Friendly disclaimer! We want to be as accurate as possible, but given these challenging times, we urge you to recheck that the venues are open when you decide to visit.
From the 19th century onward, afternoon tea had become a fashionable social occasion in Britain – thanks to Anna, the Duchess of Bedford at the time. It came about as an elaborate affair with multiple courses which included sandwiches, scones, biscuits, pastries, and even champagne for celebratory moods.
At present, this has of course become a rarity in the average English home. But we’ve made a list of the finest London hotels and tea rooms that still carry on this quintessentially British tradition.
Palm Court, Ritz London
Of course, London traditions have to be done in style, so do it best at the Palm Court. Sip from a range of 18 different types of loose leaf teas along with the finest sandwiches. Indulge in freshly baked scones with cornish cream and strawberry preserve, and a variety of pastries and teacakes for an authentic British tea experience. All this in the company of majestic chandeliers, mirrors, and a music ensemble led by a resident pianist and harpist. They also have an exclusive tea sommelier to help you choose the best of teas.
Address: The Ritz Hotel, 150 Piccadilly, West End, London
Phone Number: +44 (0)20 7493 8181
Timings: Daily 11:30 am, 1:30 pm, 3:30 pm, 5:30 pm, and 7:30 pm
Website: http://www.theritzlondon.com
Pricing: From £55.00 for adults (£60.00 from 1st October 2021) and £35.00 for children.
Diamond Jubilee Tea Salon, Fortnum & Mason
This is another place that still upholds the sophistication of afternoon tea. One can sip any of their 150 tea varieties in elegant bone china in trademark Camellia design. Choose from their exclusive cakes, biscuits, scones, preserves, finger sandwiches, and savouries that are all time-tested, in-house recipes. Their story goes back 313 years when the current tea salon was the former residence of the Fortnum family. It later went on to become an interior decor house, antique store, and restaurant, before finally taking on its current avatar. It was christened in honour of a visit by Her Majesty the Queen herself, in 2012.
Address: Fourth Floor, Fortnum & Mason, 181 Piccadilly, St. James’s, London
Phone Number: +44 (0)20 7734 8040
Timings: Reopens on 17th May, daily 11 am to 6 pm
Drawing Room, Brown’s Hotel
Owing to Brown’s being a favourite haunt of Queen Victoria, they now famously proclaim, “There are afternoon teas and then there are afternoon teas fit for a queen.” Undeniably so, The Drawing Room is the epitome of classic yet modern British luxury with real wood panelling, fireplaces, Jacobean plaster ceilings, contemporary artworks, and live piano sessions. They offer several menus ranging from traditional afternoon tea to fancier gluten-free champagne tea. Along with the 17 different blends of tea, indulge in mulled wine accompanied by salmon, turkey, coronation chicken, and cheese sandwiches. There is also no dearth of delicate pastries, freshly baked cakes, and fruits and plain scones with clotted cream and strawberry preserve.
Address: Albemarle Street, Mayfair, London
Phone Number: +44 (0)20 7518 4006
Timings: Daily 12 pm to 6 pm
Website: http://www.roccofortehotels.com
Pricing: From £55.00 per person
Oscar Wilde Lounge, Hotel Café Royal
This space, formerly known as The Grill Room, dates back to 1865 and was named after its most famous patron, the author himself. Other famous names who’ve graced the place include David Bowie (who chose to end Ziggy Stardust’s career here), Mick Jagger, The Beatles, Lou Reed, and Elizabeth Taylor. The ambience also leaves one starry-eyed with gilt-lined, mirrored walls and ceilings, gothic-style gold lamps, vintage red leather chairs, and a live pianist playing modern and classic tunes. The seasonal menu includes sandwiches, cakes, scones, and over 20 tea blends. For a contemporary take on afternoon tea, try their other restaurant, ‘Cakes and Bubbles’ for exquisite desserts and pastries, to be had alongside champagne and sparkling wines. It is hosted by none other than the ‘World’s Best Pastry Chef’, Albert Adrià himself.
Address: Hotel Café Royal, 68 Regent Street, London
Phone Number: +44 (0)20 7406 3333
Timings: Reopens on May 21st; Friday / Saturdays and Sundays only 12 pm to 17.30 pm
Website: http://www.hotelcaferoyal.com/afternoon-tea
Pricing: From £55.00 per person
The Promenade, The Dorchester
Though The Dorchester is a famous hotel, its lobby restaurant, The Promenade is by far the most popular space here. The room runs almost along the entire length of the hotel and is elegantly decorated with tall potted plants, flower bouquets, and comfy, regal chairs. Choose from any of the available menus: Classic Afternoon Tea, Champagne Tea, or High Tea, which all begin with a sandwich course. These range from Maldon smoked salmon, egg, Wagyu beef pastrami stuffing, and more. Warm scones are made from a half-a-century-old Dorchester recipe and served with glistening strawberry jam and Devonshire clotted cream.
The award-winning cakes and tarts form the final course. The pumpkin and crème brûlée tart and olive oil cake with figs and pistachio are indeed exceptional.
Address: The Dorchester, Park Lane, London
Phone Number: +44 (0)20 7629 8888
Timings: Reopens on May 17th; daily 11 am to 05:30 pm
Website: https://www.dorchestercollection.com/en/london/the-dorchester/restaurants-bars/afternoon-tea/
Pricing: From £80.00 per person
Emmeline Lounge, Conrad St. James Hotel
This space is named after the 19th-century British political activist, Emmeline Pankhurst and offers a contemporary and unique take on afternoon tea. All the menus are Broadway-themed with a choice to go traditional or have a champagne/cocktail celebration tea. The chefs have crafted cakes and pastries named after famous Broadway shows such as Poppins Dark Chocolate Beetroot Cake with Sour Cherry Mousse and Cinnamon Biscuit Crunch, Lion Passion Fruit & Banana Crémeux on a Tea Sponge cake, and Old Fashioned Opera with the Phantom Candied Ginger & Navel Orange Opera Cake. Freshly baked, scones, sandwiches, and curated teas accompany the cakes.
Address: 22-28 Broadway, London
Phone Number: +44 (0)20 3301 1400
Timings: Daily 1:30 pm to 6 pm
Pricing: From £39.00 per person
Verdi, Royal Albert Hall
This iconic London concert hall that hosts performances by the world’s leading classical and contemporary music artists is also famed for its afternoon tea. It has been hosted for over a 100 years at the Verdi, a plush restaurant on its first floor. It offers stunning views overlooking historic streets and the Royal College of Music. The menu choices range from traditional, vegetarian, and vegan with sandwiches, scones, and – the highlight – musically themed cakes of the day. Champagne, beer, or wine can also be ordered as accompaniments.
Address: Kensington Gore, London
Phone Number: +44 (0)20 7589 8212
Timings: Tuesday to Sunday, 12 pm to 4:30 pm
Website: https://www.royalalberthall.com/tickets/events/afternoon-tea/
Pricing: From £60.00 for two
Hyde Restaurant and Bar, Roseate House
The speciality of an afternoon tea at this hotel housed in a 19th-century Victorian townhouse is their variety of tea and other beverages. The teas are curated from fair trade farmers and independent tea plantations worldwide, from Malawi to China. Their menus on offer include: Traditional Afternoon Tea, Full English Afternoon Tea (served with local organic white wine), Champagne Afternoon Tea (served with in-house Pommery champagne) to finally, The Lassi Afternoon Tea (served with rose/chocolate lassi!)
The food, known for Roseate House’s luxurious touch, includes sandwiches, piquillo pepper scones, traditional raisin, and plain scones with clotted cream, strawberry jam, and lemon curd delicacies. Pastries include mango panna cotta tart, green matcha snow pistachio and passion fruit ganache, macaroon dark chocolate, and raspberry brownie.
Address: 3 Westbourne Terrace, Lancaster Gate, Hyde Park, London
Phone Number: +44 (0)20 7479 6600
Timings: Daily 2:30 pm to 5:30 pm
Website: https://www.roseatehotels.com/london/roseatehouse/dine/afternoon-tea/
Pricing: From £30.00 per person.
The Veranda, The Goring
This is London’s only family-run five-star hotel and hence is a coveted spot to experience traditional afternoon tea. Their award-winning tea service is also offered with a glass of Bollinger Special Cuvée Champagne or Bollinger Rosé Champagne along with the sweetest hand-picked strawberries. The menu changes to offer the season’s freshest, locally-sourced fruits and includes cakes, sandwiches, and scones.
Address: 15 Beeston Place, London
Phone Number: +44 (0)20 7769 4485
Timings: Monday – Friday 3:30 pm, 4 pm, 4:30 pm; Saturday – Sunday 1 pm to 4 pm
Website: https://www.thegoring.com/food-drink/afternoon-tea/
Pricing: From £50.00 per person
Now, if you are a traveller stoked by London’s tea culture and cannot wait to dive deeper into more of its fascinating aspects, check out the itinerary for a weeklong sojourn in this grand, old city! There are countless new adventures waiting for you there.
Nikita Joseph
ShuPri