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As quintessentially English as the Changing of the Guard at Buckingham Palace, taking afternoon tea is a treat loved by tourists and Londoners alike. London has all manner of great places to take tea, so how do you choose? We've rounded up the city's best classic and contemporary afternoon teas for you.
The Goring
Belgravia - 15 Beeston Pl, London SW1W 0JW
Right next to Buckingham Palace, there's a chance you may see the odd Royal make an appearance at the Goring which has been open since 1910. Their afternoon tea is now served in the light-filled veranda which looks out onto their impeccably kept back garden with a classic take on things. If it's a beautiful day in London, this is a great choice for your tea location as you can finish off with a little stroll around the garden afterwards.
How much: Starts at £75.
The Ritz
Mayfair - 150 Piccadilly, St. James's, London W1J 9BR
The Ritz is probably the best-known place to take afternoon tea in the world. It's now so popular you can have it all day long. They're also the only place to have a certified Tea Sommelier whose job it is to source their 18 different types of tea. Sandwiches include versions of classics, like egg mayonnaise with chopped shallots and watercress on brioche roll. Don't forget there's a dress code too - jacket and tie for men, so this should feel like a really special occasion.
How much: Starts at £76 per person.
The Lanesborough
Belgravia - Hyde Park Corner, London SW1X 7TA
The Lanesborough has always been highly regarded for its afternoon tea and makes the most of its Regency-era styling by hosting the official Bridgerton-themed afternoon tea. The menu has been fully updated for season three of the show, with the pastries in particular referencing characters and themes like "The Social Butterfly" and "Colin’s Travels". They even have their own special Bridgerton blend tea.
How much: Starts at £85.
Brown's
Mayfair - Albemarle St, London W1S 4BP
Well if it was good enough for Queen Victoria... Yes, Her Majesty used to enjoy taking tea in The Drawing Room at this classic London hotel so there's a little bit of history. This is a place to enjoy pickled cucumber sandwiches and lemon and olive oil madeleines with the list of teas pulled together by Henrietta Lovell. They've teamed up with Lock & Co hat makers to inspire the latest menu and there's a plant-based version too.
How much: Traditional tea starts at £75
Claridge's
Mayfair - Brook Street, London W1K 4HR
Take tea in the art deco foyer of Claridge's and you could easily be a player in any Agatha Christie novel - it's so glamorous. The sandwiches are classics like smoked salmon and egg mayonnaise and the pastries change according to what's in season (including a special savoury pastry). There's also an inventive children's menu. You can even create the experience at home and buy an afternoon tea set.
How much: Starts at £90
Fortnum's Diamond Jubilee Tea Salon
St James - 181 Piccadilly, St. James's, London W1A 1ER
Obviously, Fortnums is one of the key places for afternoon tea in London. There are a couple of places around London you can enjoy a Fortnum's tea but this is the main venue, in the St James shop and named in honour of The Queen's visit in 2012 when she opened the salon. As the shop is so well known for its teas, you'll be sure of something special here and if you're swerving cakes, you can make it an all-savoury affair.
How much: Starts at £80
Petersham Nurseries
Richmond - Petersham Nurseries, Church Lane, Off Petersham Road, Richmond, Surrey, TW10 7AB
This Garden afternoon tea at Petersham Nurseries' Richmond location is served on the weekends and includes classic options like egg mayonnaise and watercress sandwiches alongside twists like sundried tomato and cheese scones. On a good day, you can enjoy it outside, otherwise it's inside their heated greenhouse.
How much: £55 (£65 with glass of their rose petal Prosecco)
The Orangery at Number Sixteen
South Kensington - 16 Sumner Pl, London SW7 3EG
The tranquil garden at this Firmdale hotel just around the corner from bustling South Kensington is a perfect spot for afternoon tea on a good day. With tables nestling surrounded by Mulberry trees and beside the koi pond you can enjoy treats that include smoked salmon and cream cheese blinis alongside saffron and matcha and mango sponge.
How much: From £45.
Book The Orangery at Number Sixteen
The Wolseley
Mayfair - 160 Piccadilly, London W1J 9EB
Aside from the odds-on chance of a celeb-spotting, The Wolseley lives for its viennoiserie so you can expect the pastries that come with your full afternoon tea to be particularly good. FYI - you can now buy that tiered stand (complete with cloche to keep your scones warm) to use at home. Note that the newer City restaurant also serves up afternoon tea.
How much: Starts at a very reasonable £19.50 for a cream tea and £44.50 for a classic afternoon tea
Also try:
- Mariages Freres (Covent Garden, from £39) - The Parisian tea experts have a five-storey tea emporium in Covent Garden offering tea-infused cakes and pastries.
- Ting at the Shangri-La London (Bermondsey, from £81) - Enjoy a jaw-dropping view over London when you take tea right at the top of The Shard. Is there a Shard-shaped pastry on the menu? You bet.
- Harvey Nichols (Knightsbridge, £40) You don't often find bargains in Knightsbridge, but the afternoon tea offering at Harvey Nichols' Fifth Floor Café & Terrace is a good deal.
Cedric Grolet's Goutea
Knightsbridge - The Berkeley, Wilton Place, London SW1X 7RL
For a Parisian patisserie master's twist on afternoon tea head to The Berkeley where Cedric Grolet's Goutea is an eight-course tasting menu of sweet and savoury pastries including a chicken mayonnaise croissant alongside a miniature strawberry choux fraisier and candy-pink raspberry framboisier, finishing with his unique take on scones and paired with your choice of tea or coffee.
How much: £85
Nobu Hotel Portman Square
Marylebone - 22 Portman Square, London W1H 7BG
This central London Nobu hotel has a Japanese-themed afternoon tea in the lounge which is also a team-up with luxury beauty brand Byredo. Inspirations from the team-up include the Mojave ghost raindrop cake dessert while there's also sushi, chicken kara-age and more (as well as a vegan version).
How much: Starts at £70
Bbar
Victoria - 43 Buckingham Palace Rd, London SW1W 0PP
As well as a more traditional afternoon tea, Bbar also has a Chip Shop version available. Instead of the sandwiches, there's beer battered cod, chunky chips, mushy peas, chunky tartare sauce, curry sauce and pickled egg. But there are more traditional pastries and scones when you're done with your chip fish and chips.
How much: £30
China Tang
Mayfair - The Dorchester, 53 Park Ln, London W1K 1QA
Created in honour of its late owner Sir David Tang, this Cantonese dim sum afternoon tea serves up single-origin teas with butterfly prawn toast, spring rolls and chicken satay as well as a basket of dim sum and a custard tart.
How much: Starts at £48.
Cinnamon Bazaar
Covent Garden - 28 Maiden Ln, London WC2E 7JS
Afternoon tea at Vivek Singh's restaurant is High Chai. The menu includes must-have masala fish finger sandwiches and kadhai chicken spring rolls, a selection of chaat plus sweet treats like saffron macarons and a Goan sawdust pudding. It's also available at the newer Richmond location.
How much: Starts at £27.50.
Rosewood London
Holborn - 252 High Holborn, London WC1V 7EN
The afternoon tea offering at this luxury Holborn hotel has been voted Best Contemporary tea twice. Taking place in The Mirror Room, the pastries are inspired by art, often based on exhibitions that are running in London. The current offering is based on London-based artist, John Booth with cakes including The Twins, inspired by Booth’s experience as a twin (date sponge, sable biscuit, praline crunch and vanilla custard). Sandwiches and scones are part of the deal too, of course.
How much: The Art Afternoon Tea starts at £75
Pret a Portea at The Berkeley
Knightsbridge - Wilton Pl, London SW1X 7RL
Coming somewhere between classic and contemporary is the famous Pret a Portea at The Berkeley where the cakes change as often as the fashion seasons. Each season, expect a new range of cakes and pastries inspired by the latest catwalk creations. (This is on a break at the time of writing but will be back later in the year).
How much: Starts at £80.
Also try:
- The Rosebery in the Mandarin Oriental (Knightsbridge, £85) - This lets you have an afternoon tea with wine, beer, sake or even sparkling tea.
- One Aldwych's Charlie and the Chocolate Factory tea (City of London £70 adults, £50 children) - This is particularly good for family tea outings, all inspired by Roald Dahl's books, with a few surprises along the way
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