Sweet treats await at the Chesterfield’s sweet shop afternoon tea.
It’s an unspoken rule that any self-respecting afternoon tea must be served with an appropriately enticing sweet treat. Taking that rule to delicious extremes is Mayfair hotel The Chesterfield, who’ve concocted a winning throwback variation on the format: a vintage sweet shop afternoon tea. Aiming to fill you up whilst sending you on a lovely trip down memory lane, it’s an absolute must-try.
See also: The best afternoon teas in London.
Taking place in The Chesterfield’s sunny conservatory, the sweet shop afternoon tea is just the latest in a long line of charming teas offered by the hotel. They’ve been highly commended by the Afternoon Tea Awards for the past three years, and this latest offering is sure to garner similar accolades. (Side note: if anyone can somehow get me onto the judging panel for the Afternoon Tea Awards, I’d be eternally grateful.)
The sweet shop afternoon tea begins with a touch of theatre. A glass of homemade pink lemonade arrives served in a cloud of dry ice, and topped with a flying saucer, looking like an edible lunar expedition. To quench your thirst throughout, a range of loose leaf teas, coffees, and hot chocolates are available – including a wonderful Fruit Salad tea that hints at the sweetness to come. Alternatively, you can go full Mayfair with the addition of brut, rosé or white label Lanson Champagne.
Happily, the tea itself is a generous affair, as a stand groaning with treats arrives at the table. Before you dive into the sweet stuff, make a beeline for the selection of freshly-made finger sandwiches. Ranging from the classic cucumber and cream cheese to an enticing chicken and mustard mayo option coated in nibbed almonds, it’s a very promising start.
Of course, all you’ve been able to think about so far are the sweet treats, and they certainly don’t disappoint. A dynamic duo of fruit and chocolate chip scones are a winner (the chocolate scone in particular was a firm favourite, especially when drenched in clotted cream), and that’s before The Chesterfield play their ace.
See also: This charming Van Gogh-themed afternoon tea.
Eye-catchingly pretty, and damn delicious to boot, the offer of sweet-themed pastries, tarts, and cupcakes are simply brilliant. Perfectly evoking that sweet shop staple, the cola bottle, the Coca-Cola slice is absolutely spot on flavour-wise.
A love heart macaroon was similarly evocative, and the tea’s peanut butter cup was an elegantly-heightened variation of the Reese’s classic. But for our money, nothing beats The Chesterfield’s homage to the apple drop; a fizzy combination of white chocolate and apple mousse that beat off stiff competition to emerge as our highlight.
That’s not even the end of the fun – or the sugar – either. The hotel’s own red and white-striped candy man will furnish you with a bag of classic Pick’n’Mix to takeaway, and you’re also given a go on the vending machine, with the chance to win a return visit up for grabs. Throw in chilled-out live music, and faultlessly attentive staff, and you’ve got yourself one sweet treat indeed.
Location: 35 Charles Street, Mayfair, W1J 5EB. Nearest station is Green Park. See it on Google Maps.
Opening hours: 12:30-6:30pm daily.
Price: £40 per person, or you can have it with a glass of champagne for £47. Children’s teas are also available for £21.50.
More information: from their website.