Afternoon tea in London

The short answer

The best afternoon tea in London is found at The Ritz, Claridge's, The Savoy, The Langham, Brown's and Fortnum & Mason if you want the classic experience, and at Sketch or the Sanderson if you would like something more playful. All of them serve the familiar format of finger sandwiches, scones and pastries, but the setting and mood vary far more than you might expect.

It is one of the few luxuries in London that works for almost anybody: a birthday, a treat for a visiting parent, a relaxed first date or a pause during a shopping day. It also takes a lot less planning than dinner, as long as you book well ahead. Weekends and all of December are the hardest times to get a table, so give yourself several weeks if you can.

The grand hotel classics

The Ritz is the name most people think of first. Tea is served in the Palm Court, with its gold leaf, mirrors and fountain, at set sittings that are often booked up well in advance. It has long been the most formal of the lot, with a dress code that has traditionally included a jacket and tie for men, so read the current rules before you go.

Claridge's serves tea in its Art Deco Foyer in Mayfair, with live piano adding to the glamour of the room, while The Savoy's Thames Foyer is built around a glass-domed space with a pianist and all the ceremony you could want. Both feel like a proper occasion, and neither is shy about the setting.

The Langham on Regent Street is often credited as the place that made afternoon tea a hotel tradition in London, and its Palm Court still makes a strong case. Brown's Hotel in Mayfair is more intimate and cosier, with a historic, wood-panelled feel that many people prefer to a big room. The Dorchester's Promenade on Park Lane offers tea in a long gilded room of marble columns, with several sittings during the day.

The London institution

Fortnum & Mason on Piccadilly serves its tea in the Diamond Jubilee Tea Salon, and the shop's royal connections and tea-blending history make this feel especially English. It is a dependable choice, slightly more relaxed than the very grandest hotels, and the shop below is great fun to browse before or after. If tea itself is what interests you most, ask about the blends, since the staff know them well and will happily guide you.

Something different

Sketch on Conduit Street in Mayfair is the choice for anyone who has already done the traditional version. Its art-filled, surreal rooms are as much a part of the experience as the food, and it is a very popular spot for photographs. If you would like to look at something unusual over your scones, this is it.

Fashion and art have also found their way on to the tea stand. Prêt-à-Portea at The Berkeley in Knightsbridge takes its cakes from the catwalk, with pastries styled after current fashion themes. Rosewood London in Holborn has served an art afternoon tea, with pastries modelled on well-known artists' works. The Mad Hatter's tea at the Sanderson on Berners Street draws on Alice's Adventures in Wonderland and is great fun for a light-hearted afternoon. These concepts change from season to season, so look at what is currently on offer.

Booking, dress and etiquette

Most top venues take bookings online, and a card is often required for a reservation. Prices vary a great deal, and a grand hotel tea with Champagne can cost considerably more than you might expect, so check the current menu and any service charge before booking. Festive menus usually bring their own pricing, and some venues charge more at weekends.

Dress codes run from smart casual to very formal, so check them first, especially at The Ritz. If you are unsure, smart is always a safe choice. Tell the restaurant about any dietary needs in advance, as vegetarian, vegan and gluten-free versions are widely available when arranged. Refills of sandwiches and scones are offered at many places, so ask if you are still hungry, and there is usually a box available for anything you cannot finish.

As for the scone question, cream first or jam first is a light-hearted debate rather than a rule, so do whichever you prefer. Sittings can be timed, often around 90 minutes to two hours, so arrive promptly and ask how long your table is yours.

Which tea suits which occasion

For a once-in-a-lifetime treat or a milestone birthday, The Ritz is the safe answer, because almost everybody recognises the name and the room delivers on it. For a treat with a parent or an older relative, Brown's or Fortnum & Mason tend to feel warmer and a little less intimidating, and the service leaves time to talk. For a friend who has already seen the classics, Sketch or the Sanderson's Mad Hatter menu will give you plenty to photograph and talk about.

For a first date, choose a calm room and a time that leaves an easy way to continue or finish, such as a mid-afternoon sitting at Claridge's, The Langham or The Lanesborough's Withdrawing Room near Hyde Park Corner. If a view is what you are after, Aqua Shard, high up in The Shard, also serves afternoon tea, and the skyline makes up for any lack of old-world grandeur. Whatever the occasion, say so when you book, as many venues will try to mark a celebration if they know about it in advance, although this is never guaranteed.

Making an afternoon of it

Tea fits neatly into a wider plan. Combine it with a stroll through Green Park after The Ritz, some shopping along Bond Street after Brown's or Claridge's, or an early West End show after The Savoy. The earlier sittings leave plenty of room in the day, and a later one can easily take the place of dinner. Our spa day guide has ideas if you would like to make it a full day of treats.

If you would enjoy sharing the afternoon with someone, you can browse our ladies and call us with her name and a time.