Warwickshire &amp; West Midlands


<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-location">THE LOCATION</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="666" src="https://warks.muddystilettos.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/sites/18/2022/07/Untitled-design-606-2.jpg" alt="RSC Rooftop Restaurant" class="wp-image-49711" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/warks/wp-content/uploads/sites/18/2022/07/Untitled-design-606-2.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/warks/wp-content/uploads/sites/18/2022/07/Untitled-design-606-2-800x533.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/warks/wp-content/uploads/sites/18/2022/07/Untitled-design-606-2-768x511.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/warks/wp-content/uploads/sites/18/2022/07/Untitled-design-606-2-788x525.jpg 788w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



<p>The name’s a bit of a giveaway here – though this little gem is hidden at the very top of the RSC Theatre (don’t worry, there’s a lift). There&#8217;s a lunch and dinner menu, but we were here to try out the afternoon tea at the RSC Rooftop Restaurant.</p>



<p>Smack bang in the centre of Stratford-upon-Avon, the restaurant is surrounded by awesome hotels (we love&nbsp;<a href="https://warks.muddystilettos.co.uk/travel/review-the-arden-hotel-stratford-upon-avon/">The Arden</a> and <a href="https://warks.muddystilettos.co.uk/little-black-book/directory/alveston-manor-stratford-upon-avon/">Alveston Manor</a>), and has unparalleled views across the town and river. I mean, just look…</p>



<figure class="wp-block-image"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1500" height="1000" src="https://warks.muddystilettos.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/sites/18/2022/07/Untitled-design-603.jpg" alt="RSC Rooftop Restaurant" class="wp-image-49712" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/warks/wp-content/uploads/sites/18/2022/07/Untitled-design-603.jpg 1500w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/warks/wp-content/uploads/sites/18/2022/07/Untitled-design-603-800x533.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/warks/wp-content/uploads/sites/18/2022/07/Untitled-design-603-1000x667.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/warks/wp-content/uploads/sites/18/2022/07/Untitled-design-603-768x512.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/warks/wp-content/uploads/sites/18/2022/07/Untitled-design-603-788x525.jpg 788w" sizes="(max-width: 1500px) 100vw, 1500px" /></figure>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-vibe">THE VIBE</h2>



<p>It’s all about relaxed fine dining – chilled and contemporary, but with smartly-dressed and attentive staff. I visited on an early afternoon and it was buzzy and quickly filled up. It&#8217;s steady with the lunch crowd slowly making way for pre-show diners, and plenty making an afternoon of it with afternoon tea at the RSC Rooftop Restaurant. </p>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1001" height="667" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/warks/wp-content/uploads/sites/18/2025/02/176348_Catering-photos_-October-2015_-set-1_2015-Copy.jpg" alt="RSC Rooftop Restaurant" class="wp-image-59267" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/warks/wp-content/uploads/sites/18/2025/02/176348_Catering-photos_-October-2015_-set-1_2015-Copy.jpg 1001w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/warks/wp-content/uploads/sites/18/2025/02/176348_Catering-photos_-October-2015_-set-1_2015-Copy-800x533.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/warks/wp-content/uploads/sites/18/2025/02/176348_Catering-photos_-October-2015_-set-1_2015-Copy-768x512.jpg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1001px) 100vw, 1001px" /></figure>



<p>Decor-wise it’s very cool and airy with an industrial, New York loft feel. RSC posters plaster the bare brick walls and tables are nicely spaced out so you don’t have to listen to other conversations.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-scoff-amp-quaff">SCOFF &amp; QUAFF</h2>



<p>We headed along to try out afternoon tea, served from 11.30am to 3pm, with vegan, veggie and gluten-free versions available. It&#8217;s served with tea, or you can add on champagne/ Prosecco (which of course I did, like you have to ask!).</p>



<p>The menu changes seasonally, and everything is homemade by chefs headed up by James Eaves&#8217;, who has held a host of top kitchen roles across country. He&#8217;s also bagged numerous awards including the BCF Robert J Smith Award and the Craft Guild of Chefs Culinary Hero.</p>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="667" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/warks/wp-content/uploads/sites/18/2025/02/Untitled-design-170-1000x667.jpg" alt="afternoon tea RSC Rooftop" class="wp-image-59264" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/warks/wp-content/uploads/sites/18/2025/02/Untitled-design-170-1000x667.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/warks/wp-content/uploads/sites/18/2025/02/Untitled-design-170-800x533.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/warks/wp-content/uploads/sites/18/2025/02/Untitled-design-170-768x512.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/warks/wp-content/uploads/sites/18/2025/02/Untitled-design-170.jpg 1500w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



<p>It&#8217;s the perfect mix of sweet and savoury which was great for me as sometimes I feel afternoon teas can feel a bit cake heavy. Delicate finger sandwiches and Caerphilly cheese, chive and asparagus quiche as the savoury options. Some delicious, warm homemade raisin scones with a huge pot of clotted cream and jam were equally as delicious. Then I congratulated myself for wearing an elasticated waistband and made a start on the cakes.</p>



<p>Light, fluffy cranberry macaroons packed a flavour punch, as did the chocolate and orange opera cake. The spiced rum set cream in chocolate basket was a heady, boozy affair which is always two thumbs up. And you can&#8217;t go wrong with a red velvet cake or apple and blackberry crumble. It felt like real thought had gone into the menu and was the perfect way to while away a few hours watching the world go past in Stratford (with plenty of cake to take home and snack on later). </p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">OUT AND ABOUT</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="667" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/warks/wp-content/uploads/sites/18/2025/02/Untitled-design-171-1000x667.jpg" alt="RSC" class="wp-image-59268" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/warks/wp-content/uploads/sites/18/2025/02/Untitled-design-171-1000x667.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/warks/wp-content/uploads/sites/18/2025/02/Untitled-design-171-800x533.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/warks/wp-content/uploads/sites/18/2025/02/Untitled-design-171-768x512.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/warks/wp-content/uploads/sites/18/2025/02/Untitled-design-171.jpg 1500w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



<p>You&#8217;re in the home of Shakespeare, dining in the Royal Shakespeare Company restaurant. So your first stop should definitely be catching a show. There’s plenty else to do nearby too – lots of lovely indie shops and bars, the MAD Museum and Magic Alley are worth a visit too, or jump on a boat and head down the Avon. There’s also Shakespeare’s birthplace and Holy Trinity Church too where the Bard’s grave lies.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-muddy-verdict">THE MUDDY VERDICT</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1500" height="1000" src="https://warks.muddystilettos.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/sites/18/2022/07/Untitled-design-597.jpg" alt="RSC Rooftop Restaurant" class="wp-image-49713" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/warks/wp-content/uploads/sites/18/2022/07/Untitled-design-597.jpg 1500w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/warks/wp-content/uploads/sites/18/2022/07/Untitled-design-597-800x533.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/warks/wp-content/uploads/sites/18/2022/07/Untitled-design-597-1000x667.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/warks/wp-content/uploads/sites/18/2022/07/Untitled-design-597-768x512.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/warks/wp-content/uploads/sites/18/2022/07/Untitled-design-597-788x525.jpg 788w" sizes="(max-width: 1500px) 100vw, 1500px" /></figure>



<p><strong>GOOD FOR:</strong> I&#8217;ve said it before (a lot) and I&#8217;ll say it again, The RSC restaurant is some of the best quality, best value food in the town. There&#8217;s nothing I&#8217;ve ate there and been disappointed by. The afternoon tea is perfect if you&#8217;re looking for a quiet pitstop where you can enjoy Stratford from a different viewpoint, but if that&#8217;s not your thing then check out lunch or dinner. </p>



<p><strong>NOT FOR:</strong> Serving times are intermittent so don’t expect to just rock up and expect the restaurant to be open. <a href="https://www.rsc.org.uk/rooftop-restaurant">Check online</a> first and make a reservation as it books up fast.</p>



<p><strong>THE DAMAGE:</strong> Great value. Afternoon tea comes in at £29.95pp, or £35.95 with Prosecco, £42.50 with Laurent Perrier. </p>



<p><em><strong><a href="https://www.rsc.org.uk/rooftop-restaurant">RSC Rooftop Restaurant</a>, 3rd Floor, Royal Shakespeare Theatre, Waterside, Stratford-upon-Avon CV37 6BB. Tel: 01789 403449</strong></em></p>


Review: Afternoon tea at the RSC Rooftop Restaurant

You may also like