Mayfair, Afternoon Tea Restaurant Guide

“Even better than The Ritz…”, “on a par with Fortnum’s…” – for many aficionados of London’s top afternoon tea experiences, this wood-panelled drawing room within creaky old Brown’s Hotel is the top dog. Built in 1837 (and with famous patrons including Queen Victoria and Agatha Christie) – it helps that it’s “a lovely, traditional space”: “delightful and just more intimate” than its main rivals. “Nothing is too much trouble (even to please a picky sub-teenager!)” and “the sandwiches and tea are just as good as elsewhere”.

“Endless sandwich and tea refills and no clock ticking in the background (unlike at some other London five-star establishments)” make this “comfortably opulent” foyer “a wonderful place to enjoy an immensely satisfying afternoon tea, which will obviate any need for dinner later”. Fans also say there’s “nowhere better for breakfast” either: “a marvellous tranquil setting with immaculate service” and “highly recommended”.

“A truly iconic experience all round” – this “world famous”, gilt chamber is “renowned for its elegant and sophisticated atmosphere” and provides “exactly what everybody expects from an Afternoon Tea”, for which it remains London’s No.1 choice: “a great treat for your mum on her birthday, with super sandwiches (loads of ’em – they don’t scrimp here) and lots of tea options and other yummy bites”; “pricey and extravagant but worth it!”.

“Reports of the death of The Wolseley are greatly exaggerated”. After a well-publicised boardroom battle in 2022 ousted its original co-founders, even though its long-term fans are “annoyed at the ousting of Christopher Corbin & Jeremy King”, there is “no evidence on the floor of any impact”: “it’s as good as it ever was (and just as full!”). This Continental-style Grand Café, near The Ritz (originally built as a car showroom, for which it is named) is celebrating its 20th year, and remains a hub of metropolitan living. The “impressive” and “always bustling” space is “one of the best dining rooms in London” and “if you want to wow a client or a foreigner, then bring them here”: it remains London’s No. 1 for business entertaining in our annual diners’ poll. Its “great menu of classics” is executed to a “solid and reliable” if “lacklustre” standard, but you “go for the overall package and peerless people watching, not the food”. The exception is “the most civilised breakfast anywhere on the planet” which is also our diners’ poll’s No. 1 choice in this category. The “varied menu, with something – and more – for everyone”, helps “elevate the occasion to a special level”; and it is also “a power scene” amongst business-types. Top Tip – afternoon tea is also “always impressive with its elegance and high standards”.