Let’s have tea, the English way!

Interior

This week You! peeks inside a quintessential teahouse in Islamabad which is vibrant and welcoming...

The concept of teahouses originated in Japan and China where these spaces were used to serve tea and light refreshments. In the 18th century tearooms began to appear in various cities of England, where art lovers and literati used to interact. Later on, the trend caught on in the sub continent. But after partition the concept of teahouses slowly and gradually died down. And with the passage of time, teahouses have again started sprouting across Pakistan.

One such teahouse that has become a household name is ‘English Teahouse’. The interior of the teahouse, which has recently opened in Islamabad, has the perfect English vibes. 

The cafe is a small heaven for booklovers, tea addicts, thinkers, poets and just generally anyone who enjoys good dessert in a beautiful ambiance. However, what makes ‘English Teahouse’ so special is its decor. The space is bright, stunning, airy and just plain comfortable for a teahouse. Its big windows, brick walls, wooden floors and burgundy sofas make it look extremely charming and classic. The wall shelves and the selection of items on them from the books to the crockery and general decoration items have been selected carefully. One particular windowpane is painted in a bright yellow colour - adding a lot of life and energy to the entire space. What makes the place even more stunning is all the greenery outside it. One can sit near a window and stare at it for hours while enjoying coffee or tea - such is the magic of this teahouse.

The place is the brainchild of Nisar Chaudhry and acclaimed architect Masood Ali Khan who brought their inspirations to reality in order to create this masterpiece.

According to Nisar Chaudhry, when they decided to move to Islamabad, their biggest challenge was finding a location. “Keeping its closeness to the mountains, we thought of a ski resort/ country club in the hills somewhere and this concept was developed,” he shares.

Eventually the duo decided on the current venue and knew it needed complete remodelling as per their requirements. The space has been designed in such a way that it now has the perfect lounge like teahouse on the ground floor and a stunning Chinese restaurant upstairs - ‘Yum’.

Masood Ali Khan, the architect behind the teahouse admits that big windows, which are rather prominent, help in capturing daylight and provide depth during the night. “However, when you use big windows, the view outside is very essential too and nothing beats a good video than Mother Nature itself. Therefore, not only did we pay importance to the bright big windows but also took care of the greenery outside,” adds Masood.

English Teahouse has some stunning views; lush green lawn, flowers, plantation and just about everything that soothes the eye. Despite being in the middle of the commercial hub in F-7, the views from the windows make one seem like they are in a suburb away from the hustle and bustle of the city. Moreover, plantation has an important role to play, as some of it has been used wisely in its indoor decor too. In one corner of the space, there are hanging plantations in baskets that add a very unique touch to the entire place.

To complement the overall look, wooden flooring and brick walls have also been used. “The exposed bricks in any space provide an organic feel. It has a time warp effect which makes them timeless... at least for now,” explains Masood.

When it comes to things that add character to the decor of the space, the wooden shelves with books, art pieces and decorative items also deserve credit. Masood believes that nothing beats a nice cup of coffee and a good book. “It also instils a feeling that you are welcome to stay here for as long as you like. It makes you want to come back over and over again... of course, only when coupled with good food and overall done right,” he asserts.

As far as food is concerned, they serve some delicious hi-tea on a platter in the late afternoon and evenings and their molten lava cake is to die for! English Teahouse serves pastas, chicken dishes, burgers, sandwiches, seafood and a lot more, making sure everyone who comes enjoys their experience to the core.