Whittard of Chelsea

Whittard of Chelsea has sold fine teas and coffees since 1886, and its Covent Garden shop sits inside the Market Building on the Piazza, one of the busiest points in the whole district. The British brand specialises in tea, coffee and hot chocolate along with the equipment to prepare them, which makes the shop a natural stop for gifts as well as for stocking up.

Walter Whittard opened his first shop in 1886, and the company still backs its products with a taste promise that allows returns if a product does not satisfy. The Covent Garden branch carries that same focus on quality drinks, and the in-store tea tasting station lets visitors try blends before buying.

A tea shop in Covent Garden for loose leaf, coffee and cocoa

The shop sells loose-leaf tea and teabags, specialty varieties such as matcha and chai, fruit and herbal infusions, coffee beans, ground coffee and pods, and a wide range of hot chocolate including special editions and vegan options. Biscuits, chocolate and espresso-covered treats sit alongside, and new seasonal flavours arrive through the year.

Accessories and equipment include cafetières, grinders, milk frothers, travel mugs and decorative ceramics, including themed collections. Gift messaging, gift cards and click and collect are available, so buying tea, coffee or equipment as a present can be arranged while visiting the market.

What to expect on a visit

The shop opens seven days a week into the evening, in line with the market's hours. It sits within the Piazza's covered market, at the heart of Covent Garden and a short walk from the Underground station. Whittard is one of the homeware and kitchen shops in Covent Garden, and tea drinkers who enjoy fine paper goods may also like Choosing Keeping on Tower Street.