Overview
Sketch occupies a Georgian townhouse on Conduit Street that has been so thoroughly transformed it bears almost no relationship to its original structure. There are several distinct rooms, each designed by a different artist, a Michelin-starred restaurant, a cocktail bar, and the afternoon tea room: The Gallery.
The Gallery is the pink room. Blush pink banquettes, pink walls, and ceiling panels covered in David Shrigley illustrations, his deliberately clumsy, often darkly funny drawings of everyday absurdity. It sounds maximalist, and it is, but the room has an internal logic. It commits entirely to its vision. Sitting inside it feels less like being in a restaurant and more like being inside a particular mood.
The Afternoon Tea
The food has kept pace with the room, which is the thing that keeps Sketch relevant. The sandwiches are precise and well-seasoned, the smoked salmon with cream cheese and cucumber is a benchmark version. The scones come warm with clotted cream and several jams. The pastries are where the kitchen shows off: expect small architectural things that involve yuzu, Earl Grey ganache, rose, and occasionally something savoury in a sweet format.
The champagne trolley comes around. You will order champagne. This is not optional.
Service is attentive without being stiff, which matters when you're paying this much.
Practical Notes
- Afternoon tea is served daily, typically 12pm–6:30pm. Last seating around 5:30pm.
- Booking is essential, reserve 2–4 weeks ahead, more for weekends and special occasions.
- Smart casual dress code. They will not turn you away for jeans but the room does a thing where you want to dress for it.
- Bond Street and Oxford Circus stations are both within 10 minutes.
- The pod toilets, egg-shaped, white, Pod-like, are an attraction in themselves. Don't miss them.
- The Lecture Room & Library upstairs holds Sketch's Michelin stars if you want the full experience for dinner.