Guide to gluten-free afternoon tea in London

Guide to gluten-free afternoon tea in London

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.

In this guide
  1. Gluten-free afternoon tea in London
    1. The Montague on the Gardens – Tea in elegant surroundings
    2. The Lanesborough – Choice of luxury menus
    3. The Rosebery – Award-winning afternoon tea
    4. The Doll's House on the Hill – Vintage-themed café
    5. Cutter & Squidge – Contemporary tea room
    6. Brigit's Bakery – Afternoon tea bus tours
    7. The Wolseley – Grand café in Piccadilly
    8. The Chesterfield – Creative sweetshop theme
    9. The Diamond Jubilee Tea Salon – Refined and luxurious
    10. Betty Blythe – Afternoon tea parties
    11. Sketch – Afternoon tea in arty surroundings
    12. The Harrods Tea Rooms – Art Deco tea rooms
    13. The Ampersand Hotel – Unique themed teas
    14. The St Ermin's Tea Lounge – Stylish and relaxed space
    15. Whiskers & Cream – Afternoon tea with cats
    16. The Egerton House Hotel – Grand townhouse hotel
    17. The Athenaeum Hotel & Residences – Varied afternoon tea selections
    18. The Ritz – The height of luxury

Gluten-free afternoon tea in London

Here's where to go for afternoon tea if you're intolerant to gluten

The Montague on the Gardens

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.

The Lanesborough

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.

The Rosebery

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.

The Doll's House on the Hill

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.

Cutter & Squidge

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.

Brigit's Bakery – Gluten-free afternoon tea
Brigit's Bakery
Brigit's Bakery – Gluten-free afternoon tea
Brigit's Bakery
Brigit's Bakery – Gluten-free afternoon tea
Brigit's Bakery
Brigit's Bakery – Gluten-free afternoon tea
Brigit's Bakery
Brigit's Bakery – Gluten-free afternoon tea
Brigit's Bakery
Brigit's Bakery – Gluten-free afternoon tea
Brigit's Bakery
Brigit's Bakery – Gluten-free afternoon tea
Brigit's Bakery
Brigit's Bakery – Gluten-free afternoon tea
Brigit's Bakery

Brigit's Bakery

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.

The Wolseley

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.

The Chesterfield

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.

The Diamond Jubilee Tea Salon

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.

Betty Blythe – Gluten-free afternoon tea
Betty Blythe
Betty Blythe – Gluten-free afternoon tea
Betty Blythe
Betty Blythe – Gluten-free afternoon tea
Betty Blythe
Betty Blythe – Gluten-free afternoon tea
Betty Blythe
Betty Blythe – Gluten-free afternoon tea
Betty Blythe
Betty Blythe – Gluten-free afternoon tea
Betty Blythe
Betty Blythe – Gluten-free afternoon tea
Betty Blythe
Betty Blythe – Gluten-free afternoon tea
Betty Blythe

Betty Blythe

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.

Sketch

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.

The Harrods Tea Rooms

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.

The Ampersand Hotel

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.

The St Ermin's Tea Lounge

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.

Whiskers & Cream

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. 

The Egerton House Hotel

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.

The Athenaeum Hotel & Residences

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.

The Ritz

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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Editors

At Thatsup, we have extensive experience of guiding our readers to a city’s hidden gems. Since 2008, our editors have been writing insightful guides covering restaurants, bars, cafes, hotels, and hairdressers, among other things. Our guides consist of carefully selected tips based on our local knowledge and are regularly updated with the help of our focus group, where we collectively discuss selections and content. We are constantly working to inspire and provide you with the best possible experience, no matter where you are or what you are looking for.