You can't hit London town without savouring one of the city's endless slew of afternoon high teas. This beloved British culinary institution ranges from the quirky and quaint to the outrageously fancy. You can opt for the cheap and cheerful or the dangerously expensive, but one thing always remains true: you’re never alone with a scone.
Here are 10 of the best afternoon teas in London to experience in 2024.
Palm Court at The Ritz
150 Piccadilly, St. James's, London
Image credit: The Ritz | Website
London’s most famous hotel is probably the right place to start. Its ultra luxe Palm Court serves up finely cut sandwiches, freshly baked scones, and a selection of afternoon teacakes and pastries. You can also choose between 20 different types of loose-leaf tea. Beware: The Ritz (being The Ritz) has a firm dress code, with jeans and sportswear not permitted for afternoon tea in Palm Court.
Bookings are £75 ($146) for adults and £53 ($103) for children. Book here.
The Diamond Jubilee Tea Salon at Fortnum & Mason
4th Floor, 181 Piccadilly, St. James's, London
Image credit: Fortnum & Mason | Instagram
The self-declared undisputed home of afternoon tea, Fortnum & Mason has been putting on an arvo spread for more than a century. Its Diamond Jubilee Tea Salon renamed after a visit from the Queen in 2012 has neighboured Piccadilly Circus for over 300 years, originally as an apartment for the Fortnum family. The room, fitted out with refined Georgian-style décor, even includes a resident pianist to accompany the scone scoffing.
Afternoon tea is £80 ($155) per person. Book here.
The Foyer and Reading Room at Claridge’s
Claridge's, Brook St, London
Image credit: Claridge's | Instagram
Another of London’s most famous culinary institutions, Claridge’s is well known for afternoon tea in its spectacular Foyer. At the centre of the room which is walled by original art deco mirrors hangs a gigantic Dale Chihuly chandelier made from over 800 pieces of glass. Epitomising old style charm, Claridge’s brings a few creative twists to the traditional dishes.
Afternoon tea is £90 ($175) per person, with Champagne afternoon tea available at £100 ($194) per person. Book here.
Thames Foyer at the Savoy
Strand, London
Image credit: The Savoy | Instagram
Another giant of London’s afternoon tea game, the five-star Savoy has been doing this since it opened back in 1889. Served in the hotel’s Thames Foyer, under a stunning glass-domed atrium, a gazebo takes centre stage with a pianist providing the backing track. The Savoy’s afternoon tea offers over 30 teas with twists on classic sandwiches, homemade scones, and a selection of tempting pastries. They’ve stepped things up in recent years too, introducing vegetarian and vegan afternoon teas.
Afternoon tea goes from £80 ($155) per guest. Book here.
Anya Cafe
9 Pont St, London
Image credit: Anya Cafe | Instagram
At her eponymous Belgravia cafe, fashion designer Anya Hindmarch serves up afternoon tea with a twist. Its playful take on the British tradition features cakes with names like Lemon Meringue Chubby Cloud and Frosted Raspberry Caterpillar Cake and will set you back around half the price of the pricier venues.
Afternoon tea is £35 ($68) per person. Book here.
Gatsby's Room, The Beaumont
8 Balderton St, Brown Hart Gardens, London
Image credit: The Beaumont | Instagram
Inspired by the 1926 origins of the building, the Gatsby Room in The Beaumont is an ode to the hotel’s transatlantic heritage—its afternoon tea sprinkled with what it describes as a light American accent. Its finger sandwiches, scones and pastries are served alongside a wide choice of exquisite loose-leaf teas courtesy of high-end purveyor JING.
Afternoon tea is from £45 ($87) per person. Book here.
NoMad
28 Bow St, London
Image credit: NoMad | Instagram
Covent Garden’s five-star hotel NoMad does a “tradition meets whimsy” afternoon tea within their spectacular glass conservatory. You can choose between sweet (rum currant and orange zest) and savoury (blue cheese with sage) scones, while teas range from rare to "rare-st”, sourced from New Zealand to Nepal and everywhere in between.
Afternoon tea is £55 ($107) per person. Book here.
The Mirror Room at Rosewood
252 Rosewood, High Holborn, London
Image credit: Rosewood | Instagram
Holborn’s luxury hotel Rosewood is home to one of the most creative afternoon teas in the city. Their Masterful Art afternoon tea features a curation of pastries that form mini replicas of famous artworks. You can tuck into cake-form recreations of Yayoi Kusama, Vincent Van Gogh, Andy Warhol, Banksy and David Hockney, while relaxing into the elegant surrounds of Rosewood’s dining lounge The Mirror Room.
Afternoon tea costs £68 ($132) per person. Book here.
Harrods Tea Rooms
87-135 Brompton Rd, London
Image credit: Harrods | Instagram
It doesn’t get more British than this. London’s renowned luxury department store hosts its own afternoon tea with a revolving menu to meet each season, set under a grandiose art deco skylist on the building’s fourth floor. There’s an optional pairing of Harrods-brand champagne, while a vegan afternoon tea menu is available too.
Afternoon tea is £73 ($142) per person. Book here.
Sketch
9 Conduit St, London
Image credit: Sketch | Instagram
Instagram-famous Sketch is one of the most iconic afternoon tea venues in London. Known for its pink scalloped seating and whimsical wall art, the 18th century townhouse has a few twists up its sleeve, including French-inspired additions such as a sumptuous Croque Monsieur—plus wildcards like a pineapple and chilli cheesecake.
Afternoon tea is from £80 ($155) per person. Book here.
Deciding what to savour next in London? Check out:
- 10 Of The Best Rooftop Bars In London For Sunny Sips
- 11 London Restaurants You Need To Book A Table At In 2024
- 10 London Pubs You Need To Hit For A Cold One In 2024