Ever since the Duchess of Bedford satisfied her hunger-pangs between lunch and dinner with cups of tea accompanied by dainty finger sandwiches, rustic scones and delicate pastries, Afternoon Tea has evolved from a regal legacy to an elegant tradition and an exquisite art. 

London and Its Love for Afternoon Tea 

London has a rich tradition of afternoon tea. Ever since The Langham opened in 1865 and listed Afternoon Tea on its menu, the city has proudly continued this unique tradition that allures and endears everyone from typical Londoners to visiting tourists. Today, Afternoon Tea in London can be enjoyed in a variety of setting and places : 

1. Traditional Tea Rooms: London is home to numerous traditional tea rooms and luxury hotels that offer afternoon tea in an elegant and charming setting. These establishments often serve a delightful assortment of finger sandwiches, scones with clotted cream and jam, and a selection of pastries and cakes, accompanied by a wide variety of tea blends.

2. Themed Afternoon Teas: To add an extra touch of excitement, many places in London offer themed afternoon teas. These could be inspired by popular books, movies, seasonal events, or historical periods. Themes such as “Alice in Wonderland,” “Harry Potter,” “Downton Abbey,” and more have captured the imagination of visitors.

3. Modern Twists: While afternoon tea is steeped in tradition, some places have added modern twists to appeal to contemporary tastes. This might include incorporating innovative flavors, gluten-free or vegan options, and serving tea with cocktails or champagne.

4. Afternoon Tea Bus Tours: To combine sightseeing with tea, London also has afternoon tea bus tours. Visitors can enjoy a traditional afternoon tea experience while touring the city’s landmarks.

5. Afternoon Tea Week: Celebrated in August, Afternoon Tea Week is an annual event that promotes and celebrates this beloved British tradition. During this week, many establishments offer special deals and promotions.

And so, if you are in London and fancy experiencing this iconic English tradition, here are some of the top places for Afternoon Tea : 

The Langham

The Palm Court at the Langham has been serving Afternoon Tea since 1865. Ever since it launched, Afternoon Tea has been part of its menu, making it almost certainly the first commercially served Afternoon Tea in history. From welcoming sandwiches to generous scones to delicate pastries, no detail is overlooked (including a teeny stool to keep your handbag).

Tea at the Ritz

The gold-standard for Afternoon Tea is served in the original ballroom. Classic, elegant and traditional to a ‘tea’ (pun intended). Served since 1906, the proudly traditional accoutrements are fresh, crustless sandwiches, warm scones with Cornish clotted cream and jam, and of course, pastries. 

And yes, there is a dress code!

The Savoy London 

Served at the beautiful Thames Foyer since 1889, there is always a pianist playing Fred Astaire. The sandwiches are classic – English cucumber with green tea hummus, Scottish salmon with chives and lemon cream. But the real show stopper is the tea itself – there is a choice of 30 teas!

Hotel Café Royal Van Gogh

Hotel Café Royal has been serving a luxurious Afternoon Tea in the gilded mirrored tea room since 1865. The menu is a celebration of Vincent Van Gogh’s famous works in pastries, sandwiches and cakes – including a Starry Night dessert! Afternoon Tea is served in the Oscar Wilde Lounge, where the celebrated Irish poet and playwright spent many afternoons!

Rosewood London Salvador Dali

Inspired by the art of Salvador Dali, the Mirror Room in Rosewood London serves Afternoon Tea with unbelievably surreal cakes and pastries based on the master’s works, including Queen of Hearts and Butterfly Windmills! Merging surrealist art with augmented reality, guests enter this augmented world through a QR code printed on a delicate rice paper. Guests can also collect their own NFTea tokens, which are limited to 2,500 only! 

Nobu London Portman Square

An amazing Japanese twist to the classic Afternoon Tea curated by the globally acclaimed chef, Noboyuki Matsuhisa, the menu has yuzu truffle canapés, yuzu macarons, miso caramel éclairs, with Japanese Sencha and Honey Orchid Oolong for tea! Inspired by the cheerful Cherry Blossoms in springtime Japan, the sweet dishes also include a unique Miso Chocolate Caramel Tart along with a Matcha Honey Ginger and a sweet Passion Fruit Mandarin Madeleine. There is also an amazing Hojicha tea cheesecake along with freshly baked scones, served with raspberry mint jam, Cornish clotted cream and yuzu curd.

Mariage Frères Covent Garden

The distinctly parisian Afternoon Tea served at Covent Garden has more than 1,000 options to choose for when it comes to selecting a tea from the tea-menu! Luckily, a well-versed team of staff is on hand to help you make the choice. Their signature blend is appropriately named Marco Polo. For the first London store, F&M have created the Covent Garden Morning blend which is a mellow black tea with soothing aromas of hazelnut.  

The Diamond Jubilee Tea Salon at Fortnum & Mason

The Diamond Jubilee Tea Salon at Fortnum & Mason was opened by the late Queen herself in 2012 on the occasion of her diamond jubilee, and hence the name. This iconic 1707 store in Picadilly is located on the fourth floor of the iconic St. James’s departmental store.  The service is impeccable, with their signature eau de nil china and earl grey teas served in finest bone china, with precisely cut finger sandwiches. As historic as it gets!

Claridges Hotel, Mayfair

No list of Afternoon Tea will be complete without Claridge’s, Mayfair. Afternoon is served at the Foyer and Reading Room. The menu has bladed sandwiches and scones with stick-to-your-spoon clotted cream and the famous Marco Polo jam. The service is classy and elegant.

Of course, these are some of the top favourites, and there are many more Afternoon Tea places in London that one can explore. Since most of the Afternoon Tea menus keep changing based on seasons and emerging themes, it is best advised to check the current menu before making your bookings. Oh yes, most of these top Afternoon Tea places are booked out months and advance!!