Afternoon tea is London at its most theatrical: a tiered stand, a pot poured at the table, and a room built to make an ordinary afternoon feel like an occasion. Done well, it is one of the city’s great pleasures. Done badly, it is a sad scone and a teabag. The difference is in the room.
Our guide to the best afternoon tea in London is where to begin, and the finest sittings are found inside the best luxury hotels in London and the grandes dames among our best five-star hotels.
Book well ahead, especially at the famous hotels and at weekends, and ask about the dress code; many still expect smart. Go hungry, take the tea seriously, and if you are marking something, most rooms will add a glass of champagne.
