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12 Best Afternoon Teas in London

The best afternoon teas in London — editor-curated, food blogs, and expert critics. From The Ritz's gilded Palm Court to Sketch's Instagram-famous pink room. Interactive map included.

Quick answer

The best afternoon teas in London — editor-curated, food blogs, and expert critics. From The Ritz to Sketch's pink room. Interactive map included.

Best overall
Afternoon Tea at The Ritz
Top pick
Afternoon Tea at The Ritz

Top verdicts

  • Afternoon Tea at The Ritz: / \s* The Verdict: (.*?) /s
  • Afternoon Tea at Claridge's: / \s* The Verdict: (.*?) /s
  • The Promenade at The Dorchester: / \s* The Verdict: (.*?) /s

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 — finger sandwiches, warm scones with clotted cream, delicate pastries, and pots of loose-leaf tea served in settings that range from gilded Edwardian grandeur to Instagram-pink whimsy.

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.

Area map

1. Afternoon Tea at The Ritz
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All 12 spots at a glance

#NameStylePriceArea
1 Afternoon Tea at The Ritz classic splurge Piccadilly, Mayfair
2 Afternoon Tea at Claridge's classic splurge Brook Street, Mayfair
3 The Promenade at The Dorchester classic splurge Park Lane, Mayfair
4 The Drawing Room at Brown's Hotel heritage mid Albemarle Street, Mayfair
5 Sketch modern mid Conduit Street, Mayfair
6 The Diamond Jubilee Tea Salon at Fortnum & Mason heritage budget Piccadilly, 4th Floor
7 Afternoon Tea at Corinthia London modern mid Whitehall Place, Westminster
8 The Rosebery at Mandarin Oriental Hyde Park modern mid Knightsbridge
9 Afternoon Tea at The Savoy classic splurge Strand, Covent Garden
10 The Goring royal budget Beeston Place, Victoria
11 Rosewood London artistic budget High Holborn
12 The Lanesborough classic mid Hyde Park Corner
Style: Price: Area:

1Afternoon Tea at The Ritz

Classic Luxury
💴 £85–£95 pp📍 Piccadilly, Mayfair📌 Google Maps →
Verdict: / \s* The Verdict: (.*?) /s

Quick comparison

Best for
Classic Luxury in Piccadilly, Mayfair
Strengths
Known for Classic Luxury · Piccadilly, Mayfair
Price / value
£85–£95 pp
Why it made the list
/ \s* The Verdict: (.*?) /s
What to order
Afternoon Tea at The Ritz is a featured pick in this guide.
📞 +442073002345🌐 Website
Afternoon Tea at The Ritz in Piccadilly, Mayfair
“The Ritz far surpassed other hotel teas in every possible way — from the atmosphere to the quality and taste of the tea, sandwiches, scones, pastries, and cakes.” — Editor's note
“Getting a reservation is incredibly hard — I checked every day for 2 weeks before my trip but it was completely booked. Worth the effort though.” — Editor's note

2Afternoon Tea at Claridge's

Refined Elegance
💴 £85–£95 pp📍 Brook Street, Mayfair📌 Google Maps →
Verdict: / \s* The Verdict: (.*?) /s

Quick comparison

Best for
Refined Elegance in Brook Street, Mayfair
Strengths
Known for Refined Elegance · Brook Street, Mayfair
Price / value
£85–£95 pp
Why it made the list
/ \s* The Verdict: (.*?) /s
What to order
Afternoon Tea at Claridge's is a featured pick in this guide.
📞 +442076298860🌐 Website
Afternoon Tea at Claridge's in Brook Street, Mayfair
“This is one afternoon tea that is worth every penny of what may seem like quite a steep cost at first. The quality is second to none.” — Editor's note
“The setting is extremely elegant, set in Claridge's art deco foyer with live piano music covering well-known classics.” — Editor's note

3The Promenade at The Dorchester

Grand Hotel
💴 £80–£95 pp📍 Park Lane, Mayfair📌 Google Maps →
Verdict: / \s* The Verdict: (.*?) /s

Quick comparison

Best for
Grand Hotel in Park Lane, Mayfair
Strengths
Known for Grand Hotel · Park Lane, Mayfair
Price / value
£80–£95 pp
Why it made the list
/ \s* The Verdict: (.*?) /s
What to order
The Promenade at The Dorchester is a featured pick in this guide.
📞 +442076298888🌐 Website
The Promenade at The Dorchester in Park Lane, Mayfair
“The best afternoon tea experience in London — stunning setting, elegant flower displays, fresh sandwiches, warm scones, beautiful pastries, and professional staff.” — Editor's note

4The Drawing Room at Brown's Hotel

Heritage Luxury
💴 £75–£90 pp📍 Albemarle Street, Mayfair📌 Google Maps →
Verdict: / \s* The Verdict: (.*?) /s

Quick comparison

Best for
Heritage Luxury in Albemarle Street, Mayfair
Strengths
Known for Heritage Luxury · Albemarle Street, Mayfair
Price / value
£75–£90 pp
Why it made the list
/ \s* The Verdict: (.*?) /s
What to order
The Drawing Room at Brown's Hotel is a featured pick in this guide.
📞 +442074936020🌐 Website
The Drawing Room at Brown's Hotel in Albemarle Street, Mayfair
“Brown's Hotel succeeds in delivering a high quality traditional afternoon tea without a stitch of stuffiness. The service is impeccable.” — Editor's note
“The sophisticated and stylish interior is a clever mix of tradition — original wood paneling, fireplaces — and contemporary style with Paul Smith lighting.” — Editor's note

5Sketch

Instagram-Famous
💴 £75–£95 pp📍 Conduit Street, Mayfair📌 Google Maps →
Verdict: / \s* The Verdict: (.*?) /s

Quick comparison

Best for
Instagram-Famous in Conduit Street, Mayfair
Strengths
Known for Instagram-Famous · Conduit Street, Mayfair
Price / value
£75–£95 pp
Why it made the list
/ \s* The Verdict: (.*?) /s
What to order
Sketch is a featured pick in this guide.
📞 +442076594500🌐 Website
Sketch in Conduit Street, Mayfair
“Go to Sketch for a truly unforgettable, distinguished, one-of-a-kind experience for all senses. The pink room is insanely Instagrammable.” — Editor's note
“The cosmopolitan decor and chic interiors feature pink velvet seats with golden details — this luxury hotspot is a Pink Wonderland.” — Editor's note

6The Diamond Jubilee Tea Salon at Fortnum & Mason

Iconic Institution
💴 £70–£85 pp📍 Piccadilly, 4th Floor📌 Google Maps →
Verdict: / \s* The Verdict: (.*?) /s

Quick comparison

Best for
Iconic Institution in Piccadilly, 4th Floor
Strengths
Known for Iconic Institution · Piccadilly, 4th Floor
Price / value
£70–£85 pp
Why it made the list
/ \s* The Verdict: (.*?) /s
What to order
The Diamond Jubilee Tea Salon at Fortnum & Mason is a featured pick in this guide.
📞 +442077348040🌐 Website
The Diamond Jubilee Tea Salon at Fortnum & Mason in Piccadilly, 4th Floor
“The scones were perfect — one plain, one with fruit, served warm with clotted cream, strawberry jam and orange curd. Complimentary refills available.” — Editor's note
“The menu is the most extensive for afternoon tea in London, with multiple menus for different dietary requirements and restrictions.” — Editor's note

7Afternoon Tea at Corinthia London

Pastry Artistry
💴 £75–£95 pp📍 Whitehall Place, Westminster📌 Google Maps →
Verdict: / \s* The Verdict: (.*?) /s

Quick comparison

Best for
Pastry Artistry in Whitehall Place, Westminster
Strengths
Known for Pastry Artistry · Whitehall Place, Westminster
Price / value
£75–£95 pp
Why it made the list
/ \s* The Verdict: (.*?) /s
What to order
Afternoon Tea at Corinthia London is a featured pick in this guide.
📞 +442073213150🌐 Website
Afternoon Tea at Corinthia London in Whitehall Place, Westminster
“If you love traditional afternoon teas in a decadent English setting you can't go past the Corinthia London. The Baccarat chandelier is stunning.” — Editor's note

8The Rosebery at Mandarin Oriental Hyde Park

Refined & Relaxed
💴 £75–£90 pp📍 Knightsbridge📌 Google Maps →
Verdict: / \s* The Verdict: (.*?) /s

Quick comparison

Best for
Refined & Relaxed in Knightsbridge
Strengths
Known for Refined & Relaxed · Knightsbridge
Price / value
£75–£90 pp
Why it made the list
/ \s* The Verdict: (.*?) /s
What to order
The Rosebery at Mandarin Oriental Hyde Park is a featured pick in this guide.
📞 +442072352000🌐 Website
The Rosebery at Mandarin Oriental Hyde Park in Knightsbridge
“The Afternoon Tea experience at Mandarin Oriental Hyde Park's The Rosebery is one of the best, or maybe even THE best, I've had.” — Editor's note

9Afternoon Tea at The Savoy

Grand Tradition
💴 £80–£95 pp📍 Strand, Covent Garden📌 Google Maps →
Verdict: / \s* The Verdict: (.*?) /s

Quick comparison

Best for
Grand Tradition in Strand, Covent Garden
Strengths
Known for Grand Tradition · Strand, Covent Garden
Price / value
£80–£95 pp
Why it made the list
/ \s* The Verdict: (.*?) /s
What to order
Afternoon Tea at The Savoy is a featured pick in this guide.
📞 +442074202111🌐 Website
Afternoon Tea at The Savoy in Strand, Covent Garden
“The Savoy is an iconic location and one you should do at some point just to say that you have done it. The service is excellent from start to finish.” — Editor's note

10The Goring

Royal Connections
💴 £70–£85 pp📍 Beeston Place, Victoria📌 Google Maps →
Verdict: / \s* The Verdict: (.*?) /s

Quick comparison

Best for
Royal Connections in Beeston Place, Victoria
Strengths
Known for Royal Connections · Beeston Place, Victoria
Price / value
£70–£85 pp
Why it made the list
/ \s* The Verdict: (.*?) /s
What to order
The Goring is a featured pick in this guide.
📞 +442073969000🌐 Website
The Goring in Beeston Place, Victoria
“The Goring afternoon tea felt less touristy, and more intimate and charming than the department stores or other larger hotel options. Faultless and highly recommended.” — Editor's note

11Rosewood London

Art-Inspired
💴 £70–£85 pp📍 High Holborn📌 Google Maps →
Verdict: / \s* The Verdict: (.*?) /s

Quick comparison

Best for
Art-Inspired in High Holborn
Strengths
Known for Art-Inspired · High Holborn
Price / value
£70–£85 pp
Why it made the list
/ \s* The Verdict: (.*?) /s
What to order
Rosewood London is a featured pick in this guide.
📞 +442077818888🌐 Website
“Beautiful, very upscale ambience and excellent service — everything we ate was not only delicious but a work of art. The scones are some of London's best.” — Editor's note

12The Lanesborough

Themed Elegance
💴 £75–£90 pp📍 Hyde Park Corner📌 Google Maps →
Verdict: / \s* The Verdict: (.*?) /s

Quick comparison

Best for
Themed Elegance in Hyde Park Corner
Strengths
Known for Themed Elegance · Hyde Park Corner
Price / value
£75–£90 pp
Why it made the list
/ \s* The Verdict: (.*?) /s
What to order
The Lanesborough is a featured pick in this guide.
📞 +442072595599🌐 Website
The Lanesborough in Hyde Park Corner
“The quality of the food from the sandwiches to the mouth watering scones and sweet pastries was sublime. The staff really go out of their way to make you feel like royalty.” — Editor's note

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.

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.

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.

Are there dietary options for afternoon tea?

Most luxury hotels now offer vegetarian, vegan, and gluten-free teas with advance notice. Fortnum & Mason, The Mandarin Oriental, and The Lanesborough are particularly well-regarded for dietary accommodations.

How long does afternoon tea usually last?

Most afternoon tea sittings are designed to last between 1.5 to 2 hours. This allows ample time to savour the different courses, enjoy the ambiance, and engage in conversation without feeling rushed.

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