Please note, the café formerly known as the Tangerine Dream Café is now called The Physic Garden Café. Time Out Food editors, MARCH 2020.
Yes, you'll have to pay entrance to the Chelsea Physic Garden to enjoy this café, but then a wander within the garden's walls is a delight in itself – and the perfect prelude to some alfresco dining. Tangerine Dream pride themselves on simple presentation and the freshness of their produce, so don't be surprised if the zucchini (and flower) served as salad with your and sun-dried tomato and Gruyère tart is uncooked – but do be surprised if it's anything less than crunchily delicious.
There are terrific cakes too, from lavender scones to orange polenta cake. The café is licensed and has a proper wine list (including fizz), but the own-made Amalfi lemonade is surely the tipple of choice as you sit looking out across the parterres.