There is perhaps no British tradition I like better than Afternoon Tea. It is a meal that celebrates the art of tea-making and the pleasure of sharing food and company with others. I love the ritual of it all, the vintage ambiance, the sound of clinking tea cups, the scent of freshly baked scones, and the elegance of tiered trays filled with delicious treats.
But with so many options, deciding where to go and what to expect can be overwhelming. That’s why I’ve put together the ultimate guide to London’s best afternoon tea at every price point. I spent over a month in London trying out a variety of different afternoon tea shops. Whether you’re on a budget or looking to splurge, prefer traditional or modern twists. Want to enjoy tea in a historic venue or a trendy spot, we’ve got I’ve got you covered. Join us on this journey of indulgence and discover the most delightful afternoon tea experiences that London has to offer!
Traditional British afternoon tea is a culinary ritual that dates back to the 19th century. The seventh Dutchess of Bedford, Anna, introduced it to the culinary scene in 1840. Anna was known to get famished by mid-afternoon and couldn’t wait for her evening meal, often served fashionably late, around 8 o’clock. Anna demanded a little nibble to make it through the day. Her request consisted of a pot of tea, bread and butter, and a slice of cake. She started inviting her friends over for this “afternoon tea.” They fell in love with it and brought it into their household. Within only a few years, afternoon tea was being served nationwide.
Afternoon tea is typically served on a tiered stand, with each level representing an integral part of the meal. The bottom level is filled with dainty finger sandwiches, always served with the crusts removed. The next tier is where you’ll find fresh scones with clotted cream and jam. And on top we have various cakes and pastries. Often the pastries you’ll find with afternoon tea are minature in size. Small macarons, mini tarts and slices of sponge cake are popular for being perfectly bite size. This is, of course, all served alongside a pot of tea.
The tea is an important part of the experience and is usually served in a teapot with a strainer. Classic blends such as English Breakfast, Earl Grey, and Darjeeling are popular, but other more exotic teas, such as green or herbal teas, may also be offered.
A traditional British afternoon tea is often enjoyed as a leisurely and indulgent experience, with guests encouraged to relax and enjoy the food, tea, and company. Many of my London afternoon tea experiences lasted well over three hours, with the pots of tea needing to be refilled on more than a few occasions. But despite the overall simplicity of the meal, afternoon tea is a pretty pricey affair. And often, it is saved for special occasions such as birthdays and anniversaries or as a treat for friends and family.
The English Rose Café and Tea Shop is a charming, family-owned establishment in the heart of Grosvenor Place, just a stone’s throw from Buckingham Palace. Known for its delightful afternoon tea, this cozy and inviting café offers a perfect respite from the hustle and bustle of the city. The interior is adorned with quaint vintage decor, with delicate floral wallpaper and lace curtains adding to the overall atmosphere of quaintness.
Their afternoon tea menu boasts a selection of freshly baked scones served with clotted cream and preserves. Dainty finger sandwiches cut into squares are filled with classic fillings such as cucumber and cream cheese, smoked salmon, and egg mayo. They cater to pescatarian and vegetarian diets but do not offer a gluten-free menu. On the top tier, you’ll get an assortment of pastries and cakes that are almost too beautiful to eat. My favourite was the slice of Victoria sponge, filled with fresh raspberry jam and cream! Their tea selection is equally impressive, with various loose-leaf teas and traditional blends.
Afternoon tea at The Wolseley in London is an elegant and sophisticated affair with a French twist. Unlike some of the more traditionally British and homely interiors, the Wolseley afternoon tea is served in a beautifully restored 1920s-style dining room that exudes old-world charm and glamour. The atmosphere at the Wolseley is refined and sophisticated. The dining room is spacious and elegant, with high ceilings, polished marble floors, and plush leather banquettes to cozy up inside.
The tea service at The Wolseley contains all the traditional elements but the pièce de résistance are their selection of delicate french pastries. The pastries include treats such as miniature éclairs, Millefeuille, macarons and an added British favourite Battenberg cake.
The St. Ermin Tea Lounge‘s afternoon tea is a delightful experience inside a gorgeous Victorian Hotel that was once home to the centre of espionage in Britain during WWIII. Walking through the tree-line courtyard, you enter the reception room, which features the opulent plasterwork created by famous Victorian theatre designer J.P. Briggs. Due to the hotel’s proximity to the Houses of Parliament, this hotel was a favourite spot for politicians and spies to meet, including Winston Churchill.
The room is tastefully decorated with soft lighting, comfortable seating, and elegant table settings. The afternoon tea menu at St. Ermin is notable for its amazing finger sandwich fillings. While they stick to the traditional fillings conceptually, they really amp up the flavour with additional elements like preserved lemon in the prawns and Gin soaked smoked salmon. Plus, they have more variety in the bread to best complement the flavours of each sandwich.
I also found that the sweets served with the meal was the most inventive and daring. Salted caramel and chocolate cake, sea buckthorn cheesecake, coffee liqueur mousse on an amaretti biscuit, green tea and jasmine cake and even a cinnamon and hibiscus craqueline choux! The St. Ermin Tea Lounge also offers gluten-free, vegetarian, and vegan options for those with special dietary requirements.
If you can only have one-afternoon tea in London, this would be my pick! It’s right in the middle price-wise and set inside one of the most historic buildings in London. And serves up the most inventive flavours while still respecting the historical culinary traditions of afternoon tea.
The Rubens at the Palace is a luxurious hotel in the heart of London. Renowned for their sumptuous afternoon tea, the Rubens offers an unforgettable culinary experience in an elegant and sophisticated setting. The tea is served in the Palace Lounge, a plush and opulent room decorated with chandeliers, ornate mirrors, and rich fabrics, exuding a sense of grandeur and reality.
One of my favourite things about the seating here was the love seats facing the window overlooking the Royal Mews of Buckingham Palace. These were meant for two people, although I got one all to myself when I visited. This was the best seat in the house, in my opinion, because you got to watch so many people passing by, which I always find so entertaining. To add to the overall ambiance, the Rubens features a live pianist who creates a spectacular musical score to accompany your meal.
The Afternoon Tea served at the Ruben was inspired by the Royal family and Commonwealth. Being located so close to Buckingham Palace, they dubbed their menu “the Royal Afternoon Tea.” Many of their desserts contain the same seasonal produce that is in season in the Royal Orchards. The afternoon tea menu at the Rubens changes throughout the year. You’ll find special holiday menus; this year they even have a special selection for the King’s coronation.
I had my afternoon tea during the holidays and was delighted by their fantastical Christmas menu. The dishes featured classic holiday flavours transformed into bite-size desserts. Another element that makes the Rubens so special is their renowned pastry chefs. This year, the pastry kitchen at The Rubens is led by pastry chef Sarah Houghting. Houghting recently competed in Bake Off: The Professionals on Channel 4, making her a household name in Britain. But it’s not all about the desserts. I don’t want to undersell the amazing sandwiches I ate. The rare roast beef sirloin with horseradish cream served on beetroot bread was out of this world. And one of the best sandwiches I’ve ever had at an afternoon tea.
For me, the penultimate experience was going to have Afternoon Tea at the Ritz Hotel in London. This was a bucket list experience for me and doing it on my birthday and sharing the experience with my dad made it all the more special. Afternoon Tea at the Ritz is truly an iconic and indulgent experience steeped in tradition and luxury. You will be transported to a bygone era of glamour and sophistication from the moment you arrive. Afternoon tea at the Ritz is served in the stunning Palm Court. An opulent room with ornate towering pillars, sparkling chandeliers, 24-carat gold details and a pianist playing classical music in the background.
Although my birthday is in January, we were lucky enough to be able to still take part in the Ritz Christmas Afternoon Tea menu. In 2022, for the first time in Ritz history, afternoon tea was served in the spectacular former Ballroom in The Ritz Club. If you’re lucky enough to book these limited-time tea reservations, you’re in for a real treat! Instead of a pianist, we were treated to a three-piece band that dazzled us throughout the two-hour experience.
The menu includes 18 different types of tea, including the famous Ritz Royal Blend, specially created for the hotel. The tea is served in silver pots, accompanied by delicate finger sandwiches with classic fillings such as smoked salmon, cucumber, and egg mayonnaise. My favourite was the egg sandwich since it was served on the fluffiest potato bun.
The scones are freshly baked and served warm with clotted cream and strawberry jam. The pièce de résistance is the exquisite selection of pastries and cakes. When the desserts first came out, I was surprised that there were only three miniature tartlets. Most of the other afternoon teas had at least four different sweets. But I didn’t expect that you ALSO get a fresh slice of cake in addition to the desserts served on the tiered tray. At the end of the meal, they push this beautiful antique cake cart around to each table. When we visited, we had the choice of chocolate hazelnut banana cake or lemon cream cake. Or you could take a slice of both! Despite being so full I thought I would burst, I chose a piece of the chocolate banana cake. And it was by far the best thing I ate all night!
A word of warning before heading to the Ritz. There is a strict dress code for all visitors to the tea parlour. The Ritz wants their visitors to make an event of going out for tea. And getting all dressed up is part of making that special. Men are required to wear a jacket and tie. Jeans and sportswear are not permitted for either ladies or gentlemen.
London is home to some of the best afternoon tea spots in the world, catering to every budget and preference. From luxurious hotels to quaint cafes, there’s something for everyone to enjoy. Whether you’re a tea lover or simply seeking a quintessentially British experience, London’s afternoon tea scene offers a range of options that are sure to delight you. So why not treat yourself to a cup of tea and some scrumptious treats at one of London’s best afternoon tea spots? With so many choices available, you’re sure to find a tea service that suits your budget and taste buds perfectly.
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