Centred around sandwiches, cakes, and pastries, you could easily think that a gluten-free diet means you have to miss out on a traditional afternoon tea. Fortunately that's not the case in London. Around the city there are a variety of venues that offer afternoon tea and cater to special dietary requirements, including gluten-free diets. We're here to help if you've been missing afternoon tea and want to treat yourself – this is our guide to gluten-free afternoon tea in London.
Guide to gluten-free afternoon tea in London
In this guide
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Gluten-free afternoon tea in London
- The Montague on the Gardens – Tea in elegant surroundings
- The Lanesborough – Choice of luxury menus
- The Rosebery – Award-winning afternoon tea
- The Doll's House on the Hill – Vintage-themed café
- Cutter & Squidge – Contemporary tea room
- Brigit's Bakery – Afternoon tea bus tours
- The Wolseley – Grand café in Piccadilly
- The Chesterfield – Creative sweetshop theme
- The Diamond Jubilee Tea Salon – Refined and luxurious
- Betty Blythe – Afternoon tea parties
- Sketch – Afternoon tea in arty surroundings
- The Harrods Tea Rooms – Art Deco tea rooms
- The Ampersand Hotel – Unique themed teas
- The St Ermin's Tea Lounge – Stylish and relaxed space
- Whiskers & Cream – Afternoon tea with cats
- The Egerton House Hotel – Grand townhouse hotel
- The Athenaeum Hotel & Residences – Varied afternoon tea selections
- The Ritz – The height of luxury
- Holy Carrot – Inclusive afternoon tea
Gluten-free afternoon tea in London
Here's where to go for afternoon tea if you're intolerant to gluten
Tea in elegant surroundings
Charming Bloomsbury hotel The Montague on the Gardens is set in an appealing townhouse. You can stay in one of the rooms or visit for afternoon tea, with a gluten-free selection available. The tea room is elegant and plush with a classic feel. You can also go all-out with a bottomless food and champagne option.
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15 Montague Street, Bloomsbury
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The Montague on the Gardens
020-763 710 01 - Read more on Thatsup
Choice of luxury menus
The Lanesborough is a luxury hotel but you can also visit just for afternoon tea, served in opulent surroundings. At weekends afternoon tea is accompanied by live piano music. As well as the classic afternoon tea, there are vegetarian and vegan versions and a gluten-free version. Afternoon tea for children is also available here.
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Hyde Park Corner
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The Lanesborough
020-725 955 99 - Read more on Thatsup
Award-winning afternoon tea
Visit The Rosebery for an award-winning afternoon tea. In modern and lavish surroundings you can sample a number of seasonal afternoon tea menus, including a gluten-free option with sandwiches, scones, and delicate pastries. Drinks pairings are also available if you want to make the experience even more special.
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66 Knightsbridge
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The Rosebery
020-720 138 28 - Read more on Thatsup
Vintage-themed café
Have your afternoon tea in a distinctive vintage-inspired environment at The Doll's House on the Hill. This cutesy place in Harrow is bright and bustling, serving breakfast and lunch as well as afternoon tea. Vegetarian, vegan, and gluten-free diets can be catered for – just let them know what you need when you book.
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44 High Street, Harrow, Harrow
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The Doll's House on the Hill
020-886 491 00 - Read more on Thatsup
Contemporary tea room
Modern Soho tea room and bakery Cutter & Squidge serves up all-natural signature sweet treats. Afternoon tea is served at this vibrant venue, and there's a wheat-free selection of sandwiches, savoury bites, scones, and desserts, served with tea and with the option to add a glass of prosecco. Veggie, vegan, and signature menus are also available.
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20 Brewer Street, Soho
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Cutter & Squidge
020-773 425 40 - Read more on Thatsup
Afternoon tea bus tours
Enjoy afternoon tea at Brigit's Bakery's site in Covent Garden or make it more memorable with an afternoon tea tour on a double decker bus. The vibe is unashamedly pink and girly and there are various afternoon tea trips to choose. A range of dietary needs are catered for and there's a gluten-free afternoon tea selection available.
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6-7 Chandos Place, Covent Garden
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Brigit's Bakery
020-302 611 88 - Read more on Thatsup
Grand café in Piccadilly
Based in the heart of Piccadilly, The Wolseley gives you the experience of a grand European café. Combine that with an English tradition here by visiting for afternoon tea. A gluten-free version can be prepared if you request it at the point of booking. Gift vouchers for tea here are also available.
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160 Piccadilly, Mayfair
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The Wolseley
020-749 969 96 - Read more on Thatsup
Creative sweetshop theme
At four star hotel The Chesterfield Mayfair you get warm and personalised service. This luxury venue does a unique take on afternoon tea. A range of dietary needs are catered for, with veggie, vegan, halal, and gluten-free options available. Expect sandwiches, creative cakes and pastries, scones, and a fun atmosphere.
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35 Charles Street, Mayfair
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The Chesterfield Mayfair
020-749 126 22 - Read more on Thatsup
Refined and luxurious
Visit famous department store Fortnum & Mason and The Diamond Jubilee Tea Salon for a varied choice of afternoon tea and high tea menus. This refined tea room offers a luxury experience. A gluten-free menu is available with finger sandwiches, plain and fruit scones, and cakes and treats. You can also add on a cocktail.
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Fortnum & Mason, Mayfair
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The Diamond Jubilee Tea Salon
020-773 480 40 - Read more on Thatsup
Afternoon tea parties
You won't want to miss Betty Blythe if you're a vintage fan. This appealing West London café is full of vintage style and specialises in afternoon tea, including private tea parties where you're free to raid the dressing-up box. A number of menus are available and a homemade gluten-free selection is available on request.
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73 Blythe Road, Hammersmith and Fulham
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Betty Blythe
020-760 211 77 - Read more on Thatsup
Afternoon tea in arty surroundings
Creative and Instagrammable venue Sketch serves afternoon tea in The Gallery. This warm Art Deco space was once famously pink but is now enhanced with artwork by Yinka Shonibare. The venue wants to be inclusive and has developed allergen-free afternoon tea menus that are suitable if you're gluten-intolerant. Add champagne or English sparkling wine to make it more special.
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9 Conduit St, Mayfair
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Sketch (The Gallery)
020-765 945 00 - Read more on Thatsup
Art Deco tea rooms
Head to upscale department store Harrods to visit the Tea Rooms. Afternoon tea is served in an Art Deco space with live piano music. Menus are seasonal and vegetarian and gluten-free options are available. Champagne and cocktails are also served here to make your afternoon tea more memorable.
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87-135 Brompton Road
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The Harrods Tea Rooms
020-773 012 34 - Read more on Thatsup
Unique themed teas
The Ampersand Hotel in South Kensington is a luxury destination. British design and eccentricity are apparent in all the spaces here. Two different themed afternoon teas are offered – a Jurassic theme or one inspired by the nearby Science Museum. Both of these unique teas include gluten-free selections of savouries, pastries, and scones.
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10 Harrington Road, Kensington
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The Ampersand Hotel
020-758 958 95 - Read more on Thatsup
Stylish and relaxed space
Savour an English tradition in a relaxed environment at The St Ermin's Tea Lounge. The setting is stylish with original Rococo plasterwork. Afternoon tea here includes sandwiches, sweet treats, and freshly-baked scones, and there's a gluten-free menu available. There's also a vegan option and afternoon tea for kids is available on request.
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2 Caxton Street, Westminster
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The St Ermin's Tea Lounge
020-722 278 88 - Read more on Thatsup
Afternoon tea with cats
Enjoy afternoon tea with friendly felines at Whisker & Cream, a cat café in Holloway Road. Nine rescue cats with distinctive personalities live here and you can hang out with them whilst you enjoy a treat in the modern venue. There are several afternoon tea options including a gluten-free version with a selection of sandwiches, scones, and cakes.
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593 Holloway Rd
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Whiskers & Cream
020-726 328 88 - Read more on Thatsup
Grand townhouse hotel
Everything about The Egerton House Hotel says luxury. Set in a grand Georgian townhouse, you can book a room here or visit just for afternoon tea. Enjoy tea here in the cosy drawing room. The menu can be adapted to be gluten-free, vegan, or vegetarian if you request this in advance.
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17-19 Egerton Terrace, Chelsea
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The Egerton House Hotel
020-758 924 12 - Read more on Thatsup
Varied afternoon tea selections
Overlooking Green Park, The Athenaeum is a refined hotel that offers a sophisticated and indulgent afternoon tea. Both sweet and savoury selections are available and the venue caters for a number of dietary requirements, including gluten-free, veggie, and vegan options. You can expect sandwiches, homemade cakes and pastries, and scones.
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116 Piccadilly, Mayfair
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The Athenaeum Hotel & Residences
020-749 934 64 - Read more on Thatsup
The height of luxury
You can really indulge with afternoon tea at The Ritz. Served in ornate and luxurious surroundings, you can enjoy tea accompanied by live piano music. As well as the classic menu, allergen-free options are served including a gluten-free afternoon tea. Tea for children is also available here, served with decaffeinated tea.
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150 Piccadilly, Mayfair
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The Ritz
020-749 381 81 - Read more on Thatsup
Inclusive afternoon tea
Vegan restaurant Holy Carrot focuses on mindfully preparing dishes using ethical and seasonal ingredients. The chic interior has a rustic look and you can enjoy food here all day, including afternoon tea. The entire afternoon tea is free from gluten and refined sugar, and includes various sweet and savoury nibbles.
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156 Portobello Rd, Notting Hill
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- Read more on Thatsup