There are so many things to do in London. You could spend your days hopping around the most well-known tourist sites like the London Eye, Tower Hill, Buckingham Palace, and Harrods, to name a few. But one of the most popular things to do, and something that really shouldn’t be missed, is attending an Afternoon Tea. But, with so many to choose from, how do you narrow down the choices? If you’re looking for the best Afternoon Teas in London, then you’ve come to the right place.
Over the last several months, I have been bouncing around London trying as many Afternoon Teas as I can. I’ve been around town searching for not only the best Afternoon Teas in London but also the most unique (instead of the super traditional ones). My stomach has been very happy about my decision to put together this piece, and I can honestly say that I think I’ve found some of the best options for your visit to London. So, if you’re hoping to get the quintessential experience and spend an afternoon sipping on tea and champagne, enjoying scones and clotted cream, and eating tiny finger sandwiches, get ready to read about these awesome teas that are on offer around the city. You won’t be disappointed.
The Best Afternoon Teas In London
Experience It All At sketch
sketch is probably one of the most iconic Afternoon Teas offered in London. People flock there to dine in the well-known Gallery, a room covered in all things pink. The Gallery features changing art exhibitions and the whole environment is lavish and over the top. Choose from their Champagne tea(90-94 pounds) or classic Afternoon Tea (80 pounds).
Enjoy as many teas as you’d like throughout the service while you dine on tiny finger sandwiches, caviar, cake, pastries, and scones. Do all of this while listening to a string quartet fill the room with beautiful music.
sketch is the perfect place to go for tea if you’re looking for a well-rounded experience that’s unique and unexpected. The service is fantastic and everyone working there will ensure that you have the best Afternoon Tea imaginable. While on the pricier side of afternoon tea in London, you’re really paying for the experience.
Go Vegan At La Suite West
There aren’t a ton of vegan options when it comes to Afternoon Tea, but La Suite West is serving up a fully vegan Afternoon Tea (35 pounds per person). Enjoy some of the most delicious food you’ve ever eaten — it’s so good you won’t even realize it’s vegan if that’s not usually your thing. Plus, the serving size of this tea is massive, so you won’t even think about leaving hungry. In fact, my friend ended up bringing several of her finger sandwiches home with her.
Afternoon Tea at La Suite West is more of a laid back experience. Food is presented on slates instead of on a tower. Pair yours with a mocktail if you like! In the warmer months, enjoy Afternoon Tea outside on the terrace of the hotel.
Take It East At Andaz Liverpool Street
Sometimes classic Afternoon Teas can feel stuffy, but the Andaz Liverpool Street is exactly the opposite. This unique tea takes some influence from East London and infuses it with the classic Afternoon Tea you can find around the city. Enjoy it in the restaurant next door to the hotel, 1901.
Choose from regular Afternoon Tea (29 pounds per person) or Champagne Tea (39 pounds per person). You’ll love it when your tea is served in mismatched teapots and china that has been picked out by the manager. And while most of the food is made in-house daily, the bagels, however, are brought in from Brick Lane, giving you some East London flare.
This is a great alternative to a traditional Afternoon Tea in London. It’s served in a more traditional way, but is still unique. It’s perfect if you find yourself staying in East London and don’t want to travel to Central London for an Afternoon Tea Experience.
Floral Wonders At Balthazar
If you’re interested in a themed Afternoon Tea, the options are actually endless in London. However, one of my favorite, more subtle themed teas is at Balthazar in Covent Garden. Brought to you by FLOWERBX (29.95 pounds per person, 39.95 with champagne), Balthazar offers guests a floral themed tea where an extra plate of desserts are in the shape of different flowers. It’s really something special and very beautiful to see for yourself!
This is the perfect option for Afternoon Tea in Covent Garden. The ambiance in Balthazar is wonderful and the building itself is beautiful. This is definitely one of the most Instagrammable options on the list!
Pretend You’re A Kid Again At One Aldwych
Another amazing themed Afternoon Tea (46 pounds per person, 57 pounds with a drink) is at One Aldwych. When you dine here, you’ll be participating in the Charlie and The Chocolate Factory Afternoon Tea. You’ll get cotton candy (or as everyone else in the world calls it, candy floss), golden eggs, chocolate caramel milk, and some delicious savory food as well! And there are even Charlie and The Chocolate Factory themed cocktails to choose from!
This is one of the more whimsical tea offerings in London. It’s great for kids as well as adults. If you’re looking for a great option for the family, then this is it!
Spanish Tapas Style At The Como Halkin
After trying so many different types of Afternoon Teas, I was looking for something exciting and different to add to this list. And that’s how I came across Afternoon Tea at the Halkin. Finger sandwiches have been replaced by a selection of Basque savory tapas and dessert is more than a scone or regular pastry. Enjoy afternoon tea for 34 pounds or for 40 pounds with a cocktail!
This was by far one of the most unique tea experiences I have been to. The food was very different, so I would recommend this to someone who has already had the chance to go to a more traditional one. It’s perfect for people who want to have Afternoon Tea in London with a twist!
Moroccan Magic At Momo
I’m a sucker for Moroccan food and this spot serves up some tasty dishes. Afternoon Tea can be taken on the terrace or indoors. The interior of momo is really the magical part of this experience, but the food is equally as delicious as the others on this list. All of the food features a Moroccan twist on your traditional tea time. Enjoy traditional tea for 32 pounds or 42 pounds with Champagne.
This is another unique tea experience located right off of Regent Street. It’s the perfect way to end a great day of shopping near Oxford Circus. There is a ton of food and you’ll probably want to bring some home with you because you won’t be able to finish it all.
Getting Experimental At The Ampersand
This is probably the Afternoon Tea experience that I was the most excited to experience. And it lived up to my expectations. Afternoon Tea at the Ampersand Hotel comes with a side of science! Located in South Kensington, Afternoon Tea is served in the Drawing Room and plays homage to the Natural History Museum.
There are two options for Science tea — go for the kiddie version, which is a more traditional tea (39.95 pounds per person or 49.50 pounds with a glass of champagne), or enjoy a cocktail flight, Teapot Tales (49.50 pounds per person). Each option is accompanied by some really cool desserts in the shapes of planets, dinosaurs, and more. You even get to perform an experiment at the beginning of your meal!
This was by far the most interactive Afternoon Tea experience that I had. It’s perfect for everyone — couples, families, etc. The Drawing Room is a really pretty dining area and the staff is great at getting you involved in your experience.
Travel Colorfully was a welcomed guest of these establishments but as always all opinions are my own. Extensive research on locations for afternoon tea in London was done before contacting any of these restaurants.
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