Whether descending upon London’s warren of wedding dress boutiques with family or friends, or perusing its antiques shops for engagement rings, a quintessentially British afternoon tea is the ultimate way to round off a good day’s work. From superlative pastries under Art-Deco chandeliers to scones bearing royal silhouettes on exquisite china, here’s where to go for the best afternoon tea in London.
The Lanesborough, Bridgerton Afternoon Tea
By Isabella Foulger, Co-Founder & Editor
Calling at Bridgerton fans, this is a social event not to be missed; Lady Whistledown cordially invites you to put on your finery to experience a show-shopping afternoon tea at one of London’s grandest residences. In its third year running, The Lanesborough has exclusively teamed up with Netflix and Shondaland, in celebration of the highly anticipated third series which does not disappoint (if you’re yet to indulge). The menu is playfully curated by Head Pastry Chef, Pierre Morvan-Benezet, and pays tribute to the key families in Bridgerton Season 3. In true Bridgerton style, tea is served in the lavishly elegant Grill restaurant, the most opulent of dining spaces. Start with a refreshing Friends To Lovers cocktail, garnished with a coconut rim and Maraschino cherry. Followed by the delicate finger sandwiches with regal fillings such as Truffled egg mayonnaise and smoked salmon and horseradish with a touch of dill. The plump scones, are served with a silver spoon with lashing of Devonshire clotted cream and zingy fruit conserves. To finish, the colourful sweet treats are as delicious as they look – with the signature green Social Buttlery taking centre stage. In the words of Lady Whistledown, this is the place to be seen this season.
The Lanesborough’s Bridgerton Afternoon Tea is priced from £85 per person; £95 per person with The Friends to Lovers Cocktail or Blooming Wallflower; £98 per person with a glass of Champagne.
For more information and to book, visit lanesborough.com/afternoontea or call +44 (0)20 7259 5599
RAFFLES LONDON AT THE OWO, Afternoon Tea
By Isabella Foulger, Co-Founder & Editor
Indulge in a quintessentially British afternoon tea between the storied walls of one of the capital’s most historically significant addresses. The landmark Grade II* listed former Old War Office has been meticulously renovated over the past seven years and is now the grand home of ‘Raffles London at The OWO’ – one of the most hotly anticipated new hotel openings of recent times. Tea is served in the wood panelled Drawing Room where guests can soak up the views of Whitehall, where the prestigious Household Cavalry guards the official entrance to Buckingham Palace. The menu consists of an expertly curated selection of whimsically classic British sweet and substantial savoury delicacies, highlights include the earl grey cake and blackcurrant and marmalade pastries. Served alongside an array of loose-leaf teas which are presented at the table to help you make your selection. To add to the ambience, there’s a grand piano with musicians playing throughout the day, and be sure to order a glass of the finest Champagne to complete this regal experience.
The Traditional Afternoon Tea in the Drawing Room at Raffles London at The OWO costs £80.00 per person and the Champagne Afternoon Tea from £99.00 per person. To book, please visit https://www.raffles.com/london/experiences/afternoon-tea/
The Ivy Collection, Spring Meadow Afternoon Tea
By Kendra Leaver-Rylah, Co-Founder & Editor
Nestled within the bustling streets of The Kings Road, The Ivy Collection unveils its latest culinary treasure: the Spring Meadow Afternoon Tea, an exquisite blend of flavours and floral elegance. The setting is a hidden gem, reminiscent of a secret garden despite its perennial popularity. Adorned with climbing roses, ivy, and wisteria, the ambiance at The Ivy Chelsea Garden is quintessentially British, inviting guests to escape the city’s hustle and bustle.
Amidst the blue-and-white-striped cushions, diners indulge in a symphony of flavours that dance upon the palate. From the Ivy 1917 Cure smoked salmon and cream cheese finger sandwich to the Grilled chicken and truffle mayonnaise brioche roll, each bite is a culinary revelation. The menu, meticulously curated, reflects the season’s bounty, with a pickled cucumber, courgette, and basil double decker adding a refreshing twist to the traditional fare. But it’s the desserts that truly steal the show, each one a work of art. Delve into the whimsical Garden planter chocolate pot, savor the delicate beauty of the Floral passion fruit choux puff, and surrender to the temptation of the Spring blossom red velvet cupcake. Complementing these delights is the Meadow green juice, a refreshing palate cleanser that perfectly encapsulates the essence of spring. And no afternoon tea experience would be complete without the quintessential Warm fruited scones, served with lashings of clotted cream and strawberry preserve. Each bite is a celebration of tradition and indulgence, offering a taste deliciously British hospitality.
From the 9th of April, prices from £29.95 Includes a choice of teas, infusions or coffees. To book go to: https://ivycollection.com/faqs_ivy/afternoon-tea/
Peter Rabbit™ at The Peninsula London
By Kendra Leaver-Rylah, Co-Founder & Editor
As London emerges from its wintry slumber, The Peninsula London, nestled elegantly overlooking Hyde Park, invites families to revel in the charm of Spring with a delightful tribute to a beloved literary character. From March 25th to April 28th, 2024, the iconic Peter Rabbit hops into the scene, transforming the luxury hotel into a wonderland of enchantment and familial joy. Step into the enchanting world of Mr. McGregor’s Garden as The Peninsula’s Lobby Restaurant presents an exclusive Peter Rabbit-inspired Afternoon Tea. Indulge in a whimsical menu boasting quintessentially English delights infused with the essence of Beatrix Potter’s timeless tales. Picture-perfect Battenburg cakes adorned with raspberries, carrot cake pots brimming with sweetness, and cream cheese and rhubarb chutney sandwiches that melt in your mouth. Each bite is a journey through the pages of childhood nostalgia, accompanied by fragrant teas sourced from around the globe and exquisite champagne that sparkles like the morning dew.
You can even make a weekend of it – embarking on a magical retreat with The Peninsula’s bespoke Peter Rabbit-themed family stay package. From exclusive children’s bathrobes to tempting handcrafted chocolates, every detail is tailored to immerse families in the whimsy of Peter’s world. Engage in playful experiences scattered throughout the hotel, culminating in cherished moments that linger long after the stay. As Saturdays unfold, families are invited to indulge in complimentary screenings of “The World of Peter Rabbit and Friends” at The Peninsula’s Cinema. Transporting audiences into the heart of Beatrix Potter’s tales, these screenings offer a cinematic journey for all ages, fostering cherished memories to be treasured for generations. As the pages of Beatrix Potter’s classic tale unfurl once more, The Peninsula London invites families to embark on a journey of whimsy and wonder, where every moment resonates with the joy of Springtime bliss.
To book go to: www.peninsula.com/en/london/peter-rabbit
Traditional Afternoon Tea, The Grill Room, Hotel Café Royal
By Rosalyn Wikeley, Travel Editor At Large
If opulent interiors are a must in any afternoon tea agenda, The Grill Room at Hotel Café Royal will never fail to disappoint. Tea sippers will find themselves enveloped in resplendent, gold leaf mirrored walls – the sort that would look more at home in Versailles than a contemporary-inclined hotel. In Hotel Café Royal’ lobby and rooms, a smoother, minimalist story unfolds, but here, (in this little pocket of decadence) it’s all gold sconces, elaborate murals and good manners.
The traditional afternoon tea lives up to the quintessentially British preconceptions, with elevated sandwich twists on beef Wellington, egg and cress, and prawn cocktail. Sips from absurdly tall glasses of Champagne draw out the flavours (only the finest produce finds its way into the kitchens here). Subtly crunchy on the outside with fluffy, warm interiors, the scones here are baked to perfection, and are duly cloaked in an array of clotted cream and jams (the former with a deliciously light texture). Those with a sweet tooth with relish the final act – layers of intricately-constructed patisserie (chocolates, meringues, tarts). What really sets this afternoon tea apart, aside from the lofty sandwich-cake-scone standards, is the chance to ask for seconds, or thirds, should you particularly like one sandwich, or fancy another round of the whole lot. What’s more you’re not stuck with one tea choice but can sample as many as you’d like, from heritage blends (Café Royal’s own) to Darjeeling varieties from the Teesta Valleys. The waiters are utterly charming, the food worth skipping lunch for, and the interiors a welcome (wildly opulent) hiatus from London’s ubiquitous Scandi- minimalism.
To book go to: www.hotelcaferoyal.com/eat-drink/the-grill-room/
The Ivy Asia Sakura Afternoon Tea
By Kendra Leaver-Rylah
Prepare to go on a stunning tour of Far East cuisine with afternoon tea at Ivy Asia. Walking through the front doors of The Ivy Asia Chelsea you really get an explosion of sound, sight, smell, touch and, of course, taste, once you get to the table. Pass an abundance of vibrant colour with pink marble, greens, statues, mosaics, big artworks and cherry blossom trees for the start of what will be a joy- making afternoon. Afternoon tea here is a delicious and surprising take on the traditional afternoon tea. Dive straight into the savouries on the stand’s bottom tier, tucking into aromatic duck spring rolls, vegetable dumplings and spicy avocado maki Roll and finish off with our warm passionfruit & to finish squishy coconut doughnuts and moch. All bites, it is important to note, are washed down with a glass of deliciously bubbly Perrier Jouet Champagne. Prepare to awaken your senses and leave with a very full and very happy belly
To book go to: https://theivyasia.com/whatson/afternoon-tea-week/
Claridge’s, Mayfair
By Serena Knight, Lifestyle Director
For 150 years, this Mayfair legend has been serving the gold standard of afternoon teas in its Art-Deco inspired foyer, a space that oozes elegance. Together, a dazzling chandelier, original Art-Deco mirrors and tinkling of the grand piano keys transport guests to an age of unfettered glamour. Tables are meticulously arranged with Claridge’s signature mint green and white strips cups and saucers. Brews pair exceedingly well with a selection of traditional sandwiches; think smoked Scottish salmon with lemon cream and sorel on rye bread, and succulent breast of Norfolk chicken with just the right amount of tarragon mayonnaise. A second tea is recommended for the freshly baked scones with jam with lashings of Cornish clotted cream. The light and fluffy Pistachio and hibiscus choux and bite size lemon tart both wash down well with a glass of Laurent-Perrier Champagne. Here’s to another 150 years of Claridge’s exquisite afternoon tea – truly one of London’s most memorable experiences.
Traditional Afternoon Tea with a glass of Laurent-Perrier La Cuvée Brut £85
Ochre, Covent Garden
By Rosalyn Wikeley, Travel Editor-At-Large
The National Gallery’s fairly new restaurant Ochre is worth braving the Trafalgar Square tourists for, particularly as none of them appear to be sitting inside. No, instead the restaurant’s namesake velvety, dimly lit and somehow intimate nooks (a feat for a vast room) are filled with elegantly understated types who may have had a snoop round the National Gallery, and clocked the Jean-Etienne Liotard painting on which the afternoon tea they’re scoffing is based. Inspired by ‘The Lavergne Family Breakfast’ the chocolate riffs are right-on (nothing sickly) and worth even swapping your Earl Grey for (the chocolate tea was surprisingly satisfying). The classic sandwiches (spanning posh egg mayonnaise with watercress to cucumber with Cornish butter) hit all the right savoury notes and give way to a tiered chocolate feast of praline-filled domes, dark, unctuous brownies, pretty tarts and orange sponge that feels a little nostalgic. Not even the scones escaped the chocolate treatment: crispy-then-fluffy morsels lathered in chocolate and hazelnut ganache. Champagne pairs like a dream with every mouthful of smoked salmon-to-scone and, National Gallery masterpieces aside, the satisfyingly brooding, contemporary interiors (veined marble, cane, Mid Century orbs) layered onto a wood-panelled Georgian canvas are really quite lovely to look at.
The Rosebery at the Mandarin Oriental
The shared ritual of tea, despite its various iterations across cultures, is cleverly explored at Mandarin Oriental Hyde Park. The East-meets-West theme at the storied hotel’s Rosebery room blends the group’s Far Eastern roots with the building’s Victorian heritage: Lychee Rose Noir with smoked salmon sandwiches or Lapsang Souchong with Yuzu cheesecake.
Adding Christmas into this balancing act would surely be too much? But unsurprisingly, the Mandarin Oriental has pulled it off. Their festive afternoon tea is a triumph of creativity, with sparkling tea or sake pairings, should the Ruinart Blanc de Blancs feel a little conservative. Saicho Jasmine (floral green tea) and Saicho Jojicha (roasted green tea) arriving all effervescent in Champagne flutes are fine-tuned to an array of sashimi shaped sandwiches. These promise more filling of elevated Christmas classics such as confit duck and turkey, prawn cocktail and Cotswold egg and truffle.
Star-shaped scones, still warm from the oven, swiftly take over and lathered in exotic jams then washed down with a final sparkling brew, the Saicho Darjeeling, (musky black tea). The Rosebery’s just-so festive tea ends on a well-balanced sweet note with creamy patisserie, all dotted on a cake stand that is suspended rather theatrically from a bronze branch. It’s worth noting that the Mandarin Oriental offer kids’ festive afternoon teas, as well as vegan, vegetarian and gluten-free iterations.
One Aldwych, Charlie and The Chocolate Factory Afternoon Tea
By Rosalyn Wikeley, Travel Editor-At-Large
One for families. 1 Aldwych’s subterranean restaurant is an insider spot, right in the heart of theatreland. This wildly underrated hotel has curated a fantastical Charlie and The Chocolate Factory-themed afternoon tea for both adults and children. The grown-ups can expect a glass of Champagne or fun mocktails on arrival, while wide-eyed sprogs can dive straight into the sweet stuff with whipped-cream topped hot chocolates and caramel noir teas. Imaginative twists on the classic (teeny palate-friendly) sandwiches arrive as young children scribble on the back of the menus, buying their parents a moment of peace. The Willy Wonker magic reveals itself with the ‘Scrumptious Sweets,’ all of which adorn a sort of mini wooden flotilla (expect candy floss sprouting from the top, glass bottles of chocolate milk slotted into its edges and fun caramel-squiggled, soft meringue-topped and whimsically wobbly puddings. The unpretentious, spacious interiors and proximity to all the best west end shows makes this afternoon tea the golden ticket for families. Lucky children will rave about their bonkers puddings and lemon meringue pie pots for years to come.
Bulgari Hotel London, Knightsbridge, The Italian Afternoon Tea
By Kendra Leaver-Rylah, Co-Founder & Editor
There are very few places that can reinvent the traditional afternoon tea and still make it feel as English as ever. This summer the Bulgari Lounge celebrated Bulgari’s heritage with a menu as lavish as the interiors with the perfect fusion of afternoon-tea classics and Italian favourites. To start on patterned porcelain Richard Ginori tableware, enjoy healthy-tasting Amuse Bouche with a Berry and Hibiscus Canton Tea. Flutes of Champagne then arrive with Italian delicacies from Bassano white asparagus, burrata, Umbrian truffle, zesty Amalfi lemon bread, and stracchino focaccia to bruschetta. The pretty pastries are as indulgent as they sound – picture soft Florence Millot chocolate and Tuscan wood roasted peanut cake, millefoglie of Ispica sesame seeds, vanilla cream and Amarena Cherry gel. Then it’s onto perfectly baked scones slathered with clotted cream and a dollop of raspberry jam from a gorgeous little bespoke Bulgari cart. The vibe in the lounge is also very fun making it all too easy to let tea turn into evening drinks.
When: Monday – Sunday 2pm- 5pm
Price: Afternoon Tea – £75pp / Champagne Afternoon Tea, served with a glass of Ruinart Brut – £85pp / Cocktail Afternoon Tea, served with a signature Bulgari Cocktail (or Mocktail) – £90pp (£85)For more details visit The Bulgari Lounge online.
The Biltmore, Mayfair
By Rosalyn Wikeley, Travel Editor-At-Large
Conscious that all quintessentially English afternoon teas should draw in the best of British ingredients, the lavishly dressed Biltmore Mayfair has sourced its delicious sandwich fillings, creams and berries from top-notch producers. We’d expect nothing less from eminent chef, Jason Atherton, who’s renowned for placing provenance high on the agenda. Perfect slices of soft white bread are stuffed with creative spins on classics: Hereford beef brisket, heritage tomato and basil pesto, cucumber with black truffle. All arrive in elaborate silver-service fashion, along with the teas (whose menu takes punters on a journey to the world’s best tea destinations, from China to South Africa). ‘Try the Sri Lankan lemongrass’ – the waiters are always happy to impart their tea wisdom. Marie Antoinette would approve of the pastel puddings wobbling on floral layered plates – expect the likes of Champagne and passion fruit cheesecake and caramelised Yorkshire rhubarb and custard tart. But what the crowd really came for are the warm fruit scones, lathered in Cornish clotted cream and jam, then washed down with Moët & Chandon Imperial Champagne (a welcome French addition to an otherwise ever-so-English affair).
Afternoon Tea is served Friday – Sunday from 12:30pm to 5:30pm
afternoontea.co.uk/thebiltmoremayfair
The Connaught, Mayfair
By Serena Knight, Lifestyle Director
It’s easy to while away a full afternoon in the stylish, red-bricked neighbourhood surrounding Carlos Place, and afternoon tea at The Connaught is the perfect way to round things off. As one of the city’s top luxury hotels, The Connaught has refined its afternoon tea game in the newly refurbished Jean-Georges. With its classic-yet-unstuffy elegance and laid-back approach to haute hotel stays, there are few spots like it. Sandwiches are a refined riff on classic British picnic fare: coronation chicken, beef and horseradish and just the exquisite egg mayonnaise (the ultimate afternoon tea litmus test). The patisserie stand is the real star of the show and is down to the sweet mastery of pastry chef Nicolas Rouzaud and his team. Highlights included the ‘Rocher’ stuffed with a hazelnut praline centre and coated in nutty milk chocolate, light and airy raspberry pavlova, and lemon and poppy seed cake with white chocolate and cherry jam. Try and grab yourself a table in the conservatory. The light filters through the stained-glass windows and it’s a great people watching spot to boot.
Afternoon Tea £70
Afternoon Tea with a glass of Laurent-Perrier La Cuvée Brut £80
Timing: Afternoon Tea is served daily between 2.30 – 4.45pm
The Goring, Belgravia, Jubilee Afternoon Tea
By Rosalyn Wikeley, Travel Editor-At-Large
A masterpiece in relaxed formality, The Goring values good manners and good humour in equal measure, softening its wallpaper-sconce-gilt-mirror character with a welcoming family townhouse sensibility. Naturally, the resplendent, Belgravia hotel’s afternoon tea embodies all romantic notions of English etiquette and eccentricities – best evidenced by the sweet and savoury ode to Her Majesty The Queen’s Platinum Jubilee celebrations. Its sun-doused Veranda (envisage a Victoriana glasshouse where quirky folk once experimented with exotic plants) sets the stage for a truly theatrical affair of fantastical cakes and classic sandwiches. And its classic to the core: smoked salmon and capers, beef and horseradish, egg cress and cucumber fill slithers of fluffy bread (the sort you’d imagine fuel a Buckingham Palace garden party). The sugar rush arrives in typical teacake and summer pudding form: expect pretty lemon posset and Her Majesty’s Royal fruit cake and scones, along with few French fancies (macarons, pear and caramel choux) which we’re sure Her Majesty would approve of. Washed down with fine-leaf teas plucked from an extensive menu, or a cool glass of Bollinger, and this is the perfect expression of the fabled English Afternoon tea, just without the stuffy carpets and tourists. Rosalyn Wikeley
When: Monday – Friday 3.30pm, 4pm and 4.30pm in The Veranda; Saturday 1pm – 4pm in The Dining Room; Sunday 1pm – 4pm in The Veranda
Price: Traditional Afternoon Tea: £60 // Bollinger Afternoon Tea: £70 // Rosé Bollinger Afternoon Tea: £75).
Available: 19th April to 1st September
