Is there anything better than wiling away your afternoon eating pastries and finger sandwiches, while sipping tea and champagne? Nope, we thought not. And where better to enjoy platefuls of salmon, cucumber and ricotta filled doughs, strawberry tarts and scones with dollops of Cornish clotted cream, than in our very own capital?

If you don't already know, the best afternoon teas in London involve a selection of savoury sandwiches, scones with clotted cream and jam, sweet pastries, and of course, copious amounts of tea.

However, in recent years, the classic formula for afternoon teas has evolved from the likes of Battenberg cakes and chocolate eclairs to include vegan cheddar-style sandwiches, wild mushroom quiches and Bloody Mary sauces.

This is why we've rounded up the best afternoon teas in London for 2024, whether it's for a special occasion like Valentine's Day, Mother's Day or a birthday, or just your average Tuesday, that will take you on a culinary journey around the world and sometimes, even down the rabbit hole.


1) Sketch

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Where will you find us most Saturday afternoons in our dreams? Tucking into a fabulous afternoon tea in the Gallery at Sketch. Gone is the David Shrigley artwork-filled room of pink, plush soft furnishings and interiors, because last year British-Nigerian artist Yinka Shonibare took over to fill the space with burnished yellow and gold accents to create a room that can be summed up with one word: warm.

Opt for the seasonal afternoon tea (from £80pp) or one with English sparkling and champagne (from £90pp), with dishes served on a three-tiered cake stand including sandwiches (corn-fed Coronation chicken to egg mayonnaise), sweet treats (lemon Battenberg and exotic cake), Victoria sponge and scones with clotted dream and homemade strawberry jam.

Location: 9 Conduit St, London W1S 2XG
Click here to find out more.

2) Champagne & afternoon tea, The Lanesborough

Enjoying Afternoon Tea at The Lanesborough is one of our favourite ways to spend a Saturday in London. Located in the Lanesborough Grill, the afternoon tea service - the Meadow and Valentine's Day - is served to the background music of a live pianist (on weekends).

The staple Meadow afternoon tea includes sandwiches filled with everything from Lancashire cheese quiche, poppy seed and fresh herb cream, to Clarence Court egg mayonnaise, Dijon mustard cress and brioche. Pastries range from the Apple Blossom to the Dark Chocolate and Jasmine Fudge Cake, teamed perfectly with a glass of Moët & Chandon (Brut and Rosé), Taittinger, and Krug as well as a whole range of teas to whet your appetite. Need we say more?

Location: Hyde Park Corner, London, SW1X 7TA, United Kingdom
Click here to find out more.

3) Afternoon tea, The Wolseley

best afternoon tea london
DAVID LOFTUS

Not many places offer three afternoon teas to choose from, so count yourself lucky at The Wolseley. Choose between the cream tea (£19.50pp), classic afternoon tea (£44.50pp) and champagne afternoon tea (£56pp) and enjoy a selection of sweet and savoury treats, desserts and pastries. Our favourites? The millefeuille and macaroons which have us feeling like we’re tucking into delectable delights in the City of Love.

Location: 160 Piccadilly, London, W1J 9EB
Click here to find out more.

4) American NY-TEA afternoon tea, Balthazar

    Balthazar- Top 25 Spots for Afternoon Tea London
    Thomas Alexander

    Across the gilded bar and wall-to-wall mirrors in this transfixing brasserie, you will be pleasantly surprised to find a wonderfully blended American-French afternoon tea. Their tea features Big Apple classics like the pastrami and egg bun and a unique take on the PBJ (yes, peanut butter jelly) in the form of an éclair! We would recommend a slice of the original creamy New York cheesecake.

    Location: 4-6 Russell St, Covent Garden, London WC2B 5HZ
    Click here to find out more.

    5) Dim Sum Afternoon Tea, Millennium Hotel London Knightsbridge

    Le Chinois- Top 25 Spots for Afternoon Tea London
    Tony_Harris

    If you are in the mood for an Asian tea that takes away from the world of scones and Earl Grey, this is the spot for you. Set in the glass-roof atrium of Le Chinois at The Millennium Hotel, you will get nine Cantonese dishes to liven up your taste buds including the phoenix whisker prawns and the more traditional BBQ steamed pork bun and dim sum, enjoyed with a glass of champagne or some tea.

    Location: 17 Sloane St, Knightsbridge, London SW1X 9NU
    Click here to find out more.

    6) Indian jasmine afternoon tea, Taj 51 Buckingham Gate Suites and Residences

      Taj 51- Top 25 Spots for Afternoon Tea London
      Buckingham Hotel

      Set within a tiny square in Westminster comes the beautiful turquoise-tiled Taj 51 Buckingham Gate Suites and Residences, home of Kona, the restaurant that serves one of the most innovative high teas in London. In this Indian-themed spectacle, be prepared for delicious treats such as Gulabi scones with cinnamon clotted cream and spiced paneer puffs that will leave you well and truly stuffed. We can't get enough of the salty caramel lassi so you might want to stay clear or prepare yourselves for a fight.

      Location: 51 Buckingham Gate, Westminster, London SW1E 6AF
      Click here to find out more.

      7) A Midsummer’s Night Dream Afternoon tea, Shakespeare’s Globe

        Swan-Top 25 Spots for Afternoon Tea London
        Swan Restuarant

        For a taste of midsummer and British poetry - even in the middle of winter - try the magical high tea at the Swan, the picturesque restaurant next to Shakespeare’s Globe overlooking the Thames. Expect an edible take on the Bard’s famous play with treats including the blackcurrant jam & violet macaroons, wild mushroom quiche and mulberry scones.

        Location: 21 New Globe Walk, Bankside, London SE1 9DT
        Click here to find out more.

        8) Charlie & The Chocolate Factory, One Aldwych

          best afternoon tea in london
          David Cotsworth

          Childhood literary favourites seem to be an endless source of inspiration for afternoon teas around the city. None is more delightful than Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, the sugar-filled British classic that inspired this afternoon tea based in Covent Garden. Get lost in the world of Roald Dahl with rivers of lemon sherbet tea, salmon and beetroot macarons and luscious lemon floss.

          Location: 1 Aldwych, London WC2B 4BZ
          Click here to find out more.

          9) Science afternoon tea, Ampersand Hotel

            Ampersand-Top 25 Spots for Afternoon Tea London
            Ampersand Hotel

            Winning Best Afternoon Tea in the UK is no easy feat, but the Ampersand stole the show in 2018. And now their tea takes inspirations from the Science and Natural History Museums next door. Dine on the Jurassic Afternoon Tea, inspired by dinosaurs, or the Science Afternoon Tea, served in petri dishes, chocolate spacemen and dinosaur biscuits.

            Location: 10 Harrington Rd, Kensington, London SW7 3ER
            Click here to find out more.

            10) Mad Hatters Afternoon Tea, Sanderson London

              Sanderson-Top 25 Spots for Afternoon Tea London
              Sanderson Hotel

              It's time for Alice to grow up with this boozy take on the childhood book, including a flight of three cocktails at the 80ft hyper-modern ‘Long Bar’, right off Oxford Circus. Nearly all the desserts are filled with a variety of tipples – be it the Tweedle Dee limoncello financier or the grey goose cherry and cranberry tartlet. You may end up as tipsy as the tea implies, you have been warned.

              Location: 50 Berners St, Fitzrovia, London W1T 3NG
              Click here to find out more.

              11) Art Afternoon tea, Rosewood London

                Rosewood-Top 25 Spots for Afternoon Tea London
                Rosewood London Patricia_Niven
                Rosewood London

                Voted as the Best Contemporary Afternoon tea two years running, the Art Afternoon tea is one of our firm favourites. Served in the spectacular art deco surroundings of the Rosewood Hotel in Holborn, this tea has taken inspiration from famous artists such as Van Gogh and Banksy. Choose from the Valentine's or Dali Afternoon Tea.

                Location: 252 High Holborn, Holborn, London WC1V 7EN
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                12) Slingsby Gin Afternoon Tea, B Bakery

                  Afternoon Tea
                  Slingsby

                  What better way to see London than sightseeing in a bright red double decker? Better yet, now you can do it with scones and gin (yes, you read that correctly) while you pick out the likes of Westminster Abbey, the London Eye and Marble Arch. Marrying Britons' love of afternoon and tea comes a gin-infused menu of rhubarb macaroons with Slingsby rhubarb gin pipette, salmon pretzels with lemon liqueur and dry gin spritz and lemon cupcakes with Carthy & Black Gin cream liqueur and liqueur cream spritz. This is our ideal kind of boozy bus.

                  Location: Departure from Victoria Station
                  Click here to find out more.

                  13) Prêt-à-Portea, The Berkeley

                    The Berkeley-Top 25 Spots for Afternoon Tea London
                    The Berkeley

                    London is well-known for being one of the four main fashion capitals of the world and The Berkeley has taken to the idea in full fashionable stride. With each fashion season comes a new pastry collection – this time, it’s inspired by couture, celebrating designers from Dolce & Gabbana to Jean Paul Gaultier. Christopher Kane's floral gown has been reimagined as a velvet cheesecake set on vanilla crémeux, while Ralph Lauren's hero coat has been 'transformed' into a Pain de Gênes sponge, made with sour cherry jelly, dark chocolate supreme and vanilla Chantilly.

                    Location: The Berkeley, Wilton Pl, Knightsbridge, London SW1X 7RL
                    Click here to find out more.

                    14) Classic Afternoon tea, Claridge’s

                      Claridge's-Top 25 Spots for Afternoon Tea London
                      Claridge's

                      Nothing comes close to this blazing classic. After all, Claridge’s is a London institution that has served afternoon tea for over 150 years. With its bottomless sandwiches, cakes and tea, you can go in at four or book for later in the evening when there's live jazz. It doesn't get more sophisticated than that. We recommend the smoked salmon sandwiches, and scones with clotted cream and marco polo gelée.

                      Location: Brook Street, Mayfair, London W1K 4HR
                      Click here to find out more.

                      15) Plant-based high tea, The Farmacy

                        The Farmacy-Top 25 Spots for Afternoon Tea London
                        The Farmacy

                        The Farmacy has become a hip hang out for vegans looking for fancy servings and feel-good acai bowls. However, they also do a vegan high tea – including CBD hazelnut truffles (obviously) and smoked carrot and cream cheese blinis. For the cool girl factor, head here.

                        Location: 74-76 Westbourne Grove, London W2 5SH
                        Click here to find out more.

                        16) Vivek Singh Afternoon Tea, Cinnamon Bazaar

                          Cinnamon Bazaar-Top 25 Spots for Afternoon Tea London
                          Jodi Hinds

                          Inspired by owner and chef extraordinaire Vivek Singh's roots in Kolkata, West Bengal, Cinnamon Bazaar's afternoon tea is back features delectable treats such as a mustard fish finger sandwich and saffron macaroon and coriander pistachio cake. Sign us up!

                          Location: 28 Maiden Lane, WC2E 7JS
                          Click here to find out more.

                          17) The Crown Jewel Afternoon Tea, Four Seasons Hotel London At Ten Trinity Square

                          best afternoon tea
                          Four Seasons


                          For just £40 per person, this afternoon tea is a wonderful option if you're obsessed with all things royals as it's inspired by the crowns and robes housed in the Tower of London. Choose between a glass of Delmotte Brut champagne or Ruinart, Blanc de Blanc and tuck into a selection of fingers sandwiches (minted cucumber with cream cheese, egg mayonnaise with truffle oil, wholegrain mustard and cress etc) and pastries named after the Queen's jewels such as Ruby, Coin, Crown and Pearl. Finish your meal off with plain and rain croissants with seasonal jam, Devonshire clotted cream and lemon curd as well as a range of teas.

                          Location: 10 Trinity Square, London, EC3N 4AJ
                          Click here to find out more.

                          18) Afternoon Tea, Brown's Hotel

                          best afternoon tea
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                          We're a big fan of the traditional (and gluten-free) option here, which comes with a choice of teas and herbal infusions and food and including sandwiches stuffed with everything from smoked salmon, dill, shallots and capers to salt beef, horseradish mayonnaise and pickled cucumber. Add in apricot almond bakewells, chocolate cubes, mango and rum babas and plain and sultana scones, and you'll be in heaven.

                          Location: 33 Albemarle St, London W1S 4BP
                          Click here to find out more.

                          19) Garden Afternoon Tea at Petersham Nurseries


                          If you want a truly magical and Alice in Wonderland experience, then look no further than Petersham Nurseries to fulfil all of your afternoon tea dreams.

                          Serving British produce from the farm, your foodie delight will come on a hand blown Florentine cake stand with seasonal flowers at the top. Options on the afternoon tea - which comes either with loose-leaf ta (£45) or with Petersham Rose Petal Prosecco (£55) - include goat's cheese, candied Walnuts and pickled shallots on a fruit loaf, the crispiest of sourdough with proscuitto, datterini tomatoes and basil, as well as bramley apple, pear and hazelnut tart, orange polenta cake and brown sugar meringue.

                          Following the tea we suggest roaming the nursery and picking up some seasonal flowers and plants, before a walk in Richmond park.

                          If Richmond is too far for you, there's also The Petersham in Covent Garden which is currently serving a charity afternoon tea that's out of this world on the scrumptious scale.

                          Location: Church Lane, Petersham Rd, Church Lane TW10 7AB
                          Click here to find our more.

                          20) Tipple Tea at Rockwell

                          afternoon teas london
                          RYGA PHOTOGRAPHY

                          If a traditional afternoon tea (think scones and cups of Early Grey) isn't your bag, then we suggest you take a look at Rockwell's new exciting offering.

                          Tipple Tea combines two of our favourite things - cocktails and afternoon tea - and gives guests the change to enjoy a selection of four cocktails (nonalcoholic options are available), alongside cocktail-influenced elements, such as the Bloody Mary Sauce (it's lip-smackingly good, trust us) and the Chartreuse Jelly.

                          Diners will have the chance to dine into dishes such as the Foie Gras, Toasted Brioche, Apple Calvados Jelly, and Baked Camembert, Sourdough, Smoked Chilli Jelly, Candied Nuts & Apricot, as well as sweet treats like mini choux buns, a peach tartelette, and brandy crème beau rivage.

                          Location: 2 Spring Gardens, London, SW1A 2TS
                          Click here to find out more.

                          21) Afternoon tea, The Lane

                          best afternoon teas london
                          Instagram


                          Head down to the Theatre Royal Drury Lane and you'll be able to tuck into its delicious Regency Afternoon Tea, which includes savoury treats like madeleines topped with lapsang-souchong glazes salmon and famous London-based baker Lily Vanilli's signature puff pastry sausage roll, as well as warm scones served with salted whipped butter, cream and homemade jam. However, this year The Lane is launching its limited-edition Mother's Day Afternoon Tea (March 16-21) in the Grand Saloon, which includes cakes and scones teamed with Rare Tea Company teas and Taittinger Champagne, as well as the Valentine's Day Afternoon Tea (February 9-15) which will include chocolate sponge cake decorated with pink icing and red love hearts, sticky toffee with custard, pink lemonade tarts topped with heart meringues, as well as The Lane's usual favourites.

                          Location: Catherine St, London WC2B 5JF
                          Click here to find out more.

                          preview for Raspberry White Chocolate Cake


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