Now we can reveal the survey result everyone’s been waiting for…Our annual, 2017, restaurant survey included for the first time a category for that most vital and celebrated of occasions: the afternoon tea.
Although some Yorkshiremen claim (with rightful pride in the legendary Betty’s) that “thou gets best posh cuppa ‘up north”, this is a corner of Bake-Off Britain in which the Capital shines.
So, without further ado, here is the top-10 countdown of London’s top afternoon teas, as voted for by our 7,500 participants in the 2017 diners survey.
1. The RitzThe Ritz, Palm Court W1
150 Piccadilly 020 7493 8181
Afternoon Tea – Selection of 18 different types of loose leaf tea, sandwiches, freshly baked scones and clotted Devonshire cream, followed by a selection of afternoon teacakes and pastries.
Price from £52 per person, £30 for children; or £68 with a glass of Champagne.
Sittings for Afternoon Tea take place at 11:30, 13:30, 15:30, 17:30, 19:30
Harden’s Says – “The gold standard for afternoon tea” – this “splendid and iconic” room wins praise as “a quintessential English experience with melt-in-the-mouth petit fours, sandwiches and cakes” and even if it’s “tooooooo expensive” most reporters feel it’s “worth it” to “feel a little bit special”.
2. Fortnum & MasonFortnum & Mason, The Diamond Jubilee Tea Salon W1
181 Piccadilly 020 7734 8040
Afternoon Tea – Your choice of Fortnum’s teas, with finger sandwiches, scones, tea cakes and individual patisseries. Gluten-free and other dietary intolerances can be accommodated. Savoury and vegetarian options are available as is a ‘High Tea’.
Price from £46 per person or from £50 per person with ‘rare teas’. High Tea is £48 (or £52 with the rare tea).
Harden’s says – “The best selection of teas in town” and “exceptional, endlessly refreshed platters” of sandwiches and cakes help establish this “stylish and beautiful” chamber on the third floor of the famous St James’s grocery store as “a wonderful spot for a special celebration afternoon tea”.
3. The Goring HotelThe Goring Hotel SW1
15 Beeston Pl 020 7396 9000
Afternoon Tea – Festive tea available, including chestnut Snowman, pistachio Christmas tree, Christmas cake and mince pies.
Served between 3pm and 4pm in the Bar and lounge and also between 1pm and 4pm in The Dining Room on Saturdays.
Price £49 per person; or £59 including a glass of Bollinger.
Harden’s says – “Away from the hoi polloi, and convenient for Buck Pal’”, this “splendid and unspoilt survivor” is not only “an oasis from the hustle and bustle of Victoria” but also a bastion of unchanging values: in particular its “impeccable” service “pandering to every whim”. The Michelin star bestowed on the “delightful dining room” is something of a distraction – “the food is not outstandingly good, but old-fashioned and English” – perfect for business, a “traditional British breakfast par excellence”, or “a masterclass in how to do afternoon tea”.
4. Brown’s HotelBrown’s Hotel, The English Tea Room W1
Albemarle St 020 7493 6020
Afternoon Tea – Traditional option includes choice of tea’s, sandwiches, scones with jam and clotted cream, plus pattiserie. Festive Afternoon Tea available throughout December, accompanied by carols performed by their resident pianist.
Price £52.50 per person or £62.50 with a glass of Champagne. Gluten Free Afternoon Tea available on request (must be booked in advance) £52.50 per person.
Harden’s says – “Let yourself be transported away from the madding crowd to this peaceful haven of afternoon tea!”, say fans of this very “traditional” hotel lounge, “with the tinkling piano in the background”. “It may not be the most innovative, but the quality and quantity is second to none, and they really look after you”.
5. The WolseleyThe Wolseley W1
160 Piccadilly 020 7499 6996
Afternoon Tea – Assorted finger sandwiches, fruit scones, a selection of pastries, cakes and choice of tea.
Price £28.50 per person or £39.50 with a glass of Champagne.
Cream Tea – a lighter alternative to the traditional offering. Tea, fruit scones with cream and jam – £12 per person
Harden’s says – From “the perfect power breakfast” (“like a Who’s Who of the FTSE100!”) to “celeb-spotting” over lunch or dinner, Corbin & King’s “cosmopolitan and Continental feeling” Grand CafeÌ by The Ritz is “always full of fizz”, even if the “bistro-style” Mittel-European fare has always been decidedly “formulaic”. A few accuse it of laurel-resting though? – in particular service (typically “very professional”) was patchier this year. Top Tip – “one of the few grand afternoon teas in central London that isn’t a total rip-off”.
6. The DorchesterThe Dorchester Hotel, Promenade Lounge W1
53 Park Ln 020 7629 8866
Afternoon Tea – finger sandwiches, scones and sweet pastries are served fresh every day at 1pm, 2pm, 3.15pm, 4.30pm and 5.30pm.
Price £55 per person or from £62 with a glass of fizz.
› The Dorchester Hotel Promenade Lounge and Bar Afternoon Tea Menu
Harden’s says – “A rare treat nowadays, but over half a century it’s always been a particular pleasure!” This ultra-plush and “beautiful” lounge provides a picturebook setting for a light bite, but most particularly afternoon tea: “absolutely delicious with simply masses of yummy treats!”
7. Claridges HotelClaridge’s Hotel, Foyer W1
49 Brook St 020 7107 8888
Afternoon tea – Selection of teas, finger sandwiches, scones with cream & jam, selection of pastries. Seasonal afternoon tea: includes french pastries, traditional scones, seasonal sandwiches and Christmas pudding ice cream (all served with Christmas carols in the foyer).
Price £60 per adult, £28 per child; seasonal afternoon tea, £82.
Harden’s says – “Lovely any time of year, but especially magical at Christmas when the cakes are beautifully themed” – the afternoon tea in the “very comfortable” foyer lounges of this Mayfair landmark is “wonderful for a special occasion: a wow from start to finish”.
8. The Savoy HotelThe Savoy Hotel, Thames Foyer WC2
The Savoy, The Strand 020 7420 2111
Afternoon tea – Festive afternoon Tea, with a selection of finger sandwiches (eg, roast turkey and chestnut spread); cranberry and plain scones with jam, cream and lemon curd; pastries (eg Ice and Diamonds Christmas Log). Extras include ‘Fine & Rare Teas’.
Price £68 per person, £82 with a glass of Champagne
Harden’s says – “The afternoon tea of dreams” – “a wonderful range of teas” coupled with “absolutely fantastic paÌ‚tisserie” – is regularly reported in the “lavish, comfortable and enthralling” central lounge of this London landmark: service in particular “helps make for a delightful experience”.
9. The DelaunayThe Delaunay WC2
55 Aldwych 020 7499 8558
Afternoon Tea – assorted sandwiches and savouries, poppy seed Gugelhupfs with apricot jam & whipped cream, (traditional fruit scones with strawberry jam & clotted cream are also available), a selection of classic Viennese cakes and choice of teas or coffees.
Price £19.75 per person
Harden’s says – Like its sibling, The Wolseley, Corbin & King’s “bustling and luxurious” venue on Aldwych “gives a very good impression of a middle-European cafeÌ in the grand style”, and makes a supremely business-friendly choice. But aside from “wonderful old-school breakfasts” and “lovely afternoon teas”, the somewhat “unimaginative” cooking is “only OK for the price”, and has seemed even more “ordinary” of late. Next door, ‘The Counter’ is “The Delaunay’s little brother, serving light meals, coffee and cakes”.
10. The Langham HotelPalm Court, The Langham Hotel W1
1c, Portland Place 020 7965 0195
Afternoon Tea – selection of 30 tea blends, cakes, pastries, scones and finger sandwiches
Price, £49 per person, or from £59 with a glass of Champagne. ‘The Langham High Tea’, £57 per person. or £67 with Champagne.
Harden’s says – “I think I have done every major afternoon tea in the city and nothing beats The Langham!” – “most exquisite sweets and yummy savouries”, and “really interesting sandwiches served on a platter rather than left on the table”. (In fact, this “beautiful” space is a handy fall-back in general).
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