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The Best Afternoon Teas In London 2024
Because you can never have enough finger sandwiches, tea and scones...
By | 7 days ago
Afternoon tea is quite possibly the most British of all institutions. But once in a while, an egg and cress sandwich and a scone need a little jazzing up. These are the current best afternoon teas in London, from the traditional to the innovative to the quirky, served across the city’s most elegant hotels and restaurants.
What Is Afternoon Tea?
Afternoon tea is an age-old tradition which dates all the way back to 1840. It all began with Anna, the Duchess of Bedford, who would ask for a mid-afternoon snack of tea, bread and butter to be delivered to her room to satisfy hunger cravings (which she would describe as a ‘sinking feeling’, and we get it) between lunch and dinner. The habit caught on – and, indeed, grew to become a fashionable social event. During the 1800s, upper-class women would don their fineries and meet for afternoon tea in the drawing room.
Nowadays, afternoon tea is a celebratory occasion typically enjoyed within elegant hotels around the UK. London is one of the best cities in the world for it: think delicate finger sandwiches, scones with the finest butter and jam, and exquisitely crafted pastries, paired with top-notch teas and glasses of fizz. Often it’s served in the most majestic of settings too – glitzy hotel lounges, pretty flower-bedecked dining rooms, rooftop restaurants and more.
The Best Afternoon Teas In London For 2024
So where to find the very best afternoon teas in London? Read on for the C&TH team’s top picks, both traditional and alternative affairs: from Italian-inspired spreads to whimsical twists and boozy takes complete with cocktails.
The Art of Afternoon Tea at The Kensington
You’ll often find artsy types in South Kensington – but not for reasons you might assume. While the V&A sits just around the corner, you’ll find plenty of culture vultures flocking to The Kensington in search of its newly launched art-themed afternoon tea menu. The Art of Afternoon Tea takes it cues from a curated selection of artists and perfectly rounds off any cultural exploration of West London.
While you can get your afternoon tea with champagne, we’d recommend ordering one of the fun themed cocktails on the menu: Starry Night, an ode to the Van Gogh painting using a sweet blend of Hendrick’s Flora Adora, spirulina cordial, citrus and Rathfinny Classic Cuvée Brut; Girl with Balloon, a Banksy classic reimagined with Discarded vodka, Italicus, sherry and pear; and Composition No. 10, a minimalist take on the Mondrian artwork with plenty of flavour thanks to a combination of Hendrick’s Grand Cabaret, Amaro Santoni, grapefruit sherbet, egg white and bitters. Each one is equally as delicious, although for extra ‘wow factor’ (and Instagram value), we’d recommend trying Girl with a Balloon.
As for the food itself, expect a more creative take on the traditional afternoon tea. The sandwiches and scones stick to classic flavours, with a selection of egg, salmon, cucumber and pastrami finger sandwiches served alongside plain and fruit scones slathered in homemade jam and Cornish clotted cream.
But the real star of the show is the sweets. The patisseries take inspiration from three artists: Jackson Pollock, Yayoi Kusama and Alicja Kwade. You’ll find a dark chocolate mousse tart with passion fruit parfait drizzled Pollock’s famed ‘drip technique’, mango mousse balls encased in coconut yoghurt cream and shaped into Kusama’s signature polka-dot pumpkins, and contemporary visual artist Kwade’s colourful spheres constructed from white chocolate vanilla mousse with a pineapple compote centre. A feast for the eyes – and the tastebuds.
For afternoon tea with plenty of clever artsy references and wow factor, this is the one to have at the top of your list. Review by Charlie Colville.
Price: £58pp or £70pp with a glass of champagne
Availability: 12 – 4.30pm daily
Address: The Kensington, 109-113 Queen’s Gate, South Kensington, London SW7 5LP
BOOK: doylecollection.com
Lavergne Chocolate Afternoon Tea at Ochre
Chocolate lovers certainly won’t be able to resist afternoon tea at Ochre, the gorgeous restaurant inside the National Gallery. Inspired by Jean-Etienne Liotard’s painting The Lavergne Family Breakfast, the brand new menu features classic finger sandwiches alongside wonderfully decadent treats including white chocolate tart, dark chocolate and orange sponge, and a particularly show-stopping chocolate hazelnut dome. The chocolate scones might seem like a curveball to afternoon tea traditionalists, but they’re divine – especially when topped with indulgent chocolate hazelnut ganache and enjoyed with a sip of tea (or champagne, of course).
Price: £55pp or £65pp with a glass of champagne or a cocktail
Availability: 3 – 4.30pm daily
Address: The National Gallery, Trafalgar Square, London, WC2N 5DN
BOOK: ochre.london
All Hearts Desire Afternoon Tea at Harvey Nichols
After a morning spent shopping around Knightsbridge, treat yourself to an afternoon tea in the stylish Harvey Nichols restaurant. Begin with sandwiches of chicken and tarragon salad, grilled Mediterranean vegetables, sun-dried tomato and hummus, and cucumber and dill cream cheese, plus egg salad brioche. Next up there are scones served with Cornish clotted cream and Harvey Nichols strawberry jam, ahead of the sweet treats: current offerings include mango and Greek yoghurt passion fruit panna cotta, chocolate and rosewater macaroons, and glazed cherry cake. Enjoy alongside a glass of Harvey Nichols champagne, plus a loose leaf tea.
Price: £40pp or £50pp with a glass of champagne
Availability: Everyday from 12 – 5pm
Address: Harvey Nichols, 109-125 Knightsbridge, London SW1X 7RJ
BOOK: harveynichols.com
NoMad London
NoMad London is easily one of London’s swankiest hotels, renowned for its fantastic location, contemporary interiors and extensive library. Food also plays a huge part in what makes NoMad so enticing, with the NoMad Restaurant housed inside a biophilic three-storey, glass-roofed atrium – from which it serves up a suitably chic menu.
It’s also here that the hotel recently unveiled its first ever afternoon tea service, which celebrates the best parts of the British tradition while still staying true to the NoMad’s signature contemporary elegance. The drinks menu contains a selection of teas from the Rare Tea Company, as well as a selection of tea-inspired cocktails crafted by bartending afficionados Leo Robitschek and Liana Oster. Our tipple of choice was the Earl of Jalisco, a mildly sweet and creamy concoction created with tequila, lemon, aperol, earl grey tea, rhubarb and egg white.
The savouries on the menu are the perfect blend of Britishness and the NoMad’s New York roots, creating the feel of an elevated deli with smoked salmon bagels, truffled egg sandwiches, cucumber and cream cheese sliders and pastrami, daikon and mustard sandwiches – all of which were very tempting when it came to asking for seconds.
And then, we had the sweets. Created by NoMad’s pastry chef Martha Hernandez, the patisseries were an intriguing landscape of flavours – most of the deserts fell into the fruity category, with a tropical cheesecake, an aptly tart cassis and shiso tart and choux buns filled with lemon, vanilla and olive oil, but the hotel does offer a small bite of indulgence with its sacher-torte (an ideal addition for cleansing the palette).
But it was the scones that stole the show for us. Coming out in two waves, savoury and sweet, the first was a blue cheese and sage creation served alongside the sandwiches, and the second were small, triangle-shaped rum currant and orange zest bakes topped with sugar. Both of these were incredibly morish – especially when eaten with a steaming cup of tea. Review by Charlie Colville.
Price: From £55pp
Availability: Thursday – Saturday, 2pm – 4pm
Address: 28 Bow Street, London WC2E 7AW
BOOK: thenomadhotel.com
The Orchid Lounge at Pan Pacific London
British tradition meets an explosion of Southeast Asia flavours at Pan Pacific London, where the team in the Orchid Lounge have been fine tuning their latest afternoon tea menu. When it comes to savouries, diners can choose between ‘classic’ (a selection of sandwiches) and ‘kopi tiam’. Paying homage to the hotel’s Singaporean roots, the name ‘kopi tiam’ translates to ‘coffee shop’ – indicating the hotel’s Singapore-themed take on British afternoon tea.
Those taking the ‘kopi tiam’ route will be treated a delicious selection Southeast Asian savouries, including a siu mai basket of prawn, beef, spinach and mushroom dumplings (decidedly NOT for sharing, as you’ll want them all for yourself), as well as pillowy steamed lotus buns stuffed with egg yolk and custard sauce and a steamed potato bun topped with coconut flakes.
The second part of the experience comes in the form of classic scones, both plain and stollen (a festive special), topped with lashings of cream, jam and marmalade. Just make sure to pace yourself, as the excitement picks up with the patisserie selection. Think beautifully presented Asian twists on classic desserts: current offerings include the Festive Forest (Biscoff with apple and pecan) and the Kaleidoscope (matcha, raspberry and pistachio).
The accompanying tea selection comes courtesy of The Rare Tea Company – our recommendation is The Orchid Lounge’s Bespoke Blend, a tasty blend of loose leaf Indian and Malawian black tea, Chinese oolong tea and Indian rose petals. Celebrating? Then, of course, Nyetimber bubbles are in order.
Price: From £78pp
Availability: Monday – Sunday, 12pm – 5pm
Address: 80 Houndsditch, London EC3A 7AB
BOOK: panpacific.com
Number Sixteen
During the summer months, the secret garden at Number Sixteen in South Kensington is a dreamy spot for al fresco afternoon tea surrounded by blooming hydrangeas and mulberry trees. But during the colder months, admire the garden view from the cosy indoors. At the moment, the seasonal offering includes turkey and cranberry sandwiches, and duck bonbons with plum sauce, ahead of scones with clotted cream and jam. Follow with festive special desserts like Christmas plum pudding, orange and pistachio sponge, and white chocolate and cranberry mousse: heaven. Enjoy alongside an interesting selection of teas, plus a glass of Bollinger for good measure.
Price: From £45pp
Availability: Daily from 1pm – 4pm
Address: 16 Sumner Pl, South Kensington, London SW7 3EG
BOOK: firmdalehotels.com
Afternoon Tea with a Twist at Charlotte Street Hotel
For an alternative to bottomless brunch, why not go for a delightfully boozy afternoon tea? Head to Oscar at Charlotte Street Hotel and sample the Indulge menu for your chance to tuck into three miniature cocktails with your meal. The menu features all the classic bites, including smoked salmon and cream cheese sandwiches plus the all-important scones – and you can enjoy sweet treats like vanilla cupcakes or strawberry and prosecco mousse cake alongside your specially-selected drinks. What’s not to love?
Price: From £38pp
Availability: Wednesday and Thursday, from 2.45pm – 4.45pm and Friday – Sunday, from 12 – 4.45pm
Address: 15-17 Charlotte St., London W1T 1RJ
BOOK: firmdalehotels.com
Champagne Afternoon Tea at L’oscar London
The Champagne Afternoon Tea at L’oscar London is nothing short of enchanting. This boutique hotel in Bloomsbury boasts elegant interiors – a sexy ambience, the space is lit only by low lamps and birds set in amber – which form the perfect backdrop for your finger sandwiches and snacking.
Once your culinary journey begins, expect to be approached by their expert staff to pick from a range of teas longer than the food menu. Our recommendation? Try an impressive special blend by the hotel.
Then follows an onslaught of the savoury and sweets, arriving in a steady stream on beautiful china plates. The sandwiches are the perfect bites, and all present a bit of a twist on the classic afternoon tea fare; an egg mimosa and black truffle sandwich on soft brown bread is a standout menu option, offering a burst of umami in one mouthful. The sugar rush that follows is as beautifully presented as it is tasty. Each of the little cakes are white, green and pink tributes to London’s cultural capital, from Oscar Wilde’s literary prowess to the exceptional dome at The Baptist. Finally, the scones are the perfect denouement to this spirited afternoon tea – fluffy, classic offerings to be lathered with raspberry jam and lemon curd and clotted cream.
This tea can be booze-free, or enjoyed with a light tipple (a refreshing flute of Michel Reybier Champagne). A cooler-than-cool grown-up afternoon tea option. Review by Tessa Dunthorne.
Price: £59pp or £69pp with champagne
Availability: Daily from 2.30pm – 5pm
Address: 2-6 Southampton Row, London WC1B 4AA
BOOK: loscarlondon.com
The Crown Afternoon Tea at Vintry & Mercer
Obsessed with The Crown? This royal-inspired culinary experience at Vintry & Mercer is for you. It unfolds on the Mercer Roof Terrace, a radiant space at the crest of the gorgeous boutique hotel. Enjoy views of St Paul’s Cathedral and The Shard as you tuck into an array of delights, each with charming royal influences.
Standout savoury offerings include the coronation chicken vol-au-von, complete with a perfectly spiced mango chutney, alongside the bitesize and ludicrously tasty Yorkshire pudding laden with roast beef and horseradish. Meanwhile, the scones are wonderfully fluffy, and the addition of earl grey jelly alongside the classic clotted cream and strawberry jam is a delightful surprise.
The picture-perfect sweets and pastries are the centrepiece of this opulent menu, and they taste as lovely as they look: nibble on a chocolate sceptre, or sample a sovereign’s orb crafted from genoise sponge filled with raspberry and orange blossom mousse. Top off your afternoon with a glass of champagne, or try the exceptional teapot cocktails – the ‘King’s Blend’ is particularly divine, featuring apple eau de vie, St Germain liqueur, lavender syrup and lemon juice. Review by Martha Davies.
Price: From £49.50pp
Availability: Every Saturday and Sunday from 12pm – 5pm
Address: 19-20 Garlick Hill, London EC4V 2AU
BOOK: vintryandmercer.com
Afternoon Tea at Royal Lancaster London
For an intimate afternoon tea experience away from the busy central London crowds, pay a visit to this quiet corner of Paddington tucked away at the the top of Hyde Park. Taken in the Royal Lancaster London’s Hyde Café, afternoon tea is paired with soothing music, sleek marble furnishings and friendly staff who can cater to any allergy or dietary requirement.
This is an afternoon tea menu built around the traditional staples, so expect your classic (but still outrageously tasty) sandwiches – beef and horseradish, smoked salmon, cucumber and egg mayo – as well as freshly baked scones and sweet treats. The ‘sweet bites’ in question present a range of flavours, from florals and fruits to honey and chocolate. Pull up your napkin and tuck into the Lancaster Rose (a vibrant pink raspberry and lychee mousse with apple flowers), the Bee Hive (a creamy, honey-laced panna cotta), the Mango and Coconut Opera (a tropically flavoured pandan rice cake) or the Chocolate Ganache Cake (a rich, dark chocolate cake with Earl Grey ganache and jelly) for a tasty afternoon treat.
Once you’ve had your fill of warm scones and tea, diners can make their way out and over to nearby Hyde Park – where they can stroll away the rest of the afternoon (and walk off any lingering fullness). Review by Charlie Colville.
Price: From £39pp
Availability: Monday – Sunday, 1 – 4pm
Address: Lancaster Terrace, London W2 2TY
BOOK: royallancaster.com
Covent Garden Crescendo Afternoon Tea at Middle Eight
Theatre-goers will know Covent Garden well, having spent many a day and night trekking up and down the West End to see some of the capital’s buzziest shows. If pre-theatre dining gives you itchy feet (there’s nothing worse than walking into a full theatre a few minutes late), then an earlier timed afternoon tea might be the more appealing choice. Cue Middle Eight’s new musically-inspired afternoon tea, which the team describe as ‘a symphony of sweet treats and sandwiches’.
Middle Eight is nestled right in the heart of theatreland, making it an ideal base to spend the afternoon before making your way to one of the many musicals and plays showing in the capital. Afternoon tea is served in The Balcony, tucked away from the hotel’s busy restaurant and check-in desk so that guests can enjoy their meal in a more relaxed (but no less refined) setting.
The current menu has been curated by Head Pastry Chef and former Bake Off: The Professionals semi-finalist, Clanny Rodrigues, and comes in the classic three stages of savouries, sweets and scones. But first thing’s first: tea. Middle Eight has partnered with British family business Novus Tea to put together a selection of soothing white, black, green and herbal teas. While an intimate selection of teas, the team can happily give suggestions based on your tastes. And if you have something to celebrate, you can dial things up with a glass of prosecco.
A selection of sweet and savoury treats come with a flourish of activity, set at your table on a four-tier cake stand (scones are served later on a separate plate, still warm from the oven). The team are brilliant when it comes to handling dietary requirements and allergies, with items prepared separately to avoid cross-contamination in the kitchen. To start, tuck into coronation chicken, grilled vegetable and smoked salmon sandwiches, as well as a warm and flaky sausage roll made with Londoner sausage meat and chopped herbs.
Cleanse the palette with something sweet; Middle Eight presents no less than five small desserts to try, all following a musical theme from name to decoration. Hazelnut eclairs come topped with piano keys, pistachio macarons are decorated with musical notes and bite-sized almond cakes come with miniature chocolate guitar in tow. The closing act of the afternoon tea experience comes in the form of two large scones – vanilla and fruit – which you can lather with jam and clotted cream, or take home with you if your belt is feeling a bit too tight. Now, with bellies full and spirits high, you can leisurely make your way to the next performance of the day. Review by Charlie Colville.
Price: From £45pp
Availability: Wednesday – Sunday, 1pm – 5pm
Address: 66 Great Queen St, London WC2B 5BX
BOOK: middleeight.com
Afternoon Tea at 11 Cadogan Gardens
Sit back and relax with a spot of afternoon tea at 11 Cadogan Gardens. Located just a stone’s throw from Sloane Square, the hotel is a peaceful oasis in the centre of London boasting quintessentially British charm. The afternoon tea experience upholds all of this character, served in a quirky sitting room with large windows, big, cushy chairs and historical-themed paintings covering the walls. The menu itself is nothing to scoff at either, boasting a spread of classic sandwiches (think coronation chicken, cucumber, and ham and mustard), scones with jam and clotted cream, and a selection of sweet treats (the banoffee slice is a must). Wash it all down with a piping hot cup of English Breakfast – or champagne, if you have something to celebrate – and cosy up by the fireplace.
Price: From £55pp
Availability: Monday – Sunday from 2pm – 6pm
Address: 11 Cadogan Gardens, London SW3 2RJ
BOOK: 11cadogangardens.com
Regency Afternoon Tea at The Lane
Situated in the Theatre Royal Drury Lane, The Lane has become quite the hotspot for theatre lovers. The venue, which boasts a pastel backdrop of pink and green, shimmering chandeliers, stucco ceilings and imposing neoclassical columns, should be an entry on any tea-lover’s bucket list. The Regency Afternoon Tea menu features treats by Lily Vanilli, dubbed ‘THE baker of London’. Expect a mini sticky toffee pudding, a strawberry ice cream sandwich, and a fluffy vanilla cake brimming with passionfruit and buttercream and finished with a handmade chocolate cupid. You can also sample a brand new selection of savoury bites including seasonal mini pies and a bitesize English crumpet topped with smoked salmon and Earl Grey-infused cream cheese.
Price: From £59pp
Availability: Monday – Sunday, 12pm – 5.30pm
Address: Catherine St, Covent Garden, London WC2B 5JF
BOOK: thelane.co.uk
Afternoon Tea at The Londoner Hotel
Poised on Leicester Square, The Londoner promises a chic afternoon tea. Whether it’s a pre-theatre indulgence (you’re spoilt for choice The West End) or a necessary energy boost post-National Gallery, head to the champagne bar of the lobby, known as The Stage, for an impressive spread. Expect all the traditional British favourites: on the savoury side, sandwich fillings include smoked salmon and Devon crab, and lemon-roasted chicken with truffle mayonnaise. Next up is freshly baked scones served with Cornish clotted cream and strawberry preserve, followed by an array of beautifully crafted pastries, such as the English Rose, a blackcurrant and pear pudding with shortbread and almond detailing. The tea can be paired with champagne as well as fresh loose leaf teas from The East India Company. To top it off, the experience will be accompanied by live music on The Stage’s grand piano.
Price: From £55pp
Availability: Thursday – Monday
Address: 38 Leicester Square, London WC2H 7DX
BOOK: thelondonerstage.co.uk
Peter Pan Afternoon Tea at Aqua Shard
Transport yourself to Neverland via aqua shard’s new afternoon tea, inspired by J.M Barrie’s legendary novel. Think Tinker Bell-shaped cookies and crocodile jellies served on a pirate ship-inspired tea stand, alongside Fairy Dust cocktails – all enjoyed alongside panoramic city views.
Price: From £68pp
Availability: Daily
Address: Level 31, The Shard, 31 St Thomas St, London SE1 9RY
BOOK: aquashard.co.uk
The Connaught
An afternoon spent at Mayfair’s The Connaught is enough to brighten anyone’s day. Throw in a champagne-infused afternoon tea in the artsy Jean-Georges dining room and you won’t want to leave (partly due to being so gloriously full). Spoiled for choice, guests can choose from an assortment of 15 exotic teas, from a rare vintage Darjeeling Beauty to Fuji-yama, an earthy green tea grown near Mount Fuji. Finger sandwiches come in a range of five different flavours and fillings – think salt beef and turnip, cucumber and Greek yoghurt – but the moreish egg & truffle of fluffy white bread certainly tops them all. Sweet treats are just as delicious in appearance as they are to eat; a light bergamot and lime sponge cake adorned with candied ginger and whipped cream and an indulgent hazelnut praline and milk chocolate rocher with ‘The Connaught’ elegantly emblazoned on top were my pick of the beautiful bunch. The pièce de résistance however came in the form of two buttery penguin-shaped shortbread biscuits, ready to be dipped into a glass of warm chocolate fondue. Lest not forget the scones, plain and wholemeal raisin, both warm and to be served with lashing of home-made strawberry or pineapple jam, and of course Cornish clotted cream. For those looking to add a little glamour and grandeur to their experience, opt for a glass of Champagne Laurent-Perrier, which the warm and attentive staff are more than happy to top up if you so wish.
Price: From £95pp
Availability: Daily
Address: The Connaught, Carlos Place, Mayfair,London, W1K 2AL
BOOK: the-connaught.co.uk
The Wolseley
You can’t help but feel that you’re a ‘someone’ from the moment you step inside the classic and timeless Wolseley, which is a British institution in itself. Where better, then, to enjoy a ‘Best of British’ Afternoon Tea? The Wolseley offers just that – featuring individual Victoria Sponges and Sherry Trifles alongside traditional scones with clotted cream and homemade jam. You won’t find jazzed-up finger sandwiches, either – they stick to the classics for a reason. Traditional fillings of Coronation Chicken, Beef and Horseradish, Cheddar and Pickle, and Smoked Salmon are delightfully nostalgic while being of unquestionably superior quality to what you grew up on. A place so good, AA Gill wrote a whole book about it – and this Afternoon Tea is another excellent (and delicious) chapter in The Wolseley’s ever-glorious repertoire.
Price: From £44.50pp
Availability: Monday – Friday, 3pm – 6pm, Saturday – Sunday, 3.30pm – 6.30pm
Address: 160 Piccadilly, St. James’s, London W1J 9EB
BOOK: thewolseley.com
Fortnum & Mason
An institution since 1707 and still one of the best, Fortnum & Mason’s iconic afternoon tea is an absolute must-try. It’s finger sandwich, cake and scone heaven, with trademark eau de nil china and the biggest selection of fine teas you will ever see. Tea experts are on hand to help you choose – and be sure to pick up a pack to take home, too. They’re now offering afternoon tea at Fortnum & Mason at The Royal Exchange, too.
Price: From £80pp
Availability: Daily
Address: 181 Piccadilly, St. James’s, London W1A 1ER
BOOK: fortnumandmason.com
The Savoy Hotel
Regarded as the heart of the The Savoy Hotel, the Thames Foyer has been serving its quintessentially British afternoon tea for over a century. An elegant menu pays homage to traditional classics with a modern twist, including a selection of open and closed sandwiches including English cucumber and green pea hummus on mint bread, and Berwick-upon-Tweed crab, caviar and dill on brioche bread. Alongside this, the expert pastry team – spearheaded by Simona Spennati – creates an array of signature Savoy cakes and pastries, such as a chocolate fudge cake made with 70 per cent chocolate buttercream. Guests can pick from a selection of champagne and sparkling wine, as well as an extensive collection of over 30 teas.
Price: From £90pp
Availability: Monday, 12.30pm – 5pm, Tuesday – Sunday, 12.30pm – 7pm
Address: Strand, London WC2R 0EY
BOOK: thesavoylondon.com
The Goring
Served since 1910, Afternoon Tea at The Goring in Victoria is particularly special. As the only hotel to hold a Royal Warrant from HM The Queen for hospitality services, you can be absolutely certain that everything upon your visit will be impeccable. The afternoon tea is classic in style, reflecting The Goring’s dedication to tradition as the only luxury hotel in London still owned and run by the family that built it. Why mess with perfection? Expect dainty and delicate finger sandwiches, homemade scones and pastries, and unparalleled service. Enjoy your tea in the garden during the summer months for a quintessentially English experience.
Price: From £65pp
Availability: Monday – Sunday, 12pm – 6pm
Address: 15 Beeston Pl, London SW1W 0JW
BOOK: thegoring.com
The Original Sweetshop Afternoon Tea at The Chesterfield Mayfair
If you’re looking for a child-friendly afternoon tea option in London, look no further than the Chesterfield Mayfair’s Sweetshop Afternoon Tea. With pastries and cakes the flavour of retro sweetshop favourites, delicious chocolate-chip scones and a host of savoury treats, it’s a must-try for both adults and children with a sweet tooth. Highlights include the Coca-Cola slice, the enormous peanut-butter cup and the fizzy apple mousse. And of course, the trip wouldn’t be complete without a visit to the retro sweet cart manned by the in-house Candyman who will help young guests fill a bag with old-school penny sweets and pick-and-mix favourites. Younger guests can enjoy the afternoon tea served alongside a milkshake or tea. Adults can opt to add a glass of something sparkling with the Champagne Tea, including a glass of brut, rosé or white label Lanson Champagne.
Price: From £75pp
Availability: Monday – Sunday, 12.30pm – 5.30pm
Address: 35 Charles St, London W1J 5EB
BOOK: chesterfieldmayfair.com
Afternoon Tea at Corinthia Hotel London
Truffled egg mayo sandwiches? Rhubarb and tonka bean jam? Irish coffee éclair? All our favourites with a twist. Corinthia London recently launched their new afternoon tea menu, served amidst glorious fresh flowers and to the sound of the grand piano in the Crystal Moon Lounge. Make sure you keep a lookout for Nigel, the charming Crystal Moon Lounge Manager who can tell you the story behind the bespoke William Edwards teacups and the red crystal in the heart of the chandelier. The experience begins with the antique champagne trolley being wheeled over to your table, and continues in the same sumptuous style until the very end. Having gorged on sandwiches then scones with cream and jam, you probably won’t be able to fit in all of the cakes and delicacies. Luckily, your delightful waitress or waiter will box up any that you can’t finish and you can trot off, a Corinthia bag full of goodies swinging by your side.
Price: From £95pp
Availability: Monday – Friday, 2pm – 6pm, Saturday – Sunday, 1pm – 7pm
Address: Whitehall Pl, London SW1A 2BD
BOOK: corinthia.com
Featured image: The Bulgari Hotel
