the high note... Pros: - Location - Swan is nestled in among many iconic London attractions. It shares the building with Shakespeare's Globe Theatre and is easy to find either by walking - we personally enjoyed the lovely Thames river walk - or you can also arrive via the relaxing Thames Uber boat. - Price - Many afternoon tea locations are upwards of £50. Swan has affordable options at £40. I ordered the Classic Afternoon Tea and left with a full tummy! - Alternate Diet Options - I am not sure if this has become common everywhere, but there were a variety of menus including vegetarian and vegan! - View - It seems like for anyone doing afternoon tea, you get seated upstairs with a view of the Thames and St. Paul's Cathedral across the river. The windows were cracked open to let in a lovely breeze. It was gorgeous and relaxing. Cons: - Food Quality - I am an American and I have to say that the scones tasted like doughy biscuits. Other scones I've had in London were flaky and flavorful but these did not impress. I even asked an English couple next to me what they thought, and they said these scones tasted like the kind you get in a complimentary hotel buffet. The dessert items were fine too, but reminded me of the kind of treats you get from event catering. Compared to bakeries, these treats didn't taste like they were made with craft and care. The sandwiches were 80% bread and 20% filling, but I will admit that I am not sure if that is typical of afternoon tea or not. - Service - For a location that advertises Shakespearean-themed tea, I was surprised that no one did an explanation of the menu or how the items are themed. Seems like a missed opportunity to take this tea from being simply tea to being an experience. In general, service was fine - nothing to complain about and nothing notable. - Atmosphere - It was a pretty place, but aside from a wall of photos of the Shakespeare's Globe plays, there wasn't anything that really themed it to Shakespeare. And if you're still planning to visit here are some other info based on my experience: - Don't forget to book a reservation. But only book if you are sure because there are cancellation fees. - In looking around at other guests while I was there, it does not look like there is a dress-code. This might be a plus for someone trying to do a variety of activities in one day!

The food and atmosphere were great! Toffee pudding was spectacular, not too sweet, and the toffee sauce was yummy and pooled around pudding. It is located right on the river, so it has a wonderful view, too.

Had afternoon tea at the swan before seeing a show at the globe and the experience was great! The closest proximity made it super easy to relax without needing to worry about being late for our show. Food was good, not the best afternoon tea, but good for the price. Service was also great. We asked to be moved due to a very loud table near us and they were super accommodating. Overall an enjoyable afternoon.

I got the multiple course meal, and it definitely filled me up! I enjoyed the options we had and the food tasted fresh and was a good amount. It was the cutest environment as well. Service was fast too.

Beautiful location with the Thames river view right next to Shakespeare's Globe. I am not into sweets so I was happy to see their savory Afternoon tea options (GENTLEMAN'S TEA ) Black pudding Scotch egg Beer battered Scottish haddock and chips Arbroath smokie, horseradish cream toast Slow-cooked pulled Scottish beef, gherkin, Scottish whiskey brioche bun Haggis, beetroot and apple tartlet Isle of Mult cheddar scone with Blue Murder cheese butter Cranachan, raspberry curd and vanilla bean namelaka filled tartlet We were 2 adults and 2 kids and asked our server if there were kids' option. He said no. So we did not want to be rude and ordered 3 regular and 1 Gentleman's afternoon tea. Unfortunately we could only finish 15 % of the food and left 2 towers untouched. I hate to waste food.

After touring the globe theater which I also highly recommend. I came here for lunch. The food is fantastic. This might be my favorite battered fish ever. The view is great. And prices reasonable. What sucks is the service is atrocious. They were strange from the go. They seemed surprised about needing to seat me. And then after seating me, it took 30 minutes to get someone to actually take my order. I'm pretty sure the wait staff just didn't communicate a shift change or something. I wouldn't come here if you are in a pinch for time. Or want to get a pleasant service experience.

The Swan was Exceptional! Service was incredible, staff always there and the food was worth every pound!

Had a wonderful lunch here before seeing a show at the Globe. The fish and chips was delicious!! The fish was perfectly beer battered-just how I like it and the fish was fresh. The chips were nice and crispy. A+!!!

We booked a 1:30 tea time and waited after they walked us up stairs for our table to be ready. The host was as surprised as we were that our table wasn't ready. The room overlooks the River, so it's a beautiful place to relax. The room was full, so make a reservation. The theme was Midsummer Nights Dream - which is appropriate since it is next to the Globe. They offer 4 different menus - the regular, vegetarian, vegan and savoury. We chose the regular and vegetarian. They were busy and service was spotty, but the food was decent and beautiful. You can also more savory sandwiches (included in the £40) and they gave us 2 scones each. Though lovely, I'd try a new place bc of the lack of service. We had to call a waiter over every time we needed something - to get water, to get menus, to order, to get another pot of tea, to get a new tea cup ... you get the idea. They did refund me the 12.5% service charge. Okay the rose tea soap and lotion in the bathroom - loved it.

Jamie W. was determined to have fish and chips at least once during our recent brief trip to London. You know...Pip-pip, cheerio and all that sort of rot. We thought we found a place in Borough Market called (amusingly) Applebee's, but the manager was rudely abrasive and kept us waiting outside the restaurant when he had plenty of open tables available. Buh-bye. Applebee's. Hello Swan. We were greeted a lot more thoughtfully here even though they were twice as busy. Without a reservation, we were led to their small lounge where luckily a couple of chaise lounges and a coffee table were ready to be inhabited by us. At first, we didn't see 'fish and chips' on the menu but soon recognized that they spun the name for a more gourmand palate. It was the £18 Curious Brew Battered Haddock which came with 'chunky chips', crushed peas, and tartar sauce. We both ordered it, and they arrived on huge wooden boards that took up most of the coffee table (photo: https://bit.ly/3P580fK). It was just what Jamie wanted, and I liked it, too, because the fish was fresh and flaky and the crust not too overwhelming. The chips were indeed thick steak fries in an aluminum cup, so we asked for a full bevy of condiments -ketchup, mustard, and mayo. The server was responsive and thoughtful with our idiosyncrasies and freely replenished our Diet Cokes without us having to ask. It was also a great location for tourists like us who enjoyed strolling along the Thames on Bankside next to Shakespeare's Globe Theatre. FOOD - 4 stars...authentic fish and chips done right AMBIANCE - 4 stars...convivial spot, great location SERVICE - 4.5 stars...the server was aces TOTAL - 4 stars...in hindsight, we're glad Applebee's treated us like dirt RELATED - Exploring London? Here's a collection of places I've visited and reviewed: https://bit.ly/3zFACrx

Reservations for afternoon tea are a must. Made ours weeks in advance, and there was only one 3:45m time slot left. Arrived early and, when asked, they let us sit as our table was available. Afternoon tea options included a Queen's, vegetarian, vegan, or Gentleman's tea. Mom and I ordered the queen's, daughter ordered the vegetarian, and the men ordered the Gentleman's teas. The sweets and scones were the same for the queen's and vegetarian teas. The scones with the clotted cream and strawberry preserves were the stand outs for me. So good! The tea sandwiches were ok and, unfortunately, the sweets were disappointing. The chocolate was grainy and the macaron was overly sweet. No real flavor to any of them. As for the Gentleman's tea, they were definitely filling. The hubs' fave was the sausage roll - flavorful even with the pastry being kinda hard. Rarebit had an interesting flavor. I thought the mashed peas were flavorful. The tiers were all presented beautifully and our table was overfilled with tea pots. Service was just ok. No one checked on us and we could've used more sugar cubes to go with our teas. Nice experience and I appreciated the options.

Our 3-course, prix fixe menu was terrific! Portobello mushroom soup with chestnut garnish was a highlight - braised shank, cheese platter - the whole meal was terrific! The atmosphere managed to be both formal (white table linens, well-set, service) and casual (friendly, view of the river, light, friendly). Would do it again!!

Disappointing. First time here was 4 years ago. Came because they were known for their Scotch eggs and they were delicious. They have no more Scotch eggs and no one here could tell me why. Their new menu is uninspiring and their beer menu has also shrunk. Got a couple of apps and left for a better place to dine. Inside is nice looks the same as it did first time around and the view of the river is great. Unfortunately I have no desire to come back. Bring back the eggs!

We had an impromptu dinner at Swan a few weeks ago when we were going to the Globe Theatre. Although we didn't have a reservation, it was early in the evening, and we were seated in the upstairs dining room. The bar downstairs was lively, crowded and very noisy. Upstairs was quiet, and it had a great view of the Thames and the city. I had fish that was delicious, and my partner had duck. I wasn't very hungry, but the server let me order just a main rather than an entire meal. Nevertheless, I ended up sharing my partner's white chocolate raspberry tart that was so good we found a recipe and made it at home (though it wasn't quite as good as Swan's). Swan is a very nice restaurant whether you're going to the Globe or not!

When in London, one must try fish & chips and Swan is the place. It was the best fish & chips that I had in long time. The beer batter was light and not oily. The Haddock was fried perfectly, crunchy, and melted in your mouth. Potatoes chips were fat, tasty, and plenty. Never had smashed peas with fried fish but it was surprisingly good and went well with the meal. Service was friendly and prompt. Our orders came quickly and served hot.

Delightful place. First off, great location. I came in around 3:30 on a Tuesday and it was pretty quiet. The staff were very friendly, and the "lounge" seating was very cozy. The menu has a good range of tasty bits and drinks. I got a mock tail, then cream tea. Lovely view of the river, right by Shakespeares Globe. I would come back and recommend to anyone.

Decided to visit Swan before a play at the globe. I definitely suggest a reservation. We wanted to do afternoon tea, but the only reservations available were at the bar. We were sat at a very nice table with a view. We had the summer crudités, wings and Sticky Toffee Pudding. The apps are what you'd expect. However, the Sticky Toffee Pudding- yum. It was a cool day, with on and off sprinkles. Paired the pudding with a coffee and it was everything. If you want to do dessert before the show, I'd recommend.

Great views and nice location. Good selection of vegetarian options. Very slow service

[Insert witty Shakespeare quote about under performance here] I wasn't impressed with any of the dishes we tried. It was that it was bad by any means, it just lacked oomph. It needs some soul. There was contrast here. Amazing presentation but meh food. Polite service staff but super slow. Great location, well lit but underwhelmingly dim.

Outstanding food and great service. We had the roast lamb dinner for two. It was pricey but it was wonderful and we had a great view of the river. Basically you are paying a premium for the location.

Every morsel presented in the decadent tower of treats was artfully made. But of all the impressive nibbles, the scones were by far the most scrumptious. Imagine a lovely laminated crust that just crumbles a little when you split open the soft, airy biscuit (I mean scone). The clotted cream and house made preserves were also sublime. Surprisingly we were not able to finish off the sweet feast. So we had the remainder boxed up to enjoy in our hotel room. The macron, bon bon, jelly and mini cake were all perfect. Was this afternoon tea experience worth £35 per person? Absolutely.

If you are going to see a play at The Globe (as you should...it's fabulous and I don't care if you think you can't understand it...google a synopsis and let the actors do the rest), then you simply must visit The Swan next door. It does get pretty busy, but we found a table on the patio. Unfortunately, it did not have the view of the Thames, so being the obnoxious American that I am, I asked a gentleman with a table for six if we could share it with him. The ex-Pat Russian attorney living in Turkey and trying a case in London (does it get any more cosmopolitan? I just love London!) was delighted to have two lovely women join him. We both could not pass up the Shepard's Pie...the best I have ever had...with the peas and carrots mixed in with what seemed to be a Guinness gravy over beef was savory underneath a layer of crusted mashed potatoes. The view of the Globe, the people in the street, the boats on the river, that pie, good conversation, and a frosty, crisp cider made for a perfect pre-play party. The service was outstanding as well. You definitely can't miss it.

Pub right next to the globe theater. It was pretty crowded but the staff was good and attentive. Had an issue with my card (USA Bank thought a beer was fraud and declined the sale). The barman comped it out to me and said, "Have a nice show." I will be back to this place next time I'm in town. This time with cash at a minimum. But also I want to try the food too.

Came here for afternoon tea. It was absolutely amazing. The ambience and the service are both wonderful. There was so much food that can with the afternoon tea Tower. The sandwiches were delicious and the scones were probably the best I have ever had. There were also lots of options for teas including herbal for those of us who can't have caffeine. Would love to come here again next time I'm in London.

First off, what a location! You get a gorgeous view of the city from its windows in certain parts of the pub, and the interior is beautifully lit to create an intimate setting, despite it being a touristy spot. It does get loud, though, so be prepared to shout out most of what you say to your friends/ family members. Being located right next to The Globe, you can definitely expect it to be crowded at most times during the day and evening; however, even on a Saturday evening it didn't take long for two of us to be seated in the corner room, which is a bit more secluded and quiet than the main dining area. The food is surprisingly good, and the menu offers enough that everyone in your party should be satisfied, kids included. I liked their fried chicken sandwich and fries, which were made all the better by something we Americans know nothing about: Brown Sauce. It goes on everything. Yes, everything. The drinks weren't bad, either, but also nothing to stand up and shout about. You can just be sure that you won't be disgusted by anything that you order. The staff is also surprisingly friendly and attentive, and do their best to accommodate your requests. Prices aren't cheap but, sans drinks, you shouldn't be breaking the bank, either. There are worse places to dine in the area, and I would definitely recommend coming once, for the experience.

Came here for afternoon tea after visiting Tate Modern. We didn't have a reservation but the receptionist made a table for us in the dining area by the bar with the view of Thames. It was a typical fancy afternoon tea with a three tier stand filled with savories and sweets but the price was reasonable compared to other places in London. Our server was lovely and attentive. She boxed all the leftovers for us to take.

If it's Saturday in Brazil you must eat Feijoida. If it's Sunday in the UK you must eat Sunday Roast. It might be a marketing gimmick, designed to get folks into restaurants on Sunday, but I couldn't help notice all of the special "Sunday Roast" menus I kept encountering. Sure, twist my arm, I'll have a Sunday Roast. But where? A recent article in the European Standard (ES) listed "The Best Sunday Roasts in London" and though they were listed in no particular order I made things easy, opting for the first one on their list: The Swan at Shakespeare's Globe, the official name of this place. The ES talked up places with puffy Yorkshires and top-quality, richly-flavored meat and even though this isn't the sort of fare I usually opt for I was up for the challenge. The restaurant portion of The Swan sits upstairs from its loud and crowded pub (at least the night I visited). Above, with Thames River views, it's quiet, serene even. Tables along the window are the most desirable though half your party will be faced inward, away from the view. Sunday Roast at The Swan is served in two courses (£29.50) or three (£32.50) and two will more than amply satisfy. The menu has 3 roast options each served with all the trimmings. Between two of us we tried the Dry Aged Rump of Beef and the Roast Free-Range Chicken (3rd option: Old Spot Roast Pork Belly). As starters we opted for Hot Smoked Salmon (with pickled apple, sour cream, and horseradish) and Fresh Mozzarella (with heritage tomato, shallot, and caper salad). With heritage tomatoes and pickled apples, if I'd considered only the starters I might have thought I was in California. What I learned about Sunday Roast is this: it's a whole lot of tryptophan-inducing comfort food. What I learned about The Swan is that they do an excellent job at preparing and serving that food, never rushing you along. I personally wasn't a fan of the cabbage in the side and was happy I chose the chicken over the beef but that said, this was just a very nice experience. So treat yourself. Head to The Swan for Sunday Roast then sit back and be served. Fill your belly with that comfort food while gazing out upon the iconic bridges and buildings dotting the skyline around the Thames. You're in no rush and neither is The Swan. Drink it all in. This meal in this location is the definition of satisfaction.

Located just outside the Shakespeare Globe Theater with a view of the Thames, Swan is quite a lovely place for a spot of tea or a bit of a bite. I came in to do both! I had just finished my tour of the Shakespeare Globe Theater which I highly recommend (see my review). I was just a little hungry and knew that I had quite a walking day ahead so I decided on something light. I ordered the Garden Vegetable Frites and fresh mint tea. The nibbles I decided on were very good. There was an assortment of golden fried seasonal vegetables and a tangy saffron & garlic mayonnaise to dip. It was quite delish and recommend it to those who eat vegetarian. The space of Swan is casual, clean and comfortable. The service was wonderful as my server was very friendly and attentive. Everything was great- the nibbley bites, the feel and the service! Nice place.

We were looking for a good Sunday lunch and certainly found it here. It's nice to have a Sunday roast that hasn't been cremated or the veggies deep fried . The sides were very generous portions and we kept asking for more sides , more gravy etc and the staff kept bringing it. Beautiful views of the river and a genteel clientele round this off as a perfect Sunday lunch spot. We went at 12.30 and it wasn't too busy. It's expensive for a Sunday roast priced around £29-£30 per dish . My husband enjoyed the IPA which was imported from the US. Staff couldn't have been more helpful, polite and attentive. A credit to The Swan and the Shakespeare's Globe that it's attached to .

Came for brunch on a Saturday. Great spot on the Thames river and great food as well. Was also nice to get there early so it wasn't busy. The food was good but not a lot of variety. I would recommend regardless though. The place would serve anyone's needs and is a great spot to stop for food and get off the busy sidewalks.

After walking around the Globe, I lost all willpower and decided to check out Swan for my first official fish and chips meal in London. Call me cliche, but it's like Shakespeare says - a girl's gotta do what a girl's gotta do. The place is less like a bar and more like a trendy diner. I loved the long communal tables in the middle of the space, and that's where I sat. It also allowed for the opportunity to meet strangers sitting next to you! I shared the fish and chips and had a tea. The fish was tender, super fried, and a pretty big portion, and comes with pea mash, which I wish there was more of, because it was a winner. The tea was refreshing and came in a cute little set. It was all slightly expensive, and the location might be a reason for that. The service was pretty slow, even on a weekday afternoon. We had multiple people, so that may have confused things. But overall, it was a solid dining experience in a relaxing atmosphere. Oh and if you go to the bathroom, you'll see vintage photographs of plays from the Globe, which I thought was pretty cool.

We did a simple cream tea at the Swan. There are a million afternoon teas to pick from in London and throughout England so it can be a little overwhelming and I went in to our vacation feeling as though I had to do them all the time. Cream teas are less extravagant and don't leave you feelings as though you need to wear stretchy pants and avoid all other meals for the rest of the day. I really wanted to eat at this venue during our "Globe Day" for our trip and a simple cream tea filled me up and kept me warm before our matinee - just be sure you to take advantage of all restroom breaks - Shakespeare plays can be long so if you are seeing a show after your visit to the Swan plan that carefully.

Had such an amazing dining experience here! Got to have some afternoon tea with friends. While visiting London, we all knew we needed to have afternoon tea. The places we looked at were all booked in advance, unfortunately. And after attempting a different location and getting rejected since they were fully booked, we happened across Swan. They too were fully booked as well, but the hostess immediately attempted to find us a table despite this fact. And after a few minutes, she came back with a spot for us! So A+ customer service already!! The bottom plate was definitely my favorite of course. The savory foods, ughhh those small finger sandwiches are to die for. On the second plate were the scones, which were absolutely delicious! They melted in your mouth. On the final third plate on top were the sweet sweet desserts. All of them tasted amazing! The restaurant was I believe three floors, and the ambiance of the whole place is a big WOW! Modern, gorgeous and cute all at the same time. Also, the location of the place is walking distance to many tourist areas.. Service is amazing, the tea was great and they offered different choices. I also got a cocktail or 'love potion' as they called it, which was super good (& strong hahah!).

Swan was ok. We were seated and given a menu. The menu was very small but it was fine. Where we ordered, the server looked confused at everything on the menu. We were later told to order again and did. We had to wait around 45 minutes for the food. The Carpaccio was good and my salmon was great. There was an event going on so the place was a bit hectic at the time.

The staff here went above and beyond for my sister's wedding! From the drinks, to the appetizers, to the entree, it was seamless. Let the pictures explain....

What a treat! Really nice teas (I had the dark chai and my friends had others) and the savory course was really good (we couldn't finish!) with different sandwiches, scones with clotted cream and jam, and desserts. Great view of the Thames is a bonus.

Located right next to The Globe, I figured this would be a tourist trap given its location but it was one of the only places open at 9pm on a Sunday night. I started with a G&T and ordered the soup for starters. Both were well made and nicely presented. The main course was the highlight of the meal though: A perfectly cooked sea bream, great flavor. The views are top notch (i was in the restaurant with only 2 other people so had my pick of tables) overlooking the Thames. Staff was top notch and never had to wait for anything. Great stop and worth the visit for the historic location, great views, and good cocktails.

I have had afternoon tea at quite a few places, including a couple in London, and the Swan's was by far my favorite! The atmosphere is perfect, elegant but not too snobby. The view of the Thames is beautiful. The theming for the afternoon tea is on point (A Midsummer Night's Dream), all the way down yo the plates and the teacups and saucers - side note: those plates were so beautiful I had to ask if they are sold at the shop, which wasn't the case. I got the regular afternoon tea, and every single item was delicious and the set overall was nicely balanced. They do also offer a Gentleman's Afternoon Tea option, which is all savory. The service was also great; which is not always the case when you're dining solo. I would definitely come back here next time I'm in London.

Was considering going to the Anchor but was not impressed by the menu and so asked the man at The Globe. He suggested the Swan saying that the pricing was about the same as the anchor but better quality. Certainly the menu seemed a little better Approximately £16 for a main course and £7 for a pint. Had the pie which was nice but needed a little salt ( but that is better than too much) Would I come again? Possibly

2 words - vegemite butter! not a fan of vegemite but swan turned it into a savory spread the view of millenium bridge and thames is spectacular and right next to historic globe theater.

This charming pub situated directly next to Shakespeare's globe is perfect for a pint before or after a show. My friend and I went for a drink in the late afternoon and enjoyed watching the boats moving along the Thames. As a tourist, I would say this should definitely be on your must-visit list. It is also a great ending point to a lovely stroll along the river. With this being quite touristy, I expected drinks to be on the pricier side but was happy to see that drinks were well-priced. Cocktails were also given a unique Shakespearean twist.

Swan gets all the stars in my book! This was probably the best dinner I had while in London. From the classy decor to the beautiful views and excellent food, this was an excellent dining experience and it truly was an experience. The service was wonderful and the food was beautifully presented. We made reservations ahead of time as were were going to a show at the Globe and wanted to ensure we had enough time. It looked the the vibe and atmosphere were a bit different between the bar area/first floor versus upstairs. Upstairs, where we were seated, seemed nicer, less chaotic with amazing views of the river and St. Paul's Cathedral. Since it was Sunday, the Sunday Menu it was! (2 Courses 29.50 or 3 courses 32.50). We were only expecting to get 2 courses but the meal was so good we stayed for a 3rd. The entire dinner was maybe 1.5-2 hours, they did not try to rush us and the service was not slow- everything come out in a good timed pace. It is a limited menu but there seems to be something for everyone from a meat to a veggie to a fish dish. For the main course I had the Roast (Old spot roast pork belly, baked apple sauce, all the trimmings) All the trimmings included potatoes carrots and onions. There was also bone marrow. Everything was seasoned perfectly and very tasty. For dessert or pudding, I had the most delicious custard of set vanilla cream with raspberry, timut pepper, candied almond. It was perfect. YUM! This really was such a good meal. Highly recommend.

Had a group "Sunday supper" here, and it was certainly a great way to experience this traditional British meal. We were seated in one of the upstairs rooms/spaces which had a very nice view across the River Thames. The meal started with a cold leek soup--cold soups aren't my favorite, typically, but this was decent enough. But the real star of the night was the over-the-top main course: a huge slice of delicious rare roast beef, bone marrow, Yorkshire pudding, cabbage, potatoes, carrots...and I simply forget what else. I just know it was a ridiculous plate of food, very hearty and very satisfying. After that I was very glad for the light dessert of raspberry panna cotta. Everything about the service was well done and those of us who chose to were able to linger until closing time to finish some wine and just catch up. I can't speak for the regular menu service, but I'd certainly recommend the Swan as a fine place to organize a group dinner or event and have it executed well.

The worst service I have experienced in a while. 30 minutes to get a beer. Took menus then did not take our order and had to track down. Not an issue of understaffing, so few people there and wow could they not get served without hunting down waiter.

Super busy before and after shows! I definitely recommend reservations! Luckily for us, we just wanted to grab a quick drink before the afternoon show at The Globe. We were seated in comfy leather chairs and shared a wooden coffee table with another couple. I loved the Shakespeare themed cocktails-- I'm a sucker for anything themed and cute. I had to try the Midsummer Night's Dream. It had prosecco, vodka, lemon, honey, bitters, and orange marmalade--- though it be a little cocktail, it was fierce! The marmalade was everything! I can't speak for the food, but it looked divine!

For me, experienced once sufficed. Loved their decor overall and especially the serving sets-absolutely cute and fun! The food was good. Nothing stood out from my memories afterwards. Mostly because I was busy exploring my surrounding and individual plate, cup, tea pot.....on our table of four people and had a very enjoyable time! Great experience which one should give it a try at least once!

Good spot for authentic afternoon tea！ You can enjoy both sweet afternoon tea and not sweet one as your choice. You can enjoy afternoon tea with casual clothes and there are nice view from the window. Reasonable price and only known for local customs.

I enjoyed "A Midsummer Night's Dream Afternoon Tea" prior to watching "A Midsummer Night's Dream" at Shakespeare's Globe. I loved the proximity to Shakespeare's Globe, and the attention to detail on the menu for the afternoon tea (which was set up so that each item was related to the play). I was seated by open windows, which allowed for a nice breeze. The staff was friendly, and the restrooms were clean. The only thing I would improve upon would be the sandwiches which were included in the afternoon tea, which I didn't really care for. However, it was an excellent experience overall and one that I would highly recommend!

I wanted to experience a proper tea while in London and ended up at Swan Shakespeare's Globe after touring the Tate Modern. Served from 11:30 am - 3:30 pm Monday thru Saturday and 2:00 - 3:30 pm on Sunday, it was the perfect afternoon pick-me-up. The restaurant itself is two levels, with the tea taking place on the top, more formal level. We were seated near a window which provided a great view of the River Thames and surrounding landmarks. For 26.50 pounds, we got a three tiered display of sandwiches, biscuits and desserts. We also ordered two pots of tea and, since I was feeling celebratory, a glass of Love Potion, a mix of Earl Grey infused gin, honey from the London Honey Co, blackberry puree and prosecco, topped with fresh blackberries. It was SO GOOD. Let's just say my dream of tea was more than fulfilled. It was such a nice respite from touring London and I would definitely recommend. Although this spot may be on the pricier side, the ambiance, service and quality of food was more than worth it!

I'll be honest. I don't like tea. However, having been in London for almost six weeks, afternoon tea seemed like a necessary experience. I went here with a group of 10 people. We were the only large group there, so we had an area all to ourselves. I had not eaten much that day so I decided to go with the gentleman's tea. Everything included with it was pretty good but not great. My largest qualms with the whole experience is that it felt like the workers did not want us there. I understand the large group of college students is not the usual afternoon tea crowd, but our money works the same as everyone else's. We weren't disruptive or rude. It just wasn't very welcoming.