The Best Afternoon Tea in London (Updated 2025)

Prim, proper, and elegant. Claridge’s- you gave us exactly what we wanted from an afternoon tea!

Located in Mayfair, you already feel that I-live-a-fancy-life vibe before stepping through the door. They offer a traditional afternoon tea, a champagne afternoon tea, and even a children’s afternoon tea – but let’s be real, afternoon tea is really for adults wanting to feel like kids again (so we’ll take the non-alcoholic one, thanks).

We went for the traditional tea, impatiently burning our tongues because we just couldn’t wait. The classic finger sandwiches were flawless; our favourites had to be the roast chicken and the egg mayonnaise. Sometimes the simplest ones hit the hardest. The tea list was immense — far too many to choose from. We decided to go for something adventurous and tried the Portuguese cinnamon basil tea. We had no idea what to expect, but it was the perfect, surprisingly delicious pairing with the sweet treats!

Have to try: Roast chicken sandwich
Perfect for: Special Occasions
Approx price for 2: £190

The Ritz is absolutely coming for you with this one – near-identical Alice in Wonderland vibes, full-on floral, royal, pinkish, elegant theme. It truly felt like stepping into a fairytale.

We went on a Monday and were lucky to have a pianist in the background, playing the most elegant, soothing tunes. such a lovely touch to this enchanting atmosphere! On weekends, they have a harpist, which we can only imagine makes it even more magical.

Of course, we had to try one of The Ritz’s own tea blends. It felt rude not to — and let’s be real, they looked way more interesting than boring Earl Grey (no hate, it just has its time and place…aka every single morning of our life). We went for the orange blossom oolong, and wow, it was light, refreshing, and perfect.

And naturally, our favourite sandwich was the simplest on the menu — cheddar with chutney on tomato bread. Every element was perfectly balanced, and honestly, you just can’t fault it!

Have to try: Orange blossom oolong tea
Perfect for: Special occasions
Approx price for 2: £162

It doesn’t get more traditional, classic, and elegant than afternoon tea at Fortnum & Mason — plus, it’s surprisingly more on the affordable side. Leaving here just makes you want to brush up on every form of etiquette imaginable.

They stick to classic sandwiches, but with a fun little twist. Instead of the usual salmon and cream cheese, we got smoked trout with chive cream cheese. And honestly? Even though you can’t beat a classic, this little switch took the flavour to a whole new level we didn’t even know we needed.

The scones, of course, are absolutely delectable. You get your choice of strawberry preserve or lemon curd alongside clotted cream… but let’s be real, who isn’t getting jam with their scone? That’s practically a crime.

And as for the tea itself… we don’t even need to go into detail. If you know Fortnum & Mason, you already know it’s perfection.

Have to try: Smoked trout and chive cream cheese sandwich
Perfect for: Special occasions
Approx price for 2: £70

Afternoon tea at Taj 51 Buckingham Gate is such a sensory pleasure. The golden dishware paired with the vibrant, jewel-toned pastries and dainty delights in front of you — honestly, the phones had to come out for this one (etiquette out the window).

They offer two magical options, both far from your typical afternoon tea: A Midsummer Night’s Dream and the Indian Jasmine Afternoon Tea. After way too much back-and-forth, we landed on the first. Though, after this experience, we’re already plotting our return to try the Indian one.

They lean into the theme beautifully — the menu starts with a prologue and unfolds in acts like a play. Act II brought the sandwiches, and the winner had to be the orange-zested ricotta & Louisa cucumber on beetroot bread. Refreshing, light, and a combo we didn’t even know we were missing. Then came Act III with the desserts — our standout was The Mystical Grove, a pistachio-lemon delight that we would happily eat in endless supply.

It’s still elegant, still refined, but with such a fun, whimsical twist that makes the whole thing feel like an experience rather than just a meal.

Have to try: Midsummer Night’s Dream Afternoon Tea
Perfect for: Special occasions
Approx price for 2: £150

For once, we actually went all in and ordered the champagne afternoon tea at The Dorchester. It was only £10 more than the traditional, and for special occasions, such things need to be done! Luxury doesn’t have to break the bank, right? They also offer caviar as an add-on, but we’ll be real… that felt a little unnecessary. We’re here for the finger sandwiches and pastries, not to complicate things with fish eggs.

The standout for us was the burrata, tomato, olive and basil tart. Such humble ingredients, but the creaminess of the burrata turned it into something that felt far more decadent than it had any right to be.

The pastry selection was also top-tier — every single one genuinely as good as the last. None of that awkward “there’s only one winner and the rest get ignored” situation. 

Have to try: Raspberry and verbena cake
Perfect for: Special occasions
Approx price for 2:  £220

Afternoon tea at The Goring in Belgravia is about as royally English as it gets! Plush carpeted floors, velvet chairs, and extravagant drapes that sweep across the room. 

You can choose to take tea in the main dining room or out in the Veranda, which feels like a lush green conservatory. Since the sun was out, the choice was obvious. Surrounded by the floral, leafy setting, we went all in on the vibe and ordered the whole rosebuds tea. It had notes of rose, meadow, and bay leaf – earthy but not “I’m chewing grass” earthy — the rose gave it just the right amount of sweetness.

As for scones, you’re offered both plain and sultana. Luckily, you can swap with your companions… which we absolutely did (plain > sultana any day, sorry not sorry).

The real star, though? The lemon poppyseed cake with candied lemon. Light, fresh, and the perfect way to round off such a charmingly regal experience.

Have to try: Lemon and poppyseed cake
Perfect for: Relaxing getaway
Approx price for 2: £150

You’ll experience luxury like no other the second you step outside Brown’s Hotel (it is in Mayfair after all). But just wait until you walk into the dining room—chandeliers everywhere and fireplaces that somehow make it feel cosy, even though you’re bathing in 5-star bougie-ness.

You enter “The Drawing Room” to begin your afternoon tea experience—and honestly, even the name is extravagant. We loved how they took all the classics and gave them the tiniest twist to just elevate them a bit. Take the humble egg mayo: here it’s transformed into devilled eggs with Japanese mayo, giving it that little extra kick.

We decided to go for the afternoon tea package that comes with a glass of Pimm’s, because we’d never seen that before. Was it slightly ridiculous that it cost £12 more than the traditional when it’s just Pimm’s? Maybe. But was it delicious? Absolutely.

Have to try: Earl Grey gateau opera
Perfect for: Special Occasions
Approx price for 2: £160-£250 (depending on if you do the traditional or champagne afternoon tea)

One Aldwych is certainly serving the most exciting and unique afternoon tea experience. It’s Charlie and the Chocolate Factory inspired, so you already know it’s going to be fun, whimsical and a little bit insane. 

They keep the sandwich option pretty tame, with all the classics, because it is about to get crazy and they want you to settle in. We won’t bore you with those, let’s get into the real showstoppers. For the dessert section, you had choices of things like ‘Goodbye Violet” macarons, Augustus Gloop’s strawberry fudge, and our favourite had to be the caramel chocolate milkshake. Never thought you’d be having that at an afternoon tea!

We went for the cocktail afternoon tea because we heard it was just pure entertainment, and it truly was. They’re literally called fizzy lifting drinks, so you can imagine! Our favourite was the “Just like Gold” which had rum, passion fruit liqueur, vanilla, orange, peach, and mango soda. A fruity, sweet sensation. 

Have to try: Fizzy lifting drinks
Perfect for: Fun with the family
Approx price for 2: £180

Afternoon tea at Pan Pacific London still keeps that elegance and luxury feel you want from an afternoon tea, but switches it up with a more modern, floral interior.

With it being quite a rainy day, we wanted a tea that would soothe the soul and there was only one thing for it – masala chai. All those spices give that moreish burn that honestly feels like you’re eradicating any illness that even thought about coming on.

We’ve got to say, their scone game is the best on the list. Instead of plain and sultana, they swapped the sultana out for mixed peel and candied ginger. These knocked boring sultana scones right out of the park, and with the orange marmalade and cream it was such a winner flavour-wise.

The dessert selection was also so much more inventive than usual. Our favourite had to be the chocolate hazelnut layer cake, because what about that doesn’t sound unreal!

Have to try: Mixed peel and candied ginger scones
Perfect for: Special occasions
Approx price for 2: £116

Afternoon Tea at The Coral Room is vibrant – seriously, the orange (or coral, we guess) interiors were certainly a choice, but they just give it that energy and modernity that most afternoon tea spots don’t tend to prioritize.

We were lucky enough to experience their current afternoon tea, which celebrates the musical adaptation of The Devil Wears Prada. Not exactly afternoon tea etiquette – but the waiter encouraged it, and with a seriously extravagant bar just glaring at us, we began with a cocktail. We had the Runway Royale, their special, and it’s tequila with vanilla, cherry – just everything sweet, fruity, and delicious.

The sandwiches had all the classics, but one that really stood out was the grilled cheese! Something we all secretly wish we could have at afternoon tea, even if it doesn’t quite match that refined vibe. Our favourite sweet treat had to be – in true Devil Wears Prada fashion – the “Florals… for spring? Groundbreaking.” It was a strawberry, elderflower, and lemon tart. Citrusy, sweet, and absolutely perfect.

Have to try: Runway Royale cocktail
Perfect for: Fun with friends
Approx price for 2: £110-£140