London’s best afternoon teas

What is it? F&M’s elegant tea salon, which has been serving the good stuff since 1926.

Why we love it: In a pastel-coloured dining room on the fourth floor of the iconic St James’s department store, this spacious spot excels in both sweet and savoury teas. The Diamond Jubilee Tea Salon was named in honour of Her late Majesty Queen Elizabeth’s visit in 2012, and comes with a selection of sarnies; Coronation chicken; Cotswold Legcar egg mayonnaise; Suffolk cured ham with English mustard; Cucumber with lemon and mint; and smoked trout and chive cream cheese. Then it’s time for freshly baked scones and patisseries such as lemon meringue tart, dark chocolate hazelnut praline, rhubarb and bergamot mousse and a rose eclair, all thanks to executive pastry chef Roger Pizey.

Time Out tip: Hit up the downstairs food hall after your tea, and look out for red stickered on-sale items. High quality food at supermarket prices!  

Address: 4th Floor, 181 Piccadilly, Mayfair, W1A 1ER.

Opening hours: Mon-Sat 11.30am-7pm, Sun 12-6pm.

Expect to pay: From £82 per person.

What is it? A London icon and the ideal choice for a super special occasion.

Why we love it: The Ritz is, quite literally, a byword for luxury, so you know you’re in for a treat with afternoon tea in the hotel’s Palm Court, where you’ll find yourself surrounded by the titular foliage and dining beneath a gilt ceiling that’s more ‘old money’ than Mar-A-Lago. Here you’ll be pampered to perfection as you choose between no less than 20 teas (the ‘Scented Collection’ is as floral as the décor) and pristinely presented sandwiches including a decadent smoked salmon with gentle lemon butter on sourdough. Be sure to leave room for the tantalising array of scones and pastries - the macarons are miniature works of art. 

Time Out tip: If you’re wavering on the price, fair enough – but it’s worth noting that the portions are anything but delicate and you’ll definitely get bang for your buck.

Address: 150 Piccadilly, Mayfair, W1J 9BR.

Sittings: Mon-Sun 11.30am, 1.30pm, 3.30pm, 5.30 pm & 7.30pm.

Expect to pay: £81 for adults, £59 for children.

What is it? A cool take on tea.

Why we love it: 10 Trinity Square began life as the headquarters of the Port of London Authority, so there’s been a whole lot of tea coming in and out of the place for over 100 years. No wonder they host such an exemplary afternoon tea in their jaw-dropping, domed Rotunda Bar and Lounge. Lily Vanilli – baker to the stars – has reimagined the tradition as a thoroughly modern affair. Doilies and cucumber sarnies are out; tart and salty gildas (olives, anchovy and pickled chili), salmon-topped confit potatoes and pillowy parmesan gougères are very much in. A powder-puff pink tower of Victoria sponge cake is the star of this gently ironic and extremely chic meal, though the coffee-brandy tiramisu tart isn’t far behind. Here, the emphasis is on fun rather than stuffiness. Or, as Vanilli has put it: ‘This is an afternoon tea for Londoners.’

Time Out tip: London by Lily Vanilli is basically the Brat of afternoon teas – so don’t skimp on the Champagne and/or mini cocktails. 

Address: 10 Trinity Square,  Tower Hill, EC3N 4AJ. 

Opening hours: Thu-Sun 2-7pm.

Expect to pay: £48 per person. The cocktail pairing is an extra £81.

What is it? Afternoon tea in a beautiful boudoir.

Why we love it: As part of Sketch’s luxe Mayfair pleasuredome, the velvet-clad dandy-esque Gallery is a lesson in more-is-more eclecticism, a restaurant and exhibition space, with artworks by Yinka shonibare adorning the walls. Afternoon tea here is something else – a gorgeous line-up of pretty delights ranging from smoked salmon, finger sandwiches and still-warm scones to Victoria sponge from the trolley and assorted petits’ gateaux. Think: pistachio opera cake, mandarin Battenberg as well as orange Victoria sponge from the trolley. 

Time Out tip: Don’t miss a trip to the cluster of egg-shaped toilets, where birdsong is piped into each pod.

Address: 9 Conduit St, Mayfair, W1S 2XG.

Opening hours: Mon-Sat 11am-4.30pm, Sun 11am-5pm.

Expect to pay: £115 per person, including a glass of fizz. Children up to 15 are £60 each. 

What is it? An artsy tea.

Why we love it: This whimsical tea is based on the work of the iconic Japanese artist Katsushika Hokusai. Expect BBQ beef brisket with wasabi coleslaw on a milk bun heading up the savoury offering to a sweets selection featuring yuzu cheesecake. Taking place in the glammy Mirror Room of the Rosewood London hotel, you can also sip Japanese teas and check out woodblock printing demonstrations.

Time Out tip: Visit Scarfes Bar – also in the Rosewood – after tea. The cocktails here are crazily good. 

Address: 252 High Holborn, London WC1V 7EN

Opening hours: Daily, 12-5.45pm.

Expect to pay: £80 per person. £97 with a cocktail.

What is it? A showy tea in a lavish space.

Why we love it: A self-proclaimed ‘café-restaurant in the grand European tradition’, the Wolseley combines London heritage and Viennese grandeur. Its daily afternoon tea is equally flash, with assorted finger sandwiches, fruit scones with homemade strawberry jam and clotted cream, as well as a selection of cakes. Tea veers from English breakfast through to assam, yunnan green tea, jasmine bud chocolate tea and lapsang souchong. You can add on champers and can get the same deal at The Wolseley City across town.

Time Out tip: If you want a bargain afternoon; get the simpler cream tea with fruit scones for £19.50 per person.

Address: 160 Piccadilly, Mayfair, W1J 9EB.

Sittings: Mon-Fri 2.30-6.30pm, Sat-Sun 3-6.30pm. 

Expect to pay: £46.50 per person. With bubbles £59.50.

What is it? A bucolic garden tea.

Why we love it: Over in Richmond, Petersham Nurseries is so lush with grassy footpaths and multi-coloured orchids, you forget you’re still so close to London. One of its many greenhouses is reserved for garden afternoon tea. Sweets range from chocolate bread and butter slice to refreshing lemon semolina cake, but savouries are the showstoppers. The smoked herb trout and cream cheese between sesame puff pastry is an ode to NYC’s bagel scene, while the egg mayo and cress sandwich comes in a fluffy spinach loaf. Plain and sultana-filled scones complete this triumphant tea party.

Time Out tip: Explore the Petersham garden shop or stroll along the Thames after you have stuffed yourself mightily.

Address: Church Lane, off Petersham Road, TW10 7AB.

Opening hours: Thu-Sun 12-5pm (final seating at 3pm).

Expect to pay: £60 per head. £70 with a glass of fizz.

What is it? The home of high tea.

Why we love it: High tea originated at the Langham in 1865, so this is a historic one to tick off your list. Dining in the glam Palm Court, this iconic afternoon tea is curated by executive pastry chef Andrew Gravett and celebrity chef Michel Roux Jr. We basked in the ultra elegant ambiance as a pianist played, enjoying dainty finger sandwiches with devilled quail egg, roast chicken, cucumber, and tangy Gentleman’s Relish. Scones are paired with clotted cream and homemade preserve, and there’s a melt-in-the-mouth seasonal trifle to finish. Our favourite though? The mulled cider and apple creme fraiche tart; a true taste of luxury.

Time Out tip: For an extra £20-ish, you can add on a tea cocktail. We like the sound of the chamomile version, with Pisco El Gobernador, honey, lemon, and Rathfinny sparkling wine.

Address: 1c Portland Place, Fitzrovia, W1B 1JA.

Opening hours: Daily, 12.30-5pm. 

Expect to pay: £85 per person, or £100 with a glass of Champagne.

What is it? A masterpiece delivered via the medium of tea.

Why we love it: A restaurant in a gallery is, of course, going to offer you a meal worth framing. The tea at the National Gallery’s in-house bistro Ochre is inspired by the iconic Sunflowers by Van Gogh and is something of a culinary work of art. Finger sandwiches are egg mayo with watercress, ham and tomato with mustard mayo, smoked salmon with dill crème fraîche and cucumber with cornish butter and sea salt. The sweet section features a lemon drizzle pot with fresh lemon curd, vanilla cream and lemon shortbread; chocolate and hazelnut filled choux with brownie piece and hazelnut ganache; and a blondie with strawberry jam swirl topped with vanilla butter cream. 

Time Out tip: It would be wild not to go and look at the actual Sunflowers by Van Gogh before/after your tea. Find it in room 43 as part of the main collection at the National Gallery. 

Address: Trafalgar Square, WC2N 5DN.

Opening hours: Seatings from 12-7.30pm.

Expect to pay: £55 per person or £65 with a glass of Champagne Telmont Brut or a Sunflowers Sour mezcal cocktail.

What is it? The quintessential British luxury afternoon tea.

Why we love it: At the Savoy, afternoon tea has been a tradition since 1889. Inside their new Gallery restaurant you can relax into plump sofas and take in the grand atrium’s dazzling stained glass dome before getting stuck into a thoughtfully curated afternoon tea. Delivered with seamless service, savoury sandwiches stole the spotlight. The Burford Brown egg and truffle mayo brioche? Unforgettable, and full of flavour. Pair it with your choice of 30 different teas, rich coffee or a glass of bubbly, then finish with freshly baked scones and seasonal pastries like raspberry and fig cake or chocolate and buckwheat petit gâteau – a treat for all the senses.

Time Out tip: They offer a vegan version of afternoon tea, ideal for plant-based tea-munchers. 

Address: The Savoy, Strand, WC2R 0EZ.

Opening hours: Daily, 12.30-7pm (last seating at 5.15pm)

Expect to pay: £90 per person, or £110 with a glass of Nyetimber fizz.

What is it? A tea fit for a secret agent.

Why we love it: Venture to the ultra swanky Raffles at The OWO on Whitehall for an afternoon tea that’s as much about espionage as it is tasty treats. Inspired by the spies who worked out of the building when it was the War Office during WWII, you can gorge yourself on cakes named after some of the most legendary women to snoop for king and country. It also offers traditional scones and sarniesm, as well as a chocolate cake shaped like the special pocket watch that hid all manner of secret functions and, according to Churchill, helped him win the war. 

Time Out tip: You’re only a four minute walk away from the Tattershall Castle, a floating pub on Victoria Embankment.

Address: 57 Whitehall, Westminster, SW1A 2BX.

Opening hours: Daily, 12-5.30pm. 

Expect to pay: £85 per person. From £105 with Champagne.

What is it? A Caribbean twist on a classic in Walthamstow.

Why we love it: Rhythm Kitchen founder Ann and her husband Del offer up an innovative take on the afternoon treat, with British breakfast teas sitting side-by-side with sorrel and ginger. In place of typical sandwiches, they offer jerk chicken sausage rolls and although they do serve scones, they’re spicy. Of course, you can opt for flutes of fizz, but we’d recommend the punchy rum-based cocktails to wash down all that spice, and pave the way for plantain muffins and perhaps a rum cake or two. 

Time Out tip: The Rhythm Kitchen regularly pairs its afternoon tea with special events such as candle making, so keep your eyes peeled.

Address: 257 Hoe St, Walthamstow, E17 9PT.

Sittings: Fri-Sat 1-3pm & 4-6pm 

Expect to pay: £40-50 per person.

What is it? A super glam tea. 

Why we love it: The Grill Room is a sensational space, Grade II listed and gilded to the hilt. A favourite of Oscar Wilde, it's easy to see why. The afternoon tea is just as lavish, with live piano, champers and a high-end menu that kicks off with an amuse bouche of chive and parmesan scone with watercress mousse, before rolling through roast beef and smoked salmon sarnies before fresh scones and sweets such as exotic fruits with vanilla mousse, mango gel and sable breton and uckwheat praline, chocolate ganache and salted caramel. There's a veggie and vegan option, too. 

Time Out tip: Keep the party going by walking one minute to Brasserie Zedel, another stunning central London room with a belter of a bar. 

Address: 68 Regent Street, Soho, W1B 4DY.

Opening hours: Sittings daily, 12-7.30pm.

Expect to pay: £79 per person or £95 with a glass of NV Veuve Clicquot Brut.

What is it? Tea at the grande dame of London theatres.

Why we love it: This site that has been in constant use as a playhouse since the 1600s. The tea experience starts the moment the theatre red coats welcome you into the building. Then you’re off to the Grand Saloon, where the theatrical offering starts with a savoury Act One, with sarnies and scones arriving on a serving board made from the venue’s 101-year-old stage floor removed during the building restoration in 2019. Act Two is all about the sweet treats – find out what they are when the red curtain is lifted. Talk about drama. 

Time Out tip: You’re in a theatre! Check out what’s on the big stage after your munch your way through those tiny sarnies.

Address: Catherine St, Covent Garden, WC2B 5JF.

Opening hours: Daily, 12-5pm. Sittings every half hour. 

Expect to pay: £68 per person.