My fellow Americans, you need to start drinking tea.
Afternoon tea in London is far from the paper cup of Earl Grey you get at the quick-stop. It’s the difference between having a burnt cup of java at a diner and an artisanal brew made with love from a barista at your favorite coffee shop.
And afternoon tea is an event, not on occasion.
One does not simply sip tea and skedaddle. Nay — high tea means multiple courses of finger sandwiches, scones, and sweets that will make you wonder why the heck the boys in Boston sent this lovely cultural hallmark to the depths of the harbor and American society. Some of the capital city’s best venues are your hosts for unbelievable tea times for first-time visitors and longtime Londoners alike.
Trust us: the best places for afternoon tea in London will make even a discerning drinker like Ted Lasso change their tune.
Afternoon tea at the Palm Court at The Ritz London. Image Credit: The Ritz London
The Ritz London afternoon tea
Best for: a refined experience for all ages
Closest station: Green Park
You need to sit down and thoroughly enjoy yourself as any self-respecting Brit would, so take the Jubilee, Victoria, or Piccadilly lines to Green Park’s station right outside The Ritz. Ritz London afternoon tea is a great gateway experience, especially if you’re shacking up there for the night. Along with a live pianist and a special children’s tea experience, these folks end afternoon tea with a champagne celebration so you really can’t go wrong.
Claridge's Hotel afternoon tea
Best for: unique seasonal menus
Closest station: Bond Street | Oxford Circus
Claridge’s knows how important the sanctity of afternoon tea is which is why their traditional afternoon tea service abides by the standard sweet and savory menu combination. Its children’s afternoon tea and champagne afternoon tea doesn’t stray far from convention, but throughout the year, it does indulge in special events. Take the limited Wimbledon afternoon tea session, available only when the Wimbledon Championships take place.
Afternoon tea at The Savoy
Best for: a traditional tea experience
Closest station: Charing Cross | Temple
Temporarily closed
The Savoy London afternoon tea experience is world famous, thanks to its setting in a glass-domed atrium. It’s traditional yet with the times: vegan and vegetarian afternoon tea sessions are also on the schedule. You’ll find The Savoy right off of The Strand, accessible via the Charing Cross and Temple Underground stations.
Fortnum & Mason afternoon tea
Best for: regal yet relaxed service
Closest station: Green Park | Piccadilly Circus
The Diamond Jubilee Tea Salon at Fortnum & Mason has a 314-year-long tea sipping tradition in this space, which includes a visit from Her late Majesty Queen Elizabeth. Despite serving the late Queen, Duchess of Cornwall, and Duchess of Cambridge, the service itself isn’t overbearing. It’s primped and polished but not pretentious, making it equal parts lavish and laid-back.
Interior dining at Sketch in London. Image Credits: Sketch London
Sketch London afternoon tea
Best for: an English tradition with a French twist
Closest station: Oxford Circus
Sketch is bold: they rolled into the UK’s capital and attempted to reimagine the best afternoon tea in London — with French flair, nonetheless! And we’d be lying if we said they did a bad job. Sketch’s tea service is its own tradition: the petit gâteau are delectable, the scones are scrumptious, and every pot is prepared perfectly.
The Langham afternoon tea
Best for: perhaps the original “public” afternoon tea experience
Closest stations: Regent’s Park | Oxford Circus
Listen, we’re not saying The Langham invented afternoon tea, but as the first joint outside of an aristocratic estate to have it on the menu, they can certainly lay claim to being the OG. Tuck in your shirt and mind your manners when you step into Palm Court. Classic British biscuits (not the southern kind) and tarts (not the “pop” kind) adorn a menu that also includes indulgent finger sandwiches and exquisite pastries.
The Goring afternoon tea
Best for: a fruity affair on the veranda
Closest station: Victoria
The Goring serves its afternoon tea in The Veranda overlooking the garden. You’re welcome to sip in their Dining Room (where you’ll have the same experience) but we think the greenery pairs well with the selection of seasonal, locally-sourced fruits and homemade jams that arrive at your table. Toast to what the British Tea Guild Council considered a Top London Afternoon Tea with a glass of Bollinger Champagne.
The Dorchester afternoon tea
Best for: cake with your tea
Closest station: Marble Arch
In a hotel that has an Alain Ducasse restaurant, a wine vault, and its own cake and flower shop, expect an extraordinary afternoon tea session at The Dorchester. Dress brilliantly to match this stylish Mayfair setting adorned with fascinating artwork. At The Dorchester, you can have your cake and eat it, too. A selection of rare and exclusive teas join an exceptional menu of cakes to leave your sweet tooth satisfied.
Afternoon tea at Harrods in London. Image Credit: Harrods
Afternoon tea at Harrods
Best for: a quintessentially British afternoon tea in a surprising location
Closest station: Knightsbridge
At first glance, afternoon tea from a department store seems a little suspect, until you realize that your favorite café is Target and half the reason you visit IKEA is for the meatballs. The Harrods Tea Rooms will surprise you with a wonderfully curated menu of teas and live piano music.
Ochre at the National Gallery afternoon tea
Best for: visits to Trafalgar Square
Closest station: Charing Cross
Ochre is more than a convenient stop for afternoon tea during a trip to the National Gallery. This restaurant featured in the Michelin Guide is celebrating the National Gallery’s Bicentennial with a Bicentenary Afternoon Tea menu featuring a special cocktail, birthday cake, and classic tea sandwiches.
The Library at County Hall afternoon tea
Best for: views of Big Ben and the Thames
Closest station: Waterloo
Don’t close the book on The Library at County Hall because it’s near tourist attractions like Shrek’s Adventure London and The Paddington Bear Experience. This cozy venue knows how to treat a guest. We assume they saw room for improvement with the standard Champagne Afternoon Tea service and opened up a Free-Flowing Afternoon Tea with British Sparkling session. You’ll receive the same finger sandwiches, jammed scones, and clotted creams, but with 1.5 hours of free-flowing sparkling wine.
The Beaumont hotel afternoon tea
Best for: Jay Gatsby vibes
Closest station: Bond Street
The Beaumont’s Afternoon Tea is, and we quote, “the best of English traditions, sprinkled with a light American accent”. Thankfully, that American accent is more like Leonardo DiCaprio in Great Gatsby than in The Departed. Served appropriately in the Gatsby Room, this elegant art deco space is where a Roaring ‘20s feel is paired with cured lox, smoked chicken, and pulled ham sandwiches.
Afternoon tea at Ting at the Shangri-La Hotel in London. Image Credit: Ting Shangri-La
Ting at the Shangri-La Hotel at The Shard afternoon tea
Best for: a tea time atop London’s skyline
Closest station: London Bridge
Living up to expectations higher than its 35th-floor location in The Shard, afternoon tea at Ting at the Shangri-La Hotel is a top-tier affair. Enhancements on favorites, like adding a dry-aged beef or truffle egg and cream sandwich to the menu, make it a cut above others. We’ll also admit without shame that the signature Chocolate Shard served over a cloud of dry ice is our favorite part of this experience.
Nobu Hotel London Portman Square afternoon tea
Best for: a beautiful Japanese inspired experience
Closest station: Marble Arch
Nobu is already synonymous with the highest standards of Japanese cuisine, but Nobu Hotel London Portman Square doubles down by adding another big brand to your reservation: Byredo. The luxury Scandi beauty brand partnered with Nobu for the Byredo Afternoon Tea experience. The menu is inspired by the Mojave Ghost fragrance and includes a special Japanese tea, Byredo Renaissance. Settle in for Yasai afternoon tea with cup sushi, spicy vegetable miso chips, and crispy tofu canape.
Pan Pacific London afternoon tea
Best for: family-friendly weekend tea
Closest station: Liverpool Street
Should you crave a more internationally-inspired afternoon tea experience, Pan Pacific London brings a Southeast-Asian twist to its Straits Kitchen. Served only Thursday through Monday, afternoon tea at Pan Pacific is a family-friendly endeavor thanks to its Children’s Corner. While you try the tofu bao with your oolong tea, they’ll be busy with Bonpoint colored pencils in one hand and a cherry lollipop in the other.
Afternoon tea at TOZI Grand Cafe in London. Image Credit: TOZI Grand Cafe/Rebecca Hope Photography
Afternoon tea at TOZI Grand Cafe
Best for: Italian-style cuisine
Closest station: Battersea Power Station
We’ve got a list of reasons to bum around Battersea Power Station for the day, starting with afternoon tea at TOZI Grand Cafe. With the opulent vibes of mainland Europe’s grand cafés, such timeless style and traditional afternoon tea service are given TOZI’s hallmark Italian touch. We’re talking about a proper cuppa featuring cannolis, maritozzi, and a ciabatta pane carasau with mozzarella and prosciutto that’ll make you think you were in Campania.
Afternoon tea at Eltham Lodge
Best for: an active afternoon tea experience
Closest station: Mottingham
If you want a tee time with your tea time, do we have the spot for you. Eltham Lodge is the clubhouse of the Royal Black Heath Golf Club, overlooking a stunning 110-acre golf course in Greenwich. Visitors are welcome to play 18 then enjoy an alternative 19th hole with a sumptuous cream tea session.
Mad Hatters Afternoon Tea @ Sanderson London
Best for: an easy-going tea time that won’t leave you mad
Closest station: Oxford Circus | Goodge Street | Tottenham Court Road
One of the coolest afternoon tea sessions in London is the Mad Hatters tea party at Sanderson London. Go down the rabbit hole and you’ll be curiouser and curiouser about the treats inspired by Alice in Wonderland. The Tweedle Brothers pastry pairs Valrhona dark chocolate with salted caramel Chantilly, while the Cheshire Cat tea sandwich lures you in with Clarence Court egg mayonnaise vol-au-vent and micro watercress. Your little hatters can just as readily enjoy a juicy Drink Me Potion pastry and Queen of Hearts cheesecake.
Afternoon tea at Charlie & the Chocolate Factory at One Aldwych in London. Image Credit: One Aldwych
One Aldwych Charlie & the Chocolate Factory afternoon tea
Best for: fantastical finger foods
Closest station: Temple
You’ve got the golden ticket when you reserve a seat at the Charlie & the Chocolate Factory afternoon tea at the One Aldwych hotel. Begin with a spin and travel into a world of tasty creation. Snozzberry jam scones anyone? How about a ganache made with tonka, coffee, and jelly beans? At One Aldwych, this Wonka-inspired afternoon tea is a world of pure imagination.
Wizard afternoon tea at Georgian House Hotel
Best for: conjuring up a magical memory
Closest station: Victoria | Pimlico
The Georgian House Hotel is already one of the best family hotels in London thanks to its Harry Potter-themed rooms, but you need not put your name in a goblet of fire to make your way into their Wizard afternoon tea. No sorting hat required for this three-course service that includes tea and coffee. Add a butterscotch beer to your table and order the lot off the trolley (aka, all of the desserts off of the menu).
Sweet Shop afternoon tea at The Chesterfield
Best for: nostalgic indulgence
Closest station: Green Park
Give into decadence at The Chesterfield’s Sweet Shop. The classic sweet shops of yesteryear inspired this afternoon tea experience that sweet tooths young and old will salivate over. Fresh homemade chocolate chip and traditional scones taste like your youth while other homemade pastries flavored with Coca-Cola, Drumsticks, bubblegum, and Reece’s peanut butter cups are baked to send you home with more sweet memories.
Afternoon tea. Image Credit: Getty Images, Eva-Katalin
Spilling the tea about English afternoon tea FAQs
Don’t let the refined reputation of English afternoon tea scare you from setting a reservation. Here’s what you need to know about the British tea experience.
What is the history of Afternoon Tea?
Drinking tea is nothing new to the last five millennia, but the concept of English afternoon tea is pretty modern. The seventh Duchess of Bedford created the concept in 1840 when she needed a mid-afternoon snack to hold her over until dinner. She regularly asked for tea, bread, and cake, then started inviting her friends to join. Afternoon tea was popularized with the “in-crowd” of aristocrats and became a social event. As the late-1880s approached, commonfolk started to adopt the trend (with the Palm Court at The Langham Hotel claiming to serve the first afternoon tea outside of the aristocracy).
High tea vs afternoon tea: what’s the difference?
High tea and afternoon tea are very similar, but their first divide is found at the time of day. Afternoon tea is served, well, in the afternoon; generally stopping by 4pm. High tea is served in the late afternoon or early evening. Afternoon tea is an affair with lighter fare; think finger sandwiches and patisserie treats. High tea has a more substantial menu that is more fork-and-knife.
Afternoon tea. Image Credit: Getty Images, Michael Blann
What are the three courses of afternoon tea?
The three courses of afternoon tea are served on a tiered tray: the first course is scones or breads with jams, creams, and curds; the second course is tea sandwiches like smoked salmon, egg salad, and cucumber finger sandwiches; the final course and top tray is reserved for patisserie desserts like cakes.
What time is afternoon tea served?
Afternoon tea is traditionally served around 3pm or 4pm. You’ll find that hotels and restaurants may have extended afternoon tea hours starting as early as 11am. Keep in mind that high tea is considered post-4pm, and while it has a similar scene, the courses are a little different.
What to wear for afternoon tea?
Sitting down for afternoon tea isn’t the same as sitting down for coffee. It’s often a one-to-three hour event and its reputation warrants respect. Dress casually, not “touristy” and not in a tux. Most hotels and restaurants serving afternoon tea will specify a dress code on their websites.
Afternoon tea etiquette explained
When you attend your first afternoon tea session, keep these etiquette rules in mind:
- Keep your phone in your pocket and don’t live stream the experience.
- Eat with your hands, not silverware, but refrain from licking your fingers.
- Remember that small sips and small bites are the best manners.
- Pick up your teacup by the handle, keep you pinky down, and never hold the saucer.
- Stir your tea gently, but don’t swirl it.
Train times for tea times
Let us help you make your tea time. Download the Trainline app where you can buy and digitally store your London Underground tickets so you’ll never be late for the best afternoon tea in London.
Header Image Credit: Getty Images, Stefania Pelfini La Waziya Photography