London 15th birthday restaurant treat

[StrawberryPi]

My niece is coming to London with her parents for her 15th birthday in a few weeks. We would like to take them out as a treat, probably on a Sunday to breakfast/brunch or afternoon tea although lunch is an option too - we want to fit in around some sight-seeing.

We don't see her very often so I'm not too sure of her tastes. We want somewhere a bit special, not too worried about price, and in terms of areas we're pretty much talking anywhere central. Would be great to hear of anywhere that has been a hit with the 15 year olds in your lives!

Does she like chocolate? Aldwych do Charlie and chocolate factory inspired afternoon tea which is often raved about.

onealdwych.com/gifts/afternoon-tea-gifts/

Or there’s afternoon tea at Bea’s, there’s one close to St. Paul’s. Another idea is Shakespeare Globe. There’s a nice restaurant and you can take take a boat ride down the Thames.

@Lonoxo

Does she like chocolate? Aldwych do Charlie and chocolate factory inspired afternoon tea which is often raved about.

onealdwych.com/gifts/afternoon-tea-gifts/

Or there’s afternoon tea at Bea’s, there’s one close to St. Paul’s. Another idea is Shakespeare Globe. There’s a nice restaurant and you can take take a boat ride down the Thames.

Beas at St Paul's has closed down. Shops and cafes in the City of London are closing down by the day.

That's the issue with WFH. No trade and businesses are closing

Cake and Bubbles in Regent St was fun recently - we had mini burgers followed by delicious cakes

I took a young relative to the Wolesley for brunch, then we walked up regent street to carnaby street and the big topshop (RIP). We got on the number 137 bus and went down to Harvey Nicks for tea, and on to the Kings Road for more shopping.

Was a lot of shopping now that I think about it though we didn't buy much! Maybe see if your niece would enjoy that or is more of a museum person... or how about Borough Market and then the South Bank?

My 16 yo would want TGI Fridays or similar. Not my choice at all but if you want to take her somewhere SHE wants to go to you could perhaps give her 2 or 3 different options.

At 15 I would have loved Chinatown, and that's incredibly central. Also Mildred's, the vegetarian restaurant, has a branch in Soho and that does lovely food.

We've been told she would like to see Buckingham Palace and go on a bus tour but not got many other clues! We live in London so I have a variety of favourite spots, but not much idea of what might hit the spot for a teenage girl! Basically we just really want to treat her and make her feel really special for the day

I should add the trip is also a surprise for her, and I really want to get something booked for minimal stress, so I can't really ask what she would like!!

@StrawberryPi

I should add the trip is also a surprise for her, and I really want to get something booked for minimal stress, so I can't really ask what she would like!!

Her parents surely must be able to give you an indication if you give them the options?

They used to do.posh ice cream sundaes somewhere where I ve fancied going and can't remember where it was now. Selfridges maybe, or Fortnum and Mason?

I'd have loved that at 15 for a treat and then evening meal somewhere different like Chinatown, Indian or Greek. Love those cuisines!

Actually I was a bit shy of suggesting this as it's quite tacky but I loved The Rainforest Cafe - taken a few years ago as an adult! As it's in Picadilly Circus all the bus tours will surely go past there? Whatever you decide, I hope you have loads of fun!!

True, but it would be good to have a few nice options to give them to start things off!

My DD loved the cereal killer in Camden at that age. That would leave room for a nice afternoon tea later on.

What about afternoon tea on a London bus ... bridgits bakery

Recently took my 13 year old to The Ivy Asia in St Paul’s. Great views, good food but still fun, served in silver crabs, dry ice etc. she loved the dessert platter too.

I have a 15yr old DD. She loves Cafe Rouge, Carluccio's any pizza place, any crepe place or tapas. She doesn't have the most sophisticated tastes and would hate anything fussy.

Fortnums ice cream parlour is lovely (The Parlour) but don’t say it is her birthday when you make the booking or they will sing to her (unless she would like that of course)

And then you could buy some of the amazing chocolates or macaroons or marzipans or whatever on the ground floor, which they package beautifully. They do tasters on the chocolates

V close to the Ritz is you want to do afternoon tea at the Ritz and the. combine a trip to Fortnums chocolates section

Padella, Bao, Kricket (eat the samphire pakora) and Dishoom also good options - more casual though.

Another vote for Fortnum & Mason ice cream parlour if she likes ice cream but book ahead as waiting time can be lengthy.

@BigSandyBalls2015

My DD loved the cereal killer in Camden at that age. That would leave room for a nice afternoon tea later on.

I think the Cereal Killers cafe had shut down now sadly. They are online only now...not sure how much fun that would be!!

If price isn't an issue Sketch is amazing! It does afternoon tea and has cocktails (non alcoholic too). It's like a fantasy land, with different themed rooms and the toilets are in egg pods!
Their website isn't great fir images of what it looks like, but if you google image search you will be able to get an idea.

I'd say somewhere like brunch at The Wolsey or afternoon tea at Sketch would appeal to the sort of teenage girl who is into instagram and things like that.

There's a rooftop restaurant at Selfriges which would have been my absolute dream when I was 15 - I've not been though.

One aldywch tea was beautiful

Had ropey greeting at cake and bubbles, urge caution on that one..

I've not been wild about the wolsey..
China Town is fabulous, have main in China Town then somewhere in soho for pudding??

This won't be much help but there was a beautiful type of Eastern tea shop with a restaurant that looked amazing in Covent garden I can't remember the name but it looked fabulous

Milk Train in Covent Garden does amazing ice cream and candy floss creations. Not many seats though