The Library Lounge in Lambeth

The best breakfast in London, the food and ambience are sublime! And the view is spectacular. Great way to start the day; staff is very nice and warm, especially Jay, who takes good care of you and makes the whole experience amazing.

The views from the library windows are absolutely amazing. Tea was something special: we were offered an array of tea blends to smell from small pots and choose our blend. Otherwise, the food was good but not exceptional when taking the price into account.

O chá é completo e excelente. A vista incomparável. O serviço excepcional. O staff do hotel é impecável. Recomendável e imperdível.

Wonderful location. I but hard to find. I would have loved more interaction about tea options but the bottom line was the people were lovely and vegan canapés were delicious. I would definitely return.

Great tea spot for amazing views of Big Ben and parliament! Tetiana was our serving and was great!! Lots of different tea options!

Absolutely wonderful afternoon tea! The savory sandwiches were so delicious as well as the lovely desserts. The attentive service, the view of Big Ben and The River Thames along with the delicious food made my niece’s birthday celebration all the more special. Our server Christina provided excellent hospitality making this experience outstanding . Thank you Christina and The Library.

Great atmosphere and service here! The afternoon tea was good not great because the sandwiches were ok. The County Hall tea was our favorite! The desserts and scones were great! Also the cheese tart & truffled egg brioche bun alone give this experience a 5 star!

A very beautiful view of Bug Ben And I ordered evening tea 👍🏻👍🏻 Great place

We had a nice experience having High Tea at this cozy location. The interior is decorated with book shelves adorned with Roman statues, and Big Ben can be seen from the windows. The staff is helpful in guiding you through the experience, though some are perhaps a tad snooty about the whole thing. The sandwiches and scones were all super tasty, as was the tea - even though I'm not a big tea drinker. I'm less inclined towards sweets so the cakes weren't a big success for me, but for anyone who likes desserts I'm sure they'll be delicious. I was a bit worried about leaving hungry, but I was quite stuffed at the end of it. Recommended! Of course, you should keep in mind that it certainly is an expensive visit. We paid £65 per person, plus a mandatory 12.5% service charge. I'd say it's worth it for the experience though. I'd recommend reserving in advance - we got a table without a reservation but we were probably quite lucky. I'll give you a bit of a guide of what you can expect from the experience below. First off, finding the place is slightly tricky. Out on the street, next to the bridge leading to Big Ben, you'll see a small sign for The Library. As you enter the passage you'll come to a hotel entrance - go in and head left, soon enough you'll see signs guiding you. The menu is straight forward, you'll get the afternoon tea service which includes some small sandwiches, scones, and cakes. There are no selections to be made - all they'll want to know is whether you have any allergies. You can also get some refills of sandwiches if you want them. What you can select is twofold: What tea do you want? And do you want something extra to drink (champagne, sparking wine, or a cocktail)? If you don't know your teas, don't worry, they'll bring you a sample tray so you can smell some of the different options and choose accordingly.

Fascinating atmosphere and views! Scones was delicious!! I spend wonderful time! Maybe the best in my life. Sandwiches and cakes I would skip if it would be possible.

Lovely afternoon tea location with a great view! Although the service could be more attentive it was a great experience!

Obsessed with this place and the view of Big Ben! As a tourist, it feels so quintessentially London. The price is somewhat high but I think the overall experience makes it worth it. We thought it was fantastic.

£3 for chocolate powder and hot water, cheers fella

I am so glad we stopped in. Tea is something I've thought about doing my whole life. This was definitely worth the wait. Our server Christina was a wonderful guide for the experience. Her colleagues are also wonderful. I loved her tea recommendations, the Bora Bora which I tried first, and then the house blend. There are 3 different options: tea, tea w/ champagne and tea w/ sparkling wine. You only one glass, which is kind of a bummer for the extra 20 pounds, but understandable. You can get a few sandwich refills. The scones are delicious, especially when paired with the jams and cream. The cakes are pieces of art. I was worried I would still be hungry after, but I was extremely full by the end. Nice work!

The dessert is so bad. But the fee is expensive. The server who guided us to our seats was friendly, but the server who served tea and dessert was unfriendly and ignored our request for tea recommendations. The view is definitely good because it is Big Ben. However, I do not recommend it other than Big Ben. And they told me to leave after 30 minutes because there was a time limit. There was no advance notice about the time limit. I felt sorry that I couldn't get the price and recommended it to my friends and family. I hope you go somewhere else.

This place is amazing. Great view, great food and tea. Being surrounded by books and the river view, I truly had a wonderful time. The chocolate Big Ben cake is an art piece.

Went here for tea with a friend, place was busy but service was excellent and the tea was very tasty. Great views from the premises Staff service was exceptional as my friend left her Cardigan there and they phoned us to inform us, so we were able to pick it up before going home which saved us a trip

Our seats were lovely and the whole experience was perfect. Our waiter made sure we always had everything we wanted and was very attentive. The entire experience was worth every penny.

I just wanted to thank you again for such a wonderful afternoon for my friend's birthday celebration. We all had a fabulous time. Chandra was amazing from the start to the end and we couldn’t have wished for anything more.

We were served tea by Tetiana and it exceeded my expectations. The staff were all very polite and helpful, and the tea and accompaniments were delicious. Would come again!

Made welcome and service was good. We had a table looking out on Westminster Bridge and Big Ben which was great. The sandwiches let the tea down as had virtually no filling. The scones and cakes were delicious. Very expensive but it was an iconic London view.

Amazing high tea experience ever! Stunning views, delicious food and great service! Alessandro is the best server!

My friend and I had a WONDERFUL time. As Americans, this was the first time we had afternoon tea. We did the standard a la carte and fully enjoyed our time -- we even asked for additional sandwiches. The desserts were beautiful and delicious as well. Zero notes on the food. If we could give our server, Alessandro, more stars, we would. He was fantastic and attentive. We enjoyed his service a lot.

Cakes were very poorly made with fake flavour. Tea in a bag in a place like this is a crime. Definitely not worth the money.

Very pleasant high tea experience. The price is a little spendy but overall quite good.

The view on the Thames and Big Ben does not compensate the price (more than 90 £ per person) of a high-in-sugar 5 o'clock tea. The old library room could also do with a bit of refurbishment.

Very good with coeliacs. Tasty gluten free sandwiches and all desserts were gluten free. Quite pricey but plenty of food and stunning views over Westminster

My wife and I stopped by on a whim for afternoon tea. It was a great decision. The service was great and the food was excellent. Definitely the afternoon tea experience a tourist is looking for. One of the highlights of our trip to London.

Came here for the afternoon tea for a birthday and it's was exceptional. Beautiful venue with stunning views, and the food was delicious with huge range of options. We absolutely loved this afternoon tea and we're so impressed by the staff throughout, along with the service and quality of food and drinks

Exceptional high tea experience - the big ben shaped dessert was so cute! The waiter called Alexandro was so kind and attentive, I had to ask his name to write a review ☺️

This was a fantastic experience! Everyone was so friendly & our server, Chandra, was excellent & so helpful! Would recommend

The afternoon tea is a perfect London experience! The restaurant has a beautiful view of the Elizabeth Tower & river. The food & tea were fantastic! Our server, Michelle, was phenomenal & made our afternoon special!

Tetiana was wonderful. Everything was very good. Service spectacular. Would highly recommend and we will be back in the future.

Had Champagne Afternoon Tea here today. After having 4 previous visits over a period of time for Afternoon Tea my husband bought this one for my Birthday. Previously it has been outstanding and couldn’t fault it but unfortunately this visit was quite a let down. Normally all the food arrives on a tiered cake stand, which was impressive. This time we got 3 tiny sandwiches a little tart and little bun brought up on a separate plate each which didn’t look impressive at all. The scones and cakes that came up later were on tiered stand but the cakes looked lost on the big plate at the top. The service was ok but nowhere near as attentive as in previous visits. We had to ask for more tea. The price doesn’t justify the quality and service provided.

I visited to celebrate a special occasion and thanks to the attentive service of our server, Tetiana, it turned into an unforgettable happy day. We enjoyed sweet moments while gazing at Big Ben. Thank you.

I've booked a reservation for 5. That's for me, my husband, my baby and 2 of my chinese friends who are visiting the UK from Dubai. It's meant to be a nice place for them to try but i'm not sure why the website allowed me to book standard booking for ala carte menu. We only wanted to have a drink each and maybe a piece of cake each as we are all full since we just had our lunch. When we arrived, we were seated and was told that the afternoon tea costs £65 each and £85 each with champagne. I've asked for the ala carte menu and we were told that they don't do ala carte and it has to be the set package. They offer us to get the menu from the next door restaurant and if we wish to order, we had to move there. It was a bit of a hassle and slightly embarrassing. Please change/ update your website and don't put standard booking for ala carte if you don't serve them.

Had a great experience - the atmosphere of the library was very cozy. The views of Big Ben were cool. The black tea was delicious & gave me a new appreciation of tea! Finally, we had the vegan menu which was perfect. The sandwiches were amazing (loved the beet one in particular) and the scones and pastries were lovely. You truly would not have been able to tell the pastries were vegan - very flavorful and beautifully crafted. It was definitely expensive but overall felt worth it for the price.

We came here today and ordered two glasses of champagne and was charged 85 pounds per glass!! Be careful of their practices as we got scammed. The view was cool though

The experience isn’t quite as I thought it would be. Upon arrival our reservation wasn’t on the system, even though Open Table app showed it as confirmed. We were seated and spoken to politely though, and given a window seat which was lovely. Upon seating our champagne glass had a chip in the rim which I needed to identify, and cutlery had thumb prints. The waitress didn’t appear to understand English perfectly, for example we asked for tap water, and she bought us a bottle of still. There was some inconsistencies like this throughout. The sandwiches were very thin and lacking actual filling, but the scones and the cakes were clearly fresh and lovely. Overall I don’t feel the value for money was entirely worth it, and it didn’t have a wow factor, especially as only a few tables had a direct view of Big Ben / Elizebeth Tower, or as you stood and walked in and out.

Nestled near iconic landmarks like the British Parliament, it offers a serene escape from the hustle of London. This was my second visit and Tetiana's warm hospitality/discreet service added to our special celebration, away from the crowds clamoring for nearby attractions like the London Eye and Shrek's Adventure. The afternoon tea spread was perfectly portioned, featuring delicate sandwiches, scones, and a generous selection of teas. This is an excellent choice for first-time visitors looking to indulge.

A wonderful spot for afternoon tea at County Hall by the Westminster Bridge near Big Ben. Pricy menu but definitely worth it with such a great view and astonishing atmosphere. We have a full set for afternoon tea, tea options were proposed for our selection and plenty of pastries and cakes are included along with a great service by the library team.

Extremely expensive for what it is, so far as tea and food are concerned, service was not very good and the table didn't have a view of big ben despite that being this place's whole appeal and my having made a reservation a month in advance.

Let me start with the good things: - ambience is just beautiful. Both vista and being surrounded by books was absolutely amazing. Negative things: - excessively expensive, since you get less items to eat compared to other places. In the balance it was worth it, and I still recommend it. Would I go back? Probably, but not in a rush.

I'll always be grateful for the overall experience and service of the staff. The Afternoon Tea was delicious, so the pastries and the sandwiches. I was even able to carry out my marriage proposal thanks to the staff's gentle disposition and attention to detail. I fully recommend this place.

A glass of champagne was £75 and the price was not disclosed to me. It was not even nice champagne, only Louis pommery. The ritz a glass is £30, make this make sense please. I feel robbed and would appreciate a refund.

The tea options were wonderful, excellent scones, amazing view

Booked an incredible afternoon tea at the Library County Hall for an anniversary meal. Had called ahead and spoke to the manager prior, as I had arranged to propose to my girlfriend. I had a few special requests: to be seated in a somewhat private area, away from the rest of the guests. The manager was incredibly polite and friendly, and kindly booked us in and sat us in the most intimate and exclusive location- with a perfect view overlooking the Thames, Big Ben and Houses of Parliament. The afternoon tea itself was exquisite; a delicious selection of sandwiches and teas, scones and desserts with terrific presentation. He also got the staff members to capture the actual moment and recorded a video too. He went above and beyond to ensure the day went smoothly and successfully (which it did!). Overall, would definitely recommend and can’t wait to return again.

I visited the library with my mom for her birthday, and we had a wonderful experience. The restaurant has stunning views of Big Ben and Westminster Abbey, and the staff were attentive and friendly. I am a vegetarian, and I was delighted with the vegetarian options available. I ordered the vegetarian sandwich, which was delicious. The desserts were also beautifully presented and incredibly delicious. The tea menu was extensive, and I enjoyed a pot of bora bora tea. What truly stole the show was the surprise birthday card the staff prepared for my mom. This thoughtful touch, along with a complimentary glass of champagne, made her birthday truly special. It was a moment that warmed our hearts. We had a wonderful time at the Library, and I would highly recommend it to anyone looking for a special afternoon tea in London. 애프터눈티의 본고장 까지 오셨다면 방문하시길 대추천. 뷰 맛집!

The earl grey was some of the best I’ve had! The view of the river is great, would say it’s rather expensive at $70/person. The desserts, however, was delicious. I recommend for travelers visiting London. I do feel the service could improve, but that may be London in general.

Really welcoming atmosphere. We had afternoon tea. The food was all tasty and quite filling. Great selection of teas to choose from and lovely service.

The restaurant is very retro and high-end, with a great atmosphere! But the price is really high! The view is great and you can see Big Ben!

Afternoon tea yesterday to celebrate my birthday was very successful. Chandra proved to be an excellent host - he made it a fantastic experience!

Tetiana was a lovely waitress. The afternoon tea was amazing. She ensured the sparkling wine flowed the entire time. Relaxing environment with beautiful views of the Thames.

We visited this lovely restaurant, located inside the London Marriott at County Hall, for noon tea. The room is lined with beautiful bookcases, and there are fantastic views over the Thames. Aurora, our server, was attentive throughout our meal and made sure we were comfortable and had all we needed. Food was good and plentiful, both sweet and savory. It was definitely a treat for both of us.

Incredible experience. The views were amazing. The food, tea and sparkling wine were delicious, but above all, the service was unbeatable and magical. Special thanks to Nathalia for her kind and personal attention. We would definitely recommend!

Incredible experience. The views were amazing. The food, tea and sparkling wine were delicious, but above all, the service was unbeatable and magical. Special thanks to Nathalia for her kind and personal attention. We would definitely recommend!

This spot was great for a casual lunch. Tetiana was our server and she our dining experience amazing. Thank you

Chandra and Jonathan were the most attentive waitstaff. Never had to ask for refills or really ask what was coming next. I throughly enjoyed my experience and would recommend this particular waitstaff to any visitors and tourist alike.

Went to “The Library” for a bottomless high tea in the afternoon to avoid a cold and dreary London afternoon. One work to describe this experience is - FABULOUS. The food was delicious, the sparkling wine was free flowing, and the service was spectacular. Our waiter was Mr. Chandra and he was absolutely fantastic. As Americans we are a bit particular and like to have our waters constantly refilled and full. Mr. Chandra was on it and kept sure to answer all of our questions and keep our glasses full at all times. We never had to flag anyone down- best service we’ve had on our European trip so far. Highly recommend this place for an afternoon high tea while in London!

An lovely festive afternoon tea. The tea selection was extensive and explained to us by our friendly helpful server Tetiana. A good range of sandwiches, pastries and scones with a Christmas twist.

Excellent place. We booked from Chile, 3 weeks before and everything was very easy. Before arriving we took the opportunity to visit Westminster and Big Ben. We arrived on foot 5 minutes before our reservation and took advantage of taking photos in a London setting that they have outside the room, which I found very entertaining. The tea and food are excellent, before starting they bring the champagne and a set with very varied samples to choose the tea from. The location was great, we sat at a table with a window and the views were spectacular. The price is quite reasonable, it is not cheap, but it is quite good when compared to other similar places.

Afternoon tea was absolutely glorious. Made us all feel really special and the service was exceptional.

The food looked fancy and tasted good. It certainly didn’t taste as good as it looked or cost though. What I was most disappointed with however was that despite having notified the restaurant in advance that it was my daughter’s birthday, not one person wished her a Happy Birthday. Sometimes it’s the simplest things that make a difference, and sadly the staff at the Marriott were more concerned about handing out cards to request a review rather than trying to make a little girl’s birthday special.

Wow tea service with Tetiana was amazing. She went above and beyond to accommodate us, was very knowledgeable, and pleasant. This was definitely the highlight of our trip and I will highly recommend this to anyone visiting London. The tea was outstanding, the atmosphere and food was very authentic. 10/10! Must visit!

Great place to enjoy an excellent afternoon tea. Wide choice of different types of tea, excellent food and the tables have magnificent views of the Thames, the Houses of Parliament and Big Ben. Our waiter Chandra was very kind and very attentive to our needs.

The high tea experience was really nice. I would definitely do it again and recommend it. Our server Nathalia was lovely. Really nice. She made the experience even better

We really enjoyed our afternoon tea at The Library! Everything was perfect and we have been super lucky to be served by Nathalia. Lovely, knowledgeable and extremely friendly and patient!

Great view and lovely relaxing afternoon tea. Nathalia was a perfect host. I would definitely recommend

Afternoon Tea was delicious, our server Nathalia was very knowledgeable on the menu and which Teas we should try. She was very friendly and attentive. Would recommend!

My daughter and I were coming to London so, prior to our arrival, research was undertaken to choose a location for High Tea and ‘The Library’ was chosen after reading many positive comments. I had requested a table overlooking the Thames and it was fulfilled...

It was a very good experience in this afternoon tea with my server Natnalia, you should have afternoon tea here, they are good on tea selection.

Visited the Marriot hotel during new years, staff was very welcoming and accommodating. One of the receptionist, Silver, gave me insights on the history and art behind the hotel and I learned a great deal. The warmest of welcomes in the coldest of days.

Beautiful location in the Marriot Hotel, directly opposite Big Ben and Westminster. Very expensive, but high quality and a unique view. Service was very good, they even fulfilled our request for a different table after asking, as we of course wanted to sit by the...

Immersed in the charming ambience of "The Library at County Hall," our afternoon tea experience was nothing short of exceptional. From the moment we arrived, the iconic view of the Elizabeth Tower (Big Ben) set the tone for an unforgettable afternoon. Michelle, our dedicated server, orchestrated our tea indulgence with finesse. Her attention to detail and warmth added an extra layer of enjoyment to our experience. Her expertise in pairing teas with the delectable treats on offer truly elevated our visit. The culinary delight served surpassed all expectations. The Elizabeth Tower mint-chocolate cake is a must try with any of the black teas. Moreover, Kristina, our hospitable guide through this experience, ensured that every aspect outside of our tea service was immaculately taken care of. Her genuine care and attentiveness contributed significantly to the overall ambiance, making our visit even more memorable. What truly stood out, besides the delectable fare, was the view of the Elizabeth Tower, creating a picturesque backdrop for our afternoon indulgence. The combination of savory delicacies, impeccable service by Michelle, and Kristina's hospitality made this afternoon tea experience a highlight of our time in London. "The Library at County Hall" seamlessly blends exquisite teas, delightful delicacies, exemplary service, and a breathtaking view, creating an unparalleled experience for any tea enthusiast or visitor to London.

Brise the server was so nice, she made my day! I love scones and clotted cream, I had a great time there!

If I could leave more stars, I would! Impeccable service by Chandra. Very celiac friendly and absolutely delicious. The highlight of our trip to London!

Exceptional service from Chandra. We were so appreciative of the thought and care given so that my son, who has celiac, could eat safely. And every bite was delicious.

Our visit to The Library at County Hall was a very enjoyable experience, the service was exceptional, with our waiter Nathalia being a joyus and attentive character all throughout the evening; the atmosphere of the establishment was delightful and the food, although for me cloying...

Lovely festive afternoon tea experience - which has become something of a tradition. Our server, Nathalia, was very friendly and knowledgeable of the different teas that were available. The setting was very unique and we had a view of the River Thames. The food was...

I went with my mum and the food and the tea was delicious. The place was absolutely stunning, and Nathalia the girl that attended us was very kind and sweet.

Absolutely loved the afternoon tea here - great views and even better service! Would highly recommend to all :)

The afternoon tea selection was exquisite. The tea variety is magical and definitely worth a try. The service is the definition of 5 star hospitality. Thank you especially to Nathalia and Isabelly and Tetiana for the wonderful service and attention to detail. They were so attentive and made us feel at home. What a wonderful experience.

Ordered afternoon tea. Had the best service and presentation by Chandra. Very friendly and welcoming staff. The tea is very nice but the sandwiches and desserts are below average and disappointing.

Incredible afternoon tea! Chandra kept our drinks to the brim the entire time. Extremely knowledgeable of all the products. Excellent sevice!

Food and tea was good. The service was not good. We always had to flag someone down to get more tea or water. Some of the scones were a bit dry but still decent.

Fui al afternoonn tea, y seguro q en cualquier cafetería hubiese sido mejor, el servicio deja bastante q desear a...

The holiday tea service here was delightful. I loved the County Hall tea. They had nice options for both meat-eaters and vegetarians. My favorite part of the tea was the mince pie mille feuille. My husband liked the scones. Isabelly was our server, and she...

Wonderful afternoon tea with free flowing fizz. Nathalia was a dream keeping our glasses topped up in depth knowledge of all the teas on offer. Food was amazing and the staff were attentive to a dietary preference made at the point of booking. Can’t wait...

Nous avons été accueillies et servies tout au long de notre tea time par Chandra, un charmant monsieur qui était...

Not a big tea person but this place changed my mind! Very tasty and plentiful with great service! Thanks Tetiana!

Beautiful room, service. Server Chandra was so nice, professional and knowledgeable. Food very nice and best tea I ever had.

Amazing service, our glasses were kept filled to the brim the entire time. Great food as well. Lovely view. Chandra was an excellent host.

Nathalia was great! She was very attentive and gave great explanations for each tea. Would definitely come back.

It was nice place with a super view...Delicious food and te...I'll be coming back soon...Te was super good and different

Lovely service lovely place!! Treated us so well. Will recommend and be back! We booked it at least 1 month in advance.

Can’t fault it, an incredible experience! Highly recommended! Will certainly come again, Nathalia was really lovely and very thorough with her hosting, top notch service!

Went for afternoon tea, facility was absolutely gorgeous. Tea selection was great and food was excellent, bring your appetite because they provide a lot. Server Tetiana did an outstanding job as well.

Went for an afternoon tea. A wonderful experience all around. Very relaxed and beautiful setting. Tetiana was very attentive and friendly, as was the rest of the staff. The food was exceptional and the tea was delicious. Put this on your to-do list in London!

Amazing! My boyfriend and I went to the Library for our first tea time experience and we were not disappointed! It truly couldn’t have been better and I encourage anyone who is looking for tea time with a beautiful view of Big Ben to go...

Excellent afternoon with friendly staff in a lovely location. Sandwiches were very tasty. Would have been good to have a savoury scone.