Afternoon Tea
The 6 Best Afternoon Tea in Chelsea
Garden-inspired spreads and Sloane Street grandeur, from a townhouse drawing room to a Thames-side lounge.
In short: our top picks are The Cadogan, A Belmond Hotel, 11 Cadogan Gardens and Jumeirah Carlton Tower. 6 places in total, chosen on merit, with the full reasoning below.
Chelsea keeps its afternoon tea genteel, which is entirely on brand for the neighbourhood. The townhouse hotels around Sloane Street and Cadogan Gardens do a polished, floral version, all delicate patisserie and proper linen, while the King’s Road spots bring a lighter garden feel. It works as a treat after a wander down the King’s Road or a morning at the Saatchi Gallery. The prices sit at the upper end, but so does the setting.
| Place | Area | Price |
|---|---|---|
| The Cadogan, A Belmond Hotel | Knightsbridge | ££££ |
| 11 Cadogan Gardens | Chelsea | ££££ |
| Jumeirah Carlton Tower | Knightsbridge | ££££ |
| The Chelsea Harbour Hotel | Chelsea Harbour | £££ |
| Sloane Square Hotel | Sloane Square | ££ |
| The Ivy Chelsea Garden | Chelsea | £££ |
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Editor’s choice
The Cadogan, A Belmond Hotel
Why we pick itA polished tea in Belmond's restored Sloane Street townhouse, once home to Lillie Langtry and a bolthole of Oscar Wilde.
grand townhouse tea
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11 Cadogan Gardens
Why we pick itThe signature Chelsea Garden tea in a hidden townhouse hotel just off Sloane Square, served daily in a floral drawing room.
townhouse garden tea
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Jumeirah Carlton Tower
Why we pick itThe Chinoiserie lounge does a grand tea with live music, overlooking the private gardens of Cadogan Place.
champagne afternoon tea
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The Chelsea Harbour Hotel
Why we pick itAn extensive tea with Thames views out over the marina, best taken with a cocktail on a bright afternoon.
riverside hotel tea
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Sloane Square Hotel
Why we pick itFreshly baked scones with Cornish clotted cream in a first-floor lounge looking down over Sloane Square.
first-floor lounge tea
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The Ivy Chelsea Garden
Why we pick itA pretty garden-room tea at the King's Road Ivy, all florals and a leafy terrace for warmer afternoons.
Worth knowingThe garden is the reason to book rather than the kitchen: standard Ivy Collection staples done competently, and the indoor room is far less special.
garden afternoon tea
Before you book
Sloane Square station sits at the centre of most of these, with the King’s Road stretching west from there. Book ahead for the Cadogan and 11 Cadogan Gardens, especially at weekends, when their small rooms go quickly. Several run seasonal discounts through the year, so it is worth checking the venue’s own site before you commit to the full price.
Common questions
What are the top picks in this guide?
The Cadogan, A Belmond Hotel is our editor's choice: A polished tea in Belmond's restored Sloane Street townhouse, once home to Lillie Langtry and a bolthole of Oscar Wilde. The Cadogan, A Belmond Hotel, 11 Cadogan Gardens and Jumeirah Carlton Tower 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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