The most charming hotels to enjoy it!
You can’t visit London (and UK) without indulging yourself in the traditional afternoon tea. Since it was introduced, tea time has been an important moment of British everyday life. To read more about the origin of afternoon tea, take a look at the related post: History of afternoon tea
Here a list of hotels where you can indulge in the best afternoon tea in London. It is obviously not exhaustive: there are so many hotels and cafeterias to choose from, but these are, certainly, the classics!
Ritz is an institution in London, worldwide famous. It opened in 1906, a few minutes away from Green Park station, and, since then, it has hosted politicians, actors, and writers.
Afternoon tea is served in the Palm Court, sophisticated and romantic design salon with a fantastic glazed skylight. A pianist entertains every day between 11.30am and 9.00pm. You can enjoy a classic, celebration or a champagne afternoon tea.
The menu: 18 varieties of tea and filter coffee; finger sandwiches (grain mustard mayonnaise, cheddar cheese, Scottish salmon, chutney, onion bread cucumber, ham, just to mention some); pastries (freshly baked raisin and plain scones, cornish clotted cream, jam and a selection of pastries and cakes); the celebration includes a cake and a glass of Reserve Ritz Champagne.
Because of the high standard and the quality of tea service, the Ritz received a Commended certificate at the Afternoon Tea Awards 2016.
For all these reasons, it is considered by many people one of the top hotels to experience the best afternoon tea in the city.
The Savoy was built in 1889 and is one of the most famous hotels in London along with its afternoon tea. The location where it is served is charming: the Thames foyer, installed at the time of thés dansants; a pleasant natural light, thanks to the glass dome, will surprises you, together with a pianist playing in the winter garden gazebo.
The hotel offers the choice of weekends or weekdays afternoon tea as long as high tea (read here about HIGH TEA). The menu is rich: classics finger sandwiches (coronation chicken and smoked salmon) and a delicious Mediterranean touch (mozzarella, beef tomato, with pesto and balsamic glaze on herb & spinach bread); a wide selection of cakes and pastries (classic Opera, Savoy éclair, strawberry Victoria sponge, and many more); but the most impressive is the amazing selection of teas (black, scented black, white, green, herbal and rare) together with other hot beverage and soft drinks choice.
Afternoon tea at Claridge’s is a treat you must indulge in!
The business opened in 1856 and since the beginning, it has been universally renowned as one of the best and most elegant hotel in the world.
The excellence of its afternoon tea lies in the freshness of the ingredients and in the extreme care to details.
Numerous are the Awards that Claridge’s can be proud of: Best Traditional Afternoon Tea at the Afternoon Tea Awards 2016; Tea Guild Best Afternoon Tea 2006, 2011 and 2012; Tea Guild Award of Excellence 2012, 2010, 2009, 2008, 2007.
Tea is served in the Foyer art deco style, where you can enjoy the classic, the children, the champagne and the seasonal afternoon tea. The selection of teas, 24 from all over the world, comes down to small producers of extreme quality.
Menu: traditional sandwiches (Burford brown egg and french sorrel on white bread; Dorrington ham, whipped brown butter, crab apple, mustard, and watercress on rye bread; poppy and parmesan puff, whipped goat’s cheese, summer vegetables and many more); plain and raisin scones with clotted cream and Marco Polo gelée; pastries and cakes that change every week (Tainori chocolate mousse, Marco Polo tartlet, white chocolate éclair).
The Dorchester has the deserved fame of timeless and unfading splendor, for its charming style, its superb three Michelin-starred cuisine and the delicious afternoon tea, served in The Promenade. Opened in 1931, it is called ‘the drawing room of Mayfair’: elegant with its divans and goose cushions and a pianist performing every day from 1.15pm, for a warm and unforgettable experience.
A selection of finger sandwiches, everyday fresh scones and French pastries from the bakery and a selection of teas complete the luxurious and delicious menu.
Afternoon tea at The Montague Hotel is an unparalleled experience. The hotel is charming and the classic design creates an elegant but cozy and warm atmosphere, that makes you feel home from the very beginning.
The menu stands out for its variety and quality: from the selection of pastries and sandwiches to the fine tea blends; if you opt for the scones afternoon tea, you will be delighted by the delicious options: traditional plain scone, fruit scone apricot and cinnamon, chocolate and gluten free or the savoury cheese one, all matched with clotted cream, homemade chocolate spread and strawberry and apricot jam.
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I glanced through this website and there’s so much handy info, saved to my bookmarks
Thanks a lot!
Thank you Albert!