If you’re one of those people who still thinks afternoon tea is stuffy and boring, then you clearly haven’t been doing it right. From Audrey Hepburn-themed teas with lipstick-shaped cakes, to one-of-a kind scientific experiences combining chemistry and gastronomy, there’s so much more going on in London than just a pot of tea, cucumber finger sandwiches, and a miniature Victoria sponge. With so many choices for afternoon tea across the capital, from classic ones to kids’ ones, those inspired by film and TV , and some in weird and wonderful locations, there’s bound to be a tea out there to suit everyone’s tastes and budget.
To help you find the right one for you, our food experts have curated a tried and tested list of the best afternoon teas in London (in no particular order). Metro's top picks at a glance: Best for a classic afternoon tea: The Dorchester, from £95 per person Best for tea lovers: Claridge’s, from £90 per person Best for a budget afternoon tea: Anya’s Cafe, from £35 per person Best for afternoon tea with the kids: The Ampersand Hotel, from £ £59.50 per person, £39.
50 for children Best for a themed afternoon tea: The Lanesborough, from £85 per person Best for value and overall experience: Theatre Royal Drury Lane, from £59 for adults, £20 for children 1. Claridge’s Afternoon Tea Welcome to the Slice The Slice is your weekly guide to what’s happening in London , so if you’re looking for restaurant reviews, drinks deals or just a great new exhibition to visit on a rainy Saturday in the capital, we’ve got you covered. Click here for this week’s edit of the best things to do in town – and if you want get the next edition before anyone else, sign up here ! The afternoon tea at Claridge’s is regularly touted as one of the best in London, and honestly, it’s not hard to see why it’s so renowned.
At this luxury hotel, the pot of tea itself is the star of the show, with connoisseur Henrietta Lovell scouring the globe to find delicious flavours from little-known producers. There’s a wide range of blends to choose from, including rare Earl Grey made with bergamot oil from Calabria, Waikato Black tea from New Zealand, and a uniquely sweet hand-rolled Sri Lankan tea. The food menu changes seasonally, with a selection of classic sandwiches such as smoked salmon, roast chicken, egg mayonnaise, and English cucumber, scones, and sweet pastries crafted by the hotel’s executive pastry chef Thibault Hauchard.
Aside from traditional afternoon tea, the hotel also occasionally puts on themed spreads for big events like Wimbledon – they also offer a children’s tea. Metro’s Newsletter Editor, Sophie Laughton is a big fan of afternoon tea at Claridge’s and hailed it ‘classy’ and ‘understated’. However, she acknowledges it won’t be for everyone as it’s ‘very, very expensive’.
She said: ‘Tea at Claridge’s is held in the elegant Art Deco Foyer and Reading Room. It’s quiet, understated and very, very expensive. ‘They’ve been serving tea here for over 150 years so they know what they’re doing – cucumber and mint sandwiches with perfectly cut edges, fluffy raisin scones with their homemade jam, and an enormous selection of fancy teas, served in their iconic green-striped pots.
’ We’re drooling just thinking about it. Naturally, as we’re sure you’ve realised, an experience like this doesn’t come cheap, with afternoon tea at Claridge’s starting from £90 per person. This price rises to £100 with a glass of Laurent-Perrier champagne, or £115 per person for rosé champagne.
Location: Claridge’s, Brook Street, Mayfair Price: From £90 per person Book here 2. Theatre Royal Drury Lane Afternoon tea at a theatre should be dramatic, and this one does not disappoint. The Grand Saloon setting is an opulent backdrop for the theatre’s Regency-themed tea, with sparkling chandeliers, a grand piano, marble columns, and ornate ceilings.
Even the toilets here are fancy AF. And the food looks just as good as the decor, with stunning cakes by Lily Vanilli, served on fine bone china adorned with mythical characters. The attention to detail is spectacular.
But you won’t find any sandwiches being served here (except for the occasional ice cream sandwich in summer). Instead, the tea stand is laden with other delicious treats such as miniature pies, savoury madeleines, and tiny crumpets. Metro.
co.uk’s specialist food writer Courtney Pochin had a top notch experience at the Theatre Royal Drury Lane, which was capped off by the one and only Andrew Lloyd Webber walking through the Grand Saloon – an unexpected bonus. ‘My husband surprised me with an afternoon tea at the Theatre Royal Drury Lane for my birthday and it was a wonderful gift.
The staff were incredibly attentive and went above and beyond to make the whole experience magical, with a special chocolate birthday treat at the end. ‘The setting lives up to its name as it’s certainly very grand, and the food is delicious. I enjoyed the savouries and found I didn’t miss sandwiches at all as there were so many other delightful things to try on the tea stand.
‘The cakes here are what it’s all about, with Lily Vanilli known for her beautifully iced creations topped with swirls and whirls of vivid buttercream. Real coquette/Marie Antoinette vibes, perfect for the Instagram and TikTok girlies. ‘My only word of warning is that there’s a LOT of buttercream on the cake, so if you leave it to last like I did, you likely won’t be able to finish it.
I was well and truly defeated by this afternoon tea. ‘If I went again, I’d box the cake up to take away and enjoy at a later time, as I think it would have been wonderful on its own with a cup of tea. There was just too much here to eat and enjoy – certainly not a bad problem to have, but it does mean you need to come hungry.
’ Prices here start from £59 for adults, with the option to upgrade to champagne afternoon tea for £10 extra. Children’s afternoon tea starts from £20 per person. Location: Theatre Royal Drury Lane, Catherine Street, Covent Garden Price: From £59 for adults, £20 for children Book here 3.
The Lanesborough Afternoon tea at The Lanesborough is inspired by the hit Netflix show Bridgeron, and the lavish pale blue dining room it’s hosted in will make you feel as if you’ve been transported straight into the Regency period and are having tea and cake with Lady Whistledown herself. There have been several iterations of the tea already, with a Queen Charlotte one, but the most recent is based on Penelope Featherington and Colin Bridgerton’s love story. Head pastry chef Pierre Morvan-Benezet creates four signature bakes for the occasion, which are delightful.
The highlight of our visit was ‘The Social Butterfly’, which is a sharing cake inspired by Pen. Those who want to pair the tea with an alcoholic beverage can also enjoy a themed cocktail or mocktail, or opt for a glass of bubbly. Standard afternoon tea fare, such as a selection of sandwiches and homemade scones are also included.
Courtney was blown away by the food and the location, which was like ‘a set taken straight from the show’. She said: ‘The sandwiches are elevated classics, the scones are baked to perfection and the cakes are tiny works of art. The vivid green Social Butterfly is the star of the show, with a dreamy pistachio filling – it’s so good, you might not want to share it! ‘Tea lovers can pair their food with a special Bridgerton blend for the occasion, which is a black tea with rose, or if you’re feeling a little adventurous, I highly recommend the chocolate brownie tea.
I’m not one for flavoured teas normally, but this one was delightful. It’s like a hot chocolate in tea form, and with a little milk and sugar (yes, I’m a heathen) it’s sweet, sweet goodness. And if you like any of the blends, you can always take a tin home at the end for a cool £35.
’ The Bridgerton afternoon tea starts at £85 per person, this rises to £95 with a cocktail, and £98 with a glass of champagne. Location: The Lanesborough, Hyde Park Corner, Knightsbridge Price: From £85 per person Book here 4. The Ritz When you think of London and afternoon tea, there are likely two places that spring to mind, either Fortnum & Mason, or The Ritz.
The experience at the latter is one of the most famous in the world, and it’s certainly an absolute classic. Sophie describes the Palm Court setting as ‘unbelievably opulent’, with enormous gilded statues, marble, and crystal all around. ‘It’s rammed with tables groaning under the weight of silver tea pots and tiered china cake stands,’ she says.
‘Fresh sandwiches and scones come in quintessential English flavours, and the pastries are almost too ornate to eat. Make sure to leave a bit of room after you finish, as your waiter will come round with a beautiful, old-fashioned cake trolley offering an array of stunning sponges and desserts.’ However, there are one or two issues that mean we couldn’t quite rate this the best afternoon tea overall: the place is incredibly busy, and you’re required to be in and out within a certain timeframe.
Sophie adds: ‘It’s absolutely a wonderful experience, but the busy room isn’t exactly relaxing, and one and a half hours isn’t really long enough to get through all of those delicious tiers.’ For this timeless afternoon tea, prices start from £76 for adults, and £55 for children. Location: The Ritz, 150 Piccadilly, Mayfair Price: From £76 for adults, and £55 for children Book here 5.
Afternoon Tea at Larry’s Enjoy a unique experience with Larry’s Audrey Hepburn-inspired afternoon tea, a tribute to the enchanting elegance of the 1961 movie, Breakfast at Tiffany’s. Located in historic vaults beneath the National Portrait Gallery, Larry’s is a sophisticated cocktail bar setting that almost feels like a film set, according to Juliet Walsh, a video journalist for The Slice by Metro . You’ll feel like Holly Golightly as you enjoy elevated afternoon tea classics, with sandwiches on the menu including hot smoked salmon with horseradish, chicken caesar with candied walnuts, and cucumber ribbons with cream cheese and lemon.
There’s also a selection of savoury goodies such as a chorizo and San Simon croquette with charcoal crumb and saffron aioli, and an Australian Wagyu party pie with pale ale ketchup. For the sweet stuff, the cakes are really something special, with patisserie shaped like a Revlon pink lipstick, Audrey’s iconic black sunglasses and a little blue Tiffany box (filled with Mars bar cheesecake). Those dining can enjoy the classic tea menu for £49.
50, or upgrade to champagne or a themed cocktail for an additional £10. Juliet added: ‘I felt utterly spoiled by this array of treats capturing Audrey’s classic style, including the Hepburn cocktail made with mint-infused gin, Cointreau, Green Chartreuse, clarified lemon, and vegan Earl Grey tea lemon foam. This drink perfectly embodies Holly Golightly – elegant with a mighty kick.
‘The meticulous attention to detail in the menu, decor, and live jazz is a heartfelt tribute to the icon, truly showcasing Larry’s admiration for the star. It’s hard not to be swept up in the romance of it all! ‘This has been my favourite afternoon tea to date, and I can’t stop raving about it. How often do you get the chance to sip on Earl Grey martinis and snack on edible blue Tiffany boxes? If you’re an Audrey fan, I highly recommend indulging in this experience.
Dress up, bring a friend or family, and fully immerse yourself in this charming day out.’ Location: Larry’s, National Portrait Gallery, St Martin’s Place, central London Price: From £49.50 per person Book here 6.
The Dorchester It’s easily one of the most expensive afternoon teas in London, coming in at an eye-watering £95 per person (without champagne) and as much as £180 per person with a glass of Dom Pérignon Vintage. But thankfully, it’s a case of you get what you pay for, as The Dorchester’s experience exudes elegance. Sophie even went as far as to call it a ‘masterpiece’.
Award-winning pastry chef Michael Kwan reinvents classics like Black Forest gateau, strawberry roulade, and pistachio choux, and the patisserie couldn’t look more picture perfect. The greens and pinks of the sweet treats pair perfectly with the luxurious Promenade Room behind the five-star hotel’s main lobby. ‘It’s a feminine haven of pink silk dining chairs, blush tablecloths and peony-printed crockery, and you’re in the perfect spot for people watching,’ Sophie continues.
‘While away an entire afternoon enjoying unlimited finger sandwiches and delightful pastries, listening to the pianist tinkling away on Liberace’s fabulous mirrored piano in the next room.’ The menu also features an impressive array of sandwiches, as well as savoury tarts with fillings such as tomato, basil, and burrata, plus a surprise seasonal sweet treat from the chef. This experience truly is everything you’d imagine an afternoon tea to be and more.
Location: The Dorchester, 53 Park Lane, Mayfair Price: From £95 per person Book here 7. Anya Café Anya Hindmarch is known for her creativity and fun, playful designs, and this extends to the afternoon tea at her café. The treats here, both sweet and savoury, have eyes and come in silly shapes.
It’s whimsical and cute and the best part is that it’s a real bargain at just £35 per person, says Courtney. The sandwiches are cut into smiley faces, and filled with cucumber, egg mayo, and salmon, the cakes are shaped like clouds, ‘chubby’ hearts, caterpillars, and there are, of course, more smiley faces. But there were two real stand outs on the menu.
‘The scones were delicious,’ Courtney proclaims. ‘They were a nice small size, they were gloriously warm and nice and fluffy inside. And the chocolate and raspberry heart was pure decadence.
It was gooey, sweet and had a nice sharpness from the raspberry centre.’ You can upgrade your tea to include a glass of Esterlin NV for £50 as opposed to the standard £35, but this is one instance where it might not be necessary. ‘This isn’t a high end, luxury tea; it’s cheap and cheerful and the price reflects that.
Save yourself the money, and don’t splurge for the champers. Instead get yourself an iced tea, with a hint of lemon – it’s a marvellously refreshing accompaniment to the food.’ Location: Anya Café, 9 Pont Street, Belgravia Price: From £35 per person Book here 8.
The Ampersand Hotel There’s not one but two afternoon teas on offer at The Ampersand in South Kensington – a science afternoon tea and a Jurassic afternoon tea. But it’s the latter that Metro’s head of social video, Alex Goldsmith, can’t recommend enough for children (and adults who just so happen to be big kids at heart). The Jurassic afternoon tea takes you back in time and combines gastronomy and history to create an excitingly wild experience, complete with jelly dinosaurs for little ones, edible dinosaur eggs, T-Rex footprint macarons and biscuit fossils hidden underneath chocolate soil.
There are also some pretty cool dry ice effects going on here. The whole thing looks very cool on the table. But it’s not just the cakes that are special; everything on the menu is taken to the next level, with extra toppings for your scones with jam and cream (chocolate pearls, and freeze-dried fruit), as well as blinis, quiche, and brioche sandwiches being served.
You certainly won’t go hungry here! For each child you take along, the tea will set you back £39.50, whereas it’s £59.50 for adults.
There are also add ons, such as non-alcoholic sparkling drinks (£69.50), or for champagne it’s £74.50.
Location: The Ampersand, 10 Harrington Road, South Kensington Price: From £59.50 per person, and £39.50 for children Book here 9.
Cédric Grolet ’s Goûtea If you’ve got money to splash on an afternoon tea and are looking for something a little different from the usual fare, then the Goûtea at The Berkeley hotel could be the perfect choice for you. Pastry chef Cédric Grolet regularly goes viral online for his incredible Trompe L’Oeil cakes, which are hyper-realistic bakes shaped like fruit or nuts. The edible illusions take up to three days to make, as each layer has to be frozen perfectly before the next step can be completed.
Miniature versions of these cakes are included in the Goûtea, a French twist on a classic afternoon tea, as well as a savoury Trompe L’Oeil, a savoury croissant, savoury tart, and several other small versions of Cédric’s specialities, including the cookie and flower. Tea and coffee is included for £85 per person, or you can add champagne for £97, or rosé champagne for £105. These prices are excluding service.
Courtney recently got to go behind the scenes at The Berkeley to find out why Cédric has been hailed the ‘god of pastry’, trying out one of the Peach Trompe L’Oeil, which look exactly like the juicy, fuzzy fruit it’s inspired by. The verdict was that the sweet treats at The Berkeley are actual ‘masterpieces’. Speaking about the peach, which is filled with peach verbena gel, fresh peach, and lemon verbena ganache, she said: ‘It’s delicious.
Despite being crammed full of filling, the Peach is incredibly light, with a swift tartness from the citrus to balance out the sweetness of the rest of it. ‘There’s nothing naughty about this dessert, no gooey caramel or heavy cream, it’s a different kind of indulgence altogether from what I’m used to. It’s luxurious and so pretty to look at – this is without a doubt the pastry equivalent of a Michelin star meal.
‘The experience overall is a little bewildering – logically I knew I was consuming some kind of pudding, but it had such a fresh and fruity taste that it almost felt healthy. ‘Essentially, if you’re a bit of a basic b*tch like me, eat one of these and you’ll instantly feel fancy AF.’ She also tried the viennoiserie (Viennese-style pastries), which don’t come cheap, but thankfully, the croissants are as good as you’d hope, with perfectly defined, flaky layers on the outside giving way to a rich, buttery inside.
More Trending Map shows where riots have broken out across UK with dozens more planned Police officer injured in 'violent acts of thuggery' outside hotel - latest Police building ransacked and officers in hospital as far-right riot in Sunderland Act of terrorism being considered after riots spread across the UK Versions of these and more are featured in the Goûtea, although the cakes and bakes may change seasonally. Location: The Berkeley, Wilton Place, Knightsbridge Price: From £85 per person Book here MORE : Ekstedt at The Yard review: ‘Praise the gods – what a brilliant feast’ MORE : The ‘quaint’ London borough where you’ll find the cheapest rent MORE : Girl, 9, dies after bus crashes into two children in south London Sign up to our guide to what’s on in London, trusted reviews, brilliant offers and competitions. London’s best bits in your inbox By ticking this box, you confirm you are over the age of 18*.
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