The best afternoon tea in London evokes all the senses. In a city of independent thinkers and big dreamers, we aren’t surprised that it was so easy to find some creative afternoon teas with a twist. From Disney villains to runway-ready, here are the best afternoon teas London has on offer as it’s never too hot for tea.
These restaurants and hotels have been handpicked for their impeccable service, beautiful interiors and, of course, their delicious afternoon tea menus. Use the interactive map below to find the most convenient location for your next teatime experience or head out to the destination of your choice to enjoy a high tea with a twist.
Treat your inner child to this glorious array of sweet and savoury delights at this afternoon tea inspired by Roald Dahl’s Charlie and the Chocolate Factory. Enjoy beetroot macarons, succulent roast beef with horseradish followed by perfectly presented desserts alongside chocolate or lemon sherbet tea, bespoke cocktails or a glass of bubbles. You can even book a full experience and enjoy a cinema screening of the iconic Dalh film followed by afternoon tea which makes for a unique gift idea.
www.onealdwych.com/food-drink/afternoon-tea
Feel personally catered for by outstanding pastry chef Mourad Khiat. This afternoon tea will be one to remember and it is no surprise it has won awards for being the best themed afternoon tea. Every part of the afternoon tea at The Berkeley is a delicate creation that showcases Mourad’s talent of combining winning flavours with beautiful designs that make a statement. The Spring/Summer tea is exquisitely designed with bold and vibrant colours and it is sure to lift anyone’s mood. Our favourite designs in this high tea include the exotic fruit mousse topped with a sugar starfish and a vanilla biscuit that pays tribute to the iconic Moschino puppet, Anna Wintour. Whoever thought to mix high fashion with cakes and finger sandwiches needs a raise because we are crazy for this afternoon tea with the most individual theme.
Enjoy afternoon tea sat next to a Mary Poppins-esque sweet cart complete with jars full of vintage sweet shop classics from liquorices to blue raspberry BonBons. This sweet tea is inspired by the magic that makes a child’s eyes light up in a sweet shop. From Reece’s peanut butter cups to homemade chocolate chip scones to the pink lemonade, this tea is a playful haven for anyone who wants to be transported to a dreamy land of candy floss beds and sugar toadstools. This really is the full experience with all the finer details considered for a one of a kind experience that adults and children alike will appreciate.
Premiering at The Lanesborough is this Cruella-inspired high tea innovation inspired by the newly released film by Disney. The afternoon tea ‘It’s A Little Bit Mad’ brings all the iconic Cruella de Vil looks to life with the use of dalmatian black, ruby red and glamourous gold. This Disney afternoon tea combines style with mouthwatering traditional pastries. Yet it is not just the theme here that is memorable. The afternoon tea is served in The Lanesborough’s richly decorated dining room with a spectacular domed glass room or in their elegant and relaxing drawing-room. This hotel is totally photo-worthy and you would be ‘A Little Bit Mad’ to miss out on this opportunity.
www.oetkercollection.com/the-lanesborough/afternoon-tea
This signature plant-based high tea has been revamped for the autumn menu. Premiering in September 2021, this all-vegan, refined sugar-free, with no additives or chemicals afternoon tea is unique in so many of the best ways. The options in this vegan high tea include smoked tofu and truffle wrap, garden berry pavlova and a range of CBD food and drink items including truffles, hemp leaf tea and cocktails. According to the Farmacy menu, their organic CBD is harvested in Switzerland and Austria and can aid stress relief and enhance your mood. This is a classic afternoon tea with a hidden twist of calm.
https://farmacylondon.com/pages/restaurant-london-notting-hill-high-tea
Just like the premium Michelin star location, this seasonal afternoon tea at Sketch mixes British traditions with a sense of character and style. This award-winning high tea in Mayfair in David Shrigley’s iconic Gallery is a destination to be celebrated. The eccentric interior of this restaurant sees dusty pink walls with matching puff scalloped chairs meet intricately decorated finger sandwiches and delicate desserts for a super pink extravaganza. The menu includes classics such as sultana scones with novel additions such as blueberry and orange blossom jam. According to Sketch, the etiquette is to place jam before cream but however, you choose to serve your scones there will be something magnificent about this high tea.
Dine on this edible tour of some of London’s most notable landmarks including ‘The Gherkin’ ‘The Shard’ ‘Red Telephone Box’ and, of course, the iconic ‘Big Ben’. With your scones and landmark desserts displayed on a miniature London Eye tea stand it’s impossible not to feel connected to this historic city. The Kensington Hotel is just a stone’s throw away from Kensington Gardens and Hyde Park which is an ideal place to have a wander after indulging in this London theme afternoon tea to explore more of what London has to offer
https://townhousekensington.com/london-landmarks-afternoon-tea/
Adventure to Neverland with this Peter Pan inspired afternoon tea on the 32nd floor of The Shard. With the panoramic views of London’s skyline from The Shard not dissimilar from the views you would experience flying up to the ‘second star to the right, and straight on till morning’ towards Neverland. Not only are the finger sandwiches, pastries and desserts sprinkled with creativity but the innovative treats are served on a bespoke tea stand inspired by an 18th Century pirate ship and a treasure chest. When you dine at Aqua Shard you’ll notice popular tokens from the book, such as the ‘Lost Boy Rules’, the ‘Mushroom Chimney’ and ‘Tick-Tock the Crocodile’. Whatsmore, the world-class team at Aqua Shard specially designed a Fairy Dust cocktail and a non-alcoholic Never Grow Up punch to accompany this unique and sophisticated afternoon tea that will take you away to this magical world.
The Official Peter Rabbit afternoon tea is a woodland spectacle complete with edible flower pots and glossy red top mushrooms. No detail has been left unturned for this high tea in Piccadilly’s The Terrace. Of course no Peter Rabbit themed tea would be complete without every bunny’s favourite – carrot. They offer a mouthwatering carrot cake is topped with cream cheese and an edible chocolate carrot. Plus more teas than you could possibly choose from including red bush caramel velvet and rosy white fig.
https://thedillylondon.com/food-drink/afternoon-tea/
Voted the best contemporary afternoon tea in the whole of the UK, this artist tea with colourful pastries combines Japanese flavours with traditional french techniques. Chef Mark Perkins was inspired to release this artistic afternoon tea to complement the work of Yayoi Kusama’s new contemporary exhibition at the Tate Modern. The moment you step into the Rosewood hotel you will feel transported out of busy Central London and into a peaceful retreat.
https://www.rosewoodhotels.com/en/london/dining/art-afternoon-tea
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