There are very few places that can reinvent the traditional afternoon tea and still make it feel as English as ever. Sarah Allard, Address: Theatre Royal Drury Lane, Catherine Street, Covent Garden, London WC2B 5JFWebsite: thelane.co.ukPrice: 49 per person. 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'. TheChesterfield surely takes the title of sweetest afternoon tea in London. On top of it all, youll also be greeted with a magical welcome drink of homemade pink lemonade, floating within a cloud of dry ice and flying saucers. If the weather is kind, ask to sit in the courtyard surrounded by fluffy clouds of hydrangeas. Price: From 21.95 per person. 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. Scones stay cossetted in a thick napkin to keep warm, with lashings of clotted cream and strawberry jam. One warning: youll need to order scones, cream and jam separately if you want to stick to tradition. Price: 102 for the afternoon tea for two peopleand immersive experience! elliot nan Leah Craig, Address: Fortnum & Masons Bar & Restaurant, The Royal Exchange, London EC3V 3LRWebsite: theroyalexchange.co.ukPrices: 35 per person (48 with a glass of champagne). It's not just the view from here that draws visitors from all around the world. Harrods Tea Rooms first opened in 1911, the year of King George Vs coronation, and was initially named The Georgian, quickly becoming renowned for its tea dances on the special sprung dance floor. Propped up on the corner of Pont street in the smart Kensington and Chelsea neighbourhood as part of accessories designer Anya Hindmarchs five neighbouring stores, this is a quintessentially British affair filled with coffee, tea and cakes galore. 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. As soon as youve sat down, over trundles a suave waiter pushing a trolley laden with chilled Ruinart. 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. The skill in keeping its authenticity lies, as ever, with the staff who create this experience, keeping it a treat while keeping it real. 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. 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 tea itself takes place in the first-floor Verdi Restaurant admittedly, its 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, its a step up from most museum cafs. Tickets purchased through Fever may earn Secret London commission. Not only is the Royal Albert Hall one of the worlds most famous performance venues; its also one of the UKs most treasured buildings and a thoroughly British institution. Grab a box of Tea Cakes or Anyas Family Favourite 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). Take a seat on the sunny roadside terrace this is Hindmarchs take on the old-school caf. 7 Venues It is paved with reclaimed Purbeck stone and the walls are papered with Kemps 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. Where: 2 Whitehall Court London SW1A 2EJ. 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. The Jing Chai is particularly heady and the Silver Needle white tea wonderfully refreshing. The afternoon-tea spread at Mayfair restaurant Sexy Fish emerges from the open-plan kitchen on a silver stand embellished with silver octopus tentacles and fish tails. bloody knife blood death fake dagger hunting sentenced children american standard worry sure must don listverse Reservations: Book here. 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. Where: The Savoy, The Strand, WC2R 0EZ. Expect typical British delights: smoked salmon and cucumber, egg and cress, ham with farmhouse chutney and coronation chicken. Lauren Hepburn, Address: Great Court Restaurant, British Museum, Great Russell Street, London WC1B 3DGWebsite: britishmuseum.orgPrice: 22 per person; 28 with a glass of Prosecco. Tucked away on an unassuming side street in Belgravia, there are even rumours of a secret tunnel linking the hotel to Buckingham Palace, so the Queen and co can slip in unnoticed. Afternoon tea is held in the theatres spectacular newly-refurbished Grand Saloon which boasts sparkling chandeliers, ornate ceilings and neoclassical columns surrounded by pastel panelled walls. Theres also chocolate and caramel tea, and a wacky cocktail made with whiskey, chocolate bitters, cherry, and grapefruit. Address: Dean Street Townhouse, 69 71 Dean St, Soho, London W1D 3SEWebsite: deanstreettownhouse.comPrice: Afternoon tea 31; Champagne afternoon tea with a glass of Collet Brut NV 42. Where better to indulge in finger sandwiches and cakes? Indulgent, simply delicious and reminiscent of the supremos previous designs. Its no surprise that the 5-star hotel also offers a stunning afternoon tea experience in the beautifully decorated Lounge. Mainly from the many smart diners still enjoying long lunches all around you. Tea is taken seriously though, with a page in the menu dedicated to the scientific process of how the The Berkeley makes its tea. Price:Starts at 42. Finger sandwiches make a welcome savoury intervention from the sweet treats. For their afternoon tea, the team have collaborated with east London cake queen Lily Vanilli, who, influenced by the theatres history, has carefully created a Regency-themed spread in her signature, kitsch style. 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. The food itself is an unusual offering, but delicious nonetheless. 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 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 personalised cake, if your tea is in honour of a birthday. The restaurant Jean-Georges at The Connaught was refurbished last year, and the new afternoon tea summer menu was launched in June this year. Address: Ting Lounge at Shangri-La Hotel at The Shard, 31 St Thomas Street SE1Website: shangri-la.comPrice: British Summertime Afternoon Tea from 52. Delicate pastries that correlate toBridgerton's gossiping families are prepared according to head pastry chef Kevin Miller's direction. And now, theyve just shaken up the weekend routine: its out with brunch, in with afternoon tea. And a whizz round the beautiful Parthenon Marbles is a must. 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. 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. As one of the best bars in London, there's no need to move to a second location the cocktails here are a knockout. Its not a coincidence either Prt--portea has been drawing fashion fans for years now with its edible edit of the hottest ready to wear shows. Our top 15 destinations, FREE delivery+FREE digitaleditionswith INSTANT ACCESS to the current issueORDER NOW >>, Afternoon tea at Dalloway Terrace, The Bloomsbury Hotel, Afternoon tea at St James's Hotel & Club 1840, Afternoon tea at Fortnum & Mason at the Royal Exchange, Afternoon tea at Theatre Royal Drury Lane, Afternoon tea at Petersham Nurseries, Richmond, Afternoon tea at Brasserie of Light, Selfridges, Afternoon tea at The Petersham, Covent Garden, Afternoon tea at Great Court Restaurant, British Museum, Afternoon tea at Shangri-La Hotel at The Shard. The menu, which changes weekly, is a creative take on the traditional: classic cucumber sandwiches with a basil twist, beetroot-tartare tarts with cauliflower pure and Ortiz tuna, caper and spring-onion croutons. 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. 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. Price:90. Top off your afternoon by exploring the museum collections. Sandwiches for you, cakes for me, and none for Gretchen Wieners, bye. Start with The Gorings 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. Special mention needs to go to the grilled-courgette and vegan rocket-pesto sandwich, which was delightful. Next up are four warm vanilla scones it wouldnt be afternoon tea without them. Savouries come in the form of pillowy milk buns that are delicate enough to ensure the focus is firmly on the punchy seasonal fillings. As well as being easy on the eye, the delightful treats including quails egg finger sandwiches, puffy macaroons and pastries are sure to please your tastebuds. Price:Starts at 65. You can spot The Royal Horseguards Hotels grand exterior from miles away, overlooking the River Thames on the Embankment. 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. 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. 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.

When: Mondays Sundays.

When: Mondays Sundays. All products are independently selected by our editors. Nor is there any faulting the foodstuffs. An utterly fetch, all-pink tributeto the eminently quotable film, you can expect cakes, chocolate-dipped strawberries, and cookies, all furnished with an appropriately kitsch name. Even on a non-market day, its 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 Wolseleys afternoon tea is delicious, and you will, undoubtedly, leave feeling uncomfortably full, as with all of the teas on this list. The food itself could almost get away with playing second fiddle to the setting but its just as impressive. As you sip tea beside the curling Ionic capitals of stone columns, its hard not to be impressed by the majesty of the British Museum.

We particularly enjoyed the gin paired with cardamom and rose, which was smooth with just the right hint of tartness. Price: 47 per person (54 with a glass of Champers, or 31 for kids). If you miraculously have room left, summon the trolley for a scoop of absinthe mint choc chip ice cream to finish off. And don't forget that view; book a table an hour or so before sunset to watch the skyline transform in the moonlight. Just to see these edible works of art is a treat in itself, to eat them is a delicious adventure. When: Mondays Sundays. In previous years some of fashions great icons have also been served, most famously Anna Wintour, complete with signature bob and sunglasses, in biscuit form. Four types of bladed sandwiches arrived (our favourites were samphire and smoked salmon, and cucumber, chamomile and buttermilk); once we'd polished those off, more appeared. 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. Becky Lucas, Address: The Ritz London, 150 Piccadilly, London W1Website: theritzlondon.comPrice: From 58 for adults and from 35 for children. 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. Tea at The Ritz. Dont let the location on Museum Mile put you off: this London afternoon tea certainly isnt just a tourist box-ticker. The Royal Family make no secret of their affection for The Goring Hotel. 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. Where: Doyles Opticians, West 12 Shopping Centre, Shepherds Bush, W12 8PP. Reservations: Book here. Perhaps its 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. If we cant visit Willy Wonka in his chocolate factory to lick the wallpaper and eat everlasting gobstoppers, then this is certainly the next best thing. Reservations: Book here. Still thirsty? Claridge's is known for its warm welcome to all, and we were instantly made to feel like part of the family. When: Mondays Sundays. Theres also a tea-tox option featuring low-carb, low-fat snacks, including miso-glazed salmon, beetroot crpe and matcha-raspberry cheesecake. When: Mondays Sundays. Join in this secret speakeasy to indulge in a delicious afternoon tea and test your skills of deduction with an original case to crack. So good that youll definitely agree to the offer of a second helping. The Lady Whistledown is a pistachio nut financier and pistachio mousse coated in milk chocolate and cocoa butter, while a classic layered Charlotte sponge cake is inspired by the meddling Queen. The too-cute-to-eat pastries, sandwiches, and scones are delightful treats that go perfectly with a glass of bubbly. You could be loading up your scones next to a group enjoying a lavish four-course lunch, or another arriving for afternoon cocktails.

But they soon clear out, leaving you to revel in the restaurants downtime at this slightly less obvious London afternoon tea spot or, as its officially named, NY-Tea. 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). But its the cakes themselves that receive the full Stars and Stripes treatment literally, in the case of the Cookies 'n' Cream tart: a red, white and blue doughnut-shaped confection of white chocolate cookies, coconut mousse and lemon curd. Aqua Shard are back with their magical Peter Pan-themed afternoon tea experience on the 31st floor of The Shard. Terrifically knowledgeable 'Tearistas' are on hand to help narrow down the choice. Where: 45-47 Hoxton Square, London, N1 6PD. Aside from the bristling energy of the setting and the brassy Frank Sinatra on the playlist, you can, for starters, select a whiskey cocktail (the Yankie) rather than Champagne if youre going for the hard option. Its difficult to focus on anything but the skyline at Oblix West, perched 32 levels up in the glassy Shard a fact that happily hasnt escaped them. When: Wednesdays and Thursdays 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. ), the scones are extra sweet, swimming in buttermilk and vanilla cream. Where: The Wolseley, 160 Piccadilly, W1J 9EB. Theres a violet macaroon topped with bright edible flowers, cupcakes with mini pipettes to inject a fruity filling, salted caramel slices and little lemon tartelettes. Youll also get to sip on the perfect cup of tea if we say so ourselves with some mouth-watering pastries that are heavily influenced by the House of Windsor. 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. Shimmy past the sharp-suited doormen, across the imposing colonnaded lobby of the hotel, and youll find yourself in a room festooned with paintings hung in gilt-edged frames and oversized, over-the-top chandeliers hanging from an 18ft-high stuccoed ceiling. If you like your tea strong enough to fuel rocket ships, ask for extra leaves the staff will happily oblige. Reservations:Book here. 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. Its put on some pretty big-deal tea parties too; the Queen clinked china here with the WI to mark their 100th anniversary. Where:Collins Room at The Berkeley,Wilton Place, Knightsbridge, SW1X 7RL. Theres a small bar pouring Prosecco into coupes at one end and an open kitchen at the other. Sure, there are finger sandwiches although even these are given a French flavour, as ham and cheese are made with Emmental, and there is an aubergine, burrata and olive tapenade option. Five different savouries mix British classics with an Italian influence crispy sourdough with prosciutto and focaccia with burrata, nasturtiums and sunflower seeds were our favourites.

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. 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. Traditionalists will be delighted to know that scones warm and golden feature heavily, which you can enjoy alongside your choice of Rare Tea Company teas or Taittinger Champagne, depending on how flamboyant youre feeling. Fancy a more in-depth look at the Peter Pan afternoon tea? 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. Dont knock it till you try it. Weve sat down to countless cups of tea, finger sandwiches, scones and macarons to bring you our editors reviews of the best afternoon tea in London from the traditional spreads to the modern interpretations that roll on into evening drinks.

An offshoot of the Piccadilly original, this is Fortnum & Mason with a twist. 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. The game is afoot, Bottomless Champagne Afternoon Tea Fit For a Royal, Bottomless Sushi and Fizz Afternoon Tea at Inamo, Heres Everything Worth A Watch On Netflix In August 2022, An Orinoco Womble Bench Commemorates The Wombles Of Wimbledon Common, This Bright Land Is Transforming Somerset House Into A Welcoming Wonderland of Cultural Celebration. When: Mondays Sundays. Green Park is just a scone's throw away - but if you have time, seek out the statue of Beau Brummel on Jermyn Street and spare a thought for the great Georgian dandy, who passed away in 1840 and was therefore unlikely to have eaten many Victorian sponges. 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. Instead, theres avocado, cucumber with mint, and celery with cream cheese, served on a variety of breads (sundried tomato, seeded and, our favourite, traditional, pillowy white). 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 served with clotted cream and homemade jams are delivered straight from the oven, soft and warm. Afternoon tea doesnt 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 savoury bites (which are also sprinkled with petals). We did the latter, gobbling up finger sandwiches so that our scones wouldn't lose their warmth. Our favourite, however, is the Liberty: a rich peanut butter and jelly (in this case, apricot jam) clair. Is there a more archetypally English institution? We recommend you add a cocktail (the Hendricks, cucumber, elderflower and Prosecco concoction is our favourite) to accompany your Earl Grey. Where: 181 Piccadilly, St. Jamess, W1A 1ER. Every couple of months, the terrace at The Bloomsbury Hotel gets a revamp to fit in with the changing seasons, switching from a cosy space in autumn and winter to a light and elegant spot in the warmer months. Address: The Goring Hotel, 15 Beeston Place, London, SW1W 0JWWebsite: thegoring.comPrice: From 50 per person; from 62 with a glass of Bollinger. 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. Theyre decadent without leaving you feeling like youve overdone it on the sugar. The staff are dressed to impress in their suited uniform, which makes it feel as if youve stepped into a Fifties, diner-style coffee bar. 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. Reservations: Book here. 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. Cream is infused with cinnamon. Where: One Aldwych, Covent Garden, WC2B 4BZ. 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. Oh darling! For those who prefer their tea more traditionally non-alcoholic, theres a good selection with, appropriately, lots of floral-based options. Reservations: Book here. And who knew there were so many different types of tea? Big Ben is a tasty lemon curd tart, while the iconic red telephone box is a tasty rhubarb mousse.

Then soft, warm plain and fruit scones are accompanied by clotted cream, strawberry jam and lemon curd Fortnums own, naturally. The Ritz London sets the standard for afternoon tea. 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. Today, afternoon tea in London enjoys celebratory status. Now, the team is plating up a Garden Afternoon tea, served in the Teahouse. Theres also carrot cake with candied carrot swirls, and scones that you may or may not be able to finish (we didnt manage it, despite our best intentions). The bar is bookended by two small seating areas and it almost feels like you're outside, with light pooling through the glass ceiling. From the extensive menu we chose a Tregothnan Earl Grey, blended with a blend from an ancient Cornish estate that has been around since 1335; and Darjeeling, the 'Champagne of teas'. We've rounded up some of the very best afternoon teas in London - so why not try some of them before they're scone?