Date visited: Saturday 7th September 2024
The Mug Tree is a well-established tearoom in East Grinstead, having opened at the end of 2014. Self‑styled as a ‘Traditional Tea Room’ and situated on Ship Street opposite the Ship Inn, it has six tables inside for those wishing to take tea, as well as two tables outside at the front of the tearoom.
There’s a two page menu: one page of food – including a range of light snacks such as toasties, sandwiches and porridge – and one page of beverages including a selection of leaf teas. When I visited there were some shortbreads and bakes on display at the counter, but no cakes.
I chose a tuna melt toastie, a millionaires shortbread, and a pot of silver tips jasmine tea, which in total came to £14.05. The toastie was served with salad in a vinegar dressing.
I visited early on a Saturday morning, and was the only customer throughout my stay. Clearly with hopes of a busy day ahead, there were three staff on duty who, not surprisingly, looked a quite bored once I left.
The Mug Tree is, at the time of writing, open five days a week, usually from 10 am, and closing at 4 pm on Tuesdays, Thursdays, Fridays, at 3.30 pm on Saturdays and at 2.30 pm on Mondays. However on the Saturday I visited it didn’t open until 10.30 am. The Mug Tree is closed on Wednesdays and Sundays.
