(310) 451-8470
1403 2nd St
Santa Monica,
CA
90401
34.014839
-118.497019
Neighborhoods: Downtown, West LA
Hours:
Mon-Sat 10am-6pm
Sun 11am-5:30pm
Price:
$$
Last updated 9.30.09
Category:
What People Are Saying About Tudor House
Featured Review
Martha Burr
Contributor
A crush of English, Scottish and Irish expats have been gathering here for a nostalgic taste of home since 1962. Kids love to partake in a real tea party, and the restaurant is also charmingly family friendly. Part specialty grocery shop/bakery, part tearoom/restaurant, this charming find just a block from the Promenade (and a block from the beach) is a real gem. Sunshine splashes into the dining room over salmon-colored walls, white tablecloths and Blue Willow china; afternoon tea is served daily from 10:30am-5pm. Traditional English breakfasts feature black pudding, fried tomatoes and…
Editor's Tips
- Know Before You Go:
- Four traditional tea choices range from an inexpensive Cream Tea featuring tea, scones and fresh strawberries with Devonshire cream ($9.25) to the Victoria tea that includes champagne, smoked salmon and cucumber sandwiches, scones, eclairs and tea ($19.95).
- The Extras:
- The annexed store is marvelously outfitted with a range of English, Irish and Scottish goods ranging from imported plum jams to Cadbury and Walker biscuits, jars of Marmite and Devonshire cream as well as a wall of English tea sets. The gleaming bakery cases are packed with savory meat pies for takeout and sweets including treacle, gooseberry and blackcurrant tarts and scones.
- What to Drink:
- In addition to a wide range of classic teas and coffee, there is a short wine list, champagne cocktails, Bloody Marys, English and Irish beer and ales, and sherry and port for after dinner.
- Look Good:
- A smaller private room is popular for bridal and baby showers. It seats up to 34, with a minimum of 12 required for booking
| ambiance | 0.0% positive |
|
|---|---|---|
| dessert | 100.0% positive |
|
| drinks | 100.0% positive |
|
| food quality | 88.88999938964844% positive |
|
| overall | 100.0% positive |
|
| service | 100.0% positive |
|
| value | 100.0% positive |
|
| wait time | 100.0% positive |
|
Authentic British cuisine!
by The LA Gourmet at Citysearch
The self proclaimed “British center of Southern California”, Tudor House has been serving and selling cross-Atlantic favorites for over 40 years. It is a tea room, gift shop, and specialty store all rolled into one. The Tudor House store offers a wide array of imported biscuits, teas, candies, and curries. It also sells British home goods such as teaware, china, and miscellaneous chotchkies. We must admit that the imported items at Tudor House are a bit expensive (because of the exchange rate). However, most Brits are more than willing to pay the price for a little taste of home.
Of all the offerings at Tudor House, we were most impressed by the home-made pastries. The display case at the front counter is filled with everything from Mini Almond Tarts and Raison Scones to almost one dozen kinds of savory meat pies. Because they’re made in-house, the pies are also very affordable. If you’re planning a British themed party or afternoon tea, also be sure to check out their full catering menu.
@thelagourmet
High tea anyone
by abklynrose at Citysearch
I've been to the shop and the restaurant. Its a lovely afternoon's lady tea with your Mom or friend. The service was lovely and its a definite stop for me while in Santa Monica.
Terrible service
by Moviefangirl at Citysearch
I'm not going to review the restaurant side of the business, as I've never eaten there before, but I've been to the market on two occasions, and I'm not planning on coming back. The first time, I wandered around the shop for a few minutes with a bottle of mineral water because there was no one to ring me up. Finally a man came out of the back and sat down on a stool with a magazine, and wouldn't even look up at me, just told me the total for my mineral water without making sure I didn't want anything else. I ordered a lamb vindaloo pie and paid, then when I left and started eating the pie, I realised it was stone cold.
The second time, I went in with my sister's boyfriend while she went shopping for presents for us with my mom. We walked in and stood there at the counter while five different people walked past the door into the back...every single one of them looked right at us...and not one of them felt the need to come out and tell us they were closed for a private party, until an older woman finally came out and explained that to us.
Definitely not coming back, I'm sticking with The British Shoppe. They might not have as much selection as Tudor House, but they have much better service and friendlier workers.
Take your wife to tea!
by marpop at Citysearch
This place is great for couples. All you men out there - take your lady out for a nice authentic English tea - you will score big points, and you might actually enjoy yourself. I know my husband had no problem cleaning his plate. We get scones with Devonshire cream and jam, and of course they service you the finger sandwiches with cucumber and cream cheese. We each got our own teapot - vanilla and jasmine! Beware of crowds though, because if the place is jammed, you may be in for a bit of a wait for a table. But once you are seated the service is great.
- Pros: unique, fun
- Cons: crowds
Fun English Tea experience
by rudette at Citysearch
I've been here a few times and can definitely recommend it as a place to experience an authentic English tea. The sandwiches, especially the salmon and cream cheese, are very good. I would NOT recommend ordering anything hot, as those dishes taste like they were (poorly) prepared in England, frozen, sent here, then re-heated in the microwave. I have no idea if that's what actually happens, but that's what it tastes like. Their teas are of course excellent, I especially recommend PG Tips, which you must add sugar and milk to in order to thoroughly enjoy. The attached bakery and grocery has interesting and reasonably priced goods from England (including boxes of PG Tips tea!).
The Details on Tudor House
Place Categories:
- great place
- enjoy traditional high tea
- cold food
- great bakery
- great oppurtunity
- authentic british products
- great valueformoney
- especially recommend pg tips
- great service
- very good sandwiches
- excellent course
- interesting grocery
- great store
- fabulous decorand attention todetail
- great combinations
- friendly butnot
- great shop
- affordable price
- great tuna salad
- love cadbury fingers
- great country right toyou inyor comfychair inthe tudorhouse
- authentic english tea

