The Best Spots For Afternoon Tea In London
There’s nothing more British than tiny sandwiches, little cakes and a good cup of tea, so to honour this quintessentially English tradition we’ve shone a light on the best afternoon teas in town.
The Beaumont
As befits The Beaumont's transatlantic heritage, Afternoon Tea is served according to the best of English traditions, sprinkled with a light American accent. Vegan, gluten-free and children's options are also offered. The Classic Afternoon Tea boasts a delectable array of homemade finger sandwiches, such as Devilled Cacklebean Egg Mayonnaise, Cobb Salad and Shrimp Cocktail. Sweet treats include Alabama Lane Cake, Mississippi Mud Pie, Wild Blueberry Religieuse and Caramelised Apple Pie as well as freshly baked raisin and plain scones. Those looking to add a little glamour can opt for a glass of English sparkling wine from the extensive list of Champagnes and sparkling wines.
Served between 2.30pm and 5:30pm* Monday to Friday, noon to 5:30pm* Saturday and Sunday.
Book here: https://www.thebeaumont.com/dining/afternoon-tea-in-gatsbys
Petersham Nurseries
Settings for afternoon tea don’t get more magical than the Richmond institution’s impossibly cosy teahouse. Walk through the picturesque Petersham meadows, through the tree-lined path and past the glorious plant section, and you’ll find a conservatory worthy of Alice in Wonderland, filled with foliage, antique garden chairs and unexpected touches of whimsy. Fittingly, the food also arrives on a cake stand topped with a spectacular floral arrangement. Under it sit savoury treats like salt beef mini bagels with pickled cucumber, and radicchio and wild mushroom sandwiches, alongside clementine and pomegranate cakes and pecan tarts with crème fraiche. The scones are the highlight, though – buttery soft, studded with fruit, and the perfect vessel for the zesty orange jam and clotted cream.
Book here; https://petershamnurseries.com/restaurants/the-teahouse/
The Ritz
The Ritz is where afternoon tea has been served since it opened in 1906. Presented in the hotel’s show-stopping original ballroom – with It’s gold walls, twinkling chandeliers and ivory accents – the ornate surroundings complement the traditional menu. The sandwiches, so often an afterthought at other afternoon teas, are remarkable here, from the ham with grain mustard mayonnaise on brioche, and smoked salmon with lemon butter on sourdough, to the egg mayonnaise roll with chopped shallots and watercress. Equally dazzling are the fruit scones and elaborate desserts.
Fortnum & Mason
Having tea at Fortnum & Mason is a historic experience: the iconic department store was founded in 1707, invented the Scotch egg in 1738 and added Battenberg cake to its menu in 1926. You can sip a fragrant cup of Earl Grey with either a classic or savoury afternoon tea – both include precisely-cut finger sandwiches (Suffolk-cured ham with English mustard, cucumber with minted pea cream cheese), but the former ends with delectable sweet treats, while the latter features substitutes such as a minted pea scone with beetroot relish, mushroom and whiskey pâté and a smoked trout éclair.
The Dorchester
In the Orchid Room at The Dorchester trays of sandwiches are served with filings such as devilled egg with mature cheddar, mustard and mango chutney; coronation chicken with apple and ginger – all topped with watercress and edible flowers and followed by raisin scones, lemon meringues and carrot cakes with blood orange mousse. They go perfectly with the exclusive tea blends, from an invigorating combination of Assam and Sri Lankan orange pekoe to The Dorchester Rose, which features dried rose petals.
Book here: www.dorchestercollection.com/en/london/the-dorchester/restaurants-bars/afternoon-tea/
Theatre Royal Drury Lane
On the menu at The lanes at Theatre Royal you will find mouthwatering sausage rolls, madeleines layered with caviar and lapsang souchong-glazed salmon, pink lemonade tarts with elderflower jelly, and a rich chocolate cake finished with intricate piping and a chocolate cherub. Served on fine china designed by Kit and Willow Kemp which features costume design illustrations from the theatre’s past ballets and operas.
Book here: https://thelane.co.uk/eat-and-drink-venues/grand-saloon-afternoon-tea
The Goring
You can tell that The Goring has been serving afternoon tea for over a century: it does it brilliantly. Whether you’re seated on the veranda or in the dining room, the opulent decor instantly sets the tone for an afternoon spent indulging in freshly-baked scones, lemon cakes and dainty finger sandwiches. For a further dash of extravagance, add a glass of Bollinger special cuvée Champagne or Bollinger rosé Champagne
Book here: www.thegoring.com/food-drink/afternoon-tea/
Brown’s
Brown’s is a regal affair. Sample salt beef, horseradish mayonnaise and pickled cucumber sandwiches while sipping on one of the many types of tea on offer, from Assam gold to a refreshing blackcurrant and hibiscus fruit infusion. As for sweet treats? Try their vanilla mille-feuille and pistachio opera cake
The Wolseley
Set within a converted car showroom on Piccadilly with elegant double-height ceilings, The Wolseley (so named for the motor brand once located there) has been a fashion crowd favourite since its inception. Known for all-day continental food, the restaurant goes full-on traditional for tea each afternoon. There’s no shortage of ceremony here – the teapots are one of a kind and even the silver strainers are engraved with the Wolseley monogram.
Harrods Tea Rooms
Harrods has been serving afternoon tea since 1896. After wandering through the glittering department store, take a seat in the tea rooms or the terrace to peruse a menu of globally-sourced teas – from Earl Grey and Hawaiian Black to Arishan Tai Milk Oolong – that are the perfect accompaniment to praline spheres and lemon curd tarts layered with lime and mint gel
Book here: www.harrods.com/en-gb/restaurants/the-harrods-tea-rooms
The Savoy
With its convenient location on the Strand, The Savoy is a British institution, so it’s no surprise that its afternoon tea is suitably traditional. Served in the light-filled Thames Foyer, the menu includes all of the usual treats: coronation chicken sandwiches, buttery raisin scones, and trays of luscious carrot cakes and rhubarb tarts. The real selling point here, though, is the beautiful selection of teas. Vintage imperial puerh, anyone?
Book here: www.thesavoylondon.com/experience/afternoon-tea-london/
The Langham
Guests have enjoyed The Langham afternoon tea since 1865, and it continues to stay true to the British afternoon tea tradition. Enjoy seasonal tweaks to traditional sandwiches, scones, cakes, and much-loved biscuits. Melodies from the grand piano complete the experience in the luxurious Palm Court.
Book here: www.langhamhotels.com/en/the-langham/london/dine/the-langham-afternoon-tea/deal for two (£124):
Hotel Café Royal Van Gogh
Offering a luxury afternoon tea experience in stunning surroundings, Hotel Café Royal is one to remember. Tea is served in a gilded mirrored tea room dating back to 1865, set to the sound of a live pianist and with a choice of more than 25 tea infusions and three champagnes. The menu is a celebration of renowned artist Vincent van Gogh, and features his most beloved works in a variety of stunning pastries, sandwiches and cakes. Each element of the tea has its own story that's told by the waiter as it arrives at your table, and it’s evident a lot of time and love has gone into the creation of the menu.
The Landmark
The Landmark London offers a phenomenal afternoon tea with classic British dishes and flavours. The eight-storey glass atrium is adorned with leafy palm trees and full of airy sunlight. he menu begins with a glass of Champagne Laurent-Perrier La Cuvée and a wide selection of teas including darjeeling, assam, English breakfast, organic rose grey and sencha aloe vera. The sandwiches are traditional and moreish, with lapsang souchong smoked Scottish salmon, organic egg mayonnaise and mustard cress, classic cucumber and coronation chicken on walnut bread. Scones are served warm with Cornish clotted cream and a selection of jams and marmalade
Book here: www.landmarklondon.co.uk/dining/high-palms-high-tea/
The Kensington Hotel
Currently available is the '80 Days Around the World’ afternoon tea, inspired by the global travels of Phileas Fogg. The theme is clear from the outset, without being kitsch or overdone – there are hot air balloons around the door as you enter the hotel, and they also feature on the plates and throughout the menu.
Book here: www.doylecollection.com/hotels/the-kensington-hotel/dining/afternoon-tea