Guide to the best afternoon tea in London

The Thames Foyer at the Savoy is an elegant glass-domed venue with views of the Thames, focused on serving afternoon tea. The menus change regularly but you can select from more than 30 types of tea, served with sandwiches, scones, and pastries. Make the experience more indulgent with a glass of champagne.

With Brigit's Bakery, you can have afternoon tea in the Covent Garden patisserie or enjoy your treat as you cruise around London in a converted double-decker bus. Cocktail-themed afternoon teas and teas suitable for kids are also available on the bus. Expect a celebration of everything tea and cake.

If you fancy afternoon tea with a view, Searcy's at The Gherkin delivers. Located on the top three floors of the building, enjoy a luxurious champagne afternoon tea with epic city skyline views. Choose tea with a glass of sparkling wine or champagne, or go for the whole bottle to make it extra special.

Midtown offers all-day dining and late night partying but you can also sample a unique tequila-themed afternoon tea here. Expect Mexican twists on typical teatime nibbles, as well as a margarita so you can wash it all down. This afternoon tea is popular with those looking for a new take on a tradition.

As if the Baroque-style L'oscar London wasn't impressive enough with its regal decor fit for royalty, they also serve a seriously impressive afternoon tea. It's served in the L'oscar Restaurant – another part of the hotel known for its opulent interiors – and comes with delicate finger sandwiches, freshly-baked scones, pastries, and an assortment of sweet treats, with even a vegan version available.

Located on the 31st floor of The Shard, at Aqua Shard you can enjoy afternoon tea and stunning views. The Peter Pan afternoon tea is a playful twist on a classic. Enjoy sandwiches, scones, and sweet and savoury treats with tea, and you can add champagne or a cocktail.

The Wolseley brings the European café tradition to London, with a British and European menu. Enjoy a choice of afternoon teas here from a simple cream tea to the classic experience, or an extra indulgent option that includes a glass of champagne. Scones and pastries are handmade every day and there’s a selection of popular teas.

The Mind Palace is a Sherlock Holmes-themed bar complete with mementos and puzzle games. You can enjoy an unusual afternoon tea here, tucking into sandwiches and sweet bites whilst solving intriguing mysteries. This is an immersive afternoon tea experience in a unique and unexpected venue.

The Lounge at Royal Horseguards Hotel is a regal setting where you can enjoy a sophisticated classic afternoon tea. Expect traditional sandwiches and sweet treats, along with a house blend of tea specifically to complement the food. This elegant tea close to Trafalgar Square gives guests a taste of tradition.

Sophisticated and on-trend hotel One Aldwych has a number of on-site dining options. Both guests and visitors can partake in the imaginative “Charlie & the Chocolate Factory” afternoon tea, bringing to life the culinary creations from the much-loved book. You can expect an immersive and indulgent experience here.

The Rubens at the Palace is a luxurious and traditional London hotel. A classic afternoon tea is served in the Palace Lounge with views of Buckingham Palace. Special diets and children can be catered for too. Choose from a broad selection of teas and enjoy classic sweet and savoury nibbles. They also cater to vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free, and halal diets.

Visit one of London’s leading cocktail bars for a twist on afternoon tea. At Lyaness on the South Bank you can enjoy a playful afternoon tea that pairs your choice of tea with well-balanced cocktails plus flavoursome sandwiches, scones, and sweet treats. You can add a glass of champagne too if it’s time to celebrate.

Sketch is a quirky modern European restaurant known for all-day dining in a unique and highly aesthetic interior that gives off strong Wes Anderson vibes. In The Gallery you can sample a unique afternoon tea with indulgent bites like truffle and cream cheese brioche rolls. Tea is unlimited too!

The Diamond Jubilee Tea Salon is a luxurious English tea room located in Fortnum & Mason. A choice of afternoon tea menus is offered here, including vegetarian, vegan, made without gluten and made without nuts. When you're very hungry, choose the heartier high tea menu.

Roast is a modern British eatery overlooking Borough Market, with afternoon tea served six days a week. The menu changes regularly but includes typical treats like cakes, scones, and finger sandwiches. Bottomless prosecco is also on offer for those who like to make their afternoon tea boozy.

The Chocolate Cocktail Club is a unique bar focusing on chocolate-based cocktails. Afternoon tea is also served, which includes sandwiches, chocolatey scones, and chocolate cakes and pastries. Plus, you get unlimited tea, coffee, or hot chocolate and the option to add a signature chocolate cocktail – a real treat for those with a sweet tooth.

Gatsby's Room at The Beaumont Hotel is a sophisticated restaurant serving all-day dining. An afternoon tea is served here that combines tradition with the venue's transatlantic heritage. Champagne cocktails are available, too, to enhance your experience. Live piano music is also played here throughout afternoon tea and during the evening.

The Ritz is an iconic London hotel and afternoon tea is served throughout the day in the opulent surroundings of the original ballroom. Enjoy delicate music by the resident pianist and harpist whilst you savour traditional treats. Expect a choice of fine teas with sandwiches, scones, and elegant pastries.

Hotel Café Royal is home to a grand traditional afternoon tea, served in a gilded setting full of mirrors and opulent detail. Expect all the classic treats, such as a selection of tea sandwiches, traditional scones and sweet delicacies. Alternative vegetarian and vegan menus are also available here, and the experience is complemented by live music.

Pan Pacific is a luxurious hotel with an unmistakeable Asian influence. Afternoon tea is served here, combining English tradition with pan-Asian flavours and ingredients for a unique experience. Food is accompanied by fine tea and you can add a glass of champagne or English sparkling wine for extra indulgence.

The Berkeley is a five-star hotel that's home to the Prêt-à-Portea afternoon tea. Updated every season, this special afternoon tea translates the hottest fashion into elegant teatime treats. Try exotic flavours and experience innovative presentation with this popular twist on a London tradition.

Claridge's is an iconic London hotel and in The Foyer & Reading Room, under an impressive glass sculpture, you can enjoy afternoon tea. Sample delicate sandwiches and handmade pastries with the tea of your choice. A special afternoon tea menu for kids is also offered.

The afternoon tea service at The Goring Hotel has won awards and is popular with tea enthusiasts. Seated in the Veranda space, you can taste exclusive tea blends and homemade snacks and jams. Menus change seasonally to focus on the freshest locally-sourced fruit. A gluten-free afternoon tea is also served.

The Harrods Tea Rooms inside the famous department store give guests a taste of English tradition. The menus change seasonally but always includes a selection of delicate sandwiches and sweet and savoury bites, of course, accompanied by tea. Enjoy your tea here with live music. Vegan and children's menus are available too.

Ethical cooking is at the heart of The Petersham, and this shows in their afternoon tea menu too. Served in the elegant Covent Garden restaurant, you can enjoy scones and sweet and savoury nibbles. There are many afternoon teas to choose from, including the classic, vegetarian, vegan, children's, or savoury. Plus, the restaurant uses the proceeds to support charitable causes.

At his first international outpost at The Berkeley hotel, world-famous pâtissier Cédric Grolet crafts an enchantingly playful take on the traditional British afternoon tea. Combining it with its French cousin goûter, he offers sweet and savoury treats that change seasonally, but always feature his trademark trompe-l'œil marvels.

Enjoy a quintessential afternoon tea at The Athenaeum, with a feast of sandwiches, cakes, pastries, and traditional scones with jam and clotted cream. There's also an option for those who prefer savoury, including cheddar scones, savoury pastries, Welsh rarebit and tartlets. If you prefer to go bottomless, upgrade your afternoon tea with free-flowing bubbles for 90 minutes. The restaurant is bright, spacious, and contemporary, with a sleek parquet floor, wood panelling, and brass light fixtures.

Named in 2023 as the best contemporary afternoon tea in London, afternoon tea at The Carlton Tower Jumeirah is themed on the flowers of British gardens. Visit this luxury five-star hotel for sweet and savoury treats from renowned pastry chef Jessica Prealpato, who has some serious accolades under her belt, including being crowned Best Pastry Chef in the World.

Enjoy a quintessentially British afternoon tea at The Library, where you can indulge in a selection of signature cakes, each inspired by the breathtaking vistas of the iconic Elizabeth Tower and Big Ben. Feast on a delectable assortment of finger sandwiches accompanied by freshly baked scones served with luscious jam and rich clotted cream.

This whimsical afternoon tea at The Chesterfield Mayfair introduces a playful nostalgia to your palate with surprises like Coca-Cola, smoking pink lemonade and various sweet-shop-themed cakes. Expect treats like chocolate scones, finger sandwiches, and smoked salmon on beetroot bread. There's also an extensive tea selection to accompany the food, and you can elevate the experience with a chilled glass of champagne.

The Montague Hotel in Bloomsbury, situated within a charming townhouse, is conveniently located near some of the city's top attractions. Here you can enjoy 90 minutes of free-flowing Lanson champagne, paired with a tasty assortment of homemade cakes, scones, and sandwiches in the atmospheric Leopard Bar, overlooking the lush gardens. There's also a vegetarian afternoon tea option.

Cutter & Squidge, in the quaint neighbourhood of Soho, is renowned for its tasty signature sweet treats. Everyone can enjoy afternoon tea with Cutter & Squidge since they offer a range of menus that cater to diverse dietary preferences, including a vegan selection featuring treats like vegan sausage rolls, mini cakes, and brownies. You also have the option to add bubbles or make your way through the cocktail list. 

Indulge in a fusion of British afternoon tea and Japanese culture at the prestigious Nobu Restaurant at the Portman Square hotel. Nobu's unique interpretation is served in The Lounge, a relaxed restaurant and bar. Enjoy a selection of teas, including a berry and hibiscus blend and a honey orchid tea from Wudong Mountain. You won't find any finger sandwiches on this menu; expect to see takes on Nobu's iconic cup sushi and other Japanese-inspired treats.

If dainty finger sandwiches and scones slathered in clotted cream and jam don't really suit your palate, then you might like Inamo's offering. You can enjoy afternoon tea with an Asian twist here, including sushi and Asian tapas, fresh sashimi, maki rolls, gyoza and futomaki. Add one hour of bottomless fizz to make it boozy.

The Ampersand Hotel has a reputation for afternoon teas inspired by nearby museums. The menu is inspired by the European debut of Patagotitan Mayorum, one of the largest known creatures to have walked the planet. Be transported back over 200 million years with treats like T-Rex cheese straws, a raspberry and lemon crémeux volcano eruption, and a chocolate dinosaur egg nest. Children can enjoy hot chocolate, while adults can indulge with champagne, alcohol-free sparkling rosé, or specially-crafted cocktails.

Enjoy a distinctive Chinese afternoon tea at Michelin-starred restaurant Kai. Located in Mayfair, this is an upscale venue with afternoon tea served most days of the week. You'll enjoy elegant treats alongside cocktails and hot tea here, with afternoon tea intended to be a bustling social occasion. The restaurant has a sophisticated look with striking wall art, flowers, and metallic touches.