A new afternoon tea inspired by the life and work of David Bowie has launched at Café Royal Grill on Regent Street.
The venue played an important part in Bowie’s famous reinventions: it was here he held a farewell party for his alter ego Ziggy Stardust in July 1973, joined by Mick Jagger, Lou Reed, Lulu and Ringo Starr. Now, Café Royal are marking 10 years since the Starman’s passing with a new, Bowie-themed afternoon tea menu, featuring nods to his chameleon-like career.
The finger sandwich section of the menu — presumably served on China (Girl) — includes:
The Thin White Duke, representing Bowie’s mid-70s persona (cucumber, cream cheese and poppy seeds). (Whether said poppy seeds are a reference to Bowie’s dalliance with mind-altering drugs, we don’t know.)
The Stardust Caesar, acknowledging probably Bowie’s most famous alter ego, Ziggy Stardust (egg mayonnaise with anchovy).
A Study of Spice, a pun on Bowie’s interest in all things space-related — though we’d have gone with ‘Spice Oddity’ ourselves, or maybe ‘Ziggy Ate Za’atar’ (coronation chicken, almonds and coriander).
The Berlin Years, representing the ‘Berlin Trilogy’ of albums (beef pastrami, gherkin and sweet mustard).
That’s followed by desserts with names themed on Bowie’s sweet outfits, such as the Green Suit, Lemon Static and Midnight Orange. His love for Japanese green tea is recognised with a special selection, available to accompany the menu, or you can be a Rebel Rebel and upgrade to a special Bowie Gin & Olive cocktail, or a glass of champagne.
David Bowie Afternoon Tea is available at Café Royal Grill until 13 February 2026. It’s priced at £85 for traditional afternoon tea/£95 with a Bowie Gin & Olive Cocktail, or a glass of N.V Veuve Clicquot Brut, or glass of So Jennie, Blanc Dry alcohol-free sparkling wine.
