13 Nov 5 of the Best Places to go for Afternoon Tea in London
5 of the Best Places to go for Afternoon Tea in London – Guest post by Lucy Barnes
Afternoon tea has long been a treasured tradition in England, and for good reason. Combining three of my favourite things in the world- tea, cake, and miniature sandwiches with the crusts cut off, what’s not to love?!
And with so many places serving their own take on traditional afternoon tea, we’re spoiled for choice.
Writing for websites like The Tourist Trail, I come across a lot of interesting places that serve afternoon tea. Out of the huge range of options out there, I have carefully selected just five of those places that deserve a place on your bucket list.
So here is my list of five of the very best places to go for afternoon tea in London…
1. Claridge’s
Brook Street, Mayfair, London W1K 4HR
If you are after a quintessentially British afternoon tea experience, Claridge’s is a must. Surrounded by tasteful design with Art Deco features, you will be served traditional English afternoon tea that is fit for royalty.
What to expect:
Claridge’s have three options to choose from: Traditional Afternoon Tea; Champagne Afternoon Tea; and Children’s Afternoon Tea.
Traditional Afternoon Tea
Finger sandwiches
Patisserie selection
Warm scones with Marco Polo gelée and Cornish clotted cream
Choice of 24 loose leaf teas
£60 per person
Champagne Afternoon Tea
Traditional Afternoon Tea, plus a glass of Laurent-Perrier Brut or Laurent-Perrier Rosé.
£70 per person (with Laurent-Perrier Brut)
£80 per person (with Laurent-Perrier Rosé)
Children’s Afternoon Tea
Sandwiches
Pastries
Vanilla fairy cakes
Brownies
£30 per child
Needless to say, Claridge’s afternoon tea is hugely popular, so you will need to book well in advance. We’re talking months. So if you are considering going for a specific date or occasion, make sure you make your booking in plenty of time.
What makes it special:
The children’s menu has been designed so that it can also be used as a colouring book to keep little ones entertained.
Perfect for:
If you want a traditional English afternoon tea experience.
2. The Ritz
150 Piccadilly, St James’s, London W1J 9BR
Feeling fancy? For a more luxurious take on afternoon tea, you need The Ritz. Think golden sculptures and intricate design features. Almost everything is gilded in gold. Even the walls.
Naturally for such an opulent setting, there is a dress code. For afternoon tea, there is a strict policy of no jeans or sportswear, and gentlemen are expected to wear a jacket and tie.
What to expect:
The Ritz also has three options for afternoon tea: Traditional Afternoon Tea; Champagne Afternoon Tea; and Celebration Afternoon Tea.
Traditional Afternoon Tea
Selection of speciality sandwiches
Freshly baked raisin and plain scones
Clotted cream and strawberry preserve
Assortment of seasonal pastries and cakes
Fine tea or Ritz filter coffee
£57 per person
Champagne Afternoon Tea
Traditional Afternoon Tea, plus Ritz Champagne or Ritz Rosé Champagne.
£76 per person (with Ritz Champagne)
£80 per person (with Ritz Rosé Champagne)
Celebration Afternoon Tea
Traditional Afternoon Tea, plus a Celebration Cake.
£68 per person (with Celebration Cake)
£87 per person (with Celebration Cake and Ritz Champagne)
What makes it special:
There is often live music from pianists, string quartets, and harpists- the perfect accompaniment to your elegant afternoon tea.
Perfect for:
Special occasions or celebrations that warrant champagne.
3. Harrods
87–135 Brompton Road, Knightsbridge, London SW1 7XL
Are you a tea connoisseur? If so, Harrodsafternoon tea deserves a spot on your bucket list. You will have a huge range of tea to choose from, all of which have been carefully selected by the in-house Tea Tailor (which is my new dream job).
Focusing on quality, the menu takes each aspect of afternoon tea very seriously. With ingredients such as black-truffle butter and petits entremets, this is the gourmet way to enjoy afternoon tea.
What to expect:
The menu changes seasonally, but an example menu would include:
Savoury puff pastry with salt beef and Welsh rarebit
Selection of sandwiches
Patisserie selection
Freshly baked scones
Clotted cream and Harrods jam
£55 per person (with tea)
£65 per person (with a glass of Harrods Premier Cru Brut, NV Champagne)
What makes it special:
A wide variety of tea to choose from, selected by the in-house ‘Tea Tailor’.
Perfect for:
Tea connoisseurs. If you have someone picky to impress, Harrods is the place to go.
4. Fortnum & Mason
181 Piccadilly, St James’s, London W1A 1ER
Fortnum & Mason have been in the business of serving afternoon tea since the 19th century, so they’ve had a long time to perfect it. Describing it as “they best way ever invented to while away an afternoon”, what sets them apart is their tempting Cake Carriage.
What to expect:
Fortnum & Mason offer several options for afternoon tea.
Afternoon Tez
Finger sandwiches
Plain and fruit scones
Clotted cream, Fortnum & Mason strawberry preserve and lemon curd
Selection of individual patisseries
Choice of cake from the Cake Carriage.
£52.50 per person (with Fortnum’s Famous Blends tea)
£56.50 per person (with Rare Tea)
Savoury Afternoon Tea
Finger sandwiches
Savoury scones
Afternoon tea savouries, such as terrines and pates
Choice of cake from the Cake Carriage.
£52.50 per person (with Fortnum’s Famous Blends tea)
£56.50 per person (with Rare Tea)
Children’s Afternoon Tea (age 4-10 years)
Finger sandwiches
Fortnum’s plain and fruit scones
Selection of afternoon tea cakes
Choice of hot chocolate, classic blend tea, fruit juice, or glass of milk
£26 per child
High Tea
Choice of exquisite savoury dishes
Plain & fruit scones
Clotted cream, Fortnum & Mason strawberry preserve and lemon curd
Selection of individual patisseries
Choice of cake from the Cake Carriage.
£54.50 per person (with Fortnum’s Famous Blends tea)
£58.50 per person (with Rare Tea)
What makes it special:
The excitement of choosing your cake from a Cake Carriage.
Perfect for:
Cake enthusiasts.
5. May Fair Kitchen (Charbonnel et Walker)
Stratton Street, London W1J 8LT
Do you enjoy delicious, luxurious truffles created by master chocolatiers? Me too. May Fair Kitchen has wisely teamed up with Charbonnel et Walker to create a decadent chocolate inspired afternoon tea.
What to expect:
Selection of sandwiches
Sicilian lemon scone
Charbonnel et Walker chocolate scone
Orange preserve and vanilla mascarpone
Selection of Charbonnel et Walker truffles
Selection of Charbonnel et Walker cakes
Loose leaf tea or coffee
£35 per person
£45 per person (with Moet & Chandon Brut Impérial)
What makes it special:
The menu was created in collaboration with master chocolatiers, Charbonnel et Walker.
Perfect for:
Anyone with a sweet tooth, this is a true indulgence. If you love chocolate, this is the one to go for.
So there you have it, my list of five of the best places to go in London for afternoon tea. If you want some more inspiration for your bucket list, you can read more of my recommendations (covering the whole of the UK) on the travel guides section of The Tourist Trail where you’ll also find plenty more ideas for places to eat & drink.
Now, if you’ll excuse me, I have to go and buy some scones. Thank you for reading 5 of the Best Places to go for Afternoon Tea in London
Bon Appetit!
Lucy Barnes
Blogger & Afternoon Tea Enthusiast