Afternoon Tea
The 5 Best Afternoon Tea in London
Tiered stands, proper brews and grand rooms: where to take afternoon tea in London and do it properly.
In short: our top picks are Claridges, The Ritz and The Savoy. 5 places in total, chosen on merit, with the full reasoning below.
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. The best are about more than scones. These are the rooms where the whole ritual is done properly.
| Place | Area | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Claridges | Mayfair | ££££ |
| The Ritz | Piccadilly | ££££ |
| The Savoy | Strand | ££££ |
| Fortnum and Mason | Piccadilly | ££££ |
| Brown's Hotel | Mayfair | ££££ |
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Editor’s choice
Claridges
Why we pick itThe benchmark London afternoon tea; Art Deco grandeur, a piano, and faultless service.
Worth knowingDeterminedly old-fashioned by design, at four figures a night, so anyone wanting a relaxed or contemporary hotel should look elsewhere in Mayfair.
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The Ritz
Why we pick itTea in the gilded Palm Court; the most formal and the most photographed, jacket and tie required.
Worth knowingJacket and tie are enforced, and at nearly £100 a head before Champagne you are paying for the room and the history rather than the food.
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The Savoy
Why we pick itThe Thames Foyer under its glass dome; a London classic with a live pianist.
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Fortnum and Mason
Why we pick itThe Diamond Jubilee Tea Salon; the place that taught Britain how to take tea.
Worth knowingReviews split sharply on execution: sandwiches underwhelming for the price and service slower than the room suggests, at top-of-market prices.
-
Brown's Hotel
Why we pick itThe Drawing Room, the former English Tea Room; warm, panelled and less of a scrum than the grand hotels.
Before you book
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 (a good room will talk you through the leaves), and do not over-order lunch first. Most do a Champagne upgrade if you are marking something.
Common questions
What is the best afternoon tea in London?
Claridges is our editor's choice: The benchmark London afternoon tea; Art Deco grandeur, a piano, and faultless service. Claridges, The Ritz and The Savoy lead the guide, with 5 places in total, all chosen on merit.
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