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Afternoon Tea in London
 
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Tradition, elegance, style, luxury and relaxation are all synonymous with the very English tradition of afternoon tea - as are (delicate) piles of sandwiches, cakes, scones, petit fours, jam and lashings of cream. From the timeless elegance of Claridge's to the contemporary twist offered by the Berkeley, London's grand hotels really know how to uphold this historic tradition... with style. So get dressed up, find a seat by the fire, ask the pianist to play a request, and enjoy this classic, tasty and thirst-quenching ritual.
  Asia de Cuba
 45 St Martin's Lane, WC2N 4HX The venue is chic and dominated by fat, cylindrical pillars, each quirkily adorned with a different element. Situated within Morgans Hotel Group's fashionable St Martins Lane hotel, this stylish split-level restaurant serves a cuisine that combines Asian and Cuban elements, and has a Rum Bar that holds the largest selection of "sipping" rum in London. Prices are hardly restrained here, but the type of celebrity clients and fat cat bankers it regularly attracts don't seem to notice. Also available are bento boxes for lunch or pre-theatre takeaway - handy if you're popping in to The Duke of York's theatre opposite or the Coliseum a few doors down. Address: 45 St Martin's Lane, WC2N 4HX Phone: 020 7300 5588 Timing: Breakfast Daily 7am-11am, Lunch Daily midday-2.30pm, Dinner Mon to Wed 5.30pm - midnight, Thu to Sat 5.30pm-00.30am Nearest Station: Leicester Square Tube Asia de Cuba - Information  The Berkeley
Served in the appropriately themed Caramel Room with its low-lighting, chocolate-coloured wall coverings and snappy faux-crocodile fabrics, afternoon tea at the Berkeley is a modern, stylish affair. From the contemporary design (courtesy of Alexandra Champalimaud) of the room to the unusual, striking design of the cakes and pastries this is an afternoon tea experience for those who like to mix tradition with innovation. While the traditional elements of the meal still remain, The Berkeley has added its own creative twists to the ritual, bringing this centuries old institution into the 21st century by producing cakes and pastries inspired by each fashion season’s catwalk designs. Prêt-à-Portea - the “A Fashionista’s Afternoon Tea” – costs £35 per person and consists of a choice selection of loose leaf teas and herbal infusions together with a delectable selection of cakes, pastries and savouries served on Paul Smith for Thomas Goode fine bone china and presented in a cutting-edge style to match the catwalk. For those true fashionistas, it pays to upgrade (darling) and follow a warming cup of tea with an invigorating taste of Moet & Chandon NV Champagne served in a Baccarat crystal glass. The Moet & Chandon NV Champagne Prêt-à-Portea costs £47.50. Venue: The Berkeley Address: Wilton Place, Knightsbridge, SW1X Phone: 020 7235 6000 Time: Daily from 14:00 - 18:00 Price: Afternoon Tea £35 per person | Champagne Tea £47.50 per person Dress Code: Smart casual Nearest Station: Hyde Park Corner Tube The Berkeley - Information  Brown's Hotel
Established in 1837 for “genteel” folk, James Brown’s charming hotel instantly became synonymous with the refined tradition of afternoon tea. A popular haunt of royalty and statesmen, the hotel has also attracted and inspired a number of famous guests. Graham Bell made his first successful British telephone call from Brown's in 1876, Rudyard Kipling wrote 'The Jungle Book' here and regular visitor and author Agatha Christie based her book 'At Bertram's Hotel' on Brown's. Lord Byron who once described the founder, his former valet, as the "gentleman of gentlemen”, also supped in these elegant surroundings. The English Tea Room is a wonderfully refined, discrete setting from which to enjoy a choice of teas - including Brown's own blend - finely cut sandwiches, freshly baked scones, Brown's famous home-made jams and clotted cream, and a selection of cakes and delicate pastries. Brown’s traditional afternoon tea is available Monday to Friday from 15:00 to 18:00 and at weekends from 14:00 to 18:00. The cost is £35 per person. Sink deep into an armchair, relax in front of the fire to the sounds of a piano, enjoy your chosen blend of tea from fine Wedgwood porcelain and select your desired delicacy from a Victorian silver tea-stand as you form part of history at Brown’s. Venue: Brown’s Hotel Address: Albemarle Street, Mayfair, W1S Phone: 020 7493 6020 Time: Mon to Fri from 15:00 - 18:00, Sat & Sun 14:00 - 18:00 Price: Afternoon Tea £35 per person | Champagne Atfernoon Tea £44 per person | Rose Champagne Afternoon Tea £48 per person Dress Code: Smart casual Nearest Station: Green Park Tube Brown's - Information  The Cadogan
Join the Queen Mother, Lord Cadogan, Oscar Wilde, King Edward VII and Lillie Langtry by becoming a visitor to this historic, timelessly stylish town house hotel. After a morning’s hectic shopping in nearby Knightsbridge why not treat yourself to afternoon tea at this legendary hotel? Traditional English afternoon tea is served every day from 3 to 5.30pm in the Cadogan’s wood-panelled Drawing Room. Lined with rich, heavy saffron curtains and adorned with gold-stemmed, up-lighter lamps the room is enveloped in a soothing soft glow which emanates from the warm apricot hues of the traditional fabrics. Sink into one of the deep, dark green velvet twill Edwardian armchairs as you escape from the hustle and bustle of the city and savour a selection of sandwiches, freshly baked scones, fruit cake and tea (£19.50). For that extra touch of decadence why not celebrate the day and finish off with a glass of champagne (£24.50)? Venue: The Cadogan Address: 75 Sloane Street, SW1X Phone: 020 7235 7141 Time: Daily from 15:00 - 17:30 Price: Afternoon Tea £19.50 per person | Champagne Tea £24.50 per person Dress Code: None Nearest Station: Sloane Square Tube The Cadogan - Information  Claridge’s
Princes, politicians and personalities have all graced the sumptuously decorated foyer at Claridge’s for afternoon tea. The Art Deco interior of this hotel saw a stunning refit in 1999, bringing it back to its awe-inspiring former glory. The centre piece of the foyer - where tea is served - is a huge glass chandelier by Dale Chihuly, it really tops off the opulent surroundings. The interior itself is worth a look even without tea. With a selection of over 30 different blends of tea from around the world, you are spoilt for choice, as you are with the food. The ample selection of classic sandwiches, pastries and, of course, moist, fluffy homemade scones served with jam and clotted cream, will purge any hunger pangs, and probably negate the need for dinner. A pianist and harpist are on hand to accompany your tea. You’ll be swept away by their soothing airs to a bygone era, set in stone at Claridge's. Address: Brook Street, Mayfair, W1A Phone: 020 7409 6307 Time: Daily 15:00 - 17:30 Price: Afternoon Tea £28.50 per person | Champagne Tea £36.50 per person Dress Code: Smart Casual Nearest Station: Bond Street Tube Claridge's - Information  The Connaught
The Connaught in Mayfair was originally intended as an oasis of calm for the landed gentry of England to retire to during their hectic visits to the capital. Little has changed since the opening of the hotel in 1897 – doormen in top hats and white gloves still usher guests into the majestic entrance hall with its magnificent mosaic floor and grand wooden staircase, and the historic tradition of afternoon tea is still re-enacted daily. The Connaught's Gallery room exudes rich, sumptuous elegance and style and provides the perfect, luxurious setting for afternoon tea. Film stars Sharon Stone and Lauren Bacall are among the celebrities who have sampled the Connaught's Traditional Tea which costs £28 per person and consists of scones, pastries, crumpets served alongside a selection of teas (including a special Connaught Indian blend), coffee and infusions. Afternoon tea is served from cake stands in the Drawing Room and from a tea trolley service in the Gallery every day from 15:30 to 17:30. Venue: The Connaught Address: Carlos Place, Mayfair, W1K Phone: 020 7499 7070 Time: Daily from 15:30 - 17:30 Price: Afternoon Tea £28 per person Dress Code: Smart casual - no jeans, no trainers Nearest Station: Bond Street Tube The Connaught - Information  The Dorchester
Winner of numerous awards, this hotel has been a byword for style and comfort for over 70 years. Of the 3,000 meals served daily at the Dorchester none receives more care and attention than its fabled afternoon tea. Tea is taken in the famous Promenade, and your party will be made to feel truly privileged by the lavish setting and polished service. You can plump for either Traditional Afternoon Tea, Champagne Tea which comes with a glass of champagne, or the more substantial High Tea, perfect as a pre-theatre meal. Choose from a varied selection of 20 imported teas, or go for the Dorchester’s very own delicate blend. The hotel employs its very own tea chef, solely in charge of the afternoon’s selection of finger food, not to mention the 15-strong team of pastry chefs who intricately fold together the mouth-watering range of sweets. Their scones have been made to the same delicious recipe for over 50 years, and we can tell why. Address: Park Lane, Mayfair, W1A Phone: 020 7629 8888 Time: Afternoon Tea: Daily 15:00 - 18:00 | High Tea: Daily 17:00 - 20:00 Price: Afternoon Tea £28.50 per person | Champagne Tea £34.50 per person | High Tea £38.50 per person Dress Code: Smart Nearest Station: Hyde Park Corner Tube The Dorchester - Information  The Ritz
Tea at the Ritz is synonymous with the comfortable colonialism of the old British aristocracy. For Londoners, it conjures an image of luxury, indulgence, formality and impeccable service. The Palm Court, where afternoon tea is served, is an exemplar of lavish Louis XVI luxury. Lofty ceilings, glittering chandeliers, and draped floral curtains all combine for a visual treat of the old Establishment. Waiters, dressed immaculately in tails, serve up tea with exact precision while a pianist tinkles the ivories in the background. Step back to a more refined era and see how the gentry took their tea in the days of the Empire. Address: 150 Piccadilly, Mayfair, W1V Phone: 020 7493 8181 Time: Afternoon Tea: Daily 11:30, 13:30, 15:30 and 17:30 | Champagne Tea: Daily 19:30 Price: £34 per person Dress Code: Jacket and tie. No jeans or trainers. Nearest Station: Green Park Tube The Ritz - Information  The Savoy
Founded by the owner of the nearby Savoy Theatre, this hotel has been at the centre of entertainment and celebrity in London for over a century. Down the years silver screen idols from Elizabeth Taylor to Nicole Kidman have stayed here. Right in the heart of Theatreland, on the banks of the Thames, the hotel’s setting is imposing. Fabulous views of the river even have Monet’s seal of approval – he painted them during a period of residence there. The Thames Foyer, where tea is served, is surrounded by a fabulous collection of Art Deco mirrors. Watch yourself tuck into a delectable afternoon’s worth of bite-size delights, reflected in their highly-polished surfaces. Served on delicate Royal Doulton bone china, the attention to detail is superb. Don’t forget to try the Savoy Blend tea either, it’s quite unique. The resident pianist finishes off the ceremonial atmosphere. If you are heading out to the theatre later on, why not go for the Theatre Tea? A selection of savouries including welsh rarebit, shrimps and quiche, followed by scones, apple crumble, trifle and carrot cake, is a pleasant way to fill up before the performance. Address: Strand, WC2R Phone: 020 7420 2669 Time: Afternoon Tea: Weekdays 14:00 -17:30, Weekends 12:00 - 17:30 | Theatre Tea: 17:30 - 19:30 Price: Afternoon Tea £28 per person | Champagne Tea £35 per person | Theatre Tea £28 per person Dress Code: Smart Casual Nearest Station: Charing Cross Tube / Rail The Savoy - Information  St James’s Restaurant
From the day Fortnum and Mason opened its doors to the nation back in 1707, tea has been one of their main concerns. The charming St James’s Tearoom opened just a few years after the British discovered their now beloved cuppa. Fortnum’s is the original London tea house. The fabulous food hall downstairs stocks over a century of blends including India, Nepal, Japan, Sri Lanka, along with their own in-house infusions, green teas and all sorts of fruity numbers. Tea tasting really is a fine art and these are the experts with nearly 300 year’s experience. The calm atmosphere, pacifying piano and broad view of Piccadilly makes the St James's Tearoom a tranquil haven away from the sea of shoppers outside. The reputation of the food hall precedes it, and the sandwiches and pastries live up to expectations. Choose from a Traditional Tea, a Champagne Tea or the more substantial High Tea. Address: Fortnum and Mason, 181 Piccadilly, W1A Phone: 020 7734 8040 Time: Monday to Saturday 15:00 - 17:30 Price: Afternoon Tea £22 - £30 per person | High Tea £24 - £32 per person Dress Code: None Nearest Station: Piccadilly Circus Tube St James's Restaurant - Information  Yauatcha
15 Broadwick Street, W1F 0DL Alan Yau's tearoom and Dim Sum restaurant is a triumph of design. The immaculately tasteful minmalism of the light and airy upstairs is matched by the perfect delicate oriental pastries that accompany the excellent range of teas. Venture downstairs, and you'll be confromted with a sumptuously moody restaurant, all glass, neon, star-lights and tropical fish - it's like something from a William Gibson novel, or a particularly over-the-top manga film. The dim sum is staggeringly original, mixing East and West in slick fusions that leave you wanting more even when you've clearly overeaten. Fortunately for your wallet, they only give you ninety minutes to eat and get out, which reduces the temptation to overorder. A masterpiece of restaurant chic, though not the most relaxing place to eat out in Soho, and certainly not the cheapest. Address: 15 Broadwick Street, W1F 0DL Phone: 020 7494 8888 Timing: Mon-Fri 18:00-23:00, Sat 12:00-23:00, Sun 12:00-22:00 Pricing: Dim Sum £4-£18 Nearest Station: Tottenham Court Road Tube Yauatcha - Information
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