14 Of London’s Loveliest Afternoon Teas

Fancy a cuppa? There’s no shortage of afternoon tea in London to choose from.

The great British afternoon tea tradition is living large here in the capital. So whether you fancy sipping from fine china or would rather have your cake (and eat it) in themed splendour, we’ve found 14 lovely afternoon teas in London to ‘jam’ into your diary. Your afternoons have never been sweeter…

1. Botanical Afternoon Tea at Lanes of London

Spring has sprung, the kettle is on, and it’s the perfect time to pop down to Lanes of London to enjoy their lovely botanical afternoon tea. They’re serving up a springtime selection of sandwiches such as the fennel cured smoked salmon and beetroot cream cheese and a chervil infused twist on the classic egg mayo. The sweet treats served in flowerpots and chocolate teacups are full of whimsy but the real winner here are the warm earl grey scones, served with clotted cream (of course) and an orange and kafir lime jam that you’ll never forget. And this is coming from a die-hard strawberry jam kinda gal. Priced at £22.50 per person – which is excellent value for such a fab afternoon tea treat – with the option to upgrade to unlimited bubbles for just £10 extra. You can’t go wrong.

You’ll find it at 140 Park Lane, London, W1K 7AA and you can book online here.

2. Jasmine Indian Afternoon Tea at Taj 51 Buckingham Gate (Westminster)

This afternoon tea is taken in the sublime Kona tea room of the St James’ Court Hotel, which is sure to seriously impress your guest. We’re featuring their Jasmine Indian afternoon tea today, but we wouldn’t be able to mention this place without telling you about their three other intricately-themed teas. Check out the Alice in Wonderland tea and the Sherlock Holmes tea if you’re looking for something a little closer to home. The Jasmine tea however, is seductively different. Featuring cinnamon scones with mango jam, spicy savouries and a fragrant selection of sweet options, all presented with colourful Indian flair. The price for each of their afternoon offerings is £40 per person.

You’ll find it at 51 Buckingham Gate, Westminster, SW1E 6AF and you can book online here.

3. Sketch (Mayfair)

Inside this 18th Century townhouse, you’ll find the playfully pink and pretty Gallery, where afternoon tea is held. As well as being easy on the eye, the delightful treats – including quail’s egg finger sandwiches, puffy macaroons and pastries – are sure to please your tastebuds. Prices tend to vary based on their seasonal offers, so you’ll need to check out their website for more information.

Find it at 9 Conduit St, Mayfair, W1S 2XG and book your table here.

4. Fortnum & Mason (Piccadilly)

With a rich history of over 300 years producing and selling tea, there’s arguably no better place to go for a classic and elegant brew. Afternoon tea is served in the Diamond Jubilee Tea Salon (which, we’ll have you know, was opened by HM The Queen herself). You’ll note the running theme of F&M’s famous pale blue and the selection of finger sandwiches and cakes is traditional, as expected. Price per person is £44, with the option of buying champagne on top.

Find it at 181 Piccadilly, St. James’s, W1A 1ER and book online here.

5. Hush Brasserie (Mayfair)

Hush Mayfair’s quintessentially British ‘Gin and Jam Afternoon Tea’ provides the perfect mixture of traditional and new elements. You are welcomed with a ‘tipple’, created with Hush’s own boutique gin, before being served up a delectable selection of sandwiches and sweets. The winning item? Passion Fruit Jaffa Cake. Delicious. It’s priced at £45 per person.

You’ll find it at 8 Lancashire Court, Brook Street, W1S 1EY and you can book a table here.

6. Art Afternoon Tea at Rosewood London (Holborn)

While modern art might not be everyone’s cup of tea, this offering from the Rosewood London is something everyone can sink their teeth into. Featuring sweet treats inspired by iconic artists Yayoi Kusama, Damien Hirst, Alexander Calder, Banksy, and Mark Rothko. It’s almost too beautiful to eat. The afternoon tea costs £50 per person.

You’ll find it at Rosewood Hotel, 252 High Holborn, WC1V 7EN and you can book a table here.

7. Mad Hatter’s Afternoon Tea at the Sanderson (Fitzrovia)

Inspired by Alice In Wonderland and the potions Alice samples, this afternoon tea has been created for the young at heart. The menu comes to you in vintage books and includes unconventional additions such as a smoked salmon Scotch quail’s egg and a mini ham and parmesan Croque Monsieur alongside your scones and whatnot. The menu features a mocha chessboard gateau, a Tweedle Dee lemon curd financier, a blue caterpillar made of chocolate and pistachio and even a ‘Drink Me’ potion with cinnamon, apple and peach. The afternoon tea costs £48 per person.

You’ll find the Mad Hatter’s Afternoon Tea at the Sanderson Hotel, 50 Berners St, Fitzrovia, W1T 3NG and you book a table here.

8. Wizard-Themed Immersive Afternoon Tea at Cutter & Squidge (Soho)

Expecto be pretty impressed as you cast spells and concoct edible potions – all before tucking into a spellbinding selection of sweet and savoury, including Yorkshire puddings filled with roast beef and horseradish, classic finger sandwiches, knickerbocker bites, and spectacular drinks served in personal-sized cauldrons. Forget about that Hogwarts letter, you finally have a chance to become the wizard you always wanted to be!

You’ll find the Potion Room at Cutter & Squidge, 20 Brewer Street, Soho and you can book a table here.

9. Charlie and the Chocolate Factory Afternoon Tea at One Aldwych (Covent Garden)

If we can’t visit Willy Wonka in his chocolate factory and lick the wallpaper and eat everlasting gobstoppers, then this is certainly the next best thing. The menu is full of scrumdiddlyumptious treats, including cake pops, homemade candyfloss and golden eggs. There’s also chocolate and sugarcane tea, and a wacky cocktail made with whiskey, chocolate bitters, cherry, and grapefruit. Don’t knock it till you try it… This one costs £42 per person.

You’ll find this Charlie and the Chocolate Factory tea at One Aldwych, Covent Garden, WC2B 4BZ and you can book a table here.

10. Gin Afternoon Tea on a Vintage Bus (Victoria)

Written by Georgie Hoole.

It really doesn’t get any more British than gin and afternoon tea on a red double decker bus. (Unless you invited the Queen, perhaps). Jump on board, sip on free (yes, free) cocktails from Hayman’s Gin and tuck into B Bakery’s gin-infused bakes. The vintage Routemaster bus will drive past some of London’s most iconic landmarks, so you can get away with calling it a ‘cultural’ outing, even if you’re only in it for the gin. Get ready to make some slightly tipsy memories of That Time I Got Pissed On A Bus And It Was Actually Considered Classy. Prices start at £55.

The bus departs from Victoria Coach Station and lasts around 90 minutes. Find out more and get your tickets here. 

11. Bottomless Prosecco Afternoon Tea at The Barbican Conservatory

Every Sunday the Barbican gives you the chance to sip prosecco and munch scones surrounded by over 2,000 species of tropical plants and trees. As if we need to say any more than that! The menu takes you on a journey through their tropical garden with coconut and kaffir lime chicken sandwiches, lemon thyme and date palm scones, orange and lavender cake, and pear and cardamom loaf. The tea costs £35 per person.

You’ll find the conservatory at Silk St, Barbican, EC2Y 8DS and you can book your places for the afternoon tea here.

12. London-themed Afternoon Tea at The Shard

Oblix’s afternoon tea focuses on all that London has to offer in its diverse range of boroughs. Across a mouthwatering range of sandwiches, pastries, and scones, they’ll explore the best produce the city has to offer, from the comfy surroundings of the 32nd floor of The Shard.

Executive chef Marcus Eaves and group pastry chef Julien Philippe have focused on London’s finest ingredients and highlighted them beautifully in their new London Afternoon Tea menu. We recommend the duck egg and truffle mayonnaise sandwich, which pairs pretty perfectly with those views of the city. They also have a gluten free afternoon tea for those with dietary requirements. This one costs £38 per person.

You’ll find the London Afternoon Tea at Level 32, The Shard, 31 St. Thomas Street, SE1 9RY. Find out how to book here.

13. Afternoon Tea Ceremony at XU Teahouse

If you’re after something a little different but traditional nonetheless, head to XU’s Taiwanese Teahouse (run by the same team behind BAO), and be guided by their in-house Tea Master. Their traditional Afternoon Tea Ceremony will take you on a journey from savoury to sweet Taiwanese dishes, each paired with the perfect tea. The Tea Ceremony starts from £39, and is available Monday to Sunday, 12–5pm.

Find it at XU Teahouse & Restaurant, 30 Rupert Street, W1D 6DL. Make a reservation here. 

14. The Original Sweet Shop Afternoon Tea at The Chesterfield

The Chesterfield has just launched the sweetest afternoon tea in London. Taking place in the hotel’s beautiful conservatory, filled with pick ‘n’ mix and jars of old fashioned sweets, the experience has a real retro vibe. Feast on finger sandwiches, scones, pastries and cakes, all inspired by an old fashioned sweetshop. Think Coca-Cola slices, chocolate fudge éclairs, peanut butter cups, rhubarb and custard macarons, and liquorice allsorts lemon cheesecake – it’s a truly nostalgic affair. On top of it all, you’ll also be greeted with a magical welcome drink of homemade pink lemonade, floating within a cloud of dry ice and flying saucers.

The Sweet Shop Afternoon Tea costs £40 per person (£47 with a glass of Champers, or £21.50 for kids) and you’ll find it at 35 Charles Street, Mayfair, W1J 5EB. Make a reservation here. 

 

? by @erinnrush