There’s really no better way to spend an afternoon than sipping on tea and nibbling on cakes and pastries. Afternoon tea is the perfect activity to do for any occasion, whether it’s a birthday, anniversary, or you just feel like heading out for the day and doing something a little special. So we’ve put together 23 afternoon tea ideas so you can personally pick the best afternoon tea in London for you and your significant other.
Table of Contents
Our Criteria
We know that the best afternoon tea in London means something different to everyone. And because everyone’s looking for something different when it comes to their perfect afternoon, we’ve ranked each of our suggestions based on what you’re looking for so that you can find the best afternoon tea experience for you. The criteria we have used for this post is as follows:
Price
We’ll let you know how pricey each experience is
Food
We’ll tell you if the sandwiches are fresh and cakes are soft!
Atmosphere
Afternoon tea is an experience, so the mood has to be right.
Customer reviews
average ratings based on Google and TripAdvisor
Our Top 10
Venue | Price | Food | Atmosphere | Customer Reviews | |
The Savoy | |||||
The Lanesborough | |||||
The Ritz | |||||
Oblix West, The Shard | |||||
Cinnamon Bazaar | |||||
Sketch, Mayfair | |||||
Alice Queen of Hearts | |||||
Claridge’s | |||||
Prêt-à-Portea at The Berkeley | |||||
London Landmarks at the Town House |
Afternoon tea is a quintessentially British tradition, and what better place to experience that than in the capital itself? Between the bottomless tea, tasty cakes and delicate finger sandwiches, afternoon tea always goes down a treat. And London offers a wide variety of ways to enjoy this classic – from themed extravaganzas to traditional tea parties.
We know that it can be difficult to settle on just one choice, so we’ve split our 23 best afternoon teas in London into 4 categories: the classics, the luxury spots, the unique afternoon tea experiences and some afternoon teas with a little extra flavour! So, let’s get started.
For Classic Afternoon Tea in London
They say if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it, right? Well, when it comes to afternoon tea, this couldn’t be truer. The best afternoon tea in London is often the most traditional, with simple British flavours and style providing an elegant yet effortless experience every time. Each of the afternoon tea venues on this list are classic in every sense of the word; from the finger sandwiches down to the decor.
The Wolseley
It doesn’t get more traditional than afternoon tea at this iconic London hotel. Enjoy your afternoon tea complete with classic scones and clotted cream and a selection of sandwiches and cakes in their lavishly decorated tea room.
Price | Food | Atmosphere | Customer Reviews | Love Score | Book |
10 |
The Savoy
The Savoy is another iconic hotel in the capital, and you can enjoy their utterly classic British afternoon tea in the Thames Foyer. The glass-domed atrium fills the room with natural light and the decor is soft and light. Plus, with over 30 teas on the menu to try – you won’t want to leave!
Price | Food | Atmosphere | Customer Reviews | Love Score | Book |
10 |
The Lanesborough
A stone’s throw from Hyde Park, The Lanesborough Hotel is hands down one of the most elegant locations in the city. And their afternoon tea is no different. With a live in-house pianist on the weekends, you can sip on your tea in style.
Price | Food | Atmosphere | Customer Reviews | Love Score | Book |
10 |
Fortnum & Mason
Fortnum & Mason have been serving up afternoon tea for over 100 years in their tea salon – so if the best afternoon tea in London is the most authentic for you, then this is the place to be. And they really do know their stuff – their tea list features over 45 infusions so you’re bound to be spoilt for choice here.
Plus, if your plans change and you’re spending the afternoon at home – you can have your afternoon tea delivered from Fortnum & Mason!
Price | Food | Atmosphere | Customer Reviews | Love Score | Book |
10 |
The Ritz London
If you’re looking for a little luxury in your afternoon tea, then there’s really no other choice but the Ritz really. A very British affair, this makes for one of the best afternoon tea experiences in London. Opt for a glass of champagne rather than tea if you’re feeling fancy and relax over delicious treats in this beautiful venue. Note: This is an expensive one – so be prepared!
Price | Food | Atmosphere | Customer Reviews | Love Score | Book |