Surrey Hills · Overlooking Silent Pool
An Indian afternoon tea in the Surrey Hills
This is quite possibly the only afternoon tea in England served by someone whose family actually grew the tea. Mandira grew up on a tea plantation in Assam, and this is teatime as she knew it: the trolley wheeled in at golden hour, cakes, fritters, and cups that never quite emptied.
The proper British afternoon tea ran away to India. It came back more interesting. Served every day, 12pm to 4pm.
Afternoon Tea Week · 10 to 16 August · a complimentary glass of rosé with every afternoon tea
£35 per person, children £15 · We lay six tables at a time, so it is worth booking ahead.
From£35 per person
15 Great Taste Awards
The only Indian afternoon tea in the Surrey Hills
Served every day, 12pm to 4pm
What's included
What comes to the table
Three tiers, made fresh in our kitchen, with bottomless chai to go alongside.
The savoury tier
Sliders, croquettes and savoury squares, straight from the kitchen.
Sweet fancies
Indian sweet fancies on the top tier, changing with the season.
Mango lassi
Our own mango lassi, included rather than an extra.
Bottomless chai
Masala chai or Darjeeling, poured for as long as you sit.
The setting
Summer outside, winter in the barn
Where you sit is part of the treat. In summer the tables spill outside and you take your tea overlooking the water. In winter you are tucked inside our beautifully decorated barn, which looks like something straight out of a storybook.
No Victoria sponge, and the sandwiches share their stand with Bombay bhel and cocktail samosas. The scones come warm with rose gulkand jam and clotted cream. Mango lassi and bottomless masala chai are included, not extras. This is afternoon tea as my family served it on a tea plantation in Assam, and there is nothing else like it in the Surrey Hills.
The school holidays
Bringing the children? Theirs is £15
A children's afternoon tea at £15, with smaller portions and milder flavours, so they get their own stand rather than picking at yours. High chairs available and families very welcome. Dogs too, if they are coming along.
Children's afternoon tea£15
Book a tableAfternoon Tea Week
A glass of rosé is on us
Book any afternoon tea between Monday 10 and Sunday 16 August and we will bring you a complimentary glass of rosé alongside it. On the 17th the trolley goes back to its usual self.
- DatesMon 10 to Sun 16 August
- Price£35 per person
- Children£15
- ServedEvery day, 12pm to 4pm
- TablesSix per sitting
The gallery
An afternoon at our table
Photographed here at Mandira's Kitchen, inside the barn and beside the water.
In their words
A hidden gem in the Surrey Hills
What a delight it was to find such a lovely place outside of London doing an Indian afternoon tea. Food was great. The setting was lovely inside and out. Staff were friendly and helpful. All in all a great afternoon.
We had the Indian afternoon tea and it was delicious, with plenty of beautifully presented food and chai masala tea. Sat in gentle sunshine by the pool. Staff catered for vegetarians with ease. A perfect day.
The food is delicious and so different from the usual curry houses. We come here after family walks in the Surrey Hills and are never disappointed.
How it works
Three steps, and then you sit down
Pick your day and time
Any sitting between 12pm and 4pm, every day. Six tables at a time, so weekends go first.
Tell us what you need
Vegetarian, gluten-free with notice, or any allergies. Say so when you book.
Come hungry
Free parking on site, and dogs are welcome.
Book a table
Reserve your afternoon tea
Book online, or ring us and we will sort it out between us.
Or call 01483 940789. Pre-booking is recommended. Walk-ins are welcome when space allows, though during busy periods there can be a wait of up to 30 minutes.
For groups of six or more, private sittings are available. Call 01483 940789 or email enquiries@mandiraskitchen.com and we will arrange everything.
- Price
- £35 per person
- Prosecco upgrade
- £7.50 per person
- Children
- £15
- Served
- Every day, 12pm to 4pm
- Where
- Silent Pool, Surrey Hills
- Parking
- Free, on site
- Dogs
- Welcome
Gift vouchers
Afternoon Tea for Two
£70, or £85 with prosecco. Valid for 12 months, sent as an e-voucher with a personal message, and they book whenever suits them.
Buy a gift voucher
Questions
Before you book
What is an Indian afternoon tea?
An Indian afternoon tea keeps the shape of the British classic and gives it an Indian heart. At Mandira's Kitchen it is quite possibly the only afternoon tea in England served by someone whose family actually grew the tea. Mandira grew up on a tea plantation in Assam, and the menu recreates the teatime she knew: savouries and sandwiches alongside Bombay bhel and cocktail samosas, masala and cardamom scones with rose gulkand jam and clotted cream, Indian sweet fancies, mango lassi and bottomless masala chai or Darjeeling tea.
How much is Indian afternoon tea at Mandira's Kitchen?
£35 per person. A Prosecco upgrade is £7.50 per person. Children's afternoon tea is £15, with smaller portions and milder flavours.
When is it served and do I need to book?
Served every day, 12pm to 4pm, at Silent Pool in the Surrey Hills. Pre-booking is recommended. Walk-ins are welcome when space allows, though during busy periods there can be a wait of up to 30 minutes. Book online at mandiraskitchen.com or call 01483 940789.
Is there a vegetarian option? What about vegan or gluten-free?
A vegetarian afternoon tea is available at the same price, with paneer taking the place of chicken. Gluten-free we can do with advance notice, just tell us when you book. Sadly there is no vegan version. Everything is made fresh in our kitchen and for this menu we are simply unable to offer one. Do mention any allergies when booking. Call 01483 940789.
Can I book afternoon tea for a group, hen party or baby shower?
Yes. Popular for hen days, baby showers, birthdays, henna evenings and corporate team days. For groups of six or more, private sittings are available. Call 01483 940789 or email enquiries@mandiraskitchen.com.
Is there a children's afternoon tea?
Children's afternoon tea is £15, with smaller portions and milder flavours. High chairs available. Families welcome. Call 01483 940789 if you have any questions when booking.
Where is Mandira's Kitchen?
Silent Pool, Shere Road, Albury, Surrey GU5 9BW, in the Surrey Hills National Landscape. On Shere Road (the A248), just off the A25 between Guildford and Dorking, next to Silent Pool Gin Distillery. Free parking on site. Dogs welcome.
What makes it different from a hotel afternoon tea?
No Victoria sponge, and the sandwiches share their stand with Bombay bhel and cocktail samosas. Warm scones with rose gulkand jam and clotted cream, mango lassi and bottomless masala chai included. In summer tea is served outside overlooking the water; in winter inside the beautifully decorated barn. Mandira's Kitchen holds 15 Great Taste Awards and is the only place in the Surrey Hills serving an Indian afternoon tea.
Can I buy Indian afternoon tea as a gift?
Yes. Afternoon Tea for Two gift vouchers are available at mandiraskitchen.com or on 01483 940789. Valid for 12 months, sent as an e-voucher with a personal message.
Finding us
Mandira's Kitchen is at Silent Pool
Silent Pool, Shere Road, Albury, Surrey GU5 9BW. On Shere Road (the A248), just off the A25 between Guildford and Dorking, next to Silent Pool Gin Distillery. Free parking on site. Dogs welcome.
A glass of rosé is on us, 10 to 16 August
£35 per person, children £15, served every day from 12pm to 4pm. We lay six tables at a time, so it is worth booking ahead.
Book your table