Best Afternoon Tea In London 2024

Head to The Stage in Leicester Square for a beautiful afternoon tea, including a stunning glass of vintage Champagne. They're also serving the prettiest cakes, alongside a range of yummy finger sandwiches and scones such as Devon crab square-cut sarnies and spiced sacher torte, a seasonal sweet layered with poached pear and caramel crème. What's more, there will be pianists and singers weekly to serenade you as you revel in a selection of fresh loose leaf teas from The East India Company.

Biscuiteers Notting Hill and Belgravia are bound to upgrade your afternoon tea plans at their popular venues. What's in store? Along with delicate finger sandwiches, pastel pâtisserie, hand-iced biscuits and a bespoke blend of Tregothnan tea, you'll also be able to learn how to ice your very own masterpieces with the help of experts, starting at £45 a pop. You can even add on a glass of fizz if you want to make it really special, and every booking secures you 10% off in their shop afterwards. Sign us up.

An afternoon tea with a view? Don't mind if we do. Searcys at the Gherkin is nothing short of luxurious as the restaurant serves a killer set of scones, sweet treats and mini sandwiches daily, such as prawn cocktail bouchée, Islands dark chocolate delice and blackcurrant mousse alongside sky-high sips - we'd recommend the English sparkling wine, it's super refreshing. At just £55 per guest, it's an absolute steal.

A journey through London's heritage, Brigit's Afternoon Tea Ltd is a cutesy experience on a vintage double-decker bus, full of French-inspired cakes, coffee and bites like lemon and lime sable with whipped ganache alongside BYOB drinks to quench your thirst. Sip your tea while taking in the views of iconic landmarks like Big Ben, The Houses of Parliament, and many more. And don't forget to try the scones with jam and clotted cream, they're delicious.

This afternoon tea at The Milestone Hotel takes you to one of Kensington's loveliest venues for a feast of finger sandwiches, hand-crafted pastries, tartlets, cakes and teapots. Starting at £85 per person, their menu includes a pistachio and raspberry choux bun, smoked salmon with lemon cream fraiche as well as freshly baked raisin scones served with clotted cream and homemade strawberry preserve. As an extra, try a glass of Lanson Champagne, a Royal Warrant holder since 1900.

Ochre's afternoon tea in the National Gallery at Trafalgar Square is one of the best in the city. Inspired by 'The Lavergne Family Breakfast' by Jean-Etienne Liotard, it's the perfect way to transport yourself to the glowy early morning depicted in the painting. Think finger sandwiches, freshly baked scones and sweet treats, all washed down with a cup of tea for just £55 per person. For an added layer of luxury, opt for the £65 deal and nab a glass of Champagne or a themed cocktail.

Taking afternoon tea to the next level, Mayfair Lounge and Grill's offering is unrivalled, with executive chef Julian Ward and his crew whipping up a culinary masterpiece. Chow down on an assortment of dainty finger sandwiches and finish with an array of sweet treats and moreish pastries like brown butter canele, hazelnut bombe and vanilla scones for £75 per person. To wash it down? Champagne, of course.

From Champagne to vegan snacks and a Teddy Bear's picnic, the five-star Egerton House Hotel offers a London afternoon tea like no other, in the heart of Knightsbridge. With sandwiches, sweet treats, and scones with clotted cream from £75 per person, served in the luxury drawing room, with sittings at 2pm and 4pm. A grand British experience, expect a decadent Lanson trifle, sticky Battenberg cake and creamy Eton mess.

Over at The Chesterfield Hotel in Mayfair, you can feast on a nostalgic, indulgent and award-winning afternoon tea like no other. Inspired by Hardy's Original Sweetshop, there'll be a selection of homemade sweetshop-style cakes, pastries and scones like the delicious cherry love heart cheesecake, all delivered with the highest level of service, and lots of childish fun along the way, for just £75 per person.

Dine like royals at The Orangery at Kensington Palace, which serves stunning afternoon teas starting from £55 per person. This luxurious venue boasts a gorgeous outdoor terrace and a rich heritage, which inspires the menu to this day. Tuck into lavender eclairs, asparagus quiche, gammon finger sandwiches and more, with a whole vegan menu available too. And if you fancy making it a boozy affair, then you can add on Pimm's or sparkling wine as well.

Craving a quintessential English afternoon tea? Situated just across from Buckingham Palace, The Rubens lets you enjoy tiers like true royalty with its offering of bottomless Champagne, mini sandwiches, cream scones and delicious pastries alongside a cheeky Jammy Dodger to finish up, with 90 minutes of their Champagne tea setting you back £80. Try one of their signature pastries such as a whipped Ivoire chocolate blackberry jam doughnut served with a choice of milkshake or hot chocolate enjoyed in opulent surrounds.

Ginza is a pretty Japanese restaurant slinging out a mouthwatering afternoon tea that'll take you on a unique culinary journey to Japan. Not only are you able to feast on the likes of chicken karaage, beef fillet tataki, green tea mochi and castella cake, but you can also pair it with bubbles or cocktails for just £49 per person. Plus, you'll get to feast in their luxurious and intimate dining room in the heart of Mayfair, decked out in low-hanging lights and beautfiul floral arrangements.

Venture over to Georgian House Hotel for a three-course, wizard-themed meal of sweet and savoury tricks and treats (with a side of colour-changing gin, of course). For just £40 per person, nibble on goodies like smoked salmon tartlets, sultana scones served with damson and strawberry jam as well as a selection of magical desserts. It's only an extra £20pp to add on that unlimited prosecco too.

Looking for something beautifully prepared and traditional? Bond St. Tea Rooms on Oxford Street has got you covered. Head along to the pretty restaurant decked out in classic wood-panelled interiors to chow down on both British and Italian treats (from tuna tartare bruschetta to chicken and bacon club sarnies) polished off with a round of Champagne. Tea-riffic.

Dim sum, anyone? Ping Pong St Katharine Docks has you covered with a unique afternoon tea spread overlooking the stunning waterfront. Enjoy six best-selling savoury picks, from spicy chicken dumplings to crispy duck spring rolls, alongside black coconut ice cream-stuffed baos, mini cheesecakes and a choice of boozy upgrades at just £20 per person.

Offering one of the top 10 afternoon teas in London, this gorgeous spread from The Coral Room is treating you to scones, sandwiches and an array of sweet treats, as well as the option to upgrade your offering to a fancy Champagne-fuelled affair. Expect goodies like Chapel and Swan smoked salmon sandwiches with creme fraiche, freshly baked buttermilk scones and summer strawberry tarts. Their gorgeous space is inspired by the 1920s, created by the Martin Brudnizki Design Studio, so you can dine in style while only spending £48 per person.

Hosting one of the most decadent afternoon teas in town in collaboration with Charbonnel et Walker, May Fair Kitchen offer gluten-free, vegan and vegetarian menus to make sure there's something for everyone. Their spread that's made up of freshly baked goods and sandwiches, which can be paired with Champagne, cocktails or loose-leaf tea. A chocolate lover's ultimate fantasy, their selection of treats include tiramisu topped with chocolate shavings, sugar-coated doughnuts drizzled with a rich chocolate sauce and more.

Rhythm Kitchen in Walthamstow are dishing out delectable Caribbean afternoon teas, complete with mango-glazed chicken wings, jerk chicken sausage rolls, handmade spiced scones, tasty sweet treats and more. Tickets cost £40, with the promise of a complimentary rum cocktail too. You can enjoy this tasty offering every Saturday and Sunday, either at 1pm or 4pm.

Cat lovers rejoice. Found over in Archway, Whiskers & Cream isn't your average cafe - it's also home to 10 sweet cats who love to play and cuddle. Head on over to enjoy afternoon teas (including one with bottomless prosecco) consisting of sandwiches, scones and cakes, all the while stroking the furry felines. We're talking homemade raspberry cheesecakes, salted caramel brownies and amuse bouche of avocado on sourdough with a drizzle of sriracha.

One of the most unique offerings on our list, The Mandrake's Yopo Restaurant features a seven chakras afternoon tea, rooted in self care and deigned to improve your holistic wellbeing. Executive Chef George Scott-Toft has carefully crafted their menu to nurture both the tastebuds and the soul, with dishes including blue cheese and guava jam tarts, Portland crab with avocado and spiced blackberry choux buns - each coming with a description of its healing properties. You'll also get to enjoy ceremonial pistachio matcha green tea on the side.

Located on the ground floor of the Strand Palace Hotel, Haxells Restaurant & Bar oozes class. And for those looking for afternoon tea? This top-notch venue has a cinema-inspired special up for grabs, including sweet and savoury delights accompanied by bubbles. Get set for a mouthwatering journey filled with cocktails inspired by Peacock Theatre performances, unexpected flavours like the lively Samba Sambal wrap and the Stagehands' Sausage Roll, as well as aromatic teas such as the Headliner and the Ballerina's Bliss, starting at £49 per person.

If you're looking for the best afternoon tea with a view, Vicinity are raising their game with reimagined menus, offering all your favourite British classics but with a twist. We're talking Bailey's cheesecake mousse and raspberry lime tarts, with their sparkling option setting you back £29 with a glass of Ceradello Prosecco Spumante Brut. Enjoy panoramic views of Tower Bridge and The Shard as you nibble on yummy treats and gorge on all the tea your heart (or stomach) can handle.

The Parisian chic RAILS Restaurant At Great Northern Hotel is offering a modern twist on the classic British tea, with a range of beautiful sips from the East India Company to accompany their sweet and savoury treats. This destination serves up stunning tiers, where you can enjoy goodies like chicken and tarragon tarts, roast beef sandwiches as well as apple choux for £39.50 per person.

Cocktail bar Map Maison on Kingsland Road is calm and soothing during the day, offering a great spot to grab a bottomless tapas-style afternoon tea. With a bar full of exotic fruits, spirits and fiery spices, you'll be able to enjoy a few craft cocktails and eclectic teas while snacking on finger sandwiches, fresh pastries and delicious scones. What's included? Cheesecake dessert shots, mini Iberico burgers, red velvet cakes, sourdough baguettes and more.

A warm, relaxed lounge bar fitted with leather sofas and interesting art pieces, The Den at St Martins Lane hosts a refined afternoon tea aptly titled Tea & Tales from its hidden base in Covent Garden. Starting from £25 (a little extra if you're adding gin or Champagne), expect to find a menu of decadent savoury treats, scones and divine desserts like the Revolving Door, a croque monsieur with honey roasted ham, as well as the Game of Chess, an opera cake with kalamansi. Inspired by the hotel's unique art collection and surreal decor created by French designer Phillippe Starck, each dish tells a story. You also get a map of the art display, making this tea time treat a fully immersive experience.

For a truly quintessentially British experience with a French twist, head to historic hotel The Dilly to indulge in their luxury Parisian-themed afternoon tea priced at £49 per person. Think lots of quirky sweet treats, from Eiffel Tower chocolate mousse to smoked salmon crepes, as well as sandwiches, scones, hand-crafted macarons and Champagne. Whether you're a tourist or a seasoned Londoner, this experience will make you fall in love with the capital.

When it comes to a glamorous spot for afternoon tea, nowhere does it quite like indoor-outdoor Dalloway Terrace at the Bloomsbury Hotel. Brought to you by the esteemed Mariatu Kargbo and inspired by quintessential classics, expect an afternoon tea that pushes the boundaries. Priced at £55 per person, you'll get to choose between 19 unique varieties of hot drinks from Ronnefeldt Tea such as Green Dragon, a traditional Chinese delicacy with fragrant tartness, as well as plenty of cakes, scones and savouries.

A cool, award-winning bakery and cafe in Battersea, Jack And Beyond's afternoon tea is not to be missed. Putting the high in tea, from the perfectly gooey brownies, seasonal macarons, an array of seasonal scones and expertly crafted macarons to the delicious teas, glasses of bubbles and bottomless hot drinks, this one's a bit of a winner. We'd recommend their colourful specialty lattes and luxurious hot chocolates's. Yum.

One of Mayfair's most elegant hotels, having been around since 1926, The Beaumont is the place to be for luxury dining. Head to Gatsby's Room for traditional decor like old-fashioned portraits and imposing bookshelves, as well as one of the best afternoon teas around. Starting from £80 per head, with the chance to add on Champagne too, you can enjoy the likes of pulled ham and English pea sandwiches, strawberry choux buns and cherry Bakewell pie on their menu - with a vegan option available too.

Seabird's Seafood Afternoon Tea promises a treasure trove of delicious ocean delights for £220. A medley of seafood goodies, the options include The Simone, a shellebration of oysters (the longest list in all of London), the Cousteau, serving up a mix of lobster, dressed crabs, and scallops galore, and the Calypso, which brings a boatload of red prawns, langoustines, and sea trout cerviche. And if you get a hankering for something different, they've got tapas like octopus rolls and even an oyster happy hour.

Inspired by artist Gavin Mitchell, who blends Eastern and Western cultures in his artistic creations, this afternoon tea experience is the ultimate treat for a loved one. Executive Chef Michael Paul has put his own spin on the classic British tradition, infusing it with a luxury Japanese twist. For just £68 per person (or £63 for the vegan option), you can enjoy a high-end lounge experience with a delicious fusion menu consisting of goodies like sushi cups, crispy chicken kara-age, Fuji apple shiso mirin pillow and hojicha cheesecake. The tea selection is also exceptional, with unique options like lychee and rose noir as well as Kabuse sencha on offer.

While famous for its selection of irresistible Portuguese plates, JOIA Bar also whips up an irresistible afternoon tea at art'otel on Saturdays and Sundays. From £55 per person, you can take in jaw-dropping views of the iconic Battersea Power Station while enjoying a mix of sweet and savoury treats in the pastel pink setting. On the menu? Freshly baked scones served alongside strawberry jam, lemon curd and clotted cream, plus sandwiches featuring smoked salmon, cucumber and dill. The Champagne offering is £65 per person and includes the same bites paired with a glass of Telmont Brut Réserve.

Enjoy an afternoon tea with a twist by booking City Cruises' offering afloat the River Thames. Sail past famous landmarks like the London Eye and Big Ben while feasting on a pretty spread of miniature sandwiches, fresh scones alongside clotted cream and jam, plus an array of sweet treats to top it off. Tickets start from £55 per person, with VIP packages available. 

Having been whipping up afternoon tea since 1865, the first place to serve it in the city, you can trust Palm Court At The Langham to bring you a mouthwatering selection of treats, created by Michel Roux Jr and created by Executive Pastry Chef Andrew Gravett. They take their inspiration from the nation's favourite biscuits and tarts, which you can pair with their JING teas and Gusbourne English sparkling wine. Think indulgent sandwiches full of smoked chicken or classic cucumber, followed by reimagined sweet treats such as angel cake or filled ginger nuts. Prices start from £80 per person at this stunning hotel, with vegan, vegetarian and gluten-free options available too.

Having been around for more than 100 years, tradition is key at The Goring. This luxury hotel can be found in Belgravia, with both a Michelin-starred dining room and a gorgeous veranda overlooking the pretty garden - which is where they serve their afternoon teas. The teas and pastries change seasonally, but you can always expect a selection of classic finger sandwiches and scones. Prices start from £75 per person, though you can add on mocktails or a glass of Bollinger Champagne for an extra charge.

This sophisticated hotel can be found in Mayfair, offering a quintessentially British afternoon tea in their drawing rooms, which are filled with cosy velvet sofas and shelves stacked with books - creating a truly homely feeling. Their £65 menu features a glass of Champagne or their 'Rose is a Rose' cocktail on arrival, followed by a selection of traditional finger sandwiches filled with Scottish smoked salmon, Cotswold chicken salad and more, finishing up with pastries and lemon tarts.

Known for the quality of their teas all over the country, afternoon tea at London's Fortnum & Mason is always a safe choice. You can find their classy Diamond Jubilee Tea Salon on the fourth floor of their department store in St James', named in honour of a visit from Queen Elizabeth II in 2012. There are both classic and savoury options to choose from, with vegetarian and gluten-free menus too. Tuck into everything from smoked trout and paprika finger sandwiches to rose eclairs and strawberry mousse with mint jelly, with prices starting from £80 per person.

One of the most sought-after experiences in the world, head to The Ritz London afternoon tea for an experience that'll have you feeling like royalty. As it's an experience fit for a queen (or king), you'll be surrounded by the grandeur of Palm Court as you're served a selection of finger sandwiches, freshly baked scones, as well as a variety of pastries and teacakes that look so good you won't want to eat them (but trust us, you will). Plus, with a certified Tea Master on hand to guide you through 20 different types of loose-leaf tea, you're sure to find one that tickles your fancy.

With exceptional service and famous faces often spotted here, The Savoy is one of London's best known destinations - having been around for more than 130 years, making it the city's first purpose-built deluxe hotel. It's home to a number of notorious bars and restaurants, but for afternoon tea you'll want to head to Thames Foyer. Here, they're dishing out tiers of finger sandwiches on basil or tomato bread, alongside elderflower tartlets, Earl Grey chocolate cake and much more. They've got a number of different options to suit all dietary requirements, with prices starting from £80 per person.

This iconic Mayfair destination is not only one of the most well known places in London, but it offers a stellar afternoon tea as well. Prices start from £90 per person at Claridge's but trust us, it's well worth it. Settle down in their luxurious dining area for on of the most extensive selections of tea around, with a beautiful menu that gives you tips on what to order as well as a few fun facts. As for the food, expect smoked salmon and roast chicken sandwiches, as well as a special chef's selection, followed by beautifully presented sweet pastries. And if you're looking for a gluten-free afternoon tea in London? They offer that too.

When you know that something pretty is the only thing that will cut it? Let Afternoon Tea At The Montague On The Gardens Hotel be your host. Just shy of the British Museum, and famous for its awards, this is a deluxe way to treat those afternoon cravings, with a traditional afternoon tea atop white tablecloths coming in at £42.50 per person. We're talking cucumber and cream cheese sandwiches, traditional fruit scones and a selection of seasonal pastries.

Afternoon tea in London offers anyone? For a luxurious afternoon outing of dreams, look no further than The Harrods Tea Room. Whether you pair yours with Champagne or a range of loose leaf brews, you'll munch through poached salmon and whipped wasabi creme fraiche sarnies, alongside the most indulgent chocolate sponge smothered in ganache for £73 per person at this Harrods' afternoon tea experience.

The Stafford is a gorgeous five-star hotel situated close to St James' Park. Their stylish restaurant The Game Bird is home to one of the finest afternoon teas around, setting you back £70 per person. From 12 until 5.30pm every single day, you can get your hands on tasty treats like honey-roasted ham sandwiches, raspberry velvet macarons and white chocolate mousse, with plenty of boozy add-ons available. There's also a cream tea option for £24 if you're on a budget.

The Oblix At The Shard afternoon tea offers a one-of-a-kind experience complete with gorgeous views and a contemporary take on traditional English classics in warm, earthy surrounds. Head to the 32nd floor of the city's tallest building to revel in a menu featuring goodies like mini prawn and lobster rolls, a variety of scones, and some delicious pastries such as warm honey madeleines with chocolate sauce as well as strawberry tartlets with buttermilk.