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!

[AbsolutelySure]

It's been an interesting thread as it's given me suggestions for my 16 yo DD. I will say though, we've recently returned from London and as a treat I took her to some nice restaurants (The Ivy etc) as a treat which she was really up for but then the pressure of having to dress and behave accordingly put me on edge which put her on edge and it wasn't the most relaxing time I thought it would be. She enjoyed it but in her words, I prefer something less formal and more relaxed.

[StrawberryPi]

Thanks everyone! Definite food for thought here... turns out my tastes are different to the average 15yo, who'da thunk it!?

Any more suggestions will be gratefully received!

[Lemonmelonsun]

Star wars is this inamo?
It's little dishes so it can add up, we found it tasty and funn

[BillyRaywasapreachersson]

@1starwars2 not entirely sure I recall correctly, but last time (including wine for me) was about £60; we are vegetarian too. However, the food is secondary to spending 2 hours sodding about with the table decorations and playing the whole range of games. We don't go often, but we always have a brilliant laugh when we do.

[FightingtheFoo]

There's an amazing looking London themed afternoon tea at The Kensington Hotel

[1starwars2]

@BillyRaywasapreachersson I think DS will be more interested in the games than the food. There's no prices on the online menu. Do you know about how much 2 (vege) main meals would be?

[BillyRaywasapreachersson]

Food isn't great..🙄

[BillyRaywasapreachersson]

DD 15 loves Inamo, but mostly so she can kick my butt at the on-table video games. Good isn't great and overpriced but lots of fun.
Her current favourite is Mildred's.

[TSSDNCOP]

If you do the open top bus tour, get off by the Tower and book to go to the Sky Garden in the Walkie Talkie for lunch/tea.

[SchrodingersMat]

Definitely Sketch or one of the themed afternoon teas.
Amazonico looks fun
Archipelago if she’s adventurous
Granary Square Brasserie
Dalloway Terrace
One of the sky garden restaurants

[EvilPea]

Kingly court carnaby street has loads of good restaurants.

[coastalimpact]

Aquashard. I don't think they're doing breakfast at the moment (they weren't a couple of weeks ago anyway), but they do a nice lunch or weekend brunch, and it's lovely eating with that amazing view. They do afternoon tea too, but I've not tried that.

Or Bridgets Bakery afternoon tea on a Routemaster bus as it drives around central London. My daughter went to an 18th birthday tea on the bus and she and her friends loved it.

[21Bee]

Peggy Porschen is beautiful, popular for an Instagram picture and does beautiful food!

[afromom]

MissyB1 it's awful isn't it! I was going to link in my post thinking there would be loads of gallery photos, but it's just awful!

[Jerble]

My 14yo has really enjoyed these in London: Burger & Lobster (whole lobster and fries to herself then churros afterwards), dim sum lunch in Chinatown followed by bubble tea, wander around Borough Market then have whatever you fancy from the hot food stalls (we then all ate together but everyone had different things).

She isn’t keen on afternoon tea - that was an expensive mistake! We also took her to brunch one day and there was only one thing on the menu she’d eat (which she then spent ages scraping sauce off!).

[MissyB1]

My goodness the Sketch website is appalling! Whoever designed that needs a slap! It has totally out me off ever going there.

[kin432]

Also the rooftop restaurant at Selfridges is nice if it's a hot day and they open the doors, but the plastic bits are quite noisy if it's windy (appreciate I'm being picky here..!). I like the Wolseley too but probably not so impressive to a teenager.

Afternoon tea at the Landmark in Marylebone is lush in a old fashioned way, and the atrium is impressive.

[thevassal]

Was going to say sketch or one of the EL&N cafes (elnlondon.co.uk/) for insta for a 15 y/o however will depend on her tastes - if she's more grungy or tomboyish might not be such of a win...in which case maybe camden market? Sounds like she likes touristy things so maybe the shard or skygarden for good views?

[smallandimperfectlyformed]

@BigSandyBalls2015 yes they said so. I never went and didn't really fancy it but lots of people did and it's a shame to lose in person dining establishments. I don't really know Shoreditch well tbh and should get to more places!!

[BigSandyBalls2015]

@smallandimperfectlyformed oh that’s a shame. Covid related presumably?

[kin432]

Breakfast at Aqua Shard. Not as expensive as you'd think (we've usually spent about £20 per head), great views and you can wander round the floor after. Also cheaper than paying to go up to the viewing platform

[BigSandyBalls2015]

Google instagrammable brunch ... most, not all 15 year old girls... all about the insta

[jay55]

Duck and Waffle.
They do brunch, great views and not somewhere you can go at home.

[1starwars2]

Meant to say, he would hate afternoon tea (really not keen on cake, sandwiches or scones). I think you need to find out what type of food she likes.

[PeachScone]

Afternoon tea up the shard?