Best London Afternoon Tea

If you're a seasoned afternoon tea connoisseur, then chances are you've tasted cucumber sandwiches aplenty at London's traditional teatime hotspots. We don't need to point you in the direction of The Wolseley or Fortnum & Mason – their Victoria sponges are nothing new. What we're bringing you, instead, is a list of London's best understated and lesser known teatime spots to while away the afternoon.

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THREE'S A CHARM: Firmdale's Covent Garden Hotel



Not only is this hotel perfectly situated at the centre of the theatre district, just minutes from Soho Theatre and the Royal Opera House, but it also offers three (three) afternoon tea menus.

First off, there's the classic Covent Garden Tea, serving up the tried, tested and loved combination of finger sandwiches, scones and cake, including some dazzling glazed mango tartlets. Those with less of a sweet tooth, however, might opt for the Gentlemen's Afternoon Tea. This menu focuses on more savoury treats, offering fish goujons, steak sandwiches and French fries. Finally, there's the 'healthy' menu, with reduced sugar, gluten free and vegan options, suited to accommodate a range of dietary requirements.

Three has never sounded more like a magic number.

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POP ART PASTRIES: Rosewood London Hotel



Head to the Rosewood London Hotel for an afternoon tea with flare. Voted 'Best Contemporary Afternoon Tea' in the UK two years running, the hotel serves pastries created by star pastry chef Mark Perkins, which are inspired by Cubism and Pop Art.

Guests will be guided into the Mirror Room where they'll dine on six artistically-influenced pastries, scones and loose leaf teas. This is certainly a unique and delicious way to experience the styles of Warhol and Picasso.

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CLASSIC WITH A TWIST: High Coffee, InterContinental Park Lane



Recently launched, High Coffee takes the traditional Afternoon Tea experience and turns it on its head. Targeted at coffee, not tea lovers, High Coffee is a five-course 'culinary cavalcade of caffeinated decadence'.

Each course is expertly paired with caffeinated concoctions – all crafted with high-grade, hand roasted, wood fire coffee beans – that perfectly compliment the bold, and sometimes zingy flavours of the accompanying food.

Working closely with L'Unico, Caffé Musetti, a leading supplier of Italian coffee, the team at the InterContinental Park Lane has created a delicious and surprising menu of sweet and savoury treats.

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AMERICAN-STYLE: 45 Park Lane



To celebrate Independence Day, 45 Park Lane is offering a feast of delicious American teatime favourites with a CUT twist. Replacing traditional finger sandwiches, the menu includes savoury American bites such as Black Truffle Grilled Cheese, Tuna Tartar ‘sandwiches’ and Wolfgang Puck’s Oscar worthy Wagyu Beef Sliders.

For those with a sweet tooth, there's a miniature Strawberry Milkshake to introduce each course and a plentiful array of indulgent treats such as Cola Cake & Caramel Corn and Peanut Butter & Jelly Twinkies.

Whilst traditional tea and champagne are still on the drinks menu, this American-style afternoon extravaganza also offers Iced Teas, American Craft Beers and special tea cocktails from the BAR 45 menu.

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LITERARY SALON: The Charlotte Street Hotel



We love everything to do with the Bloomsbury Set, whether it is their art, their writing, their creativity, their daring... so we're thrilled the incredibly stylish Charlotte Street Hotel has launched The Bloomsbury Set Afternoon Tea.

It's a clever new tea experience inspired by the experimental and creative ideals of the pioneering group of early twentieth century intellectuals.

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DESIGN HEAVEN: Ham Yard Hotel London Afternoon Tea



This gorgeous hotel in Piccadilly is the ultimate in design chic – it's worth stopping in, if not for tea then to admire Kit Kemp's vibrant decor.

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A BIT OF IMMERSIVE FUN: Cutter & Squidge



Chic bakery Cutter & Squidge invite aspiring witches and wizards to learn new spells and feast upon a delectable selection of cakes, sandwiches and surprises. The underground dining space beneath the Soho bakery has been transformed into a potions classroom, where fires burn and cauldrons bubble for this new immersive afternoon tea experience.

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QUIRKY TOUCH: Ice cream afternoon tea at Fortnum and Masons



The Parlour at Fortnum and Mason is heaven for anyone with a sweet tooth, from ice cream to pastries, cakes to sorbets, they have just about everything you need for the perfect dessert. Now, for Summer, they have introduced the ice cream version of a classic afternoon tea. How very British.

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NOSTALGIC TREATS: Mary Poppins Afternoon Tea, Aqua Shard




As we await the much-anticipated re-make of Mary Poppins (the movie is said to be released later this year), take a trip down memory lane with this newly launched Mary Poppins-themed afternoon tea at Aqua Shard. Whilst enjoying panoramic views of London, indulge in sweet treats and delicious savouries that pay homage to the much-loved work of P.L Travers. On the menu, which takes the form of Poppins' gilt gold framed mirror, are traditional afternoon tea staples with a Mary Poppins twist; the mini-crumpets and 'Strike Me Pink Sponges' are among our favourite goodies on offer. Afternoon tea is served on crockery embellished with Mary Shepard's original illustrations and with Mary and Bert's Tea, or champagne if you opt for tea and fizz. It sounds perfectly delightful.