
This Christmas season, the legendary French tea house offers exquisite desserts and festive tea blends.
Nestled in the heart of Covent Garden, Mariage Frères brings the sophisticated charm of Paris to London’s bustling tea scene. Dating back to 1854, this iconic French tea house is synonymous with quality, heritage, and an understated glamour that now graces the city with its first five-story boutique.
A Festive French Affair
Christmas at Mariage Frères comes alive with a menu of special treats that celebrate French culinary artistry. The centerpiece of their seasonal offerings is the Galette des Rois, the traditional French Epiphany cake, reimagined with a luxurious, tea-infused twist.
One version features the umami richness of Japanese matcha paired with the vibrancy of pomegranate confit, encased in a caramelized puff pastry sculpted with golden Haute Couture pleats. A golden almond dragée crowns this creation, adding a jewel-like finish.
Its counterpart, the Marco Polo Rhapsody Galette des Rois, takes inspiration from the maison’s legendary white tea, infusing the frangipane filling with floral and fruity notes. Blueberries and candied blackcurrants bring a playful depth, all wrapped in a striking ebony puff pastry. Both galettes serve six to eight and are perfectly paired with the house’s Balthazar tea, an aromatic blue blend that’s as festive as the season itself.
These exquisite cakes are available from December 26, 2024, either to enjoy in Mariage Frères’ elegant Salon de Thé or to take home for a regal New Year’s celebration.
Tea, Timelessly Reimagined
Beyond the seasonal pastries, Mariage Frères offers a treasure trove of delights for tea aficionados. The Icône Collection, encased in its signature black tins, showcases the maison’s most exquisite blends. Among them is the Balthazar blue tea, a festive infusion of almonds, chocolate, orange blossom, figs, and plum, designed to evoke the richness of a holiday feast. Equally captivating is the Year of the Charming Snake Green Tea, a celebration of the 2025 Asian zodiac sign, blending goji berries, mint, liquorice, and rose petals into a vibrant cup of wellness.
An Iconic Address in Covent Garden
Stepping into Mariage Frères on King Street, you’re transported to a world where tea is an art form. On the ground floor, the Comptoir de Thé invites you to explore over 1,000 varieties of tea, artfully displayed like rare jewels. Be sure to sample the house’s celebrated Marco Polo blend, a floral and fruity favorite.
Ascend the sweeping staircase to the Salon de Thé, a luminous, vintage-inspired tea room that is as chic as it is inviting. Here, you can enjoy the full menu of Mariage Frères’ legendary blends alongside an array of Parisian patisseries. For the true connoisseurs, one more flight up awaits the Musée du Thé, a curated collection of antique teas and tea accessories from around the globe—a nod to the maison’s storied history.
Visit Mariage Frères at 38 King Street, Covent Garden.
For bookings and takeaway orders, call 020 7836 1854 or email bookings@mariagefreres.com.
Elena Leo is the Arts & Lifestyle Editor of Ikon London Magazine.