About Mariage Freres
Mariage Freres is a French tea house on King Street, the street that runs west from the Covent Garden piazza. The house was founded in Paris in 1854 and has spent well over a century and a half building what it describes as the world's widest tea selection, and the King Street address brings that heritage to London in a setting of its own.
At the core is tea, offered across an enormous range that spans white, black, green, blue, yellow and matured varieties, alongside the signature blends the house is famous for, such as Marco Polo. Beyond the retail counter of loose leaves and accessories, the venue works as a tea salon where dishes are designed so the fragrances of tea complement the food. It is a place built around the craft and ritual of tea rather than a quick coffee-shop stop.
A French tea salon in Covent Garden
The King Street house combines a boutique for buying tea with air-conditioned salons and a terrace for tasting and dining. The restaurant and tea room serve from midday until 7pm, while the tea counter is open from 10.30am until 7.30pm, seven days a week. King Street is one of the more elegant addresses in Covent Garden, close to the piazza yet a step removed from its busiest edges, which suits the unhurried pace of a French tea salon.
What to expect on a visit
This is a destination for anyone who takes tea seriously, whether browsing the counter for leaves and tins to take home or sitting down for a leisurely tasting or meal. Booking is available for the restaurant and tea room. The salon is a couple of minutes from Covent Garden underground station and an easy walk from Leicester Square. For coffee rather than tea, Monmouth Coffee on Monmouth Street is the local reference point, and our full list of Covent Garden cafes and tea rooms covers the rest of the neighbourhood.
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Reviews
Love this place! Have adored the tea shop for years, visited the tea room for the tea themed afternoon tea- everything was tea infused and delicious! They have so many kinds of tea- the staff are so knowledgeable and guide you towards what tea one would enjoy- and they were spot on. The place itself is beautiful too, bright and airy, gorgeous. Lovely food- not a conventional afternoon tea but really tasty! I didnt think some combos would work but they did! Great spot and SO reasonably priced for Covent Garden
The afternoon tea here is a wonderful experience. There’s a huge selection of teas to choose from, and every cup is incredibly aromatic and delicious. The food pairs perfectly with the tea, and the service is attentive and professional. A great place to relax and enjoy high-quality tea.
There were so many types of tea and the menu text was very small, so ordering wasn’t easy, but the staff were extremely friendly. The downside was that there weren’t many customers and lots of empty seats, but most tables were for two, so you couldn’t choose your preferred spot. The Ground is a tea shop, and perhaps because it’s the largest branch in London, there were some items I hadn’t seen at Selfridges. If you want something as a gift, use the Covent Garden branch. Also, if you’re going for tea or afternoon tea, it’s a good idea to familiarise yourself with the tea types a little beforehand.