Restaurants Near Westminster Abbey: Where to Eat
Updated October 27, 2026
The easiest meal near Westminster Abbey is inside it. The Cellarium Café and Terrace, at the end of the West Cloister, serves breakfast, lunch and afternoon tea from 8:00am on days the Abbey is open. Outside the West Doors, the Abbey's kiosk sells sandwiches, hot dogs and coffee. Beyond the Abbey, Parliament Square is ringed by pubs that serve food, and the streets towards Victoria hide cheaper options such as Strutton Ground's fish and chips. Every place below is within about 700 m of the Abbey. Addresses and map positions are from OpenStreetMap. This list is not paid for, and none of these links earns this site anything.
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1. Cellarium Café and Terrace
Westminster Abbey · 0.1 km
The Abbey's own café, at the end of the West Cloister. It serves freshly baked pastries and seasonal breakfasts, light lunches and traditional afternoon tea. Open daily 8:00am to 4:30pm on days the Abbey is open, with lunch from 12:00pm to 4:00pm. The Abbey says you can visit just for the café. If you are mid-visit, ask a Marshal before you leave the church, because Abbey tickets are single entry.
Westminster Abbey, 20 Dean's Yard, London SW1P 3PA
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3. St Stephen's Tavern
Westminster · 0.23 km
A pub on Bridge Street, opposite Big Ben and beside Westminster station, about 230 m from the Abbey. Convenient if you are combining the Abbey with Big Ben, Westminster Bridge or a river boat from Westminster Pier. Check its own site for food times.
10 Bridge Street, London SW1A 2JR
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4. The Cinnamon Club
Westminster · 0.25 km
Indian fine dining in the Old Westminster Library on Great Smith Street, about 250 m south-west of the Abbey, behind Dean's Yard. The choice for a proper dinner after Evensong rather than a quick lunch. Book ahead on its own site.
30 Great Smith Street, London SW1P 3BU
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5. The Feathers
St James's Park · 0.38 km
A pub on Broadway, opposite St James's Park station, about 380 m from the Abbey. Useful if you arrive or leave by the District and Circle lines at St James's Park.
18-20 Broadway, London SW1H 0BH
Eating inside the Abbey
Is there a café at Westminster Abbey? Yes, two. The Cellarium Café and Terrace is at the end of the West Cloister and is reached by lift. It serves meals through the day, from breakfast at 8:00am to afternoon tea, with lunch from 12:00pm to 4:00pm. The Kiosk outside the West Doors sells snacks and drinks from 8:00am to 5:00pm. Both open on days the Abbey is open. Your ticket is single entry, so if you want to eat halfway through a visit, ask a Marshal before you step out.
Can you bring food into the Abbey?
No outside food is allowed inside the Abbey, except sealed items, food for medical needs and food for young children. Bottled water is fine, and alcohol is not allowed. Eat before you go in or after you come out. If the weather is good, take a sandwich to St James's Park, about 600 m north-west past Storey's Gate, which is free and open to all.
Pubs on Parliament Square
The pubs closest to the Abbey are the Westminster Arms on Storey's Gate and St Stephen's Tavern on Bridge Street, both within about 250 m. Check each pub's own site for kitchen hours. If you are visiting with a guided tour of the Abbey and Parliament, plan lunch before or after, because the tour runs for 225 minutes. See things to do near Westminster Abbey for a half-day plan, or book a timed Abbey ticket for the morning.
Frequently asked questions
Is there a café at Westminster Abbey?
Yes. The Cellarium Café and Terrace, at the end of the West Cloister, is open daily 8:00am to 4:30pm on days the Abbey is open, with lunch from 12:00pm to 4:00pm. The Kiosk outside the West Doors opens 8:00am to 5:00pm.
Do you need an Abbey ticket to eat at the Cellarium Café?
The Abbey says the café welcomes people who are visiting the Abbey or just popping in for food and drink. Check the Abbey's food and drink page for the entrance to use.
Can I bring food into Westminster Abbey?
No outside food, except sealed items, medical needs or food for young children. Bottled water is allowed.
Where can I get a cheap lunch near Westminster Abbey?
The Abbey's Kiosk outside the West Doors for sandwiches and hot dogs, or the Laughing Halibut on Strutton Ground for fish and chips, about 540 m from the Abbey.
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