Seasonal
Mother’s Day in London
A pot of tea poured tableside, a candlelit spa floor, a Michelin lunch with live music: London does Mum properly.
In short: our top picks are The Ritz Restaurant, Restaurant 1890 by Gordon Ramsay and Afternoon Tea at The Lanesborough. 6 places in total, chosen on merit, with the full reasoning below.
Mothering Sunday falls on 15 March in 2026, and London’s grand hotels treat it as a marquee date. The best plans pick a lane: a long afternoon tea, a slow spa morning, or a proper sit-down lunch, rather than cramming all three into one frantic day. We have stuck to rooms that earn the occasion, from the gilded dining room at The Ritz to the painted Gallery at Sketch. Book the moment you have a date in mind, because the good tables vanish weeks ahead.
| Place | Area | Price |
|---|---|---|
| The Ritz Restaurant | St James's | ££££ |
| Restaurant 1890 by Gordon Ramsay | Strand | ££££ |
| Afternoon Tea at The Lanesborough | Knightsbridge | ££££ |
| Afternoon Tea at sketch, The Gallery | Mayfair | £££ |
| Afternoon Tea at The Dorchester | Mayfair | ££££ |
| Biome by Corinthia London | Whitehall | £££ |
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Editor’s choice
The Ritz Restaurant
Why we pick itJohn Williams MBE serves a special 15 March lunch in the gilded dining room, with Champagne, live music and a gift for every mother.
Michelin Mother's Day lunch
-
Restaurant 1890 by Gordon Ramsay
Why we pick itA 24-seat Michelin room inside The Savoy honouring Escoffier, with a refined French tasting menu and Saturday lunch sittings for a genuinely special occasion.
Michelin tasting menu
-
Afternoon Tea at The Lanesborough
Why we pick itTea in The Lanesborough Grill, under its domed glass roof and chandeliers, with pastries, fresh scones and Champagne in a Knightsbridge landmark.
grand hotel afternoon tea
-
Afternoon Tea at sketch, The Gallery
Why we pick itThe pink Gallery, hung with David Shrigley's drawings under a domed skylight, pairs playful pastries with a Michelin-level kitchen.
art-filled afternoon tea
-
Afternoon Tea at The Dorchester
Why we pick itThe Promenade pours one of London's most traditional teas under high ceilings, with dainty sandwiches, warm scones and a resident pianist.
classic afternoon tea
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Biome by Corinthia London
Why we pick itFour floors of treatment rooms and a marble thermal floor with vitality pool, amphitheatre sauna and sleep pods make this the city's most indulgent spa retreat.
luxury spa day
Before you book
Reserve four to six weeks out for the marquee hotels; tables for 15 March sell out fast and most charge in full at booking. Lunch sittings around midday give you the calmest service and the best light in these rooms. Almost everything here sits within a short walk of a Jubilee, Piccadilly or Bakerloo line stop, so leave the car at home.
Common questions
What are the top picks in this guide?
The Ritz Restaurant is our editor's choice: John Williams MBE serves a special 15 March lunch in the gilded dining room, with Champagne, live music and a gift for every mother. The Ritz Restaurant, Restaurant 1890 by Gordon Ramsay and Afternoon Tea at 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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