Best London Afternoon Teas

As all tea lovers, we adore a good Afternoon Tea, so this article will show you our 10 favourite Afternoon Teas in London. Check out our list and share your thoughts with us.

THE RITZ

The Ritz is an iconic place in London and the ideal one for those who are looking to revel traditions. It offers a great selection of finely cut sandwiches, fresh scones and an incredible range of pastries and teacakes. Also, you have several options of loose-leaf teas to choose from - or maybe, a glass of champagne if you are in the mood to celebrate. 

The Afternoon Tea is served at Palm Court, with glittering chandeliers and elegant mirrors, which add a light and stylist flourish to the room.

You can have a true Chinese experience, with delicate china plates and teacups. The Afternoon Tea is served daily at 11:30 am, 1:30 pm, 3:30 pm, 5:30 pm and 7:30 pm. Prices from £ 54 per person and £ 30 for children.

HOTEL CAFÉ ROYAL

Hotel Café Royal newly launched London Royal Tea Afternoon Tea, featuring a modern twist on nostalgic British treats.

This Afternoon Tea celebrates the British tradition of taking Afternoon Tea in a beautiful setting, the Grade II listed Oscar Wilde Bar. Combining the elegance of Mayfair and the creativity of SoHo, the Oscar Wilde Bar is the right place to all great minds to came together to change the world.

If includes an extensive and exclusive tea menu and fantastic savouries. The afternoon tea is served from Monday to Friday at 2 pm, 3 pm 4 pm and 5 pm; and on weekends and bank holidays from 12 pm, 1 pm, 2 pm, 3 pm, 4 pm, 5 pm. Prices from £ 42 or £ 55/65 – with a glass of Laurent-Perrier. We highly recommended you to book in advance.

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SCANDAL WATER AT THE LONDON EDITION

‘Scandal Water’ was the 19th Century jargon for tea, and became the trend for the upper echelons of London Society, for whom work was unthinkable and consequently, boredom was a real issue. The empty and long hours between after lunch and dinner was the perfect time to revive the spirits with a nice cup of tea and engage in the real focus of the afternoon.

To celebrate this tradition, Henrietta Lovell and Phil Carmichael decided to create five carefully chosen pairing: five teas and five food pairings – each one designed to complement each other.

To enjoy an afternoon tea at Scandal Water, you need to book in advance. From Friday to Sunday, between 3 pm to 4 pm at £ 35 per person for the choice of three pairings.

WYLD TEA AT MONDRIAN LONDON

At Mondrian London, you can enjoy an award-winning cocktail bar for Wyld Tea – a unique afternoon tea with a botanical view. With a stylish, retro take on the classic inspired menu, paired specially with botanical cocktails.

The afternoon tea menus are combined by 4 courses and feature playful takes on finger sandwiches, savoury bites and retro cakes.

Served from Thursday to Sunday, between 12 pm to 5 pm, priced at £ 55. You have two other options available: Boozeless Wyld Tea at £ 35 and Champagne Wyld Tea at £ 65.

SKETCH AFTERNOON

One of the most iconic afternoon teas in London, with a Michelin star, in a room that is a work of art, inside of a converted 18th-century building.

Presented with an innovative artistic flourish, dainty finger sandwiches feature indulgent caviar and decadent quail’s egg or light ricotta, cucumber and asparagus. Light scones are served, accompanied by zingy citrus marmalade, fresh raspberry jam and pillowy Malabar marshmallows.

Blending modern art and supreme culinary expertise, the sketch Gallery dining room features pieces from acclaimed artist, David Shrigley. We highly recommend you to book in advance. Open from Monday to Sunday from 12:30 pm to 4:30 pm at £ 45. Prices may vary if it is a special occasion.

FORTNUM & MASON 

A tradition for centuries at Fortnum & Mason, you can have a marvellous afternoon tea at the elegant Diamond Jubilee Tea Salon. The place is known as the capital’s archetypical tea-taking establishments, and it offers to its guests the possibility to toast this heritage.

Their menu includes a feminine setting washed in pale mints and more than 82 teas – always good to try something new! With a pianist, you can enjoy a very nice afternoon tea combined with incredible finger sandwiches and scones.

You can have an afternoon tea at Fortnum & Mason Diamond Jubilee Tea Salon from Monday to Saturday (11:30 am to 7 pm) and Sunday (11:30 am to 6 pm) between £ 44 to 48.

BROWN'S HOTEL

With a fascinating history and with many distinguished visitors since 1837, this five-start establishment serves one of the most famous afternoon teas in London, and it was awarded a Highly Commended certificate at the Afternoon Tea Awards 2016.

The interior is stylish and sophisticated, giving you the chance to relax while enjoying the sounds of the Baby Grand Piano.  Moreover, they offer a vast selection of rich bounty of teas and infusions with unbelievable finger sandwiches, scones and desserts.

You can experience this afternoon tea any day of tea week, from 12 pm to 5:30 pm at £ 55 or £ 65 – if you decide to have a glass of ‘R’ de Ruinart champagne.

CLARIDGE'S 

Focusing on the nation’s culinary heritage for more than 150 years, they have remained faithful to the classic combination of finger sandwiches, warm scones and sweet pastries; always careful with the selection of their ingredients. 

But the main star of this afternoon tea is the drink itself.

This afternoon tea is served daily from 2:45pm, 3pm, 3:15pm, 3:30pm, 4:45pm, 5pm, 5:15pm and 5:30pm at £ 58 per person. If you wish you can always have a glass of champagne. Attention to the dress code: elegant smart casual.

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AQUA SHARD

Located on level 31 of the Shard, you can taste an innovative contemporary afternoon tea, while enjoying London skyline, in this cosmopolitan and modern room.

Their afternoon tea tries to embrace the local producers and combine the staple ingredients of British cooking with innovative techniques.

You can enjoy their afternoon tea – as well as the view – from Monday to Friday (1 pm to 5 pm) and Saturdays (1 pm to 4 pm) at £ 45. Dress code: smart casual.

RENAISSANCE HOTEL

One of London’s landmark, St Pancreas Renaissance Hotel is a Victorian Gothic masterpiece. You can taste their afternoon tea at the Hansom Lounge while appreciating gothic bells and painted ceiling.

You can experience different types of teas while enjoying a roast turkey savoury or an oreo choux bun.

The afternoon tea is served on Saturday (12 pm to 4 pm) and Sunday (12 pm to 5 pm) at £ 29 per person. You can always have your afternoon tea with a glass of Gosset champagne (£ 41) or for a temperance afternoon tea with sparkling green tea (£ 34).