Best places in London for afternoon tea

First and foremost, we’re keeping it fabulous. Depending when you book a table at The Berkeley, you might be treated to the iconic Prêt-à-Portea sartorially-inspired afternoon tea, or you may be wowed by creations made by the sensational French pastry chef, Cédric Grolet for his Goûtea — a combination of the traditional British afternoon tea and the French tradition of goûter, which means sweet snacking. Choose from an array of decadent savoury treats and Wonka-like morsels that look too pretty to eat! Located on Wilton Place in Hyde Park Corner, The Berkeley is the perfect place to book if you fancy a picturesque stroll afterwards.

Larry’s makes for a particularly cool place to tuck into afternoon tea, in all senses of the word. This all-day eatery can be found in the vaults of The National Portrait Gallery (which was once used for coal storage), so if you’re looking for top-notch food in Trafalgar Square after some sightseeing, make sure you’ve booked a table here. It’s now a trendy spot fitted out with exposed brick walls, retro finishes, and plenty of intriguing portraits, of course! The afternoon menu here takes inspiration from all around the world, and includes a classic cream tea, as well as cheese and charcuterie boards, and a selection of three mini lamingtons, which are cakes that hail from Australia — like the Daisy Green Collection behind the venue!

Borough Market favourites, Bread Ahead has cult status in the doughnut world, but what you may not realise is that it also owns a vibrant tearoom located above its Pavilion Road bakery! Sub-style rolls are jam-packed with fillings including smoked salmon, egg mayonnaise, and chicken and avocado, while cakes include classics like Black Forest and Battenberg. Another highlight is, of course, the warm, cloud-like scones that can be spread with homemade jam, lemon curd and clotted cream. And the final piece of the puzzle, the tea, is provided by Fortnum & Mason, of course!

Classy yet cosy, 116 at the Athenaeum offers its diners a seriously good afternoon tea. Indulge your taste buds in some sweetness with scones and Tiptree strawberry jam or make it savoury with classic sausage rolls and savoury cheddar scones. Kick it up a notch and opt for the bottomless afternoon teas with – that’s right – bottomless Prosecco. Just a short walk from Green Park station, this venue is situated between two iconic London parks making it perfect for enjoying a post-tea stroll.

This tearoom on the edge of Kew Gardens is the home of the historic maids of honour tarts, which were loved so much by Henry VIII that he attempted to keep the recipe just for himself. Luckily, he didn’t manage to, and now this charming spot offers several different kinds of set teas in addition to its inimitable cakes. The special set tea is a decadent affair featuring sandwiches, pies and quiche as well as taster cakes, one large cake from the patisserie counter and a gift pack of chocolate truffles! If you’re not quite that peckish, then you could opt for the smaller, more traditional high tea or perhaps even the savoury version if you don’t have much of a sweet tooth!

Another Hyde Park highlight is the Blakemore Hotel, a four-star boutique spot located on one of the lovely leafy streets that this area is known for. It’s well-known for its traditional afternoon tea offering and there are two variations to choose from. The classic option features finger sandwiches, scones with jam and clotted cream, and a selection of cakes and desserts including macarons and strawberries dipped in chocolate. The more decadent King’s Guard tea includes brioche bun sandwiches and clotted cream infused with gold flakes!

Set amongst the sultry surroundings of the Karma Sanctum Soho, Wild Heart Bar and Shokudo’s Japanese high tea is unlike any other in the capital… The three Michelin starred chef behind it all, Garry Hollihead, has reimagined and arguably elevated the usual flavours and ingredients within afternoon tea. Expect intriguing twists on recognisable nibbles, such as aged Wagyu beef sliders and sake parfait. These delights can, of course, be accompanied by a carafe of sake or a flight of cocktails, and you can even upgrade your experience, quite literally, by moving it up to the fifth-floor rooftop terrace…

Located within the stylish Mercure Hotel in the foodie hub of London Bridge, you’ll find one of Marco Pierre White’s New York Italian restaurants, where he fuses modern and traditional flavours found in classic Italian joints in the Big Apple. Afternoon tea here is kept fairly traditional with a selection of sandwiches and scones, then sweet bites including a chocolate and caramel mirror slice, lemon cheesecake and macarons. You can make a real treat of it by upgrading with a glass of fizz, too!