Afternoon Tea in London: 12 of the Best, Classic and Modern

For a classic afternoon tea, London’s grand hotels are still the place to go: The Ritz, Claridge’s, The Savoy and The Langham all serve it in rooms built for the purpose. For something more playful, Sketch in Mayfair, The Berkeley in Knightsbridge and the Sanderson in Fitzrovia offer modern and themed versions. Here is our concierge’s pick of the twelve best places for afternoon tea in London, with how to book and the little bit of etiquette worth knowing.

All twelve were serving afternoon tea in 2026. Menus, seatings and prices change with the seasons, so check with the venue before you go. As a guide, a classic tea at The Ritz or Claridge’s costs around £95 per person in 2026, more with champagne.

What is afternoon tea?

A light meal served in the afternoon, traditionally in three parts: finger sandwiches, then scones with clotted cream and jam, then small cakes and pastries, all with a pot of tea of your choice. A glass of champagne is the usual upgrade. It isn’t the same as “high tea”, which was historically a more substantial evening meal. Most hotels give you a set time slot, and some will happily top up the sandwiches if you ask.

The best afternoon tea in London: the grand hotels

The Ritz, Piccadilly

The most famous afternoon tea in London is served in The Ritz’s Palm Court, beneath chandeliers, with a pianist playing. There are fixed sittings through the day and it books up weeks, sometimes months, ahead. Gentlemen are required to wear a jacket and tie, and jeans and sportswear aren’t permitted for anyone.

Claridge’s, Mayfair

Claridge’s has served afternoon tea for more than 120 years. Today it’s in the Foyer and Reading Room, an Art Deco space of arches and soft light that feels glamorous without being stuffy. Scones come with the hotel’s own jam, and the pastries change with the seasons. Book well ahead.

The Savoy, Strand

The Savoy’s afternoon tea is now served in the Savoy Lounge, which opened in late 2024 in the glass-domed space that was once the Thames Foyer. Expect the full ritual, from tiered stands to pastries made in the hotel’s kitchens, a short walk from the West End’s theatres.

The Langham, Regent Street

The Langham opened in 1865 and claims to be where the hotel afternoon tea began. Its Palm Court still serves a classic tea, with seasonal themed menus during the year. It’s handy for Oxford Circus, Marylebone and Great Portland Street.

The Dorchester, Park Lane

Tea at The Dorchester is served in The Promenade, a long, plush lobby lounge of potted palms and deep sofas. The scones are made to a recipe the hotel says has been unchanged for more than half a century. It’s ideal if you’re staying near Park Lane or Mayfair.

The Goring, Belgravia

The Goring is a family-run hotel close to Buckingham Palace, and its afternoon tea is one of the most loved in London. Ask for the Veranda, which looks out over the hotel’s large private garden; on a sunny afternoon it’s hard to think of a more English setting.

Brown’s Hotel, Mayfair

In the Drawing Room of Brown’s on Albemarle Street, one of London’s oldest hotels, tea comes with a choice of more than thirty blends and cakes from a trolley. It’s quieter and more intimate than the bigger hotels, which makes it good for conversation.

Grand cafés and tea rooms

Fortnum & Mason, Piccadilly

Above the famous food hall, the Diamond Jubilee Tea Salon was opened by Queen Elizabeth II in 2012. Fortnum’s has been selling tea for centuries, so the tea list is the star, with savoury and seasonal menus alongside the classic.

The Wolseley, Piccadilly

The Wolseley is a grand café in a former car showroom next to The Ritz, serving afternoon tea from mid-afternoon into the early evening, including a champagne tea. It’s lively and less formal than the hotels, and easier to book at short notice.

Modern and playful afternoon tea in London

Sketch, Mayfair

At Sketch on Conduit Street, afternoon tea is served in The Gallery, a dining room designed around an artist’s installation. Expect inventive pastries, finger sandwiches and scones, plus a few surprises, and seasonal themes through the year. It’s fun, photogenic and very Mayfair.

The Berkeley, Knightsbridge

The Berkeley’s Prêt-à-Portea, served in the hotel’s Collins Room since 2005, turns the season’s catwalk designs into cakes and biscuits. The menu changes every six months to follow the fashion calendar, so there’s always something new.

Sanderson, Fitzrovia

The Sanderson on Berners Street serves a Mad Hatter’s Afternoon Tea inspired by Alice in Wonderland: whimsical sweets, playful sandwiches and a garden-party feel. It’s the least serious tea on this list, and that’s exactly the point.

Classic or modern: which afternoon tea should you choose?

It depends on the person and the occasion. For a first date or a visitor to London, a classic hotel tea is the safe and lovely choice: the setting does half the work, and there’s always something to talk about. The Ritz is the most famous and the most formal; Claridge’s and The Langham are a touch more relaxed; The Goring and Brown’s are quieter and more intimate. If the person you’re taking has seen it all before, or simply has a sense of fun, a modern tea is the better gift. Sketch is the most stylish, The Berkeley the one for anyone who loves fashion, and the Sanderson the most light-hearted. For a spontaneous afternoon, Fortnum’s and The Wolseley are usually the easiest to book at short notice.

Timing matters too. An early sitting suits a long afternoon followed by a walk in Green Park or St James’s Park; a late sitting, where hotels offer one, can lead straight into a cocktail before dinner.

How to book afternoon tea in London

• Book early. The Ritz and Claridge’s can be booked up weeks or months ahead, especially for weekends and December.
• Book direct. The hotel’s own website or phone line is the most reliable route.
• Check the dress code. Smart casual is usual; The Ritz requires a jacket and tie for men.
• Mention dietary needs when you book. Most hotels offer vegetarian, vegan and gluten-free versions with notice.
• Note the time slot. Most give you a fixed window, so arrive on time.

Afternoon tea etiquette

There isn’t much to it, and nobody will mind if you get it wrong. Put your napkin on your lap. Eat from the bottom tier up: sandwiches first, then scones, then cakes. Break a scone in half by hand rather than slicing it, and add jam and cream to each half as you eat it. Whether jam or cream goes on first is a friendly argument between Cornwall and Devon, not a rule. Stir your tea quietly, and leave the little finger where it is. Above all, take your time; that’s the whole idea.

From afternoon tea to dinner

Tea makes a lovely start to a day in London, and it’s easy to carry on into the evening with our date night ideas, our pick of romantic restaurants or, for a celebration, one of London’s Michelin star restaurants. If you’re in London on your own and would rather not dine alone tonight, we arrange dinner dates: three hours, around £800, beginning with dinner. Our guide to dinner dates and overnights explains how it works, and how to book an escort covers the steps. Many of our ladies are based in central and west London, including Marylebone and Mayfair; browse our London escorts or contact us to arrange an evening.