Cafes inside V&A don’t get good reviews at all. Has anyone a recommendation for something around there to get a quick light lunch? Nor Asian as we are going to Chinatown.

That seems very (very) weird. Where are you reading that? TA?? The cafes in the Museum are sort of a destination in themselves. They are 'cafeteria style' but there is a very good selection and I've heard few complaints.

Have you been there lately. From what I read, a large portion of visitors bring food in and take up tables specifically for patrons including the members only areas. Is there one of the cafes you can recommend? I’d prefer not leaving the facility just for lunch.

I've been a member since 2015 or thereabouts, so any eating / drinking I've done in the last few years has been in the private Members Room so no, I haven't eaten there lately -- but have done countless times in the past. Crowds and finding a table is and always has been a problem because the rooms are so popular, especially noon to 1:30-ish PM when everybody and their uncle seems to think is time for lunch . I do pass through the cafe just about every visit because the 'secret/semi-hidden restroom' is just around the corner and to my observation the cafe seems the same as always.

The strategy is for one member to scout out the 3 rooms and snag a table while the others are ordering. Turn over is pretty quick so with a little patience you can usually get one. Plus people are usually willing to share tables. I've honestly not seen people bringing in food -- could hapen in nasty weather but otherwise there are lots of seats out in the courtyard for 'self catering'.

There is also an open air cafe in the Courtyard

There are several cafes down the street near the South Kensington Tube station but that would be quite a time waster iMO.

Since I travel solo janisj's seat reservation system doesn't work for me, but I have never had trouble finding a seat at the V&A. I do tend to eat lunch a little earlier - say 11:45 - which means I have room for one of their scones and clotted cream in the afternoon.

According to Google maps there are many places to eat nearby, a block or two south of Cromwell Road, including a Pret a Manger the other side of South Ken tube station..

<<I do tend to eat lunch a little earlier - say 11:45 - which means I have room for one of their scones and clotted cream in the afternoon.>>

Sigh, I'd love one of those scones with clotted cream and jam right now!



Sigh...


The container next to the scone is clotted cream. It looks like butter but it isn't.


Final product - delicious!

Progol - thanks for the photos, but you're shortchanging the cream! I have a thick layer of cream from edge to edge. Raspberry rather than strawberry jam if I can get it. I'm in the cream on top camp like you, but I know that's a religious issue.

progol, I agree with thursdaysd, you're really short on the clotted cream front.

I'm usually a jam on top girl, but am not offended by cream on top.

janisj and thursdaysd, it was our first time so I hope we’ll be forgiven! But I guess we’ll have to do a repeat just to make sure we get it right!

Just bear in mind that the scone is only there to deliver the clotted cream. Just as Esterhazy torte is just there to deliver regular cream.

so little cream and no butter under the jam. You'll learn

I trust you're not implying butter has anything to do with it? I wasn't sure what butter was doing in the photos, but at least it was unopened.

In Cornwall it goes Butter, Jam then Cream
In Devon it goes Cream then Jam (no idea if they use butter)
In Dorset see Cornwall

In London it is ethnic food

My family (Hertfordshire) always did jam then cream, no butter. I would think the taste of butter would fight with the cream.

I'm also surprised by those reviews of the cafe's...they are quite famous, very well used and I'd be shocked if food quality had declined. Without a doubt finding a seat can be a challenge in peak hours, but Janis has the right plan if you are more than one person. If you really don't want to test it out, then there are plenty of places to eat around South Kensington tube which is a very short walk away, but keep in mind these could also be very busy.

Cream first, then jam for me...never butter...but a buttered scone on its own is quite good too!!

And cake is a transportation system for the icing....

I did dine in the V&A cafe solo last visit -- a splendid pianist was entertaining all during the meal. I'd stay put in tne museum and try to go to the cafe early or late.

I'm still (very) curious where the OP read all these horrible reviews of the Gamble, Poynter, and Morris Rooms.

The data seems to be "it is hard to find a seat" and "the food is no good". Now I'm only a stupid engineer but why, if the food is no good can people not find a seat? I suspect there is nothing wrong with the food but more the frustration with waiting.

People bringing their carry in lunches and not patronizing the facility takes seating space.