It might be Afternoon Tea Week (10-16th August) right now, but in London, the tradition of teatime is very much a year-round affair.
Many of our most iconic hotels are internationally known for serving the classic spread beneath grand chandeliers, but there are also plenty of alternatives to be found across the city. You can find afternoon tea as picnic spreads, family-friendly feasts designed for younger diners, and entirely savoury options. There are also menus inspired by everything from Japanese, and Mexican flavours to great works of architecture and art. There really is an afternoon for everyone to enjoy, so here are our favourite afternoon teas in London to book now.
An Art-Deco Afternoon Tea at Pérola
Step into Pérola for sweeping views of Battersea Power Station. This lively art-deco bar, set on the 15th floor of Art’otel, offers a contemporary spin on the classic afternoon tea, with inventive creations inspired by the landmark’s distinctive form. Delicate pastries are paired with savoury treats, freshly baked scones and an assortment of fancy teas. Make a day of it and arrive in style by taking an Uber Boat across the Thames. Afterwards, take a stroll through Battersea Power Station for a spot of retail therapy.
A Regal Afternoon Tea at the Ritz London
Few places are as tied to the tradition of afternoon tea as The Ritz. Served since the hotel first opened its doors in 1906, the afternoon ritual takes place amid the gilded grandeur of The Palm Court, underneath its glittering chandeliers, and with the daily accompaniment of live music.
The menu is as classic as you would expect – finely cut finger sandwiches, freshly baked scones with Cornish clotted cream and strawberry preserve, followed by pastries and teacakes served tableside from the cake trolley, with plenty of second and third rounds made available. Accompanying the food is a vast selection of loose-leaf teas to choose from, overseen by The Ritz’s certified Tea Master, Giandomenico Scanu, the only Tea Master appointed by a UK hotel.
Spa and Afternoon Tea at The Dorchester
This institution on Park Lane, located just a few steps from Hyde Park, is also known for its elegance and opulence. Here at The Dorchester, you can indulge in dainty finger sandwiches, freshly baked scones and delicate pastries in The Promenade, a room of high ceilings, plush sofas and spectacular floral displays, all whilst keeping an eye out for the many A-listers who also base their London visits here.
The Afternoon Tea menu evolves with the seasons, while two bespoke JING blends, The Dorchester Breakfast and The Dorchester Afternoon, have also been created especially for the hotel.
A Hidden Garden Afternoon Tea at Templeton Garden
Escape the bustle of London at Templeton Garden, where afternoon tea takes its inspiration, and some of its ingredients, directly from the townhouse hotel’s secluded garden. The three-tiered spread celebrates classic British flavours and seasonal produce, with savouries including glazed gammon with English mustard and Devon smoked salmon served on beetroot bread.
The garden theme continues through the sweet selection, with an English strawberry and chocolate choux bun and foraged elderflower and lemon macaron, accompanied by tea and the option to add a glass of Nyetimber. Children can get in on the action too, with their own garden-themed spread complete with mini sandwiches, miniature sweet treats and a particularly cute white chocolate and raspberry bunny cake.
A Great British Afternoon Tea at The Kensington
The Kensington hotel celebrates the very best of British with an afternoon tea that also champions homegrown produce and some of the country’s finest artisan suppliers. Things begin in suitably celebratory style with a Pimm’s Royale or glass of Nyetimber English sparkling wine, before tiers arrive laden with Chapel & Swan smoked salmon and chive cream cheese, roast Wiltshire ham and English mustard, and St Ewe egg mayonnaise finger sandwiches.
Warm scones come with Cornish clotted cream and homemade strawberry jam, while the sweet tier takes its cues from an English garden party: raspberry and elderflower tart, rose and pistachio Battenberg and an Eton Mess pavlova with strawberries and fresh mint. Set within The Kensington’s elegant Victorian townhouses, and moments from the V&A and Natural History Museum, it’s a great pit stop for an afternoon exploring South Kensington.
A Winnie The Pooh Afternoon Tea at Fortnum & Mason
Few places do afternoon tea quite like Fortnum & Mason, but its latest iteration adds an extra dose of wonder and nostalgia. Celebrating 100 years of Disney’s Winnie the Pooh, the Diamond Jubilee Tea Salon has introduced a limited-edition experience inspired by the much-loved residents of the Hundred Acre Wood, with both children’s and grown-up menus ensuring it is an event for the whole family.
Little ones can enjoy character-themed creations including a Piglet vanilla and raspberry lolly, Tigger chocolate and orange striped loaf cake and Winnie the Pooh honey and apricot mousse, alongside classic finger sandwiches and Fortnum’s famous scones. Adults, meanwhile, can opt for the seasonal Summer Afternoon Tea, peppered with subtle nods to Pooh and friends, a sweet excuse to introduce a new generation to one of London’s great teatime institutions.
A Children’s Afternoon Tea at The Wolseley City
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For those who aren’t quite ready for finger sandwiches and Earl Grey, The Wolseley City puts a fun spin on the British tradition with an afternoon tea created especially for children. Served on the requisite three-tiered cake stand, savoury treats include mini hotdogs and chicken goujons alongside colourful cucumber and tomato skewers.
For pudding, there’s old-school jam roly-poly and chocolate-dipped strawberries, with plenty of child-friendly treats in between. Available on Saturdays and Sundays and priced at just £20, it’s an easy way to turn a family day exploring the City into something a little more special.
A Japanese Afternoon Tea at Aki London
Marylebone’s Aki London reimagines the rituals of afternoon tea from a Japanese perspective, collaborating with the food and travel tastemaker Milly Kenny-Ryder on a menu created alongside Executive Chef Collin Hudson and Head of Pastry Cosimo De Fusco. Traditional finger sandwiches make way for Japanese sandos, with fillings including chicken katsu with tonkatsu Dijon mayo, green tea-smoked salmon with yuzu curd, and golden egg yolk with summer truffle.
Even the scones get a rethink, replaced by dorayaki pancakes served with cream and jam, followed by a selection of tea cakes and desserts. But that isn’t the meal completely over, in an endearing touch, guests are sent away with matcha madeleines for later.
An Art-Inspired Afternoon Tea at Rosewood London
Rosewood London turns afternoon tea into art with its own version inspired by Claude Monet, marking 100 years since the Impressionist master’s death. Curated by Executive Pastry Chef Mark Perkins and served in the hotel’s elegant Mirror Room, the menu takes its cues from the artist’s garden at Giverny, his celebrated Water Lilies series and distinctive use of light, colour and texture.
The grand finale comes in the form of three intricately crafted ‘Art Cakes’, each recreating a Monet masterpiece through flavour: Water Lily Pond becomes pistachio and cherry blossom; Impression, Sunrise is reimagined as Peach Melba; and Woman with a Parasol pairs apricot with rosemary.
A Picnic Afternoon Tea at Twenty8 NoMad
Twenty8 NoMad brings the great British picnic indoors, with its nostalgic summer take on teatime. Picnic cloths and wicker baskets set the scene, whilst the menu covers familiar favourites, from cucumber and egg mayonnaise sandwiches to coronation chicken through to lobster rolls and warm quiche.
Scones arrive warm from the picnic basket, followed by a suitably nostalgic line-up of British classic desserts like cherry Bakewell, coffee and walnut cake, lemon drizzle choux and Victoria sponge mousse. Pair it all with tea, champagne or a strawberries and cream cocktail – all the charm of a British picnic, with polish.
A Contemporary Afternoon Tea at Jean-Georges at The Connaught
Jean-Georges at The Connaught gives the quintessentially British ritual a suitably contemporary update, served in its beautifully bright dining room. The menu begins traditionally enough with finger sandwiches, albeit with Jean-Georges Vongerichten’s signature influence, cucumber sandwiches comes with orange cream cheese and orange blossom, Norfolk Bronze turkey with piperade mayonnaise.
Freshly baked scones with jam follow, before unsurprisingly the pâtisserie course takes centre stage. Highlights include coconut mousse with pineapple confit and coconut dacquoise, and a citrus tartlet layered with lemon curd and blood orange. Guests can choose from 15 teas, including a seasonal blend created especially for the hotel, or add a glass of Billecart-Salmon Brut Réserve Champagne for the full Mayfair experience.
An Afternoon Te-Quila at Madera
For teatime with considerably more kick, Madera at Treehouse London swaps Earl Grey for tequila with its Cali-Mexican take on the British tradition. Available Friday to Sunday, Afternoon-Te-Quila is created in partnership with Casamigos and arrives on a three-tier stand, with savoury bites including coronation chicken tacos, tequila-cured salmon gravlax and habanero prawn wraps.
Sweet treats follow with chocolate tacos and coconut panna cotta, alongside freshly baked scones with clotted cream and jam – because some traditions are best left untouched. Every guest also gets the rather less traditional addition of a complimentary Toca Margarita. Head upstairs afterwards to The Nest’s rooftop terrace for 360-degree views across London.
A French-Twist of an Afternoon Tea at Kettner’s
Soho institution Kettner’s puts a French spin on a very British tradition with its recently launched afternoon tea. Created by UK Group Executive Chef Nathanial Tofan, the menu swaps some of the usual suspects for more inventive takes on the usual tiers, serving up native lobster vol-au-vent and Brie de Meaux croffles (a cross between a croissant and a waffle), before freshly baked scones and elegant pâtisserie. Vanilla madeleines come baked to order, and there are also miniature apple tarte tatins to be enjoyed, all accompanied by a selection of teas. Book before the end of August and £55 per person also includes a complimentary glass of champagne.
A London Inspired Afternoon Tea at Brumus, Haymarket Hotel
Brumus, the British brasserie at the Haymarket Hotel, serves an afternoon tea inspired by the iconic London landmarks right on its doorstep. A celebration of the capital’s charm, this quintessentially English affair pairs savoury classics with a playful selection of pastries, each crafted as an edible tribute to the city’s most recognisable sights.
Guests can tuck into a dark chocolate and orange Big Ben, cinnamon and cream cheese London Eye, and a Trafalgar Square Victoria Sponge, all served in relaxed yet refined surroundings. Afterwards, explore the real thing with a self-guided walking tour curated by Blue Badge Guide Katie Wignall of Look Up London. An illustrated map and QR-linked audio guide let you take in the sights at your own pace – the perfect pairing of cakes and culture.
Afternoon Tea, à la Française at Café François
For those of us who enjoy an indulgent dessert, Café François has introduced its own take on afternoon tea, combining the London ritual with some Parisian boulangerie flair and a dash of New York pizzazz, all served up right in the heart of Borough Yards.
Curated by Chef Partner Matthew Ryle, the afternoon tea, which is served daily, kicks off with sandwiches filled with French favourites such as jambon beurre, and moves on to an array of pastries and cakes, with seasonal touches and plenty of the patisserie craftsmanship for which Café François’ famously abundant dessert trolley is known. Stick with tea for the classic version or make an afternoon of it with French champagne.
A Brie-lightful Take on Tradition at Brasserie Max
Afternoon tea gets a quietly brilliant rethink at Brasserie Max, where the usual procession of cakes and finger sandwiches is replaced with something far more satisfying: a fully savoury, cheese-led spread. Created in collaboration with Neal’s Yard Dairy, the menu incorporates rich, well-sourced British cheeses at every turn, from cheddar scones with goat’s curd and caramelised onion chutney to Colston Basset Stilton éclairs with pickled walnut, Ragstone and caramelised onion macarons, and a Welsh rarebit-stuffed doughnut in place of the traditional sandwich tier.
It’s playful without tipping into gimmick, retaining the structure and ceremony of afternoon tea while shifting the focus firmly onto flavour. Add a thoughtful selection of English wines, and it feels less like a novelty and more like a seriously gouda way to spend an afternoon.
A Regally Stylish Afternoon Tea at The Goring
The Goring’s Timeless Style Afternoon Tea celebrates one of Britain’s most enduring style icons Created to coincide with the Queen Elizabeth II: Her Life in Style exhibition at The King’s Gallery. The menu takes cues from some of the late Queen’s most recognisable looks, translated into beautiful pastries and cakes. A white peach and strawberry parfait nods to the silver bridesmaid dress she wore in 1934, while a saffron and cardamom mousse takes inspiration from the Norman Hartnell gown worn for a State Banquet in Karachi in 1961.
The classics remain reassuringly intact too, with smoked salmon, coronation chicken and cucumber sandwiches, warm scones, and a nostalgic raspberry brioche take on the Queen’s childhood favourite, Jam Pennies. Served in The Goring’s light-filled Veranda, with The King’s Gallery just a short stroll away, it is a delightfully fitting way to extend the sense of occasion after a morning at the exhibition.
A Sky High Afternoon Tea at Duck & Waffle
Duck & Waffle takes afternoon tea to new heights with its Sky High Afternoon Tea, served forty floors up with panoramic views across the City.
True to the restaurant’s playful spirit, the experience leans into theatre as much as taste. The afternoon begins with a hand-painted duck egg presented tableside, a whimsical nod to the restaurant’s signature dish and namesake, which, once cracked open, reveals a selection of sweet and savoury bites. Expect a miniature take on the famous Duck & Waffle, alongside coronation chicken and Cubano sandwiches, before moving onto raspberry tarte citron, Jaffa macarons, sticky toffee waffles and classic scones with strawberry jam and clotted cream.
An extensive selection of teas accompanies the spread, alongside a complimentary glass of Champagne for every guest.
Lead image: Royal Lancaster London.
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