The best afternoon tea in London

Calm and cute, Java Whiskers Cat Café in Marylebone and White City offers what might be the most wholesome afternoon tea in London. Tuck into scones with jam and cream, dainty finger sandwiches, and a hot cuppa, all served in the company of cuddly rescue cats. The café is split into cosy cat and kitten lounges, where furry felines roam freely while you enjoy your afternoon tea. If you happen to fall in love with one of the cats, you even have the chance to adopt it.

If you fancy afternoon tea with a view, Searcy's at The Gherkin delivers. Located on the top three floors of the building, enjoy a luxurious champagne afternoon tea with epic city skyline views. Choose tea with a glass of sparkling wine or champagne, or go for the whole bottle to make it extra special.

With Brigit's Bakery, you can have afternoon tea in the Covent Garden patisserie or enjoy your treat as you cruise around London in a converted double-decker bus. Cocktail-themed afternoon teas and teas suitable for kids are also available on the bus. Expect a celebration of everything tea and cake.

As if the Baroque-style L'oscar London wasn't impressive enough with its regal decor fit for royalty, they also serve a seriously impressive afternoon tea. It's enjoyed in the L'oscar Restaurant – another part of the hotel known for its opulent interiors – and comes with delicate finger sandwiches, freshly-baked scones, pastries, and an assortment of sweet treats, with a vegan version available.

Located on the 31st floor of The Shard, at Aqua Shard you can enjoy afternoon tea and stunning views. The Peter Pan afternoon tea is a playful twist on a classic. Enjoy sandwiches, scones, and sweet and savoury treats with tea, and you can add champagne or a cocktail.

Enjoy a quintessentially British afternoon tea at The Library, where you can indulge in a selection of signature cakes, each inspired by the breath-taking vistas of the iconic Elizabeth Tower and Big Ben. Feast on a delectable assortment of finger sandwiches accompanied by freshly baked scones served with luscious jam and rich clotted cream.

Enjoy a distinctive Chinese afternoon tea at Kai. Located in Mayfair, this is an upscale venue with afternoon tea served on most days of the week. You'll enjoy elegant treats alongside cocktails and hot tea here, with the afternoon tea intended to be a bustling social occasion. The restaurant has a sophisticated look with striking wall art, flowers, and metallic touches.

The afternoon tea service at The Goring Hotel has won awards and is popular with tea enthusiasts. Seated in the Veranda space or the lavish Dining Room, you can taste exclusive tea blends and homemade snacks and jams. Menus change seasonally to focus on the freshest locally-sourced fruit. A gluten-free afternoon tea is also served.

The Pan Pacific is a luxurious hotel with an unmistakable Asian influence. Afternoon tea is served in the hotel's Straits Kitchen restaurant, combining English tradition with pan-Asian flavours and ingredients for a unique experience. Food is accompanied by fine tea and you can add a glass of champagne or English sparkling wine for extra indulgence.

Gallery at The Savoy hotel is an elegant glass-domed venue with views of the Thames, focused on serving a renowned afternoon tea. The menus change regularly but you can select from more than 30 types of tea, served with sandwiches, scones, and pastries. Make the experience even more indulgent with a glass of champagne.

The lavish Hotel Café Royal is home to a grand traditional afternoon tea, served in a gilded setting full of mirrors and opulent detail. Expect all the classic treats, such as a selection of tea sandwiches, traditional scones, and sweet delicacies. Alternative vegetarian and vegan afternoon tea menus are also available here, and the experience is complemented by live piano music.

The Wolseley brings the European grand café tradition to London, with a British and European menu. Enjoy a choice of afternoon teas here, from a simple cream tea to the classic experience, or an extra indulgent option that includes a glass of champagne. Scones and pastries are handmade every day and there's a selection of popular teas to choose from.

The Mind Palace is a Sherlock Holmes-themed bar complete with mementos and puzzle games. You can enjoy an unusual afternoon tea here, tucking into sandwiches and sweet bites whilst solving intriguing mysteries. This is an immersive afternoon tea experience in a unique and unexpected venue.

The Lounge at Royal Horseguards Hotel is a regal setting where you can enjoy a classic, sophisticated afternoon tea in London. Expect traditional sandwiches and sweet treats, along with a house tea blend crafted specifically to complement the food. This elegant afternoon tea close to Trafalgar Square gives guests a taste of tradition.

Sophisticated and on-trend hotel One Aldwych has a number of on-site dining options. Both guests and visitors can partake in the imaginative “Charlie & the Chocolate Factory” afternoon tea, bringing to life the culinary creations from the much-loved book. You can expect an immersive and indulgent afternoon tea experience here.

The Rubens at the Palace is a luxurious and traditional London hotel. One of the finest afternoon teas in London is served in the Palace Lounge with views of Buckingham Palace. Special diets and children can be catered for too. Choose from a broad selection of teas and enjoy classic sweet and savoury nibbles.

Sketch is a quirky modern European restaurant known for all-day dining in a unique and highly aesthetic interior that gives off strong Wes Anderson vibes. In The Gallery space, you can sample a unique afternoon tea with indulgent bites like truffle and cream cheese brioche rolls. Tea is unlimited too!

The Diamond Jubilee Tea Salon is a luxurious English tea room located in Fortnum & Mason. A choice of afternoon tea menus is offered here, including vegetarian, vegan, made without gluten, and made without nuts. When you're very hungry, choose the heartier high tea menu.

Roast is a modern British eatery overlooking Borough Market, with afternoon tea served six days a week. The menu changes regularly but includes typical treats like cakes, scones, and finger sandwiches. Bottomless prosecco is also on offer for those who like to make their afternoon tea boozy.

The Chocolate Cocktail Club is a unique bar focusing on chocolate-based cocktails. Afternoon tea is also served, which includes sandwiches, chocolatey scones, and chocolate cakes and pastries. Plus, you get unlimited tea, coffee, or hot chocolate and the option to add a signature chocolate cocktail – a real treat for those with a sweet tooth.

The Ritz is a legendary London hotel and afternoon tea is served throughout the day in the opulent surroundings of the original ballroom. Enjoy delicate music by the resident pianist and harpist whilst you savour traditional treats. Expect a choice of fine teas with sandwiches, scones, and elegant pastries.

Claridge's is an iconic London hotel and in The Foyer & Reading Room, under an impressive glass sculpture, you can enjoy afternoon tea. Sample delicate sandwiches and handmade pastries with the tea of your choice. A special afternoon tea menu for kids is also offered.

At his first international outpost at The Berkeley hotel, world-famous pâtissier Cédric Grolet crafts an enchantingly playful take on the traditional British afternoon tea. Combining it with its French cousin goûter, he offers sweet and savoury treats that change seasonally, but always feature his trademark trompe-l'œil marvels.

Enjoy a quintessential afternoon tea at The Athenaeum's restaurant 116, with a feast of sandwiches, cakes, pastries, and traditional scones with jam and clotted cream. There's also an option for those who prefer savoury, including cheddar scones, savoury pastries, Welsh rarebit and tartlets. If you'd like to go bottomless, upgrade your afternoon tea with free-flowing bubbles for 90 minutes. The restaurant is bright, spacious, and contemporary, with a sleek parquet floor, wood panelling, and brass light fixtures.

Named in 2023 as the best contemporary afternoon tea in London, afternoon tea at The Carlton Tower Jumeirah is themed on the flowers of British gardens. Visit this luxury five-star hotel for sweet and savoury treats from renowned pastry chef Jessica Prealpato, who has some serious accolades under her belt, including being crowned Best Pastry Chef in the World.

This whimsical themed afternoon tea at The Chesterfield introduces a playful nostalgia to your palate with surprises like Coca-Cola, smoking pink lemonade and various sweet-shop-themed cakes. Expect treats like chocolate scones, finger sandwiches, and smoked salmon on beetroot bread. There's also an extensive tea selection to accompany the food, and you can elevate the experience with a chilled glass of champagne.

The Montague hotel, situated within a charming townhouse, is conveniently located near some of the city's top attractions. Here you can enjoy 90 minutes of free-flowing Lanson champagne, paired with a tasty assortment of homemade cakes, scones, and sandwiches in the atmospheric setting overlooking the lush gardens. There's also a vegetarian afternoon tea option.

Cutter & Squidge, in the quaint neighbourhood of Soho, is renowned for its tasty signature sweet treats. Everyone can enjoy afternoon tea with Cutter & Squidge since they offer a range of menus that cater to diverse dietary preferences, including a vegan selection featuring treats like vegan sausage rolls, mini cakes, and brownies. You also have the option to add bubbles or make your way through the cocktail list. 

If dainty finger sandwiches and scones slathered in clotted cream and jam don't really suit your palate, then you might like Inamo's offering. You can enjoy afternoon tea with a pan-Asian twist here, including sushi and Asian tapas, fresh sashimi, maki rolls, gyoza and futomaki. Add one hour of bottomless fizz to make it boozy.

The Ampersand Hotel has a reputation for afternoon teas inspired by nearby museums. The current menu is inspired by the European debut of Patagotitan Mayorum, one of the largest known creatures to have walked the planet. Be transported back over 200 million years with treats like T-Rex cheese straws, a raspberry and lemon crémeux volcano eruption, and a chocolate dinosaur egg nest. Children can enjoy hot chocolate, while adults can indulge with champagne, alcohol-free sparkling rosé, or specially-crafted cocktails.

Afternoon tea gets a glow-up at The Athenaeum with its Fancies & Foliage menu. Taking cues from the hotel's iconic vertical living wall and the leafy Royal Parks nearby, this spread is a love letter to British tradition. Expect delicate fondant fancies, sandwiches that balance classic with creative, and an interactive blending trolley serving seasonal teas and natural cocktails. A quintessentially British ritual, done The Athenaeum's way.