Afternoon Tea
The 4 Best Affordable Afternoon Tea in London
Grand ritual, gentle price: where to take a lovely afternoon tea in London without the five-star bill.
In short: our top picks are The Tea Terrace, Bea's of Bloomsbury and Richoux. 4 places in total, chosen on merit, with the full reasoning below.
You do not need a five-star budget to enjoy the ritual of afternoon tea. Plenty of charming London rooms do a proper stand of sandwiches, scones and cakes for a fraction of the grand-hotel price. These are the best affordable afternoon teas in London, lovely without the eye-watering bill.
| Place | Area | Price |
|---|---|---|
| The Tea Terrace | ££ | |
| Bea's of Bloomsbury | Bloomsbury | ££ |
| Richoux | £££ | |
| Maison Bertaux | Soho | ££ |
-
Editor’s choice
The Tea Terrace
Why we pick itA whimsical, great-value tea above a department store; characterful without the grand-hotel bill.
-
Bea's of Bloomsbury
Why we pick itA beloved cake shop doing a generous, affordable tea; the brownies and blondies are the draw.
-
Richoux
Why we pick itA long-running Mayfair tea room with old-school charm and gentle prices; a quiet classic.
-
Maison Bertaux
Why we pick itLondon's oldest patisserie; not a formal tea, but a pot and a perfect cake for a few pounds.
Before you book
Book ahead even at the cheaper spots; the good-value ones fill fast. Check whether scones and refills are included, as that is where value is won or lost. And go midweek, when many rooms offer their best prices and the calmest setting.
Common questions
What are the top picks in this guide?
The Tea Terrace is our editor's choice: A whimsical, great-value tea above a department store; characterful without the grand-hotel bill. The Tea Terrace, Bea's of Bloomsbury and Richoux lead the guide, with 4 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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