Magical mid-summer night’s dream afternoon tea at Kona

Tucked away in a quiet courtyard, Kona at Taj 51 Buckingham Gate offers an escape from the everyday. This secret garden enclave and sumptuous hotel is a true hidden gem, we went along to sample the residence’s current offering: a whimsical, theatrical afternoon tea inspired by Shakespeare’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream.  

Kona’s teas have been rated by The Telegraph best in London, so we were delighted to be invited along and went with the intention of fully immersing ourselves and indulging in every element.

The experience begins before you’ve even taken a bite. Scenes from Shakesphere's Much Ado About Nothing, As You Like It, and of course, A Midsummer Night’s Dream wrap around the space, inviting you into the imagination of the playwright. Seasonal flowers bloom beside a gently bubbling fountain, and the atmosphere is tranquil and dreamy.  I took my partner’s mother and we went in the afternoon, but by the time we left, the sun had gone down to reveal twinkling fairy lights artfully festooning the gardens, adding to the magic of the experience.

Inside the woodland theme continues as Kona has been transformed into a fairy glade. Upon arrival, we were led by our waitress over to a cosy corner, our table set as an enchanted forest, with imps and fairies peeking from table arrangements, whimsical flourishes throughout the room, and a magical woodland vibe that immediately drew us in.

The tea is served on beautifully crafted woodland-themed crockery, designed to echo the forest scenes of the play and commences with a delicate violet-infused cake, softly sweet and almost ethereal in texture, presented on a moss-covered tree stump, a lovely way to open the experience. We continued to indulge ourselves in the ceremony with the Elixir of Enchantment, a bespoke blend of green tea, mulberry, cranberry, and lingonberry, although English tea and other options are available if you prefer something more traditional.

The savouries are both familiar and surprising. We especially enjoyed the thyme-roasted chicken with apricot mayo, full of warm, aromatic notes that perfectly suited the autumn season. The Dill Cream Cheese & Smoked Salmon on Spinach Bread was delicious, but the sweets were truly where the charm of the event unfolded.

Delivered on a forest-themed tiered stand, the standout for us was The Heart of Love and Confusion, a light-as-a-feather sponge heart with a hidden tropical centre. This combination would not usually appeal, as it sounds too sweet, but this little creation was just perfectly balanced. Our waitress poured the filling into the centre of the heart at the table, further elevating the beauty of the cake.

The sweet treats continued, each one a miniature work of woodland-themed art, and picture-perfect. The combination of tart berries and rich sponge-themed fondant centres was captivating, both visually and in the mouth. The scones were warm and super spongy, served with clotted cream and candied orange and jam, a nod to tradition amid all the fantasy.

The drinks to complement the tea have been curated to immerse diners in Shakespeare’s imagination with our favourite Puck’s Mischief, which has a surprise twist... we won’t spoil it for you though.

Our tea experience was magical, the overall attention to detail and thought that has gone into the menu make the tea well worth the price. If you are looking for a fanciful treat for a loved one, special friend or Shakespeare lover, then this is an afternoon they won’t forget. Vegan and vegetarian options are also available.

For opening times and to book your experience at Kona click here.

Address: 51 Buckingham Gate, London SW1E 6AF

Written by Claire Bloom

Photography courtesy of Kona