Cosy quiet place in London to meet for coffee / drinks on a Sunday afternoon?

[Norahh]

Need somewhere elegant, quiet, private, cosy for a Long Lost Family type first meeting in central London. Its on a Sunday at 3pm next month.

Thought old historic pub with nooks and crannies would be perfect. Did a recce of 10 pubs yesterday and it was grim - as most were doing Sunday lunch at that time - so packed, noisy and smelly (of food). Also as time went on everywhere looked trashed uncleared glasses and plates - expect its hard to get hospitality staff and Sunday lunch is a bit of a blitz. Also many interesting old pubs are closed on Sundays.

Has anyone any interesting ideas? Thinking now maybe a hotel bar?

Try the cafe/ bar at the Theatre Royal, Drury Lane.

The Connaught bar is lovely.

Thanks @MingingTiles - it looks perfect - just looked and it appears its not open on Sundays

What area?

The bar at the chesterfield hotel. Used to be a favourite meeting place for MI5 so quite discreet! Excellent cocktails for Dutch courage too

Sorry, you specified central. I think hotel bars might be a good bet in being definitely open, not showing football, or thronged with Sunday lunch business. The lobby bar at the St Pancras Hotel? It’s spacious, quiet, open, in a beautiful space, and I think you have the option of tea/coffee cake etc, or drinks. The Booking Office is also lovely, but more restaurantish.

The thing is, if it's lovely and it's open on the weekend in central London...it won't be quiet.

The chesterfield will be quiet- it does its business in the week when the Hedgies are around (it’s in Mayfair just off Berkeley Square). There’s a private room if you’re prepared to pay for it and otherwise there is an area at the end of the bar that will accommodate 5 without anyone nearby - they’ll let you book. The best bar snacks in town, too.

This is what I was thinking

How many of you will there be as if a few maybe a private room for lunch /tea area ?

Hotels are best bet. I like Covent Garden hotel. Corinthia also nice. South bank centre has a lovely members only bar (you can join fairly cheaply)

Afternoon tea at the Wallace collection?

Great suggestions - There will be 6 of us - I dont want to commit to a formal meal as think that would be a distraction for people who havent met before and it might be emotional - everyone will have had lunch by 3 - but Hotel bar snacks would be more flexible and and informal?

One of the domes at Secret Garden www.londonsecretgarden.co.uk/private-dining-in-domes/

I always think Bloomsbury is a good area at the weekend as there will be less students around. There is a cafe space at Friends House (Quaker meeting house) opposite Euston station which is generally quiet & does informal sort of food. Also there are a few hotels where I think you could find a nice cosy table. I miss central London!

DH and I met with our financial advisor in the restaurant/bar at The Landmark Hotel, it's near Marylebone station.

There is the actual restaurant but they also have small tables with sofa/chair for ordering coffee.

I don't think you can reserve though.

Thanks all for all your suggestions. I have spent the last two weekends doing a recce on Sunday afternoons. Have booked The Terrace Bar at the Chesterfield Hotel in Mayfair for drinks and then if we want a late Sunday lunch we can pop over the road to the very nice Footman pub - or stroll to Shepherds Market for restaurants. Its lovely and quiet in Mayfair on Sundays probably as it's residential/offices with no tourist attractions, but still very pretty and very Georgian London / Upstairs, Downstairs - such a contrast to the crowds around the West End.

Had my wedding reception there when it first opened. Great suggestion.