Quick answer
London is the undisputed world capital of afternoon tea — and these 12 spots are the ones that Reddit, food bloggers, and tea obsessives keep coming back to. From The Ritz's legendary Palm Court to Rosewood's under-the-radar artist-themed teas, every venue on this list earned its place through consistent quality and real recommendations.
- Best overall
- The Ritz — 4.4★ (410 reviews)
- Price range
- £70–£95 per person
- Best value
- Fortnum & Mason (refills included)
- Last verified
- 2026-03
Top verdicts
- The Ritz: The most iconic afternoon tea in the world. Palm Court's gilded mirrors make this pure theatre. Book weeks ahead.
- Brown's Hotel: Reddit's top pick for overall experience — best service, best tea, 4.8★ on Google.
- Rosewood London: The hidden gem — easier to book, consistently amazing food, artist-themed pastries.
London's best afternoon teas range from £70 to £95 per person, with The Drawing Room at Brown's Hotel earning top recommendation for its heritage luxury and high 4.8-star rating. This definitive guide explores the city's finest tea experiences, from gilded hotel Palm Courts to Instagram-famous pink rooms, backed by Reddit reviews, food blogs, and years of expert tastings.
London's afternoon tea scene ranges from £70–£95 at grand hotels, with The Ritz and Claridge's leading the pack. This guide highlights the 12 best spots for a proper British afternoon tea, from heritage institutions to modern newcomers.
Afternoon tea is sacred in London. What started with the Duchess of Bedford in the 1840s has evolved into one of the city's most celebrated rituals. We cross-referenced hundreds of Reddit posts from r/LondonFood, r/uktravel, r/LondonTravel, and r/chubbytravel with expert reviews from Wrap Your Lips Around This, A Lady in London, and Forbes Travel to find the 12 that consistently deliver.
The result: hotels where the scones arrive warm, the pastries are genuine works of art, the tea selection goes beyond English Breakfast, and the rooms make you feel like royalty. Whether you want gilded grandeur at The Ritz or Instagram-pink whimsy at Sketch, this list has your perfect tea.
Afternoon Tea Map
1Afternoon Tea at The Ritz
Classic LuxuryQuick comparison
- Best for
- First-time afternoon tea experience in Mayfair
- Strengths
- 4.4★ from 410 Google reviews · Classic Luxury
- Price / value
- £85–£95 pp
- What to order
- The Traditional Afternoon Tea — delicate finger sandwiches, warm scones with Devonshire clotted cream and strawberry preserve, and exquisite pastries. Request the 5 PM sitting for the room at its sparkliest.
🕐 Opening hours
2Afternoon Tea at Claridge's
Refined EleganceQuick comparison
- Best for
- Refined luxury without theatrics in Mayfair
- Strengths
- 4.6★ from 293 Google reviews · Refined Elegance
- Price / value
- £85–£95 pp
- What to order
- The seasonal afternoon tea — the pastry chefs change the menu regularly with stunning creations. The finger sandwiches are classic and the scones arrive warm with Cornish clotted cream.
🕐 Opening hours
3The Promenade at The Dorchester
Grand HotelQuick comparison
- Best for
- Grand hotel tea with the best sandwiches
- Strengths
- 4.6★ from 246 Google reviews · Grand Hotel
- Price / value
- £80–£95 pp
- What to order
- The classic afternoon tea with champagne upgrade. The sandwiches are the star — consistently rated the best among London's top hotels. Save room for the pastries.
🕐 Opening hours
4The Drawing Room at Brown's Hotel
Heritage LuxuryQuick comparison
- Best for
- Cosy, quintessentially English experience
- Strengths
- 4.8★ from 696 Google reviews · Heritage Luxury
- Price / value
- £75–£90 pp
- What to order
- The traditional afternoon tea in The Drawing Room. Live piano music accompanies your scones. The Tea-Tox alternative offers low-sugar, low-carb options that are surprisingly satisfying.
🕐 Opening hours
5sketch
Instagram-FamousQuick comparison
- Best for
- Friends who want a fun, Instagram-worthy afternoon
- Strengths
- 4.3★ from 9,940 Google reviews · Instagram-Famous
- Price / value
- £75–£95 pp
- What to order
- The Gallery afternoon tea — seasonal menus change often with clever themed pastries. Don't miss the pod toilets. Come with friends for maximum fun.
🕐 Opening hours
6The Diamond Jubilee Tea Salon at Fortnum & Mason
Iconic InstitutionQuick comparison
- Best for
- Tea connoisseurs and quintessential British heritage
- Strengths
- 4.4★ from 3,779 Google reviews · Iconic Institution
- Price / value
- £70–£85 pp
- What to order
- Order one traditional and one savoury tea between two — refills let you try both. The tea collection is unmatched, with rare blends from their ground-floor counters. Browse the shop after.
🕐 Opening hours
7Afternoon Tea at Corinthia London
Pastry ArtistryQuick comparison
- Best for
- Pastry lovers and special birthdays
- Strengths
- 4.5★ from 337 Google reviews · Pastry Artistry
- Price / value
- £80–£95 pp
- What to order
- The afternoon tea with champagne — the artistic cakes are the star. Look up to appreciate the 1,000 Baccarat crystal chandelier while you eat. Portions are generous so bring your appetite.
🕐 Opening hours
8The Rosebery at Mandarin Oriental Hyde Park
Refined & RelaxedQuick comparison
- Best for
- A relaxed, unrushed afternoon with Hyde Park nearby
- Strengths
- 4.7★ from 2,687 Google reviews · Refined & Relaxed
- Price / value
- £75–£90 pp
- What to order
- The signature afternoon tea — dietary menus are available, so mention requirements when booking. The room is light and airy, making this one of the most comfortable tea experiences in London.
🕐 Opening hours
9Afternoon Tea at The Savoy
Grand TraditionQuick comparison
- Best for
- Hungry tea-goers who want unlimited sandwiches
- Strengths
- 4.5★ from 930 Google reviews · Grand Tradition
- Price / value
- £80–£95 pp
- What to order
- Go for the full afternoon tea with the unlimited sandwich refills. The eclairs are excellent. Ask about lower-sugar options if you prefer lighter fare.
🕐 Opening hours
10The Goring
Royal ConnectionsQuick comparison
- Best for
- Royal heritage and proximity to Buckingham Palace
- Strengths
- 4.7★ from 1,509 Google reviews · Royal Connections
- Price / value
- £70–£85 pp
- What to order
- The traditional afternoon tea, ideally on The Veranda in warmer months. The Goring is all about British tradition — expect classic scones, proper sandwiches, and attentive service in an intimate setting.
🕐 Opening hours
11Rosewood London
Under the RadarQuick comparison
- Best for
- Easier bookings and artistic presentation
- Strengths
- 4.7★ from 3,513 Google reviews · Under the Radar
- Price / value
- £70–£85 pp
- What to order
- The themed afternoon tea — check what the current artist theme is before you go. The presentation is stunning and the pastries are genuinely delicious, not just pretty.
🕐 Opening hours
12The Lanesborough
Themed EleganceQuick comparison
- Best for
- Themed teas and excellent gluten-free options
- Strengths
- 4.7★ from 861 Google reviews · Themed Elegance
- Price / value
- £75–£90 pp
- What to order
- Whatever the current themed tea is — they put serious effort into the rotating concept. The scones with fragrant house-made jams are a highlight. Ask about gluten-free options when booking.
🕐 Opening hours
🫖 Afternoon Tea Experiences
Curated afternoon tea experiences you can book in advance
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Frequently asked questions
How much does afternoon tea cost in London?
Afternoon tea in London ranges from £40 at smaller tearooms to £95+ at grand hotels like The Ritz and Claridge's. Most luxury hotel teas sit between £70–£95 per person. Adding champagne typically adds £15–£30. Budget-friendlier options like Cinnamon Bazaar in Covent Garden start around £25 per person.
Do I need to book afternoon tea in London in advance?
Yes — especially for The Ritz, Claridge's, and The Savoy, which can book up weeks ahead for weekend sittings. Midweek slots are easier to secure. Most venues accept bookings 4–8 weeks out.
Is there a dress code for afternoon tea in London?
The Ritz has the strictest dress code — jacket and tie required for men. Claridge's, The Dorchester, and Brown's expect smart casual at minimum. Sketch is more relaxed. Check your confirmation email for specific requirements.
What time should I book afternoon tea?
Traditional sittings run from 12:30 PM to 5:30 PM. The most popular slots are 2:00–3:30 PM. At The Ritz, the 5:00 PM sitting offers the best ambiance. Allow at least 90 minutes to two hours.
Which London afternoon tea is best for a first-timer?
The Ritz or Claridge's for the classic experience. Both deliver full pageantry — tiered stands, fine china, impeccable service. For something modern and Instagram-friendly, Sketch's pink Gallery room is unforgettable.
Are there dietary options for afternoon tea?
Most luxury hotels now offer vegetarian, vegan, and gluten-free teas with advance notice. The Mandarin Oriental and The Lanesborough are particularly well-regarded for dietary accommodations.
What is the difference between afternoon tea and high tea?
Afternoon tea is the elegant experience with finger sandwiches, scones, and pastries served on tiered stands, typically between 2–5 PM. High tea is actually a heartier, working-class meal served around 5–6 PM. What London hotels serve is afternoon tea.
How we built this list
We analyzed hundreds of Reddit posts and thousands of comments across relevant subreddits spanning 2019 to 2026. Places were ranked by frequency of independent recommendations and verified with Google ratings. Every spot was mentioned in at least 2 separate threads by different users.
