Afternoon Tea
The 6 Best Afternoon Tea in Knightsbridge
Fashion on a cake stand and grand park-side lounges, home to the most theatrical afternoon teas in London.
In short: our top picks are The Berkeley, Mandarin Oriental Hyde Park and The Lanesborough. 6 places in total, chosen on merit, with the full reasoning below.
Knightsbridge treats afternoon tea as a small production, and nowhere more than the Berkeley, where the pastries are modelled on the season’s catwalk looks. The grand hotels along the park, the Mandarin Oriental and the Lanesborough among them, do the classic version at full volume, with silver stands and formal service. This is the postcode for a proper splurge, ideally paired with a walk in Hyde Park or a browse round Harrods. Book the famous ones early; they are some of the hardest tables in London to get.
| Place | Area | Price |
|---|---|---|
| The Berkeley | Knightsbridge | ££££ |
| Mandarin Oriental Hyde Park | Knightsbridge | ££££ |
| The Lanesborough | Hyde Park Corner | ££££ |
| The Egerton House Hotel | Knightsbridge | £££ |
| Knightsbridge Hotel | Knightsbridge | £££ |
| The Park Tower Knightsbridge | Hyde Park | ££££ |
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Editor’s choice
The Berkeley
Why we pick itThe famous Pret-a-Portea, where every cake is modelled on a look from the season's catwalks, redesigned twice a year.
fashion-themed afternoon tea
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Mandarin Oriental Hyde Park
Why we pick itA traditional tea in the Rosebery lounge, all chandeliers and high windows facing onto Knightsbridge itself.
grand lounge tea
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The Lanesborough
Why we pick itQuietly formal service and pale-blue Regency grandeur in one of the most elegant hotels beside Hyde Park.
Worth knowingThe dining offer is in transition since Céleste lost its star and closed, so check what is actually running rather than booking on the old reputation.
Regency drawing-room tea
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The Egerton House Hotel
Why we pick itA Best of British tea in the intimate drawing room of a five-star townhouse, moments from the V&A and Harrods.
boutique drawing-room tea
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Knightsbridge Hotel
Why we pick itFirmdale's book-lined library sets the scene for a tea of clever pastries, a short walk from Harrods and Hyde Park.
library afternoon tea
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The Park Tower Knightsbridge
Why we pick itTea at the Tower centres on a showstopping Earl Grey chocolate tower and choux swans, a Luxury Collection address.
showpiece pastry tea
Before you book
Knightsbridge and Hyde Park Corner stations put you within a few minutes of all of these. The Berkeley’s Pret-a-Portea and the Mandarin Oriental need booking weeks ahead, particularly at weekends; the boutique hotels like Egerton House and the Knightsbridge Hotel are a little easier. Most ask for smart-casual dress, and a Champagne upgrade is almost expected at this end of town.
Common questions
What are the top picks in this guide?
The Berkeley is our editor's choice: The famous Pret-a-Portea, where every cake is modelled on a look from the season's catwalks, redesigned twice a year. The Berkeley, Mandarin Oriental Hyde Park and The Lanesborough lead the guide, with 6 places in total, all chosen on merit.
How does Lamplit London choose its recommendations?
Every place is chosen on merit, after first-hand visits where possible, with no pay-for-placement. Read our full method at https://www.lamplitlondon.com/how-we-choose/.
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