We’ve rounded up some of the very best afternoon teas in London – try them before they’re scone!
So, whether you’re after a quirky afternoon tea, a casual affair, or a flamboyantly fancy day out, there’s something here for everyone.
1. DUO London’s Mean Girls Afternoon Tea
Sandwiches for you, cakes for me, and none for Gretchen Wieners, bye. An utterly fetch, all-pink tribute to the eminently quotable film, you can expect cakes, chocolate-dipped strawberries, and cookies, all furnished with an appropriately kitsch name. There’s even a Burn Book for you to air your grievances in – perhaps starting with the fact that it’s taken you this long to find a Mean Girls afternoon tea…
When: on Wednesdays, Saturdays, and Sundays.
Where: DUO London, 22 Inverness Street, Camden, NW1 7HJ.
Price: £42 per person.
Reservations: book here.
2. Van Gogh-themed afternoon tea at Hotel Café Royal
If you’re looking for a bite to eat before or after the immersive Van Gogh exhibition, we have the perfect treat for you: This artsy afternoon tea at Hotel Café Royal’s Oscar Wilde Lounge promises a ‘magical tasting journey through Van Gogh’s most famous artworks’, serving beautiful dishes inspired by the artist (which, TBH, are almost too pretty to eat!).
When: Thursdays – Sundays.
Where: Hotel Café Royal, 10 Air Street, W1B 4DY.
Price: £100 for the afternoon tea and immersive experience!
Reservations: book here.
3. Hot Gossip Afternoon Tea at Tonight Josephine
One Mean Girls-themed afternoon tea is simply not enough, so here’s another one you should include on your bucket list. Tonight Josephine are hosting a gorgeous new afternoon tea and honestly, the Plastics would be so proud. Here you can wear pink every day of the week and enjoy unlimited porn star martinis and prosecco! Tickets include a selection of cakes, macarons, and other sweet treats to feast on. Don’t worry, you’ll get your own Hot Gossip notebook, and a tote bag to keep as a souvenir.
When: on Saturdays, with limited dates available.
Where: Tonight Josephine Shoreditch, 39A Hoxton Square, N1 6NN.
Price: starts at £39.
Reservations: book here.
4. Bottomless sushi and fizz Afternoon Tea at Inamo
If you’re more fond of a savoury meal, this non-traditional afternoon tea is for you: Come to Inamo for delicious sushi and Asian tapas, and enjoy everything from fresh sashimi and maki rolls to gyoza and futomaki. If you’re feeling thirsty, you can add one hour of bottomless fizz, making it a boozy, Asian-inspired afternoon tea experience like no other.
When: Mondays – Sundays.
Where: Inamo Soho, 134-136 Wardour Street, W1F 8ZP, or Inamo Covent Garden, 11-14 Hanover Place, WC2E 9JP.
Price: from £19.95 per person.
Reservations: book here.
5. Vegan tea and bubbles at Linnaean
The gorgeous, health-focused café Linnaean is offering a lovely afternoon tea featuring a selection of vegan sweet treats and savory canapés, as well as cute sandwiches. Top it off with a glass of vegan prosecco or a bottle of Testulat Blanc de Noirs Champagne for an extra fancy experience. On Saturday, May 22 only, there will be a special live violinist performance by Eunsley Park.
When: Tuesdays – Sundays.
Where: Linnaean, 2 New Union Square Embassy Gardens, SW11 7AX.
Price: starts at £45.
Reservations: book here.
6. Royal bottomless champagne Afternoon Tea at The Rubens at the Palace Hotel
Feel like a royal as you sip on bottomless champagne and tea while overlooking the Royal Mews of Buckingham Palace. The Rubens at the Palace is an award-winning afternoon tea lounge, where you can currently enjoy a chic afternoon tea that comes with a selection of mouth-watering pastries. If that’s not quite enough for you, why not splurge £500 for a pot of The Rubens Golden Tips Tea to go with your champagne?
When: Mondays – Sundays.
Where: The Rubens at the Palace Hotel, 39 Buckingham Palace Rd, London, SW1W 0PS.
Price: starts at £75.
Reservations: book here.
7. Celebratory champagne Afternoon Tea at The Wolseley
A champagne afternoon tea at The Wolseley is exactly what we need to celebrate making it through this past year. Treat yourself to an assortment of finger sandwiches, cakes, and fruit scones with homemade jam and clotted cream, and add a glass of Pommery Brut Royal NV to make it even more extravagant.
When: Tuesdays – Sundays.
Where: The Wolseley, 160 Piccadilly, W1J 9EB.
Price: starts at £29.75, or £40.00 for the Champagne Afternoon Tea.
Reservations: book here.
8. Elegant Afternoon Tea at The Savoy
Speaking of extravagant: The Savoy Hotel is an expert in all things fancy (have you seen their gorgeous pop-up terrace?). Head to the hotel’s Thames Foyer for a traditional afternoon tea consisting of fine finger sandwiches and handmade pastries and cakes, or opt for the fancy high tea with an extra main dish on the menu. There are also vegetarian and vegan versions available, and of course you have the option of adding champagne.
When: Mondays – Sundays.
Where: The Savoy, The Strand, WC2R 0EZ.
Price: starts at £65.
Reservations: book here.
9. Sketch‘s seasonal Afternoon Tea
Inside this 18th Century townhouse, you’ll find the playfully pink and pretty Gallery, where this 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.
When: Mondays – Sundays.
Where: 9 Conduit Street, Mayfair, W1S 2XG.
Price: tends to vary based on seasonal offers.
Reservations: book here.
10. Peter Pan-themed tea at Aqua Shard
Aqua Shard are back with their magical Peter Pan-themed afternoon tea experience on the 31st floor of The Shard. Take a trip to the enchanting world of Neverland and enjoy panoramic views of the London skyline while you nibble on sweet and savoury treats served on a tea-stand resembling Captain Hook’s infamous ship.
When: Mondays – Sundays.
Where: Aqua Shard, Level 31, The Shard, St. Thomas Street, SE1 9RY.
Price: starts at £52 per person.
Reservations: book here.
11. Fortnum & Mason’s Afternoon Tea
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. Choose from a traditional menu, as well as a vegan, gluten-free, dairy-free, and children’s version.
When: Mondays – Sundays.
Where: 181 Piccadilly, St. James’s, W1A 1ER.
Price: £62,50 per person, with the option of adding champagne.
Reservations: book here.
12. The Royal Horseguards Hotel’s Afternoon Tea
You can spot The Royal Horseguards Hotel’s grand exterior from miles away, overlooking the River Thames on the Embankment. It’s no surprise that the 5-star hotel also offers a stunning afternoon tea experience in the beautifully decorated Lounge. The too-cute-to-eat pastries, sandwiches, and scones are delightful treats that go perfectly with a glass of bubbly.
When: Mondays – Sundays.
Where: 2 Whitehall Court London SW1A 2EJ.
Price: starts at £39.
Reservations: book here.
13. Hush Brasserie’s Afternoon Tea
Hush Mayfair’s quintessentially British 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.
When: Mondays – Sundays.
Where: 8 Lancashire Court, Brook Street, W1S 1EY.
Price: £45 per person.
Reservations: book here.
14. Charlie and the Chocolate Factory Afternoon Tea at One Aldwych
If we can’t visit Willy Wonka in his chocolate factory to lick the wallpaper and eat everlasting gobstoppers, then this is certainly the next best thing. The menu is full of scrumdiddlyumptious treats, including cake, homemade candyfloss, marshmallows, and scones with snozzberry jam and clotted cream. There’s also chocolate and caramel tea, and a wacky cocktail made with whiskey, chocolate bitters, cherry, and grapefruit. Don’t knock it till you try it…
When: Wednesdays to Sundays.
Where: One Aldwych, Covent Garden, WC2B 4BZ.
Price: £52 per person, with the option of adding champagne.
Reservations: book here.
15. Prêt-à-Portea Afternoon Tea at The Berkeley
The Berkeley is back with a vibrant seasonal makeover of their fashion-fabulous afternoon tea, the ‘Prêt-À-Portea’. Featured on ‘The Couture Cakewalk’ are seven designers, and with biscuits, cakes, and teas all dressed in the finest Versace and Valentino, this is surely one of the fanciest teas in town.
When: Mondays – Sundays.
Where: Collins Room at The Berkeley, Wilton Place, Knightsbridge, SW1X 7RL.
Price: £60 per person, or £70-110 with champagne.
Reservations: book here.
16. London Landmarks Afternoon Tea at the Town House
This offering at the Town House at The Kensington is inspired by London’s most famous and historic landmarks. Scoff on the Gherkin, which has been recreated with white chocolate filled with a dark chocolate ganache, or take a bite out of the Shard, made from carrot cake and milk chocolate. Big Ben is a tasty lemon curd tart, while the iconic red telephone box is a tasty rhubarb mousse. Oh and, of course, there are scones with jam and clotted cream. (Sadly not in the shape of City Hall, but they’re an essential part of afternoon tea so we’ll let them off.) Read all about it here.
When: Mondays – Sundays.
Where: 109-113 Queen’s Gate, Kensington, SW7 5LP.
Price: The tea costs £42 per person or £54.50 with a glass of champagne.
Reservations: book here.
17. The Original Sweet Shop Afternoon Tea at The Chesterfield
The Chesterfield surely takes the title of ‘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 chip scones, peanut butter cups, drumstick macaroons, and strawberry liquorice allsorts 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.
When: Mondays – Sundays.
Where: 35 Charles Street, Mayfair, W1J 5EB.
Price: £47 per person (£54 with a glass of Champers, or £31 for kids).
Reservations: book here.
18. Jasmine Indian Afternoon Tea at Taj 51 Buckingham Gate
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 other intricately-themed offering, the enchanting ‘Queen of Hearts Afternoon Tea‘ inspired by Alice in Wonderland. 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.
When: Wednesdays – Sundays.
Where: 51 Buckingham Gate, Westminster, SW1E 6AF.
Price: £45 per person.
Reservations: book here.
19. Alice In Wonderland-Themed Afternoon Tea at The Franklin
London’s appetite for Alice remains undimmed over 150 years after Lewis Carroll’s tales were first published, and boutique hotel The Franklin London is satisfying that appetite with a charming Alice-themed tea. Featuring delectable sandwiches and Alice In Wonderland-themed cakes and pastries (plus optional champagne), the tea also comes with tickets to London’s wonderful Alice exhibition at the V&A.
When: Mondays – Sundays.
Where: 24 Egerton Gardens, Knightsbridge, SW3 2DB.
Price: £45 per person (£55 with exhibition tickets), or Champagne Afternoon Tea for £55 (£65 with exhibition tickets).
Reservations: book here.
All our events are recommended by editors. Tickets purchased through Fever may earn Secret London commission.
Also published on Medium.