Hotel Café Royal (Regent Street)
14th January – 12th February 2026
£85 per person (£95 including cocktail/champagne)
After nearly 20 years writing about London (yep, I’m that old…) I’m so used to the amazing things that this city has to offer I sometimes take them for granted. But every now and then I come across an experience so brilliant that it puts a huge smile on my (possibly jaded) face. And when I heard about the David Bowie inspired Afternoon Tea and the Hotel Café Royal (just off Regent Street) I found myself grinning – then looking to book immediately. It’s the epitome of cool. In fact – it’s Iconic, and I’m 100% here for it.
The Hotel Cafe Royal is a stunning venue, steeped in history and if you haven’t been, now is the perfect time to visit.
So, you may be asking – why a David Bowie themed Afternoon Tea in 2026?
Good question.
Let me tell you…
The launch coincides almost exactly with the 10 year anniversary of the legend’s passing in Jan 2016, but also celebrates the hotels longstanding connection with David Bowie. Way back in 1973, Bowie chose the Café Royal, to lay Ziggy Stardust to rest. After his last ever performance as Ziggy at the Hammersmith Odeon, he hosted what became known as The Last Supper, a farewell party that quietly marked the end of an era, alongside friends including Mick Jagger, Lou Reed and Lulu.
The Afternoon Tea itself contains traditional finger sandwiches with names like The Stardust Caesar; The Berlin Years and the Thin White Duke. Sweet treats include The Velvet Goldmine (Red Velvet Cake); the Lemon Static (which features Bowie’s signature lightning bolt) and Bowie-branded scones, among many others.
Drinks include Japanese Green Tea (which Bowie loved), alongside a collection of loose-leaf Oolongs,
Darjeelings and the finest French champagnes. You can also try a specially created Bowie Gin & Olive cocktail. But one of the things that really jumped out at me when looking at booking – was that a non-alcoholic Champagne was being offered as standard. Bowie was famously sober from 1993, and with so many of us sober, or sober-curious these days, this is a wonderful touch…and I hope it becomes industry standard!
The David Bowie Afternoon Tea is available until the 12th February 2026
Images © Hotel Café Royal
