Afternoon Tea in London

Looking for the best places to have afternoon tea in London? Don’t miss this list of my favourite places (so far!) to enjoy this delicious tradition.

If you have ever wondered exactly what afternoon tea entails, pop on over and read this post first! Then come on back and find out some of the best places to visit for afternoon tea in London.

If you are not planning a visit to London, here are some great Afternoon Tea Recipes to make at home, but do read on for a peek at some of my favourite places.

Some of the Best Places for Afternoon Tea in London

The Ritz

One of the most iconic places to enjoy afternoon tea in London, there really is nothing like The Ritz. Live music and an elegant yet friendly atmosphere make this a truly special experience. After you have chosen from over 16 different blends of tea, you are served delicate tea sandwiches, followed by fluffy scones served with jam and cream and then gorgeous little cakes and pastries.

Afternoon tea at The Ritz is a fashionable, formal experience with a strict dress code so you will need to put on your best. Gentlemen must wear a jacket and tie. Most ladies wear dresses or skirts although smart dress trousers are acceptable. No jeans or trainers.

The Goring

Enjoying afternoon tea at The Goring could put you in very distinguished company – its proximity to Buckingham Palace means it is often frequented by the Royal Family. This was also the hotel where The Duchess of Cambridge, her family and close friends spent the night before her wedding. It’s definitely in my top 5 places to enjoy afternoon tea in London!

On our most recent visit, we opted for the champagne tea. A first course of pink champagne and strawberries were followed by the arrival of this gorgeous tea tray. The middle layer is warm scones wrapped in a napkin to keep the heat in.

There was a huge choice of teas and we were offered refills on every layer of the tea tray. I was told that some of the pastries were favourites of Her Late Majesty The Queen, who was a frequent visitor to The Goring.

The service is incredibly attentive here but not at all intrusive. An equally elegant experience to The Ritz, the dress code is much more relaxed at The Goring. I would encourage stylish smart casual attire but I even saw people in jeans.

The Corinthia Hotel

Seated under a stunning Baccarat chandelier, the comfortable chairs in the Lobby Lounge of The Corinthia invite you to an effortlessly elegant experience of afternoon tea in London. Plates of sandwiches are offered to begin.

After the waiting staff have ensured that you have had as many sandwiches as you like (second helpings are encouraged), the scones and cakes arrive. On the day we visited, these are presented on large tea stands which sat beside us on the floor beside the table, one stand for every two people.

The scones were really lovely and the cakes very creative. My favourite was an exquisite Blackberry and Violet Cream Cake with delicate floral flavours.

As tea takes place in the elegant hotel lobby, the dress code is fairly relaxed but again I recommend stylish smart casual.

Harrods Tea Rooms

This oasis on the fourth floor of the iconic Harrods department store, The Harrods Tea Rooms are another elegant place for afternoon tea in London.

There are so many different kinds of tea on offer here. When we last visited, the sandwiches, scones and pastries all arrived at once. When this happens, it is traditional to work your way from the bottom of the tea stand to the top. So you start with the sandwiches at the bottom of the tea stand, then enjoy the scones, jam, and cream in the middle and finally, the marvellous cakes and pastries at the top.

The Harrods Tea Rooms are located in the iconic department store of the same name in the Brompton Road. Dress code: Most people do dress up for afternoon tea at this location, but there is no official dress code.

Diamond Jubilee Tea Salon at Fortnum & Mason

Offering a relaxed but elegant afternoon tea experience, the Diamond Jubilee Tea Salon offers a large selection of single estate teas as well as their classic blends. Traditional finger sandwiches (the Coronation Chicken are my favourite) are served. Then tender scones arrive with your choice of jams or lemon curd. These are followed by pastries and a fantastic cake carriage. Gluten-free and Vegan afternoon teas are available.

The friendly staff at the Diamond Jubilee Tea Salon are generally happy to refill the serving plates with your favourite sandwiches or scones. This is a great place for tea with family and friends in a relaxed but elegant atmosphere. We went home with boxes of scones and pastries that were left over from our afternoon tea, along with a few extra complimentary slices of special cakes as well!

Most people do wear smart clothes for tea at Fortnum and Mason, however there is no official dress code.

A Less Formal Afternoon Tea

The Parlour at Fortnum and Mason

If you have young children, consider enjoying a much less formal afternoon tea experience in The Parlour restaurant on the first floor at Fortnum and Mason. It may be a bit less traditional but their scones are delicious. There is a bit more choice with this afternoon tea. On the day I visited avocado toast and smoked salmon toast were amongst the options. There were also some very kid-friendly sandwich options.

The kids will absolutely love it, particularly if they are allowed to try one of the amazing sundaes on offer. (Sundaes are not traditional at Afternoon Tea, but in my opinion, a sundae is always a good idea!)

Afternoon Tea on a Double Decker Bus

For something completely different, try Afternoon Tea on a Double Decker London bus! Brigit’s Bakery offers afternoon tea experiences with a twist. From special occasion afternoon teas for events such as Halloween and Christmas to Gin Lover’s teas, there’s something for everyone. I haven’t tried this experience personally yet but friends have spoken very highly of it.

There are so many wonderful places to have afternoon tea in London. I look forward to sharing more of them with you in the future!

This post contains my honest opinions and the advice I give to friends. None of our experiences were gifted and we paid all our own expenses. Information is correct to the best of my knowledge at the time of writing and I accept no responsibility for, nor can I be held liable for, your experience of any of these venues. Most of the restaurants mentioned will need to be booked in advance. To avoid disappointment, be sure to visit restaurant and venue websites for opening times, their full terms and conditions, and to check prices, availability and payment terms.

If you would like your restaurant or tea room’s afternoon tea considered for a feature, email us at april@apriljharris.com.

Afternoon Tea Recipes and Ideas

What is British Afternoon Tea Really?

Cherry Loaf Cake Recipe

Blackberry Apple Cake

Lemon Drizzle Cake

Old Fashioned Banana Cake

More Posts About London

Visiting Buckingham Palace

Making The Most of Your Stay at The Ritz

Visiting The Savoy

A Visit to The Dorchester Hotel London