18 places to have afternoon tea in London
There’s nothing us Brits love more than stopping our day in the afternoon to have an afternoon tea with scones and sandwiches…
Joking! This doesn’t happen in the real world. Well, not anymore anyway. However, it’s definitely something I like to treat myself to once in a while when I’m checking out new places in my home town. And it’s definitely a good way for you to dip your toe into traditional British culture and try something new. Even if you’ve tried it before – who doesn’t love tea, scones and sandwiches?!
I’ve put together a little list of places I’ve tried and places I want to try with my mum, my girlfriends and my lil pup Ollie (yes, I mean that – read on!) and places I think you should try too.
Here are 18 places you must try when you next go for afternoon tea in London…
Classic…
1. Claridge’s afternoon tea
The creme de la creme of afternoon teas. Think exquisite details, amazing cakes, scones and sandwiches, and all set in a beautiful art deco Reading Room. They even do seasonal afternoon tea for key events in the British calendar, such as Wimbledon.
Where? Brook Street, Mayfair, London, W1K 4HR
When? Every day, 2.45pm-5.30pm.
How much? Traditional afternoon tea £70 per person, champagne afternoon tea from £80 per person
Special dietary needs? All dietary requirements can be accommodated, but 24 hours’ notice is preferred.
Want to know more? Click here.
2. Traditional afternoon tea at English Tea Room at Brown’s Hotel
This wood-panelled tea room is hidden away in the Brown’s Hotel in Mayfair. When enjoying the pick of sandwiches and scones, you’ll be able to pick your tea from their infamous tea library. If you’re not sure what to pick, the staff will help you!
Where? Albemarle St, Mayfair, W1S 4BP
When? Every day, 12 noon – 5.30pm
How much? Traditional / healthy afternoon tea £55 per person, champagne afternoon tea from £65 per person.
Special dietary needs? 24 hours’ notice is preferred for vegan, gluten free and dairy free menus. 48 hours’ notice is preferred for halal and kosher menus. The Tea Tox menu is gluten free.
Want to know more? Click here.
3. Fortnum’s afternoon tea
Open since 1926, this pastel coloured venue boasts a great savoury and sweet afternoon tea in London. When the sun is shining, sitting next to the windows in the natural light sipping on a lovely cuppa is a great way to spend an afternoon.
Where? Diamond Jubilee Tea Salon at Fortnum & Mason, 181 Piccadilly, St. James’s, W1A 1ER.
When? Monday – Saturday, 11.30am-9.30pm / Sunday, 12 noon-6pm.
How much? £55 per person (£58 with a choice of ‘rare tea’)
Special dietary needs? Vegetarian menus available to order on the day. 24 hours’ notice is preferred for vegan or gluten-free menus.
Want to know more? Click here.
Themed…
4. Mad Hatter’s afternoon tea
Based on the beloved Alice and Wonderland books, enjoy a Mad Hatter’s tea party with your best friends in the heart of the city. They even have a tipsy evening tea for those of you who fancy it!
Where? The Sanderson, 50 Berners Street. W1T 3NG
When? Monday – Saturday, 12.30pm-4pm / Sunday, 1pm-5pm.
How much? £48 per person, champagne afternoon tea from £58
Special dietary needs? Gluten free, dairy free, vegetarian and vegan menus available.
Want to know more? Click here.
5. Art tea
This one’s been voted the best contemporary afternoon tea for two years in a row. Inspired by various artists, and currently Van Gogh, expect starry nights and sunflowers with a scone or two.
Where? Rosewood London, 252 High Holborn, Holborn, WC1V 7EN
When? Monday – Friday, 2:30 to 5:45 p.m / Saturday & Sunday, 12 noon to 5:45 p.m.
How much? £60 per person, champagne afternoon tea from £70 per person.
Special dietary needs? All dietary requirements can be accommodated, but notice when booking is preferred.
Want to know more? Click here.
6. Science afternoon tea
Served under dry ice and just around the corner from the Science museum itself, enjoy scones and ‘fossils’ simultaneously! Bonus, there are free refills on everything except the champagne.
Where? The Ampersand Hotel, 10 Harrington Rd, South Kensington, SW7 3ER
When? Monday – Saturday, 12.30pm-9pm / Sunday, 12.30pm-7pm.
How much? £39.50 per person, champagne afternoon tea from £49.50 per person
Special dietary needs? Vegetarian, vegan and gluten free menus available.
Want to know more? Click here.
In an unusual place…
7. Afternoon tea cruise, The Glass Room
Nibble on sandwiches and scones and sip on tea or champagne as you cruise along the River Thames, accompanied by a pianist.
Where? Bateaux London, Embankment Pier, Victoria Embankment, WC2N 6NU
When? Wednesday – Saturday, boarding 3.15pm, departure 3.30pm, return 4.45pm / Sunday, boarding 4.15pm, departure 4.30pm, return 5.45pm.
How much? £36 per person, champagne afternoon tea from £46 per person
Special dietary needs? Vegetarian options available, but notice when booking required.
Want to know more? Click here.
8. Afternoon tea London bus tour, BB Bakery
Want to do London in a day and enjoy an amazing afternoon tea? Look no further! Hop on the double decker bus and enjoy an audio tour of London as you tuck into some tasty treats. They also have a ‘gin lovers’ tour, if you prefer!
When & Where? Every day @ 12.30 and 15.00 from 8 Northumberland Avenue / Every day @ 12:00, 14:30, 17:00 from Victoria Coach Station / Friday – Sunday @ 13:00 & 15:30 from Victoria Coach Station
How much? from £45 per person
Special dietary needs? Gluten free, vegetarian, vegan and halal menus available. Notice on booking required. Vegan and gluten free teas are £3 extra.
Want to know more? Click here. Check out my experience and see all my photos here.
Multicultural…
9. Moroccan afternoon tea
The vibrant colours and exotic spices put a fantastic twist on this classic English treat.
Where? Momo, 25 Heddon Street, W1B 4BH
When? Every day, 12.30pm-4pm
How much? £32 per person, champagne afternoon tea from £42 per person
Special dietary needs? All the meat is halal. All other dietary requirements can be accommodated if you phone in advance.
Want to know more? Click here.
10. Taiwanese afternoon tea
The website says it all: “an indulgent experience taking you from savoury to sweet accompanied by the teahouse’s many forms of tea”.
Where? XU, 30 Rupert Street, W1D 6DL
How much? from £32 per person
Special dietary needs? The afternoon tea is vegetarian.
Want to know more? Click here.
11. High Chai, The LaLit
Another tea with a twist, relax and unwind whilst enjoying Indian cuisine.
Where? The LaLit London, 181 Tooley Street, SE1 2JR
When? Every day 12.30-4pm
How much? from £47 per person
Special dietary needs? All meat is halal. Gluten free, vegan and nut free can be requested when you make your reservation.
Want to know more? Click here.
12. Japanese afternoon tea
Japan meet Britain: I’ve found the perfect match-a! Here you can choose between afternoon tea with a Japanese twist, or a full blown tea ceremony.
Where? Ginza Onodera, 15 Bury St, SW1Y 6AL
When? Saturday & Sunday 2-4pm
How much? from £29 per person. Tea ceremony from £37 per person, champagne afternoon tea from £40 per person
Special dietary needs? The website doesn’t say, so check before booking!
Want to know more? Click here.
Plant-based…
13. Vegan afternoon tea, The Cake Boy
New in 2018 (in addition to a traditional afternoon tea), the Cake Boy have released a completely vegan afternoon tea!)
Where? Cake Boy, Unit 2 Kingfisher house, Battersea Reach, Juniper Drive SW18 1TX
When? Monday – Saturday, 1-5pm
How much? from £40 per person
Special dietary needs? It’s all vegan!
Want to know more? Click here.
14. High tea at Farmacy
Try this afternoon tea free from all dairy, additives, preservatives and chemicals. It’s vegan too, and for those of you that fancy it, comes with cannabidiol (a cannabis derived superfood) infused chocolates.
Where? 74-76 Westbourne Grove, W2 5SH
When? Friday – Sunday, 3.30-5pm
How much? from £42 per person
Special dietary needs? It’s all vegan!
Want to know more? Click here.
On a budget…
15. Paul’s afternoon tea
Take this Parisian twist on an afternoon tea and leave with a happy tummy and a happy wallet!
Where? Various Paul’s boulangeries in London! (Covent Garden is a nice one!)
When? Daily, 2.30-5.30pm
How much? £14.95 per person, bubbly afternoon tea from £19,95 per person
Special dietary needs? Vegetarian options available.
Want to know more? Click here.
16. Afternoon tea at the Wallace Restaurant
This traditional afternoon tea within the Wallace art gallery on Manchester Square will taste amazing without costing you a fortune.
Where? Manchester Square, W1U 3BN
When? Every day 2.30pm-4.30pm
How much? from £19.50 per person, bubbly afternoon tea from £26.50 per person
Special dietary needs? Vegetarian options are available.
Want to know more? Click here.
Dog-friendly…
17. Doggy Afternoon Tea, The Egerton House Hotel
You can also indulge as your pup enjoys their pawsecco and doggy treats!
Where? The Egerton House Hotel, 17-19 Egerton Terrace, SW3 2BX
When? Every day, 12 noon – 6pm
How much? from £45.00 per person (£64.50 with champagne), £25.00 per pooch (£31 with pawsecco)
Special dietary needs? Vegetarian, vegan and gluten free menus available (from £48 pp).
Want to know more? Click here.
Make your own…
18. Afternoon tea cookery class
Spend quality time with your family and friends learning how to make the little treats that you will later enjoy!
Where? The Cookery School, 15b Little Portland Street, W1W 8BW
When? Selected Saturdays and Sundays, for three hours
How much? from £125 per person
Special dietary needs? They accommodate where possible. Check when booking.
Want to know more? Click here.
Have you had afternoon tea in London?
Where did you go? I’d love to know!
Love as always + happy adventuring,
Mollie.
