The best Indian afternoon tea in London

The jasmine afternoon tea at Taj 51 Buckingham Gate hotel has been created as an homage to the rich traditions of the Indian dining culture. It's a bold and creative twist on the traditional afternoon tea, with an assortment of sweet and savoury dishes, like baked scrambled paneer, fermented gram flour cake, and fried dried milk dumplings between a baked layered puff. Vegetarian and vegan versions of the afternoon teas are also available.

Served at his more casual restaurants, Vivek Singh's bespoke afternoon tea menu is inspired by the chef and restaurateur's roots in Kolkata, West Bengal. The dishes on the menu blend the flavours of East India with classic British favourites, like saffron macaroons and mustard fish finger sandwiches. Everything is rounded off with a choice of Indian spiced teas.

Colonel Saab offers a classic afternoon tea with an Indian twist. Their Indian-British afternoon tea is a three-tiered feast of carefully crafted options, like dainty finger cholla sandwiches with coriander and mint chutney, freshly baked raisin scones with thick clotted cream and jam, coconut and Earl Grey cookies, and more. You can also add champagne for a surcharge.

Turmeric Kitchen is embracing the afternoon tea tradition by giving it an Indian spruce-up. They serve theirs with a selection of fresh finger sandwiches, scones, and a pot of tea, either one from their assortment or chai, a refreshing milky take on the classic cuppa.

Kinaara at InterContinental London The O2 is offering an Indian-inspired afternoon tea, where Western techniques are paired with aromatic Indian flavours. Crafted by chefs Tanuj and Narayan, “Bake Off: The Professionals 2024” winners, the menu features dishes infused with spices from various Indian regions. Guests can enjoy the afternoon tea in an elegant setting with stunning views of the River Thames and Canary Wharf, served with 17 tea varieties in partnership with Jing.