Best afternoon Tea in London is basically my excuse to slow down and pretend I’ve got my life together for a couple of hours. London just does tea differently — like, the moment the tiered tray shows up, you feel like royalty even if you’re wearing sneakers. I’ve tried a bunch of spots around the city, from the super-classic hotels where everything feels straight out of a movie, to the quirkier, themed places where they’re not afraid to mess around with flavours. Some places nail the scones, others do wild desserts, and a few just win because the vibe is so cosy you forget the world exists.
And honestly, half the fun is just sitting there, catching up with someone, drinking way too much tea, and pretending you’re not about to eat your bodyweight in clotted cream. If you’re planning a London trip — or even if you live here — there’s always a new tea spot to discover. These are the ones that stuck with me.
Best Afternoon Tea in London For Tea Lovers
Discover the Top 20+ Best Afternoon Tea Spots in London for a Truly Classic British Experience:
- The Ritz London
- Claridge’s
- The Savoy – Thames Foyer
- Fortnum & Mason – Diamond Jubilee Tea Salon
- The Dorchester
- Sketch London (The Gallery)
- The Langham – Palm Court
- Brown’s Hotel
- The Berkeley – Pret-a-Portea
- The Lanesborough
- Shangri-La at The Shard – Ting
- Rosewood London – Mirror Room
- The Connaught
- Harrods Tea Rooms
- Corinthia London
- The Goring
- The Peninsula London
- Taj 51 Buckingham Gate – Kona
- The Waldorf Hilton
- One Aldwych – Charlie & the Chocolate Factory Tea
- Hotel Café Royal – Oscar Wilde Lounge
- The Wallace Collection Tea Room
- The Ampersand Hotel – Science Afternoon Tea
- Peggy Porschen Parlour
- Dalloway Terrace
Best Afternoon Tea London Spots That Are Totally Worth Booking
1. The Ritz London
- Honestly, The Ritz is the place you go when you want the full “wow, I’m fancy today” moment.
- The room looks like something out of a royal movie — gold everywhere, chandeliers, the whole vibe.
- Their scones? Ridiculously good. Like, you think you’ll eat one, and then suddenly you’ve inhaled three.
- The staff is super attentive without being awkward, which I loved.
- It’s definitely a splurge, but if you’re celebrating something or just want that classic London afternoon tea feeling, it’s worth every second.
2. Claridge’s
- Claridge’s feels calm, elegant, and somehow cosy at the same time — like luxury without the stiffness.
- The tea selection is huge, but the staff actually helps you pick something instead of pretending you already know.
- Their pastries look almost too pretty to eat, but trust me, you’ll eat them anyway.
- The scones come out warm, and the clotted cream is dangerously good.
- It’s one of those places where you end up staying longer than planned because the vibe is just that relaxing.
3. The Savoy – Thames Foyer
- The Savoy’s Thames Foyer has this gorgeous glass dome that makes the whole place feel bright and soft.
- It’s kind of impossible not to take a picture before you sit down.
- The tea is really smooth, and the sandwiches have that perfect “tiny but addictive” thing going on.
- They often have live piano music, which makes everything feel special without being over the top.
- If you want afternoon tea that feels classy but still chill, this spot hits the sweet spot.
4. Fortnum & Mason – Diamond Jubilee Tea Salon
- Fortnum & Mason feels like stepping into the most British place ever, in the best way.
- The Tea Salon upstairs is airy, bright, and honestly just a happy place to sit for an hour or two.
- They have more teas than you’ll know what to do with, but the staff happily talks you through it.
- Everything tastes super fresh — especially the cakes.
- It’s less formal than the big hotels, so it’s perfect if you want something fancy but still friendly.
5. The Dorchester
- Afternoon tea at The Dorchester feels luxurious but still welcoming — not stiff or intimidating.
- The room is beautifully decorated, and the whole place smells like pastries and flowers, which is not a bad combo.
- Their finger sandwiches are surprisingly memorable; you end up asking for refills without shame.
- The pastries change with the seasons, so you always get something fun and different.
- It’s the kind of spot you go to when you want a classic London experience with just a touch of glam.
