There is nothing quintessentially more British than afternoon tea in London and it is a must-do activity for anyone visiting.
Luckily for us, London is full of fantastic venues providing classic and quirky takes on afternoon tea. To enrich our patients experience if they are visiting for treatment, we have compiled a shortlist of popular tea spots around town.
We have tried to incorporate options for both classic afternoon tea, and afternoon tea with a twist; we have also found the best vegan option for our more socially conscious clients.
Afternoon Tea at Hotel Café Royal
Afternoon tea at Hotel café Royal is served in the Oscar Wilde Lounge, which has a long and storied history tied to pop culture throughout the decades. Named after the esteemed author who himself would frequent the venue, then known as the Grill Room, the Oscar Wilde Lounge has played host to many famous faces.
Nowadays, the award-winning tea service takes centre stage with a hand-picked selection of over 25 tea blends, accompanied with champagne and live music.
Currently, the menu has been crafted in recognition of Queen Victoria’s reign as monarch, celebrating the 200th anniversary of her birth.
- Price: – £55PP
- Address: – 68 Regent Street, London, W1B 4YD
Science Afternoon Tea at The Ampersand Hotel
Winning the award for ‘Best Themed Afternoon Tea’ in 2018, the Ampersand Hotel has garnered inspiration from the neighbouring science museum whilst forging their interesting menu.
Housed within The Drawing Rooms at the five-star Ampersand Hotel, just a few minute’s walk from South Kensington Station, you can experience afternoon tea with a twist.
Dishes represent a mixture of scientific disciplines, with chocolate spacemen, jams and preserves served in chemistry dishes, and cakes shaped like planets. Ampersand Hotel also offers a kids sci-fi afternoon tea, a perfect excuse for a day out, and an opportunity to get them interested in science.
- Price: – £39.50PP
- Address: – 10 Harrington Road, London, SW7 3ER
Afternoon Tea at The Zetter Townhouse Marylebone
Named by Vogue as one of the best afternoon teas in London, The Zetter Townhouse offers two menus starting at £35.50 per person, also available as a vegetarian choice.
Sweet treats on offer include freshly baked scones served with clotted cream and jam and a selection of cakes including choux buns and macaroons.
Savoury selections are taken from two menus, Aunt Wilhelmina’s menu boasting a lighter offering a selection of finger sandwiches, or Uncle Seymour’s menu featuring sausage rolls and pasties.
Afternoon tea can be served with a selection of teas, tea-infused cocktails or champagne.
- Price: – £35.50PP
- Address: – 28-30 Seymour Street, London, W1H 7JB
Afternoon Tea at The Ritz
Afternoon tea at The Ritz is served in the Palm Court a decadently decorated room that is perfect for enjoying this superbly British tradition. The Ritz boasts 18 different blends of loose-leaf tea and is the only hotel in the UK to have a tea sommelier.
Savoury treats include finely cut sandwiches of various fillings, to be followed by an array of freshly baked scones and pastries. While a pot of tea is traditional, customers can also opt to pair their afternoon tea with champagne.
Live music provided by The Ritz’s resident pianist and harpist is sure to be a great accompaniment during your visit.
- Price: – £58PP
- Address: – 150 Piccadilly, London, W1J 9BR
Vegan Afternoon Tea at Cake Boy
Founded by Eric Lanlard, a master pâtissier and regarded as one of the best in the world, Cake Boy is one of a limited number of venues to offer vegan afternoon tea.
Afternoon tea at Cake Boy is not as typically British as most are, instead opting for a French twist. Tea is taken in the vibrantly decorated café, and during the Summer tea can be enjoyed outdoors with champagne included.
Cake Boy also offers. a number of classes to turn budding bakers into well-versed pâtissiers themselves.
- Price: – £45PP
- Address: – Kingfisher House, Juniper Dr, London, SW18 1TX
Focus Clinics
We hope you have found this guide useful, if you are looking to visit Focus Clinics in London for laser eye surgery, you can book a free no-obligation consultation here.
