Tudor House

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 more

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. more

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. more

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 more

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!). more

Justbeen munching onsome sundaybrunch earlier, watta delight.Complements tothe highlyeducated chefwhorecently toured the world and England especially to bring ataste of the great country right toyou inyour comfychair inthe tudorhouse in L.A.And becauseof the english owners it's likegoing to England, but without the rain!! The decorand attention todetail in eloquentlytransporting youto Englishculture is fabulous.The service is quick, efficient, friendly butnot overwhelming. Great valueformoney, especially thenextdoor englishcandies store which is a great oppurtunity to buy the taste ofengland usually associated withhighprices forrather low ones. The atmosphere ofthe TudorHouse is relaxed, welcoming one as many tuck into their beautifully cooked or cold food (Worthy of at least one or two Michelin stars.) The salmon sandwiches or sundaybrunch followedby stickytoffeepudding is oneof many great combinations to enjoy this place quoted by visitors as ""just fab fab fab."" Forget about it, tudorhouse ROCKS!! Seeya there tomorrow for tea and scones followed by perfectedfood as standard. Pros: value, service/atmosphere, food Cons: have to leave sometim, have to leave sometim, have to leave sometim more

This place is just wonderful! The minute I set foot in the tea room of the Tudor House I feel like I am in England. It's a great way to transport yourself out of the city for awhile. The tea is great, be sure to pay the extra for clotted cream with your scones- it's well worth it. My favorites are the salmon sandwiches and the cream cheese, walnut and herb sandwiches. The shop attached is great as well for all of the English candies and specialty foods that are difficult to find elsewhere ( I LOVE Cadbury Fingers). Pros: food, staff, atmosphere Cons: pastries are OK more

I've been going to the Tudor House for years. The food here is excellent and the teas are equally good. The beef barley soup rocks and so do the Chicken Curry pies. Tuna salad on bread is great as are the Banger sausage rolls. The desserts are to die for with Battenberg cake being my favorite. There is also a great bakery and store connected to the tea room that sells authentic British products. All & all a great place for lunch with very afordable prices. Pros: Tea, soups, Tuna salad, Cornish pastie Cons: Slow service at times, Parking more

Charming yet casual tea house brings the English ritual of high tea to Santa Monica. Patrons feel as if they've been transported to England as they enjoy a traditional high tea--which includes choice of tea or coffee, scones, clotted cream and preserves, finger sandwiches, pastries and more. Stop by the restaurant's store on the way out to pick up all those hard-to-find imported British products. more