If you’re in London looking for those quintessential quirks, quaintly and quixotically unique to the British, then there are few pursuits more ingrained or more charming than the ritualized afternoon tea. But first, a bit of history. It was gossip that brought us to where we are today when, on a slow news day in the 1840s, word got out that Anna, the Duchess of Bedford, enjoyed a sip of tea and a plate full of snacks before dinner.
She gradually invited more friends and family to join her, and the gossip spread through society, creating a trend and tradition for tea and cakes that has endured thus far for almost 200 hundred years — more often than not consumed within the beautiful interiors of the UK’s best hotels and restaurants.
Of course, the trend has changed somewhat, as trends tend to, with teas now embodying everything from molecular cuisine to experimental cocktails and, of course, the staple: flutes of bubbling champagne.
The Most Delightful Afternoon Teas in London – 2025 Guide
From tiered trays adorned with finger sandwiches and scones to English garden-themed spreads and culinary adventures 160 meters above the city, these are the best afternoon teas to try in London in 2025.
The Art of Afternoon Tea at The Rosewood
252 High Holborn, London WC1V 7EN
rosewoodhotels.com/en/london/dining/art-afternoon-tea
Served between 12–5:45pm | £95-£160pp
Pretty is almost too modest a word for the truly remarkable works of art presented as biscuits, cakes, sandwiches, and pastries at the Rosewood Hotel’s Art Afternoon Tea. But oh my, they are so very pretty. The tea is the creation of Rosewood’s pastry chef, Mark Perkins, and renowned multidisciplinary artist John Booth.
The result of this collaboration is an afternoon tea that blurs the lines between art and food, where dishes are served as objects that conceal a symphony of hidden flavors: think pears that are gingerbread cakes, and tulips made with colorful cake, mango mousse, and pistachio sponge.
Teas can be served as pairings for a little bit extra, with some truly sublime difficult-to-find imports. From the current list, the standouts are the rare Vietnamese teas harvested from ancient trees served alongside sandwiches and flower-blossom teas made from 100 flower blossoms from more than 20 countries, perfectly complimenting the pastries.
An Afternoon Tea in an English Garden at Petersham Nurseries
Church Lane, Off Petersham Road, Richmond TW10 7AB
petershamnurseries.com/locations/the-teahouse
Served Thur-Sun 10am-17:00pm | Items sold individually £3.50-£16
Set foot slightly off the regular London trail to idyllic Richmond in southwest London (home to the vast Richmond Deer Park) for an afternoon tea with an English garden theme at Petersham Nurseries. This place is something of an enclave of all things green-fingered, with a garden center, homeware shop, and a restaurant.
Afternoon tea is served in the Teahouse, which is essentially a large glass greenhouse full of mismatched charm, with fairy lights twinkling over well-loved vintage furniture and plants rising and dangling from all the available space.
The food is traditional with a modern twist and served with such beauty that it becomes the focal point the moment it’s served. The tiered plate is made of glass, and its center is a long, slender, flourishing vase filled with freshly plucked flowers. The sweet and savory bites below are finished with petals from the gardens, making the English garden-themed ensemble complete and so astonishingly pretty.
Literary Themed Afternoon Tea at One Aldwych
1 Aldwych, London, WC2B 4BZ
onealdwych.com/festive-season/festive-charlie-the-chocolate-factory-afternoon-tea
Served between 12-4.30pm | £65-96pp
Perched on the edge of Covent Garden and the Strand, the One Aldwych hotel, wrapped up in a delightful architectural blend of Edwardian and Parisian styles, is stunning. But as the afternoon tea is themed after Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, you might be tempted to pass it over as a strictly family affair, but the playful menu is full of delightful flavors and unique concoctions, thrilling for any palette.
Aesthetically, it’s as playful as you’d imagine, with trays served with clouds of bubblegum-flavored candy floss, cakes on sticks, and chocolate eggs.
Afternoon tea at One Aldwych is served in the Indigo dining room overlooking the Lycium, with menus filled with art inspired by Roald Dahl, with various options for vegetarians, vegans, tea-totallers, and cocktail lovers.
Sandwiches and sweets echo the color and whimsy of the author’s world, with things like coronation chicken served on onion bread and scones with a balance of salty and sweet flavors: bacon jam and caramelized onion, as well as tiny bottles of chocolate milkshake mixed by a waterfall.
Each afternoon tea is served with either a glass of Lallier Grande Réserve Champagne or a deep red Cherry Delight cocktail.
Cityscapes and Tea at the Gherkin
The Gherkin St Mary Axe London UK
afternoontea.co.uk/uk/london/the-city/helix-by-searcys-at-the-gherkin
Served Sat-Sun 12:350-3:00pm | £55-£99pp
The traditional British afternoon tea is elevated… literally, to approximately 160 meters above the streets of London at Searcys’ Helix Restaurant in the Gherkin.
The afternoon tea is good, with things like delicate finger sandwiches, tarts, macarons, and freshly baked scones with cornish clotted cream and preserves. But the real indulgence is the view.
From the 39th floor, the windows offer a sweeping panorama of London, with immersive perspectives of the nearby skyscrapers in The City, as well as breathtaking vistas of the Thames, punctuated by historic riverside architecture, slithering through central London.
The atmosphere is modern and chic, and there are numerous menus to choose from including an option to extend your afternoon tea to include bottomless champagne (for 90 minutes).
A Classic Afternoon Tea at Fortnum & Mason
Fourth Floor, Fortnum & Mason, 181 Piccadilly, St. James’s, London W1A 1ER
fortnumandmason.com/diamond-jubilee-tea-salon
Served Mon-Sat 11-8.00pm, and Sun 11:30-6:00pm | £82-£86pp
Setting can be everything for an English afternoon tea. And this one, wrapped up within the historic halls of Fortnum & Mason in the Diamond Jubilee Tea Salon (named in honor of Her late Majesty Queen Elizabeth, who opened the room), is, while somewhat understated, stately and custom-designed for an afternoon of tea and gossip.
Where many of the afternoon teas in London have taken on a slightly experimental theme, this one remains quintessentially vintage and deferential to the tradition. If you’re looking for the classic afternoon tea served as languid as Lilly atop a tiered cake stand with none of the thrills or collaborations, this is it, but there are vegetarian, vegan, and gluten-free variants available, too.
Additionally, there are menu extras, such as a tea tasting with Fortnum’s dedicated Tearista (like a barista, but for tea).
You’ll need to make your way through Fortnum & Mason’s grand Piccadilly location to find it on the fourth floor, and while there are lifts, we suggest arriving early to stroll through the store— all the more beautiful if you visit during the holiday season to see the iconic window displays.
Tapas Style Afternoon Tea (with cocktails) at Map Maison
321 Kingsland Rd, London E8 4DL
Served Mon–Wed 4:00–7:00pm Thu, Fri 15:00–17:00 Sat, Sun 12:00–17:00 | £27.50-£65pp
This gorgeous little bar in East London, with its concept of romantic maximalism: red cushioned seating in leathers and velvets, flowers and plants draped up the bar, and a 1920s design concept, makes a wonderfully boozy spot for afternoon tea.
The concept is slightly different with tapas-style bites rather than the traditional finger food, with things like savory iberico ham brioche burgers and bruschetta, as well as red velvet sweets, mini banoffee pie, and macaroons. The food comes with a pot of tea and is served with sparkling wine or the bar’s expertly crafted cocktails.
The allotted time is a bit limited at 90 minutes, but we suggest sticking around to imbibe a tipple or two from the main cocktail menu, which is one of the best on the south side of Kingsland Road. Booking ahead is a must.
A 1920s Treat at The Rosebery
66 Knightsbridge, SW1X 7LA London, United Kingdom
mandarinoriental.com/en/london/hyde-park/dine/the-rosebery
Served Mon-Sun 12 – 6:30pm | £98pp
The Rosebery in Knightsbridge’s Oriental Hyde Park was a popular tea house in the 1920s, brought back to life in 2014 to serve tea to the modern world. The setting is as delicious as the food, with interiors that perfectly match the hotel’s grandeur to the quaintness of a tea room.
The decor is modern, with refined furniture set around large bay windows with views of busy Knightsbridge traffic, and there’s a cozy fireplace for the colder months. Renowned for its seasonal tea, expertly curated by the in-house Tea Master, the Rosebery has a staggering menu of 29 loose-leaf brews alongside wine, sake, beer, and an exceptional sparkling tea pairing.
The overall theme changes seasonally as the experience is crafted as a “Grand Tour” of European cuisine, with The Rosebery’s pastry team collaborating with sister properties across the continent to offer a fresh seasonal perspective for each new menu.
Expect intricate pastries from France and Spain in the summer months, and Bavarian specialties like Apple Strudel Profiterole in the winter, always crafted from some of the finest local suppliers in Britain.
Editor’s Picks: London’s Most Iconic Hotels for Afternoon Tea
Explore afternoon tea at London’s most iconic hotels, from The Ritz’s elegant Palm Court to Claridge’s seasonal menus and The Savoy’s glass-domed Thames Foyer.
The Ritz London
Address: 150 Piccadilly, St. James’s, London W1J 9BR
The Ritz London, opened in 1906, is owned by the Barclay family. Their afternoon tea is served in the magnificent Palm Court and is famous for its elegance and tradition. The Ritz is the only UK hotel with a certified Tea Master, Giandomenico Scanu, who sources teas from around the world. Their exclusive Ritz Royal Blend Tea is only available at the hotel.
Claridge’s
Address: Brook Street, Mayfair, London W1K 4HR
Claridge’s, dating back to 1812, is now owned by the Maybourne Hotel Group. Their afternoon tea has been a ritual for almost 150 years. The hotel collaborates with world-renowned pastry chefs to create seasonal afternoon tea menus. Rare Tea Company expert Henrietta Lovell curates their menu of loose-leaf infusions.
The Savoy
Address: Strand, London WC2R 0EU
The Savoy, opened in 1889, is managed by Fairmont Hotels and Resorts. Their afternoon tea is served in the stunning Thames Foyer under a beautiful glass dome. The Savoy has its own tea blend and focuses on traditional British flavors with a modern twist.
The Goring
Address: 15 Beeston Place, Westminster, London SW1W 0JW
The Goring, opened in 1910, remains family-owned and operated by the Goring family. It’s the only hotel to hold a Royal Warrant from HM The Queen for hospitality services. Their afternoon tea, served in the elegant Lounge Bar, emphasizes traditional British flavors in an intimate setting.
