Jessica Adams reveals where the best cuppa can be found in Brighton.
The Mock Turtle, near the seafront in Brighton, is named after the character in Alice in Wonderland. Expect to time-travel back to the 1950s as you walk in and find fresh flowers, mixed pattern china on the dresser, huge cakes on stands, piles of scones, home-made jam for sale, low ceilings and even a hat-stand.
It’s usually crammed on both floors, so make sure you let the waitress know you’re there before you sit down. This is one of the very few places in England you can order anchovy toast; and the meringues are the size of a lady’s hand. Expect proper strong, dark tea too – made with tea leaves (not bags) in lovely old teapots that are refilled on request.
The Mock Turtle is a little hard to find, so print out a Google Map. However, if you’ve just been shopping at the (equally glorious) English shoe shop L.K.Bennett or popped into another British retro institution, Cath Kidston, you’ll find it’s a five-minute walk.
I have taken visitors from all over the world to The Mock Turtle and they always love it. If you’re a New Yorker and you drink at Tea and Sympathy (the faux British tea room) then you’ll dig The Turtle too.
The Mock Turtle. 4 Pool Valley, Brighton, East Sussex, England.
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