Afternoon Tea has been a part of the British dining scene since as far back as the early 1840s. This delicate and refined form of dining evolved as a mini-meal to curb the feelings of hunger before proper dinner. The ritual is usually performed with delicately cut finger sandwiches, scones with creams and jam, pastries and cakes and of course carefully prepared tea.
The ritual initially started as a private social event for ladies in the upper echelon of British society to interact. The meal is usually held from around 3:30 pm to 5 pm and could be hosted for more than 200 guests to interact with each other. The Afternoon Tea ritual has withstood many modern changes but still prevails as one of the major traditions that the British are known for. Though the practice has evolved with the times, it is still a must for anyone visiting Britain.
There is really no one restaurant or cafe that can win the award for best afternoon tea place in London. For instance, most 5-star hotels usually have a great afternoon tea scene, or you could opt for a more themed experience.
6 Best Afternoon Teas in London
1. The Ritz
2. Fortnum and Mason
3. The Teahouse at Petersham Nurseries
4. AquaShard Peter Pan Afternoon Tea
5. The Goring
6. Sushisamba
Best Afternoon Teas In London
These are some of the best afternoon teas in London
1. Palm Court at the Ritz
Your Afternoon Tea Experience is incomplete without a visit to Palm Court. Regardless of if you stay at the hotel or not, Palm Court remains one of the best places to visit for a luxurious afternoon tea experience. The grandeur is impressive, just like the rest of the decor at the Ritz. Palm Court boasts glittering chandeliers, gilded mirrors reflecting a soft glow, and vases of flowers artfully arranged that fill the room.
The room accommodates chatter that is only underscored by live music, typically played by a pianist or harpist. There is also the fact that there is a strict dress code. Gentlemen can only participate in afternoon tea if they are wearing a jacket and tie, and formal dress for ladies is required. This makes the illusion of dining at a soiree in the past seem very much real. It doesn’t hurt as well that the staff are dressed like English butlers, complete with gloves.
The food is just as impressive as the setting. Guests can begin with dainty finger sandwiches and plain and fruited warm scones, paired with generous fillings of Cornish clotted cream and strawberry preserve or jam. The pastry selection is also a delight, with delicate pastries and elegant tea cakes that look too pretty to eat. The highlight of the meal, though, is the Gueridon Trolley, a tableside service that delivers two generous slices of freshly cut cake.
Other than its luxury and impressive attention to detail, what sets afternoon tea at the Ritz apart from others, though, is the expertise of its tea master. Palm Court is home to the UK’s only certified Tea Master, who ensures that the tea selection is as carefully curated as each menu. Guests are introduced to 18 loose-leaf teas and guided towards making the best choice based on their preference. It doesn’t matter if you are a tea connoisseur or trying tea for the first time; you are sure to have a great experience.
Location: The Ritz Hotel, 150 Piccadilly, Mayfair, London, United Kingdom
Hours Open: 11:30 am – 7:30 pm
Price Range: £81 (For Adults)
£59 (For Children)
2. Diamond Jubilee Tea Salon at Fortnum and Mason
Named in honor of Queen Elizabeth, Diamond Jubilee Tea Salon offers an afternoon tea experience that’s both British and approachable. The salon is refined with a less formal atmosphere that requires no dress code or extra fluff.
Painted a delicate blue-green like the river nile, Diamond Jubilee is a blend of understated elegance. High ceilings, gleaming silverware, and crisp white linens, backed with the gentle hum of a live piano, sets a calm, classic tone that is less rigid than The Ritz, but no less impressive.
The menu is as good as you’d expect from the royal grocer with 300 years of history. Meals begin with an array of traditional finger sandwiches, warm scones with thick clotted cream and a trio of Fortnum’s own preserves, including their rare and tangy lemon curd. Last comes the pastries, sweet and artfully decorated from a Lemon Meringue Tart to a Rose Eclair. Their menu is divided into Classic Afternoon Tea, Savoury Tea, High Tea, Vegetarian Tea, and Gluten Free Tea. This ensures that everyone’s preference can be catered to adequately.
Fortnam also offers a team of expert Tearistas, who are knowledgeable and always ready to help guests navigate the extensive tea list. They guide diners’ choices, from classic Royal Blend to more adventurous tea choices.
Location: 4th Floor, Fortnum and Mason, Piccadilly, London, United Kingdom
Hours Open: 11:00 am – 7:30 pm (Monday – Thursday)
11:00 am – 8:30 pm (Friday – Saturday)
11:30 am – 7:30 pm (Sunday)
Price Range: £82
3. The Teahouse at Petersham Nurseries
Petersham Nurseries’ version of afternoon tea is quite unlike the traditional type. Set within a greenhouse overflowing with flowers, plants and natural light, Petersham Nurseries Teahouse is more a garden than a café. Unlike the usual chandelier and fine china found in a hotel, Petersham offers a more rustic feel. Antique furniture, climbing vines, mirrors and paintings and birdsong go hand in hand with the clink of teacups.
The food is a seasonal spread of thick fruit cakes, delicate pastries, and savoury sandwiches and tarts with Italian influence that makes use of fresh herbs, edible flowers and rich produce. Their broader menu is complemented with home-made Pasta and fresh salads. The Menu is divided to include children, vegetarian and vegan menus with more than eight blends of teas.
Petersham’s standout feature is its use of fresh produce and herbs from their own farm and the occasional ingredients sourced from Italy. The combination of its rich food, serene and beautiful environment and antique pictures makes it a must visit. Bookings are required though, so schedule ahead.
Location: Church Lane, Off Petersham Road, Richmond, London, United Kingdom
Hours Open: 12:00 pm – 5:00 pm (Thursday – Sunday)
Price Range: £60 – £70 (For Adults)
£25 (For Children)
4. Aqua Shard Peter Pan Afternoon Tea
Inspired by Peter Pan’s Neverland, Dining at Aqua Shard is an imaginative take on the British Afternoon Tea tradition. The Teahouse offers guests a 360 view of the city and a Peter Pan-themed experience that is whimsical and fun.
A detailed Peter Pan decor blends cleverly designed crockery and playful flourishes together. A pirate ship serving a stand complete with dry ice “smoke,” twinkling fairy lights, and touches of theatrical charm that transports you easily into Peter’s world. The floor-to-ceiling view of the Thames and Canary Wharf also adds to the charm.
Each sandwich and pastry is a nod to Nevermore’s characters; the Lost Boys sandwiches sit alongside sweets shaped like Tinker Bell’s wings, and the Never Grow Up Punch. To add to the delight, the pastries are served on a custom-made tea stand inspired by Captain Hook’s Pirate Ship. If you prefer, the classics are still present: warm, fluffy scones with clotted cream and jam and tea.
Location: Level 31, The Shard, 31 St. Thomas Street, London, United Kingdom
Hours Open: 12:00 pm – 3:15 pm
Price Range: £70 – £99 (For Adults)
£55 (For Children)
5. Veranda at The Goring
Veranda at the Goring Hotel has been perfecting its Afternoon tea offering for over 100 years. It offers a discreet charm and polished service that almost has a country-house feel right in the heart of London. With a view of the hotel’s lush private garden, Afternoon Tea here feels like an understated luxury and a true celebration of British tradition.
The Goring has earned The British Tea Guild Council’s Top London Afternoon Tea Award, and it shows in its food. Light finger sandwiches to golden warm scones served with thick clotted cream and exceptional seasonal preserves. The Pastry selection is influenced by the season; handcrafted tarts, airy éclairs, and artful petit fours. Their tea collection is also quite impressive from blends like Earl Grey to the Yellow Gold Oolong Tea.
The staff are attentive without ever hovering and the hotel’s tendency to keep it simple and classic only heightens the experience.
Location: 15, Beeston Pl, Belgravia, London, United Kingdom
Hours Open: 12:00 pm – 6:15 pm
Price Range: £75 – £105
6. Best Afternoon Teas In London: Sushisamba
A complete departure from the classic British afternoon tea scene, Sushsamba is a fusion of Japanese and British cuisines. Perched atop the glass-roofed terrace in Covent Garden, Sushisamba offers guests a different Afternoon tea experience.
Presented on a sculptural three-tiered tree-like stand, savoury tea includes the Wagyu katsu sando, spicy tuna rolls, or vegetable taquitos. For the sweet menu, it remains classic with scones and the milk chocolate mousse as a choice, or the more inventive Battenberg. Tea selections range from asian tea like the Jasmine Pearl to the Earl Grey.
Sushisamba is perfect for those who want a more adventurous afternoon tea offering. It is more flavour-packed, different and very modern. Booking is required, so making a reservation is very important.
Location: 35, The Market, Covent Garden, London, United Kingdom
Hours Open: 12:00 pm – 5:00 pm (Sunday to Friday)
Price Range: £65
Afternoon Tea in London is as diverse as the city itself. From classic British afternoon tea to adventurous modern fusions, there is always something for everyone to try. A perfect time to truly browse the London Afternoon tea scene is during the Afternoon Tea Week held in August. Prices are cheaper, restaurants compete to unveil their special menu, and host a lot of events.
