The afternoon tea has leveled up as of recent, bringing you quirky alternatives and unusual flavours. And while the scone may be ungdergoing something of a remix, there's nothing quite like the hotel afternoon tea in some of London's most elegant spots. To help you find the best? We've created a list of the finest in the city.
Last edited by Scarlett Welch
Last updated on 27th January 2025
In search of a hotel afternoon tea in Shoreditch? Head to NHow on Macclesfield Road. This glorious venue is flaunting a fabulous (and very vibrant) space to enjoy this quintessential event with sweet 'n' savoury delights. If you're a dog lover, opt for one of its pooch-friendly events.
If you're a bit of a tea-lover, you'll enjoy this. The Milestone Hotel and Residences in Kensington is offering you a unique experience, where you'll get to tuck into all kinds of traditional sandwiches, scones and more, all while learning more about Earl Grey, Lapsang Souchong and other such brews.
Mayfair Lounge and Grill is ready to serve you from breakfast all the way through to dinner, including a scrumptious afternoon tea. Head over between 2pm - 5pm to indulge in a tiered spread of sandwiches and sweet treats, washed down with bubbles.
If you're a big fan of mini cakes and scones, then check out NYX Afternoon TeaQuila. With a Mexican-inspired twist, you'll get to chow down on dark chocolate chilli brownies, chicken tacos, grilled shrimp and so much more at this fabulous spot.
The Dilly isn't just one of the capital's finest hotels, dating back to 1908, but it's also home to a pretty, foliage-laden restaurant that whips up a stellar afternoon tea. Going with a London theme, the tiers are made up of black cab biscuits, mind the gap macarons and plenty of tasty sarnies.
Housed within the best-loved Doubletree by Hilton in Ealing, W5 Bar and Kitchen is a great venue for afternoon tea. Treat yourself to a quintessentially British experience, including Coronation sandwiches, fluffy scones and macarons galore.
The Restaurant At Sanderson is serving a gloriously quirky afternoon tea inspired by Alice In Wonderland. From Mad Hatter-themed buns stuffed with savoury delights to caterpillar-shaped hazelnut eclairs and bespoke tea blends, there's a whole host of treats here.
Offering a quintessentially British afternoon tea, this gorgeous Kensington hotel offers tea and cake inspired by Queen Victoria herself including delicious finger sandwiches, hand-crafted pastries and a signature meringue lollipop.
Head to The Palace Hotel where a Royal Afternoon Tea awaits. Chow down on cucumber sandwiches, traditional scones and tasty pastries with in the gorgeous surrounds of The Rubens, one of the best luxury hotels for afternoon tea in London.
If you're looking to celebrate a special occasion with an elegant afternoon tea, look no further than Searcys at The Gherkin. Perched atop one of the city's most recognisable sky-scrapers, this gorgeous spot promises sweet treats and sparkling sips aplenty.
Inspired by Hardy's Original Sweetshop, this stunning afternoon tea in London is the perfect treat for grown-ups and kids alike. Head to Mayfair where The Chesterfield Hotel has got homemade sandwiches, cherry bonbon cupcakes, chocolate fudge eclairs and more.
One of the best hotel afternoon teas in London, The Coral Room's offering is certainly one of the prettiest as well. Head over to Great Russell Street for a stunning spread of scones, sandwiches, sweet pastries and maybe a cheeky glass of sparkling.
Situated right by the Grand Union Canal in Brentford Lock, Holiday Inn is a great choice for an affordable afternoon tea. Their relaxed restaurant and bar boasts huge windows letting in lots of natural light, as well as colourful seating options.
Enjoy a selection of treats at just £25 for two people, or £35 with two glasses of prosecco. Think sandwiches filled with egg, cucumber and truffle chicken, alongside sweet treats like homemade scones and chocolate mousse.
This pick of London hotel afternoon teas has a setting of Victorian grandeur and Parisian chic. Tuck into tasty tiers of prawn cocktail brioche, lemon meringue tartlets, Batternberg cake and more across the indulgent spread.
Located within the Leonardo Royal Hotel London in St Paul's, Leo's Restaurant And Bar is a gorgeous restaurant that creates the feeling of a beautiful garden while being inside. Expect lots of greenery, as well as modern, comfortable furnishings.
They offer afternoon tea from £29 per person, or the prosecco option costs £35. Think smoked salmon and lemon cream cheese sandwiches, tomato and basil quiche, homemade carrot cake and more, with a wide range of teas to choose from as well.
Tucked away in the St Martin's Hotel, The Den is a rich, mahogany laced lounge that knows no bounds in bringing you a hotel afternoon tea experience to remember. Think exemplerary service and the finest China.
Fancy a little opulence for your next afternoon tea? Haxells Restaurant & Bar boasts its own glorious Tearoom, where you can indulge in a towering spread of scrumptious bites. Think delectable finger sandwiches alongside sweet treats, not to mention special loose leaf brews.
Searching for the best hotel for afternoon tea in London? From a Champagne-laced affair to a Teddy Bear's Picnic, The Egerton offers some stunning afternoon teas for you to try out, all packed with fresh finger sandwiches, sweet treats and hand-made scones.
One of the best places for a hotel afternoon tea in London, The Rubens at The Palace is a gorgeous, traditional spot fronting a range of fun midday meals. Tuck into dainty tiers washed down with bottomless booze, or get into the summer spirit with their Wimbledon-themed offering.
When it comes to afternoon tea in Richmond, 144 On The Hill is a stunning spot offering up beaut interiors and the gorgeous tiers to match. Expect to chow down on smoked salmon with dill caper cream cheese and chickpea roast pepper sandwich fillings, alongside scones, macaroons, raspberry profiteroles and blueberry-pistachio opera cake.
DoubleTree by Hilton London Kensington boasts a bunch of adorable private dining pods where you can tuck into a delightful afternoon tea. Head to London Secret Garden to dive into roast beef sarnies, freshly baked scones and a variety of sweet bites.
The Gourmet Bar is found tucked away inside Novotel London on Greenwich High Road, making sure you have a stylish dining destination complete with an eclectic colour scheme and themed wall art. Better yet, they offer afternoon tea every day of the week too, so you can get your fix of cucumber and meat-filled sarnies alongside macarons, tarts, scones and more.
