The Best Places for Afternoon Tea in London
It was in 1840 that the Duchess of Bedford shared her guilty secret of enjoying tea and snacks a few hours before dinner, setting a trend that would evolve to become a national tradition complete with a new set of afternoon tea etiquette rules. Today, afternoon tea in London enjoys celebratory status. Flutes of Champagne and pretty pastries are a given, while exotic nibbles and potent cocktails mean that what now constitutes this most genteel of refreshments might well shock the Duchess of Bedford. We’ve sat down to countless cups of tea, finger sandwiches, scones and macarons to bring you our editors’ reviews of the best afternoon teas in London–from the traditional spreads to the modern interpretations that roll on into evening drinks.
This article was originally published on Condé Nast Traveller UK.
What is the best time for afternoon tea in London?
While traditionalists are more inclined to aim for a 3pm or 4pm sitting, some high teas in London are so extensive (think multi-course platters and unlimited sandwiches) that lunch can be skipped altogether, and a 12pm or 1pm booking is just fine.
Here's our pick of the best afternoon tea in London
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Courtesy Fortnum & MasonThe Diamond Jubilee Tea Salon at Fortnum & Mason
Dressed in trademark eau-de-nil, right down to the tea plates, Fortnum & Mason's Tea Salon is a peaceful oasis (accessed in a lovely wood-paneled lift) off Piccadilly. An oasis of tea and cake! It seems as if it hasn't changed in decades, in a wonderfully old-world way, but in fact was refurbished and subsequently reopened by the Queen in 2012. It remains a traditional affair and, located on the fourth floor of the iconic Fortnum & Mason shop (where London afternoon teas have been served for almost 100 years), it's a delightful place to while away an afternoon.
And who knew there were so many different types of tea? If Willy Wonka ever swapped chocolate for tea, the menu might resemble that at the Tea Salon, listing around 45 fantastically-named infusions like Jasmine Dragon Pearls, Tippy Golden Flowery Orange Pekoe, and Hattialli, which takes its name from the Assamese words 'Hathi Alli', meaning 'Elephant Road'. Terrifically knowledgeable 'Tearistas' are on hand to help narrow down the choice.
Soft, warm scones are served with lashings of Somerset clotted cream and the most delicious raspberry, strawberry and wild blueberry jams which left us scraping the bottom of the jar. (Luckily, these can be bought in the shop downstairs.) The cake carriage is a feast for the eyes, with mini chocolate-mousse tarts and melt-in-your-mouth salted-caramel choux pastries. Finger sandwiches make a welcome savory intervention from the sweet treats.
Address: 4th Floor, Fortnum & Mason, 181 Piccadilly, St. James's, London W1A 1ER
Price from: £70, or approximately $87
Courtesy The DorchesterAfternoon tea at The Dorchester
Everything at The Dorchester is scaled up. There are bouquets the size of hot-air balloons in the lobby, quilted-brocade sofas dwarf the loftiest of guests and marble-effect pillars tower over tables in the Promenade, where afternoon tea is served. While the surroundings can make you feel rather small and insignificant, the discreetly charming staff have the opposite effect–you are treated like the server’s most important (and better yet, favorite) guests.
Inevitably, there is an element of performance that accompanies the service at a hotel like The Dorchester. Between the savory and sweet courses you are presented with a palate-cleansing green tea, with lily and jasmine wrapped in silver needles and infused with mango. As the maître d' explained with a smile and a sweep of his arm, ‘There is a theatre to it! This is the stage'. In the first act, sandwiches with fillings such as chicken with ginger, lime, garlic, mayonnaise, and shallots or poached wild salmon with heritage tomatoes tread the boards on meticulously cut rectangles of white, multigrain, and wholemeal bread. Creative vegetarian understudies include an indulgent truffle tofu with vegan mayonnaise, but the salt-crusted golden-beetroot sandwich was the surprising scene-stealer, and the volume of food matched the oversized decor.
In all its grandeur, the Promenade is sink-into-the-cushions comfortable too; those Chesterfields are ever so inviting, and the high-ceilinged ballroom-sized space is designed so that every table is positioned to prioritize privacy. If afternoon tea is the matinée performance, you might find yourself tempted to stick around for the late show too; as the pianist rolls out a gentle medley on the Steinway grand piano by the bar, it’s all too easy to let tea turn into evening drinks.—Anna Prendergast
Address: 53 Park Ln, London W1K 1QA
Price from: £75, or approximately $94Note: whilst the team may not have tried all of the limited-edition coronation afternoon teas in London listed below, they are special events laid on by some of our favorite establishments across the capital.
Courtesy Condè Nast Traveller UKCoronation Afternoon Tea at Cellarium, Westminster Abbey
Wherever you are spending the coronation weekend, Westminster Abbey is ensuring no one misses out on the quintessentially British occasion. Cellarium, the sun-drenched café accessed through the Abbey’s stunning mediaeval cloisters, has a coronation afternoon tea available from March until the end of July. Treats are in keeping with King Charles’ passion for sustainability, utilizing fresh British ingredients wherever possible. Expect sandwiches loaded with smoked chicken, apple, and celeriac slaw and Old Cotswold Legbar egg mayonnaise, before Earl Grey scones smothered in Cornish clotted cream and Tiptree jam alongside a colorful selection of cakes and tarts.
Address: Cellarium Cafe and Terrace, Westminster Abbey, Dean's Yard, The Sanctuary, London SW1P 3PA
Dates: Thursday, March 23 – Monday, July 31
Courtesy Mandarin OrientalThe Rosebery Coronation Afternoon Tea, Mandarin Oriental Hyde Park London
The Rosebery's limited-edition afternoon tea is inspired by the best of British heritage and ingredients–many of which are served at the royal table. The Mandarin Oriental Hyde Park and Highgrove have teamed up to create the ultimate indulgent spread; expect Clarence Court egg truffle sandwiches, King's coronation chicken and a preserve made from Highgrove's juicy organic strawberries. Quench your thirst with pots of Earl Grey and English breakfast tea, or explore the caffeinated (and decaffeinated) possibilities over pours of moonlight white tea and mango black tea.
Address: The Rosebery, Mandarin Oriental Hyde Park, 66 Knightsbridge, SW1X 7LA London, United Kingdom
Price: £95, or approximately $120, per person
Dates: Monday April 17 – Sunday, May 14
Courtesy The Goring HotelAfternoon tea at The Goring Hotel
The Royal Family make no secret of their affection for The Goring Hotel. It’s where the Duchess of Cambridge spent the night before her wedding; where the Queen holds her annual staff Christmas lunch, and the only hotel in the world to hold a royal warrant. Tucked away on an unassuming side street in Belgravia, there are even rumors of a secret tunnel linking the hotel to Buckingham Palace, so the Queen and co can slip in unnoticed. And what makes the place extra special is its private garden out back–almost unheard of in central London–where you can enjoy your tea in good weather before working it off with a game of croquet. It’s an institution about as British as it gets.
Pre-book your afternoon tea to guarantee seating in the hushed, old-school gilded dining room, decked out with thick gold curtains, whimsical tree-like Swarovski chandeliers and a roaring fire in the winter. The hotel has been owned by the same family since opening in 1910, and they take their roles seriously: CEO Jeremy Goring himself is the in-house master of tea, personally selecting and tasting each blend on the menu. Start with The Goring’s own afternoon blend, a refreshing and subtle mix of Assam and Darjeeling, before navigating your way through some of the more ambitious-sounding options (such as dragon well or organic maojian) or herbal infusions.
Before the carbs, a plate of strawberries arrives – which goes perfectly with the glass of pink Bollinger poured at the table from a huge magnum. After a dainty amuse-bouche of butternut squash and savory granola come unfussy, crustless finger sandwiches filled with smoked salmon, pastrami or cheese and pickle. But don’t fill up on these because it’s the cakes that steal the show: a white-chocolate bomb cracked open to reveal a fluffy apple mousse, a dense tarte tatin piped with mini cones of pink meringue and a choux bun oozing with caramelly crème pâtissière. Then layer up your scones with The Goring’s own homemade jam, filled with strawberries and raspberries foraged from their farm in Suffolk. Come hungry–everything’s swiftly replenished the moment there’s space on the plate – but staff are more than happy to pack you off with a doggy bag if you’ve overdone it. And it’s worth knowing that the tea can be made totally gluten-free, too.
Address: 15 Beeston Place, London, SW1W 0JW
Website: thegoring.com
Price: From £60, or approximately $75, per personCoronation Afternoon Tea, The Goring Hotel
Soak up the sunshine and enjoy a themed afternoon tea at The Goring Hotel ahead of the ceremony on Saturday 6 May. On the elegant sun-kissed veranda away from the hustle and bustle of the capital's streets nearby, the high tea is enjoyed overlooking the manicured Goring Garden, where some of the late Queen's favorite plants and flowers erupt out of the soil. King Charles' favorite treats feature on the limited-edition menu including sandwiches filled with ingredients from Royal Warrant suppliers like Dukeshill Ham. Whichever order you opt for, coat warm scones in clotted cream, strawberry and elderflower jam. Alternatively, head chef Graham Squire has crafted an exquisite menu available as a la carte and a six course tasting menu–catch it over the first week of May only.
Address: The Goring Hotel, 15 Beeston Place, London SW1W 0JW
Website: thegoring.com
Price: £75, or approximately $94, per person with a glass of Bollinger Champagne
Dates: Monday, April 24 – Sunday, May 28
Courtesy Covent Garden HotelThe Royal Afternoon Tea, Covent Garden Hotel
Covent Garden Hotel’s coronation afternoon tea is one of the best ways to get ahead, or continue, the historic celebrations in the capital this summer. So tuck into coronation chicken sandwiches, strawberry tarts, lemon crémeux, and coat warm scones in classic condiments. Bar manager Flavio Carvalho has devised a cocktail fit for the occasion; inspired by the King’s love of whisky and Darjeeling, the spirit is mixed with Cointreau, lemon, and English sparkling wine.
Address: Covent Garden Hotel, 10 Monmouth Street, London WC2H 9HB
Price: From £40, or approximately $50, per person
Dates: Until Thursday, August 31
Courtesy The LaneCoronation Regency Afternoon Tea, The Lane
Who better to curate an afternoon tea spread fit for a new King than dessert doyenne Lily Vanilli? Theatre Royal Drury Lane, the only theatre in the world still operating under a royal charter, has got the culinary creator on board in time for a refreshed coronation menu. Expect all the usual trimmings, such as warm scones served with cream, homemade jams and salted whipped butter, alongside savory bites like dainty finger sandwiches. The cakes steal the spotlight, however, topped with gold crowns and edible royal homages. Rare Tea Company’s brews are perfect for cleansing the palate–as is the Champagne for an extra-indulgent afternoon. Afterwards, walk off the sugar rush on a daily guided tour; these run daily (apart from Tuesdays) and are priced at £22.50 (around $28) per person.
Address: Theatre Royal Drury Lane, Catherine Street, London WC2B 5JF
Price: From £59, or approximately $75, per person
Dates: Until Wednesday, May 10
Courtesy The Coral RoomAfternoon tea at The Coral Room, The Bloomsbury Hotel
There’s no need to guess where The Bloomsury Hotel's Coral Room gets its name from, with the space painted the color from head to toe. Bevelled mirrors and gold-framed illustrations hang on the tall walls; huge chandeliers cascade above the seating area and marble-topped bar. Choose to sit by the roaring fire or under one of the bay windows that flood nearby tables with light.
Are you sitting comfortably on your blue-velvet or patterned-fabric chair? Begin by selecting your drink. There are unlimited refills on dozens of brews–including iced coffee, matcha and turmeric lattes, jasmine silver tip and lemon verbena tea – all served in sturdy silverware and poured into gold-rimmed (obviously), grey- and white-striped fine china. You’ll soon notice that the crockery’s color scheme precisely matches the Art Deco interiors.
Dive into the sandwiches on the stand’s bottom tier; the Guinness bread variety is a standout, filled with smoked salmon and lemon crème fraîche. Next up are four warm vanilla scones – it wouldn’t be afternoon tea without them. Cut each one in half and lather on the clotted cream before–always before–the fresh raspberry jam. At the top of the stand are miniature creations so elegant you’ll feel guilty for demolishing them so quickly. The bright yellow mango-and-coriander tart with pink peppercorn meringue instantly catches the eye, while the rich chocolate mousse sprinkled with cashew praline and prune compote lingers on the tongue. And, if you’re feeling particularly bold, the Coral Room will replenish your tier of choice for free. Still thirsty? As one of the best bars in London, there's no need to move to a second location–the cocktails here are a knockout.– Sophie Knight
Address: 16-22 Great Russell St, London WC1B 3NN
Price from: £40, or approximately $50, per person.
Courtesy Corinthia LondonAfternoon tea at the Corinthia
The Corinthia’s light-flooded Crystal Moon Lounge is a grand setting for the hotel’s recently relaunched afternoon tea, which is all about choice. Huge displays of treats are wheeled around on silver gilded trolleys so that guests can make their own selection, or indeed, choose to indulge in them all. The tea has its own dedicated station manned by a sommelier who will weigh and infuse your selected brew to achieve the best possible flavor. The No.2 Mellow bespoke blend is a medium-strength, fruity refreshment. For something lighter, the China Milky Oolong is delicate and one of those rare finds that tastes as fragrant as it smells.
The experience doesn’t fall short when it comes to the food either. Sandwiches are served with flavor twists such as egg mayo and truffle, more of which you’ll seriously consider forgoing the cakes for, and a tandoori take on coronation chicken. Scones arrive like prized possessions in their own wooden box, with clotted cream and a surprisingly savory rhubarb and tonka bean jam. Just be sure to save room for the French canelé–a celebration of soft doughy cake with a chewy, caramel crust originating from the pastry chef’s home town of Bordeaux.
This isn’t a place to come in a hurry. Service is relaxed with a measured pace. Sit back in among the fashionable young things taking a break from sightseeing, and then cross the river and walk it off with a stroll along the South Bank.–Olivia Holborow
Address: 10 Whitehall Pl, London SW1A 2BD
Price from: £65, or approximately $80 per person.
Courtesy The StaffordSt James’s Afternoon Tea at The Stafford
The Stafford London’s afternoon tea follows an edible journey through the streets surrounding this classic hotel, built in 1912. Served in The Game Bird, a room that marries duck-egg walls with shiny, plush velvet sofas and where gilded columns complement the grand bouquets of yellow flowers. The tea kicks off with the classics: three sandwiches–fresh cucumber and cream cheese, honey-roast Wiltshire ham and mustard, and smoked salmon–all finger-sized and joyously resembling those of your childhood. Next up are wedges of flaky, buttery sausage rolls and a creamy truffled-egg and watercress brioche bun–not for the faint hearted, but worth every bite. For the sweet offering, the scones are anything but simple. They’re fluffy, powdery and squishy, served with classic clotted cream and strawberry jam. But there’s also a cheddar version that comes with airy, whipped soft cheese and chives for spreading.
It’s on the final tier, though, that the nod to the surrounding institutions comes into play. Almond shortbread, dressed in a Henry Poole and Co tuxedo, and a top hat made with white chocolate and lime jelly, inspired by Lock and Co Hatters – the world’s oldest hat shop, are both fun and quirky eats. Shoemakers Foster and Son get a white-chocolate shoe horn and polish tin filled with a seasonal fruit trifle topped with Chantilly cream, while cigar aficionados James J Fox have a chocolate-and-hazelnut cigar tribute that comes in a smoky case. If a Savile Row suit is a little out of your budget, how about an edible version at this afternoon tea?—Katharine Sohn
Address: 16-18 St James's Pl, St. James's, London SW1A 1NJ
Price from: £45, or approximately $56, per person
Courtesy The BerkeleyPrêt-à-portea at The Berkeley
The Berkeley's afternoon tea offering gets the award for the most fashionable in London. The crowd here is of the well-heeled variety–I lost count of the Manolo Blahnik Hangisi heels I saw. It’s not a coincidence either–Prêt-à-portea has been drawing fashion fans for years now with its edible edit of the hottest ready-to-wear shows.
Each season, Head Pastry Chef Mourad Khia, has the dream job of taking inspiration from the latest runway shows and recreating them in sweet form. Khia teams his incredible eye for patterns, sculptural shapes and signature items, with his talent for innovative textures and flavors. The six-month revolving menu inevitably ends up as a greatest hits of the latest fashion trends, featuring accessories or motifs from all the top designers – Gucci, Saint Laurent, Chanel, and Schiaparelli–served in delicious and dainty edible treats. In previous years some of fashion’s great icons have also been served, most famously Anna Wintour, complete with signature bob and sunglasses, in biscuit form. Just to see these edible works of art is a treat in itself, to eat them is a delicious adventure.
If you’re a traditionalist, be warned that while there are the usual canapés and sandwiches, there’s not a scone to be found. Tea is taken seriously though, with a page on the menu dedicated to the scientific process of how The Berkeley makes its tea. Champagne is also on offer, plus a seasonal and refreshing mocktail. But really this one is all about fashion, both in person and on the plate.—Lauren Burvill
Address: Wilton Place, London SW1X 7RL
Price from: £80, or approximately $100, per person
Courtesy Dean Street TownhouseAfternoon tea at Dean Street Townhouse
There’s a particularly lovely, old-world glow that whooshes around you when you enter Dean Street Townhouse. Perhaps it’s the leaded windows that make the room seem like a throwback to Dickensian London, or the single candles flickering in Wee Willie Winkie-style brass holders on every table, or the clink-clink-clink of silver on china. Or perhaps, more than all this, it’s the notion that you’ve ducked out of the humdrum for a while; afternoon tea here feels comforting and fun, like you’re joining the others living it up in Soho at 4pm on a Tuesday.
Tea is served in the lounge, with its handsome velvet arm chairs in sage green and ketchup red, jade-painted wooden panelling, jazz soundtrack and curated art–the collection in Dean Street includes pieces by Tracey Emin, Peter Blake, Fiona Banner and Mat Collishaw, alongside a number of emerging artists such as illustrator Dan Hillier. The Collet Brut Champagne (if you’re boozing) comes in a cut-glass coupe, the tea–of which there are 10 varieties from lapsang souchong to rooibos–in black-and-white floral-print Burleigh Pottery (a special commission for the Soho House group). The scones are fluffy, the Burford Brown-egg-and-mayonnaise sandwiches dainty and the cakes brilliantly retro: chocolate Swiss roll, mini Victoria sponges with strawberries and cream, Battenberg in hot pink and egg-yolk yellow, tooth-rasping lemon tart with a blueberry on top.
But most delicious of all is the laid-back atmosphere. Around you are thirty-something couples sharing bottles of rosé, media types getting creative over cappuccinos, and groups of friends pondering another round of G&Ts. Come for afternoon tea in the lounge, move on to a cocktail or two at the bar and maybe even make an evening of it by checking into the townhouse for the night. You are in Soho after all.
Address: 69-71 Dean St, London W1D 3SE
Price from: £31, or approximately $38
Courtesy The ConnaughtAfternoon tea at The Connaught
Doormen in top hats stand sentinel by the ever-revolving doors of The Connaught, which deposit guests into the hallway of one of London’s smartest hotels. With its quiet elegance, sense of timelessness and British sensibility, there are few places quite like it. That said, the arrival of French chef Jean-Georges Vongerichten and his international flair has relaxed the rules a little, doing away with formalities such as dress codes and allotted time slots.
The restaurant Jean-Georges at The Connaught was refurbished last year, and the new afternoon tea summer menu was launched in June this year. Gone is the overwhelming choice of 16 jams with your scones, which are now served simply with Cornish clotted cream, homemade preserve and lemon curd. Sandwiches are classic picnic favorites (coronation chicken, cucumber) and the patisserie stand displays the handiwork of pastry chef Nicolas Rouzaud, highlights of which include an irresistible chocolate fondue with seasonal fruit and a bite-sized pavlova. At first, we were disappointed to be served tea with tea bags (rather than loose leaf), but a conspiratorial waiter let us in on a secret; the Connaught kitchen hand-fills its own tea bags. They resemble tiny pillowcases and are made from Egyptian cotton, without plastic, glue or staples, for maximum freshness, flavor and sustainability. It turns out that most (likely more sophisticated) guests prefer not to pick tea leaves out of their teeth. If you like your tea strong enough to fuel rocket ships, ask for extra leaves – the staff will happily oblige. Try to get a table in the front section of the restaurant, where light filters through the stained-glass windows by Parisian artist Jean-Michel Othoniel and you get a great view of passers-by.—Anna Prendergast
Address: Jean George at The Connaught The Connaught, Carlos Pl, London W1K 2AL
Price from: £70, or approximately $90
Courtesy St James's Hotel & ClubAfternoon tea at St James's Hotel & Club
With its gold-lettered shop fronts, St James's is an easy place for a spot of time-traveling, to rewind to the Victorian age and go shopping for a badger-hair shaving brush, or a silver-topped walking cane or that velvet smoking hat you always wanted. Set behind a red-and-white gateau of Victorian neogothic, St James's Hotel & Club has the air of having residing here since Kipling was a nipper, but in fact has only been a hotel since 2008, although the club has been around since the 19th century. A sense of discretion wafts around the silk wallpaper and narrow corridors. William Drabble's the chef at the restaurant here, Seven Park Place, and his afternoon tea is inspired by the arrival of spring. And so the cakes here are based on nature, with refreshing fruits and floral-inspired delicacies. There is a raspberry and rose choux; lemon cake filled with lemon curd and mousse made to look like a bouquet; a ‘flower basket’ with chocolate crémeux and cherries; and a white chocolate and orange bavarois topped with an edible lily. Scones are also infused with lavender for that extra floral touch and sandwiches are kept classic–think egg mayonnaise, cream cheese and cucumber, and smoked salmon.
Tea is taken by the bar, an intimate, Deco-inspired space of gold and polished black lacquer, with large yellow vases, a wall of 20th-century oil paintings and an eyeful of mild Hungarian erotica from the 1940s. We like the salon here. It's small and tucked away. You won't find the coachload of gawpers that some other hotels get. There's a specially-created cocktail featuring limoncello, white vermouth, agave syrup, lemon juice prosecco foam and basil called Bee Mine.
Address: 7-8 Park Pl, St. James's, London SW1A 1LS
Website: stjameshotelandclub.com
Price: From £45, or approximately $56 per person
Courtesy The Fortnum’s Bar and Restaurant at Royal ExchangeAfternoon tea at Fortnum & Mason at the Royal Exchange
An offshoot of the Piccadilly original, this is Fortnum & Mason with a twist. The trademark eau de nil is there–on velvet seats and leather booths–but the majestic 16th-century setting in London’s financial district lends it an even grander air, as though tea sippers are members of an elite secret society.
The impressive stone-and-column façade of the Royal Exchange betrays the building’s trade roots. Boutiques sit beneath huge arches; the newest, a mini Fortnum’s, now takes up three shop fronts. At the centre of the wide courtyard is a giant almond-shaped bar, a glittering metal oasis ringed by mint-green stools, each pair lit with individual gold lamps. The bar is bookended by two small seating areas and it almost feels like you're outside, with light pooling through the glass ceiling.
Tea is, of course, the most important element of the Fortnum’s tradition, given that the brand has been producing its own (and, later, serving it) for about 300 years. But you won’t find its breakfast blend on the menu here; instead, opt for the Royal Exchange, a light Sri Lankan and Kenyan loose-leaf tea that represents this cool new base, or–better yet–Champagne.
Afternoon-tea stands are brought down a flight of stone steps from a faraway corner of the courtyard, almost ‘off stage’; as they are set down on the table, it’s clear this is the main event. First up are five simple finger sandwiches filled generously with egg and cress, honey-roasted ham and mustard, cucumber and mint cream cheese, coronation chicken and smoked salmon. Then soft, warm plain and fruit scones are accompanied by clotted cream, strawberry jam and lemon curd–Fortnum’s own, naturally.
The finale is a trio of patisserie cakes: a tangy red-velvet cube with cream-cheese layers, topped with a cherry-powder crumb and transparent droplets that could be mistaken for pomegranate seeds; a vanilla-cheesecake sphere in smooth white-chocolate casing that sits atop a delicate, buttery biscuit; and a choux bun filled with vanilla cream and adorned with pastel-pink icing and a rose petal.
While the afternoon tea was undeniably pleasant, it’s the historic surroundings that truly make the new Fortnum’s a worthwhile pit-stop. And despite the hushed, exclusive vibe this offering is brilliantly affordable. Make like the City crowd and stop here for a sweet reviver following an afternoon’s hard work, then browse the foodie delights in the enticing shop.—Leah Craig
Address: The Courtyard, The, Royal Exchange, London EC3V 3LR
Price from: £35, or approximately $44, per person
Courtesy Petersham Nurseries, RichmondAfternoon tea at Petersham Nurseries, Richmond
Petersham Nurseries in Richmond has long been known for its beautiful garden centre and homeware shop stacked with artisan trinkets, as well as its fabulous little restaurant. Now, the team is plating up a Garden Afternoon tea, served in the Teahouse. Rustic furniture, distressed copper-topped tables and matching chairs are lit up by fairy lights strung from the glass ceiling and surrounded by thriving plants.
Afternoon tea doesn’t get prettier than this–the hand-picked wild bouquet takes centre stage at the top of the hand-blown-glass tiered stand, its seasonal blooms paired with the sweet and savory bites (which are also sprinkled with petals). Loose-leaf tea is served in a glass kettle that you’ll want for your own kitchen – the Giardino blend is as fresh as can be. We recommend splashing out and adding a glass of Petersham’s rose-petal prosecco.
It’s no surprise that this menu changes seasonally depending on what’s growing, keeping in line with the brand’s ethos of using responsibly sourced produce. There are always scones: here, they’re served with strawberry and prosecco jam and clotted cream. Five different savories mix British classics with an Italian influence – crispy sourdough with prosciutto and focaccia with burrata, nasturtiums and sunflower seeds were our favourites.
The stand’s top tier holds the coveted sweet treats: lemon polenta cake, meringue, raspberry and pistachio baci di dama and the standout cherry and almond tart. You’ll leave inspired to redecorate your home and garden. Sophie Knight
Address: Church Lane, Off Petersham Road, Richmond, Surrey TW10 7AB
Price from: £45, or approximately $56
Courtesy Brown's HotelAfternoon tea at Brown's Hotel
There are very few places that can reinvent the traditional afternoon tea and still make it feel as English as ever. But Brown’s does just that, with its modern take on tried-and-tested classics–and a glass of Moët & Chandon Champagne for those wanting to make things a little more grown-up. It is served in a dedicated English Tea Room with snug armchairs and floral china; book in advance to bag one of the larger corner spots for extra privacy if you are looking to catch up over a scone (or three).
The tea menu is so large it is suitably labelled a library, but charming and informative staff are on hand to help with recommendations. The Jing Chai is particularly heady and the Silver Needle white tea wonderfully refreshing. There are also plenty of herbal infusions for those looking for an option without caffeine.
It’s not just hot tea that is the focus at Brown’s: a dainty glass of seasonal iced tea marks the start of the procession of miniature treats arriving at the table. The selection of open and closed sandwiches include Aberdeenshire smoked salmon with pickled fennel served on caper-buttered onion bread and a fancy ham number piled high with air-dried black Coombe ham.
The desserts are just as decadent–with the star of the show (the cassis and hibiscus macaroon) replenished many times before we were ready to move on. Scones come with or without raisins and are kept warm in a napkin envelope, served with generous helpings of clotted cream and homemade strawberry jam.
There’s also a tea-tox option featuring low-carb, low-fat snacks, including miso-glazed salmon, beetroot crêpe and matcha-raspberry cheesecake. But we can’t deny that the original full-fat spread was our preference. Just make sure you've finished trawling the nearby fashion boutiques before you take your seat.— Lottie Stanners
Address: Brown’s Hotel, Albermarle Street, London W1
Price from: £70, or approximately $90
Courtesy Anya Café, ChelseaAfternoon tea at Anya Café, Chelsea
Propped up on the corner of Pont street in the smart Kensington and Chelsea neighborhood as part of accessories designer Anya Hindmarch’s five neighboring stores, this is a quintessentially British affair filled with coffee, tea and cakes galore. Take a seat on the sunny roadside terrace–this is Hindmarch’s take on the old-school café. The focal point is the glass counter lined with show-stopping baked goods, from sponge cakes and handmade biscuits to chocolate truffles, piped beautifully with rich icing in a vibrant mix of colors for you to drool over. The staff are dressed to impress in their suited uniform, which makes it feel as if you’ve stepped into a Fifties, diner-style coffee bar.
Everything here has been carefully considered and gives a nod to the brand, with its comical edge and trademark humour shining through the cheeky but chic menu. There’s a goofy Monster Cake and bright-yellow, layered lemon Smile Cake, traditional iced buns and a vegan banana loaf inspired by one of Hindmarch’s friends–creations that will make your eyes pop and transport you back in time to feel like a hungry child again. But the stars of the show have to be the Chubby Heart, a rich, chocolatey mousse cake with fresh raspberries covered in glossy red, and the mocha Chubby Cloud, with coffee and chocolate ganache. Indulgent, simply delicious and reminiscent of the supremo’s previous designs.
Pair the sugary treats with an iced coffee or creamy cappuccino, or choose from a selection of tea infusions to create your own afternoon-tea experience. For added opulence, raise a glass of Esterlin Champagne or a classic Manhattan cocktail. The attention to detail is excellent here, with charismatic charm resonating through all the little touches, from the cakes and interiors to the adorably wrapped sugar cubes and mini biscuits shaped and decorated as first-class stamps. Grab a box of Tea Cakes or Anya’s Family Favorite biscuits to take away–the packaging is too cute to resist and they make the perfect gift (or snack to dive into on the journey home). Cordelia Aspinall
Address: 9 Pont St, London SW1X 9EH
Price: £35, or approximately $44, per person
Jack Hardy/The Ritz LondonAfternoon tea at The Ritz London
Best for: old-school glitz
Tea at The Ritz. Is there a more archetypal English institution? The Ritz London sets the standard for afternoon tea. Tea is served in the hotel's original ballroom, deliciously grand and swimming in gold with a live pianist and soprano Miranda Heldt some weekday afternoons.
Tea-takers select from a list of 18 types, and can learn as much or as little about the teas as they wish from the friendly but reassuringly formal staff, who not only know the correct way to make tea (milk first, obviously), but have spent many months in Sri Lanka, tasting and experimenting to bring back the perfect blend.
On to the food itself, which, as you might expect, is proudly traditional. Sandwiches are fresh, crustless, finger-sized and not shy of a cucumber slice or two; and the scones are warm, gigantic and accompanied by strawberry jam and lashings of Cornish clotted cream. The top of your three-tiered stand is reserved for pastries, chocolate cake and fruit tarts, and whatever your party can't manage is boxed up for you to take home–along with a personalized cake, if your tea is in honor of a birthday.
There is a dress code (we would be disappointed if there wasn't): men must wear a jacket and tie, women have to appear at least smart-casual. Jeans and trainers will be confiscated on sight. With five sittings a day, from 11.30am to 7.30pm, The Ritz tea operation is extremely well-oiled, whilst managing not to rush diners – helped by the fact that the time you need to vacate your table is made clear when you book it. Becky Lucas
Address: 150 Piccadilly, St. James's, London W1J 9BR
Price from: £67, or approximately $85, for adults
Courtesy Le Deli RobuchonTeatime for Two, Le Deli Robuchon
Le Comptoir Robuchon, named for the late French chef Joël Robuchon who earned 32 Michelin stars at his restaurants across the world, and opened by former members of his team, is where those seeking smart French food in W1 end up. Now, the restaurant’s Parisian-inspired sister deli has put a Francophile twist on the traditional British tea. Sure, there are finger sandwiches–although even these are given a French flavor, as ham and cheese are made with Emmental, and there is an aubergine, burrata and olive tapenade option. Pastries come in the form of buttery madeleines and vanilla mille feuilles, and if you upgrade the staff will tuck a bottle of Laurent Perrier Champagne in the hamper along with J Robuchon tea. The tea service is being delivered within a four-mile radius of the deli, but you need to pre-order with 24 hours’ notice–so plan ahead for this one. Sarah James
Address: 82 Piccadilly, London W1J 8JA
Price from: £59, or approximately $75, per person
Courtesy The Petersham, Covent GardenAfternoon tea at The Petersham, Covent Garden
Taken amid the elegant surroundings of The Petersham–a secret-garden hideaway and one of the best restaurants in Covent Garden–this is one of the prettiest afternoon teas in London. Blooms take pride of place here, even on the glass cake stand, which arrives flourished with a posy of wild flowers spilling out of a vase.
It’s also one of London’s tastiest afternoon teas. Savories come in the form of pillowy milk buns that are delicate enough to ensure the focus is firmly on the punchy seasonal fillings. Highlights from our visit included a generously fat wedge of salty Montgomery cheddar with spiced chutney, and a rich and buttery egg mayonnaise topped with a bright burst of theme-fitting edible flowers.
It’s almost worth skipping the scones (though they do come with a yummy Haye Farm strawberry jam) and moving straight to the cakes where traditional Italian treats steal the limelight. Crispy cannoli are filled with a pistachio cream and dipped in the darkest chocolate, and brutti ma buoni–perhaps best described as a sort of meringue/biscuit hybrid–are soft and chewy. And just as you think you’ve reached the end, a tray of freshly-baked bombolini, Italy’s answer to donuts, are whisked in front of you, dusted with sugar and stuffed with hot salted caramel.
There are thoughtful extra touches to be found on the drinks menu too. A selection of tea tails – botanical, tea-infused cocktails–make for a refreshing aperitif. We particularly enjoyed the gin paired with cardamom and rose, which was smooth with just the right hint of tartness. For those who prefer their tea more traditionally non-alcoholic, there’s a good selection with, appropriately, lots of floral-based options. Hibiscus and red berry is dark and fruity, while The Petersham’s own blend, is lightly perfumed and sweet. If the weather is kind, ask to sit in the courtyard surrounded by fluffy clouds of hydrangeas. It’s an afternoon of floral delight.—Olivia Holborow
Address: 2 Floral St, London WC2E 9FB
Price from: £45, or approximately $56
Chris Orange/The Royal Albert HallAfternoon tea at the Royal Albert Hall
Not only is the Royal Albert Hall one of the world’s most famous performance venues; it’s also one of the UK’s most treasured buildings–and a thoroughly British institution. Queen Victoria had the red-and-gold domed auditorium built as an extravagant tribute to her husband Prince Albert, and in its almost 150-year history it has hosted some of the country’s most important cultural events, and both rock–and real–royalty. It’s put on some pretty big-deal tea parties too; the Queen clinked china here with the WI to mark their 100th anniversary. A fitting venue, then, for afternoon tea.
Don’t let the location on Museum Mile put you off: this London afternoon tea certainly isn’t just a tourist box-ticker. Anyone who’s always wanted a sneak peek through the hallowed doors can combine tea with a tour (and history lesson), as guests are guided around the auditorium, the gallery and the usually off-limits Royal Retiring Room before being greeted with three tiers of taste. Time your tea wisely, and you can even eavesdrop on rehearsals for the evening’s performance.
The tea itself takes place in the first-floor Verdi Restaurant–admittedly, it’s a lot less regal than the auditorium, but with crisp white tablecloths, a turquoise tiled bar and sweeping views of the Royal College of Music, it’s a step up from most museum cafés. Choose your brew from a carefully curated selection by the East India Company–there’s even a special 1871 blend, created exclusively for the Royal Albert Hall to mark its inauguration year. Dainty sandwiches come with properly British fillings (cucumber and cream cheese, honey-roasted ham and Coronation chicken), but it’s the cakes and miniature puddings, with their adorable musical decorative touches, that are the highlight.
There’s a violet macaroon topped with bright edible flowers, cupcakes with mini pipettes to inject a fruity filling, salted caramel slices and little lemon tartelettes. Scones stay cosseted in a thick napkin to keep warm, with lashings of clotted cream and strawberry jam. And once you’re high on sugar, there’s a cocktail list to work your way through too – even better if you’re one of the lucky ones in possession of a ticket and time to kill before the performance starts. Teddy Wolstenholme
Address: Kensington Gore, South Kensington, London SW7 2AP
Price from: £49, or approximately $60, per person
Courtesy Ham Yard HotelAfternoon tea at Ham Yard Hotel, Soho
Bang in the centre of busy Soho is the colorful Ham Yard Hotel from Tim and Kit Kemp, whose portfolio includes the splashy Whitby in New York. Although the 'yard' is a surprisingly quiet thoroughfare connecting Great Windmill Street and Denman Street, the hotel itself is lively, complete with rooftop garden, cinema and an original Fifties bowling alley imported from Texas.
The Orangery, home to the afternoon tea, is a gently lit glass-ceilinged room with designer Kit's oh-so-quirky-yet-tasteful stamp all over it. It is paved with reclaimed Purbeck stone and the walls are papered with Kemp’s signature bold textures; the tea itself is served in her contemporary ceramic range for Wedgwood–you'll find mythical creatures or sailors prancing around the gold rims on the delicate bone-china teacups and saucers.
The menu, which changes weekly, is a creative take on the traditional: classic cucumber sandwiches with a basil twist, beetroot-tartare tarts with cauliflower purée and Ortiz tuna, caper and spring-onion croutons. Special mention needs to go to the grilled-courgette and vegan rocket-pesto sandwich, which was delightful. Scones served with clotted cream and homemade jams are delivered straight from the oven, soft and warm. We suggest you skip the strawberry jam, and instead go for the irresistible home-made passionfruit and apricot version. And there are more sweet treats to accompany them than you are likely to manage: indulgent cappuccino macarons, a silky chocolate and mint mousse, an apple and redcurrant delice and a carrot cake served with redcurrant curd. The star of the show, however, has to be the creamy, fluffy pumpkin pie with spiced cream. We recommend you add a cocktail (the Hendrick’s, cucumber, elderflower and Prosecco concoction is our favorite) to accompany your Earl Grey. This is a more-than-stylish spot to sit and people-watch.—Karin Mueller
Address: 1 Ham Yard, London W1D 7DT
Prices from: £40, or approximately $50, per person
Courtesy RoastAfternoon tea at Roast
Going to Borough Market is always a treat, whether you’re planning to stock up on ingredients to assemble at home following the ‘prime produce needs little technique’ strategy or aiming to browse the fresh food, ranging from raclette to oysters on the shell. Even on a non-market day, it’s a lovely area for a wander, and for a pit-stop right in the heart of it, Roast is in a hard-to-beat, elevated location inside the Floral Hall. The name really says it all, and meat is what most people come here for. But afternoon tea is one of the most beloved things to do in London—and usually more affordable than à la carte–that the restaurant is now serving its own offering in the light-flooded space overlooking Stoney Street and the stalls below.
Kick things off with a glass of Ambriel Cuvée before the cake stand appears laden with a selection that doesn’t stray from the traditional but is perfectly executed – roast beef, smoked salmon, Coronation chicken, cucumber and cream-cheese, and tomato sandwiches – and very generously portioned: the top-tier cakes alone are the size of any regular coffee-shop slice. The Victoria sponge is the standout, with lots of cream and a proper hit of raspberry that’s less jam jar and more grandma’s garden, closely followed by a not-too-sweet sticky date pudding. The latter is served alongside a lemon-posset shot with crumbly biscuit topping on a separate plate – the overspill of the already crammed cake stand. There’s also carrot cake with candied carrot swirls, and scones that you may or may not be able to finish (we didn’t manage it, despite our best intentions). As for the tea, among the standard Earl Grey, Assam and mint are some more exotic options such as Pai Mu Tan and jasmine pearls.
It’s a lively place–on a bank-holiday afternoon there was animated chatter all around, and although the area where afternoon tea is served, just by the bar is slightly separated from the main dining space, it actually has the best seats in the house. Everyone was taking their time, enjoying the sunshine streaming in through the windows and heroically trying to finish those scones.—Katharina Hahn
Address: The Floral Hall, Stoney St, London SE1 1TL
Prices from: £35, or approximately $44, per person.
Courtesy Great Court Restaurant, British MuseumAfternoon tea at Great Court Restaurant, British Museum
As you sip tea beside the curling Ionic capitals of stone columns, it’s hard not to be impressed by the majesty of the British Museum. The Great Court Restaurant is perched at the top of the former reading room, a rotunda in the central courtyard of one of London's best museum. Since its major revamp in the 1990s, the entire quadrangle has been covered with an undulating glass roof and the round space inside now contains the museum shop. The restaurant above is open on all sides to expose the surrounding feats of architecture, old and new. From Sir Robert Smirke’s original neoclassical design to the tessellated-glass canopy by Foster and Partners, this is an ancient temple with a modern touch.
The restaurant itself is intimate–particularly in comparison to its surroundings. There’s a small bar pouring Prosecco into coupes at one end and an open kitchen at the other. Clinking china and the happy chatter of patrons, either eating lunch (the couple beside us had a lovely-looking Sunday roast) or enjoying a classic three-tier afternoon tea, resound. We did the latter, gobbling up finger sandwiches so that our scones wouldn't lose their warmth. Expect typical British delights: smoked salmon and cucumber, egg and cress, ham with farmhouse chutney and coronation chicken. The freshly baked scones, plain and raisin, are fluffy with just a slight crunch on the outside. The top-tier sweets are baked in-house, and the stars of the show are definitely the macarons, with flavors of creamy coffee and zingy lemon.
Top off your afternoon by exploring the museum collections. With 10 curatorial and research departments spanning from Asia to the Americas, no one will judge you if you choose to focus on the more famous exhibits, be that the Rosetta Stone or Ginger – a 5,500-year-old naturally mummified man with gingery tufts of hair. And a whizz round the beautiful Parthenon Marbles is a must.—Lauren Hepburn
Address: Great Russell St, London WC1B 3DG
Prices from: £24, or approximately $30, per person $30
Courtesy Shangri-La Hotel at The ShardAfternoon tea at Shangri-La Hotel at The Shard
From the 35th floor of The Shard, St Paul's Cathedral - once the tallest building in London - appears reduced to the size of a Tunnock's Tea Cake. It's not just the view from here that draws visitors from all around the world. Chinese restaurant TĪNG Lounge is part of the Shangri-La hotel, which occupies floors 34-52 of The Shard—now Europe's tallest building.
You are greeted by the sound of the Orient, as a musician plucks away on a Chinese guzheng zither—and yet there's no escaping the fact that you are in London. To the west, the London Eye circles; ahead, Tower Bridge proudly straddles the River Thames; train tracks cut a path through the concrete jungle in every direction; and, in the far distance, Canary Wharf stands tall. To simply take a few snaps is not to fully appreciate the sight; better to sit down for a leisurely afternoon tea.
There is a traditional English option, but the Asian-inspired afternoon tea is lighter, healthier and all-together tastier. Prawn dumplings are plump and sweet, then there's vegetable gyoza (eat these first as they'll go cold), Cornish crab brioche buns, little cups of wasabi- and ginger-cured salmon, and an open duck roll on wanton. Scones are infused with Earl Grey tea, making them seem fresher, and the mango jam is a welcome change. Traditional sweets are spiked with more exotic flavors. Coconut mousse has a mango centre. Sponge cake is colored with matcha green tea. Cream is infused with cinnamon. Cheesecake is soaked in yuzu juice. And don't forget that view; book a table an hour or so before sunset to watch the skyline transform in the moonlight.
Address: 31 St Thomas St, London SE1 9QU
Price: Skyline Afternoon Tea from £65, or approximately $80
Allan Baxter/GettyAfternoon tea at Oblix West, The Shard
It’s difficult to focus on anything but the skyline at Oblix West, perched 32 levels up in the glassy Shard–a fact that happily hasn’t escaped them. Afternoon tea here is not about theatrics or gimmicks. No gilded trolleys, no smoke and mirrors; there’s little in the way of ceremony. And thank goodness for that. This afternoon tea is about paying tribute to the city spread out like a fantastic brick carpet below.
Cranberry-stuffed scones are served with clotted cream and bay-leaf-seasoned jam, as well as a sticky cube of fresh honeycomb from Harrow bees. Coronation-chicken sandwiches are lined with mango and coriander in a nod to Brick Lane, and the cheese in the ham and cheese sandwiches comes from a local urban cheesemaker. But the sweet treats are the real highlight: the yuzu and grapefruit posset will have you studiously scooping up every last drop, while the orange and chocolate cake is refreshingly citrusy. They’re decadent without leaving you feeling like you’ve overdone it on the sugar.
The tea itself comes from further afield. A white-peony blend from China is delicate and grassy, hibiscus flowers from the Caribbean are perfumed and fruity, and a tea made from rare New Zealand manuka flowers grown in Cornwall is subtle and woody.
This is a great spot if you’re trying to impress visiting out-of-town relatives. The atmosphere is lively and diners err strongly on the smart side of the smart-casual dress code – although, truth be told, everyone will be too busy staring out the windows to take much notice that you’ve made an effort.—Olivia Holborow
Address: The Shard, 31 St Thomas St, London SE1 9RY
Price: £49, or approximately $60, per person
Courtesy Rosewood LondonRosewood London afternoon tea
There are a few things that make the Rosewood London afternoon tea different from the rest. Firstly, there’s the setting: it’s like being inside a mirror ball, albeit a very relaxing one, with its light-covered ceiling, clusters of bulbs set on fragmented reflective glass, light splashing every which way. Chocolate-, coffee- and pistachio-colored Chesterfields and swirly-shaped sofas are carefully positioned to offer maximum privacy, divided by towers of fresh hydrangeas and lilies. Ask for the table by the closed doors if you really want your own little alcove (and to watch people regularly and unsuccessfully attempting to enter the hotel beside you).
Then there’s the food, served on a miniature stage rather than a traditional three-tiered stand, in-keeping with its art theme. On our August 2022 visit, Salvador Dali played muse, with pastry chef Mark Perkins’ creations taking their lead from a Surrealism Beyond Borders exhibition at the Tate Modern. It’s also a more generous menu than most, with five unique cakes served after the limitless finger sandwiches, tart, choux, and scones. These include the intricate ‘Queen of Hearts’ made of ruby peach jelly and almond sponge, the epic and egg-shaped ‘Metamorphosis of DNarcissus’, and the sweet little orange ‘lobster telephones’. The tea list itself includes not one but two unusual ‘blue’ options: Māori and Grand Oolong.
Finally, it must be the only afternoon tea in London with its own augmented reality experience: scan the QR code to reveal a very special secret touch, fluttering around the restaurant, during the final course.—Becky Lucas
Address: 252 High Holborn, London, WC1V 7EN
Price from: £72, or approximately $90
David Cotsworth/The LanesboroughAfternoon tea at The Lanesborough
The walk from Hyde Park to The Lanesborough oozes all the charms of spring–and it joyfully continues to the aptly named Meadow Afternoon Tea inspired by the Royal Parks just outside.
Dressed in lavender sprigs and dainty flowers, the sandwiches are of the quintessentially British variety; smoked salmon, cucumber and egg mayonnaise. However, the poached chicken seasoned with a mustard-mayonnaise dressing and parmesan is worthy of a second helping. Plus, there are mini quiches filled with cheese, poppy seeds and herby cream which, in my humble opinion, should be double in size.
The pièce de résistance, a delicate daisy sitting atop the stand is a chamomile-infused bavarois with a biscuit base and a citrus mango crémeux as the pistil. The Apple Blossom is a caramel apple compote coated with a tart apple mousse, while a yogurt cake with honey ganache is hand-crafted to resemble a bee. There’s also a lemon and lime cheesecake on a crumbly sable.
Pair it all with piping hot loose-leaf teas. For classics with a twist, there’s Chocolate Brownie, a black tea with notes of cacao, Chinese green tea with rhubarb and vanilla and white tea with chili if you’re after a slight kick. Accompany this with Champagne or go for an elderflower and jasmine cocktail – also available as a mocktail.—Zahra Surya Darma
Address: The Lanesborough, Hyde Park Corner, London SW1X 7TA
Price from: £68, or approximately $85
Courtesy The Milestone HotelRoyal Afternoon Tea at The Milestone Hotel
Visiting a place such as The Milestone reminds you just how much rich history swirls through London’s every corner and crevice. You may not have heard of the hotel before–you might have even marched straight past its red-and-white bricks, so typical of its neighborhood–but it’s been standing there, directly opposite Kensington Palace, since the late 19th century. The original building’s roots stretch back even further, to 1689, and it’s since been home to various royal commissioners and bodyguards and even Shakespeare’s grandson before it became a place to stay in 1922. Today its focus is on making all of its original features sing as much as possible, from its checkered tile floors to its wood-paneled walls, coffered ceilings and shelves lined with leather-bound books.
Understandably, it tends to get a little over-shadowed by its world-famous royal neighbor, but its lower-key location also makes it a great, quieter spot to take tea before a walk around the Palace Gardens or its latest exhibition, as well as somewhere more likely to be frequented by Kensington locals. There are three, if not four, rooms to choose between – the more traditional Park Lounge, with its open fire and well-spaced tables and armchairs ideal for quiet conversations, the airy Conservatory or the larger and multi-chandeliered Chenestons Restaurant. A further, more inside-track option is the tiny converted house chapel, which today serves as a space for small groups – ideal for those with babes or toddlers. As well as stained-glass windows framed by beautiful arches, there’s a small alcove to the left of its direct entrance where it’s believed an altar once stood.
The tea menus become ‘royal’ or ‘royal rosé’ once half a bottle of your chosen Champagne is added (we recommend the latter). The page-long selection of brews is impressive without being overwhelming; the caramelly New Vithanakande is a stand-out, as well as the bergamot orange and lemon peel infused Planter’s Mistress (popular because of its intriguing name as well as its taste, the staff believe). The three tiers of food are particularly generous and include what is probably the city’s only circular, and perhaps very best, afternoon tea sandwich, plump with chicken mayonnaise, and topped with toasted almonds. French pastries and tartlets are served alongside the cakes, including a signature cheesecake made using The Milestone’s president and founder, Bea Tollman’s original recipe, and for which the last of your appetite must be saved. But the sweetest thing of all? The special prince or princess tea for children served on a mini stand and accompanied by a hot chocolate and/or milkshake, as well as lots of okay-for-just-a-day indulgent attention. Becky Lucas
Address: 1 Kensington Court, London, W8 5DL
Price from: £75, or approximately $94
Courtesy Dalloway Terrace, The Bloomsbury HotelAfternoon tea at Dalloway Terrace, The Bloomsbury Hotel
Best for: seasonally themed menus
Every couple of months, the terrace at The Bloomsbury Hotel gets a revamp to fit in with the changing seasons, switching from a cozy space in autumn and winter to a light and elegant spot in the warmer months. The secret garden is currently in its spring dress in partnership with The Botanist Islay Dry Gin. Its floral get-up is inspired by the English countryside in full bloom, with full-bodied green foliage teeming with wildflowers, blossom, tulips and ranunculus designed by floral designers Early Hours, transporting you straight to a rustic garden, dappled with those delicious early-season rays of sunshine.
The menu has been re-imagined by Bloomsbury Hotel head pastry chef and Afternoon Tea of the Year Finalist, Chris Dodd, to include local, foraged and handmade produce, resulting in a special new herbal afternoon tea. Finely sliced sandwiches of spinach bread are stuffed with marinated cucumber and cream cheese; or malted cocoa bread with coronation chicken; a brioche bun with deviled egg mayonnaise and watercress.
Perfectly baked scones–a vanilla and lemon variety and a golden raisin option–are slathered with Devonshire clotted cream and a dollop of Scottish raspberry jam. Beautifully decorated and delicate sweets, that you are advised to eat in a certain order, sit pretty at the top of the tea stand: first the lemon and basil drizzle cake, followed by a rich ginger cheesecake with pear compote; on to the refreshing blackberry and lemongrass jelly with a lemongrass-infused cream, concluded by the intensely flavorful strawberry and black pepper parfait with balsamic glaze.
Add a glass of Champagne or one of the bespoke and rather decadent-for-daytime spring-fresh cocktails such as the Islay Martini, a mix of The Botanist Islay Dry Gin, citrus Oleo-Saccharum and rosemary oil, and you might just convince yourself your next stop is a tea party in a dreamy, butterfly-bedecked English country garden somewhere. Cordelia Aspinall and Becky Lucas
Address: 16-22 Great Russell Street, London WC1B 3NN
Price from: £40, or approximately $50
Courtesy The SavoyTraditional afternoon tea at The Savoy
London today is as blessed with as many fine hotels, restaurants and tea houses in which to take afternoon tea as at any point in its history. Possibly even more of them. Nominating the best of the lot would be an impossible and unrealistic task, since so much depends on mood and whim and the exigencies of the moment. But in any case and under any circumstances The Savoy would have to be very, very, very near the top of such a list.
Service is lively, liveried and brisk, respectful but not fawning, attentive without being obtrusive, resolutely on the right side of stuffy. In short, it's spot-on. The tableware is pleasingly crisp of linen, silvery of pot and spoon, and floral of cup and saucer. Nor is there any faulting the foodstuffs. The obligatory finger sandwiches, scones, pastries and cakes are impeccable; the teas, from the house blend to the splendidly named Iron Buddha Oolong and Flowering Osmanthus, likewise.
The Savoy all but invented the thé dansant in its Thames Foyer, as it has become known. Despite its name, it's not actually very easy to see the Thames from here. (It's a different story from the suites above, which have river views to stagger the gods.) Yet there's a curiously riparian feel to the space, with its palette of pale greens, the light filtered softly through a splendid stained-glass dome, the staff eddying and flowing around the central gazebo, which itself seems to float on a bed of hydrangeas.
Address: The Savoy, The Strand, London WC2R 0EU
Prices from: £65, or approximately $80
Courtesy Claridge'sAfternoon tea at Claridge's, Mayfair
There is a very skilled art in creating such an iconic experience as afternoon tea at Claridge's without the event becoming a parody of itself. As one of the best hotels in London, this could become a tourist sideshow, something to 'tick off' the list. The skill in keeping its authenticity lies, as ever, with the staff who create this experience, keeping it a treat while keeping it real.
There are two sittings of early and late afternoon tea at Claridge's, set in the hotel's sensational Foyer (our recommendation—if you can get a table), or the more tucked-away Reading Room. Claridge's is known for its warm welcome to all, and we were instantly made to feel like part of the family. Tunes from the 1920s played by a pianist and cellist create the perfect backdrop, while the incredible Dale Chihuly chandelier hovered above our heads as a modern-day talking point.
From the extensive menu we chose a Tregothnan Earl Grey, made with a blend from an ancient Cornish estate that has been around since 1335; and Darjeeling, the 'Champagne of teas'. This is a great place to try something new —go with a recommendation from the knowledgeable staff.
Six types of bladed sandwiches arrived (our favorites were smoked salmon with shrimp butter on rye, and cucumber, mine and lemon cream cheese); once we'd polished those off, more appeared. But onto the good stuff: the highlight was the freshly-baked scones, plain, and raisin, with stick-to-your-spoon clotted cream and Marco Polo jam. Finally, cakes - and the passion fruit chocolate tart nearly finished us off.
There is an art to feeling looked after, and at Claridge's that art has been perfected. A long early-evening stroll across Hyde Park is recommended to walk off the cake.
Address: Brook Street, London W1K 4HR1
Price from: £75, or approximately $94, per person
Courtesy The Londoner HotelAfternoon tea at The Stage, The Londoner Hotel
The Londoner Hotel's decadence begins and ends in the Gatsby-esque foyer lounge, also known as The Stage. A Champagne bar with all the nuances of a Parisian café, the bar itself is decorated with tan leather stools and premium bottles (Charles Heidsieck Magnums; ornate gins; single-barrel Jack Daniels). Intimate table settings are set with gold-trimmed china teacups and crystal Champagne glasses, enclosed by velvet armchairs in soft pinks and grays. Choreographed lighting provides an apt spotlight for each dish, providing an experience worthy of its namesake. And what is a stage without a show? Across from the bar is a small area for live music to soundtrack your tea service.
Afternoon tea comes in various forms including traditional or Champagne, alongside a selection of exclusive loose-leaf teas from The East India Company. To start, a refreshing amuse-bouche du jour selected by the chef is presented. Each element is explained in delectable detail by the maître d'; we tried marinated cucumber and elderflower sorbet with a drizzle of manuka honey on a bed of white chocolate powder and topped with yuzu caviar. Three tiers of mini sandwiches are next; each a different color to indicate the delights within. The chicken with truffle mayonnaise on basil-and-spinach-infused bread was the star of this show but additional sandwiches can be made-to-order depending on your favorites.
Next comes a basket of warm, freshly baked, gold-top scones, so fluffy they pull apart in your hands; followed by a finale of handcrafted patisseries, displayed as the artworks they are – the toughest decision you’ll make all day will be choosing only two but be sure to ask the maître d' for one of their uber-chic stage bags for leftovers – trust us, you won't want to waste a single bite.—Megan Morris
Address: The Stage at The Londoner, 38 Leicester Square, London WC2H 7DX
Price from: £55, or approximately $70
Courtesy The WolseleyAfternoon tea at The Wolseley
There is something deliciously opulent about going to The Wolseley in the middle of the day. This Mayfair stalwart, swathed in gold with imposing chandeliers and arching pillars and black-and-cream tiles, is best-known for its lavish breakfasts, topping our edit of the best brunch in London. Head through the velvet curtain at the door on an afternoon, though, to find groups of smartly dressed people being served tea from silver pots by suited waiters in the grande-dame dining room.
On the afternoon-tea menu, classic finger sandwiches include smoked salmon and smoked chicken. The vegetarian selection is just as varied and delicious: no endless egg-and-cress here. Instead, there’s avocado, cucumber with mint, and celery with cream cheese, served on a variety of breads (sundried tomato, seeded and, our favorite, traditional, pillowy white). Second helpings are encouraged. Scones are of the fruity variety, kept warm under a cloche, to be topped with lashings of clotted cream and jam.
Pastries are surprisingly up-to-the-minute for a restaurant that trades so heavily (and so well) on old-school charm, and include a black forest gâteau, baked cheesecake and apple strudel with chantilly cream. Be sure to share so you can try them all – there’s not a dud among them.
The Wolseley’s afternoon tea is delicious, and you will, undoubtedly, leave feeling uncomfortably full, as with all of the teas on this list. But something about being in the humming, clinking, tinkling dining room with its high ceilings and attentive – never over-bearing–staff makes it extra special. Sarah James
Address: 160 Piccadilly, St. James's, London W1J 9EB
Price from: £36, or approximately $45
Natasha Alipour/HarrodsAfternoon tea at Harrods
Harrods’ Tea Rooms first opened in 1911, the year of King George V’s coronation, and was initially named The Georgian, quickly becoming renowned for its tea dances on the special sprung dance floor. Today, it is one of the most Googled afternoon teas in London, offering a truly idiosyncratic ‘English’ experience. The fourth-floor space is huge – it’s no surprise to learn that it was formerly the biggest restaurant in town, with capacity for 1,200–and beautifully Art Deco: it has an intricate, light-splashing skylight with wrought ironwork, a mixture of lush booths and round tables, adjoining Perrier-Jouet Champagne terrace and a long-haired pianist tinkling out classics perfectly on a grand. The vibe is completely calm no matter how full it gets, with friendly, unflappable staff who manage to be incredibly precise while putting you at ease. (Note: dress code is smart casual, which means no trainers, shorts, sportswear, flip flops or midriffs, thank you very much).
The menu, featuring sweet illustrations by Alice Nyong, has no less than eight pages of teas to choose from – classic, black, green, oolong, white, herbal, plus coffees and hot chocolates – accompanied by a unique little key showing how sweet, floral, woody or astringent each is. There are also plenty of alcoholic options, such as interesting tea-based cocktails, and even really very good non-alcoholic rosé Champagne. The crustless sandwiches are all dainty and delicate, with the stand-outs being the classic English cucumber and mint cream cheese, the ‘King George’ salt beef, and the Faroe Island smoked salmon and lemon cream cheese with white chocolate sprinkled on top.
From the pastry selection, the meadow honey cake and chocolate pralines palet are just as pretty and indulgent as they sound—or you can explore the banoffee delice and Pink Lady apple crumble over on the entirely separate vegan menu. Don’t miss the Orient-Express style bathrooms or chic lounge heavy with Chanel tomes just next door, before working off your tea while languidly trying to find an exit in the world’s most famous labyrinth of a department store. Becky Lucas
Address: 87-135 Brompton Road, London SW1X 7XL
Price from: £62, or approximately $78
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