Afternoon Tea in London

[Auntie Helen]

Klaus and I are having two nights in London to do the tourist thing in early February.

I had the cunning plan to go for Afternoon Tea at the Ritz. Unfortunately it is all booked out. The Savoy is still possible but costs even more and isn’t quite the real thing for me.

Makes more sense to spend less than £75 per head on somewhere a bit more normal. Can anyone recommend a good place to have a semi- posh afternoon tea? If we can wear jeans that would be handy as we don’t want to take too much luggage to London - for the Ritz he would have needed a suit.

[Jurek]

Klaus and I are having two nights in London to do the tourist thing in early February.

I had the cunning plan to go for Afternoon Tea at the Ritz. Unfortunately it is all booked out. The Savoy is still possible but costs even more and isn’t quite the real thing for me.

Makes more sense to spend less than £75 per head on somewhere a bit more normal. Can anyone recommend a good place to have a semi- posh afternoon tea? If we can wear jeans that would be handy as we don’t want to take too much luggage to London - for the Ritz he would have needed a suit.

When I graduated we all went for afternoon tea at The Waldorf on Aldwych.
It was perfectly acceptable, without being too poncey.
I'm pretty sure that at that stage of my life I would've been in denims.

[rafletcher]

The Landmark Hotel in Marylebone does an afternoon tea with a “smart casual” dress code.

[alfapete]

The Corinthia was wonderful, and less expensive than we'd expected. Quite posh. Even got a branded bag to take away the leftovers.

[ScumOfTheRoad]

Look at Lyaness in the Sea Containers building. I often pass and see people having afternoon tea. Lovely location.
https://www.seacontainerslondon.com/eat-drink/lyaness-bar/


Also look at the rather hidden away hotel which makes the martinis that Ian Fleming drank
https://www.dukeshotel.com/dukes-bar/
There is probably a stricter dress code there. Do check

[Auntie Helen]

We've ended up booking The Shard with a window. Let's hope everything isn't enveloped in fog!

[hellymedic]

Sounds nice!
[non-recommendation but my tale]

We went to The Savoy for D’s 50th, nearly 10 years ago. Dressed up for the occasion.
Being in a wheelchair, I was pushed through the beer cellar, where there was the familiar, but unmistakable aroma of Rat.¹

We had a pleasant Tea, with crustless sandwiches, scones & cakes, which we could not finish.

One of our party requested a doggy bag and was met with a ‘We dot NOT do takeaways at The Savoy!’ response.

Fortnum & Mason, on Piccadilly, might be a place for people-watching, but it doesn’t have a view.

1) The Savoy has apparently ALWAYS had rats, due to its proximity to the Thames. Mum told me this.

[chrisbainbridge]

We like the Langham for afternoon tea and they do doggy bags.

[bhoot]

I have never been but one that appeals (if they still do it) is the Midland Hotel at St Pancras combined with a tour.

[JT]

If you can get in, The Lanesborough is fantastic - the  tea itself, the setting, the service, and it doesn’t feel like a production line (The Ritz) and no daft dress code (The Ritz). Their own blend tea is the best.

I’ve been three times and wouldn’t go anywhere else for a posh afternoon tea.

[jwo]

The Wolesley (on Piccadilly) does an excellent afternoon tea (with a huge choice of teas with unlimited top-ups – The Lapsang and Earl Grey were excellent). It can get quite busy at peak times, but very grand surroundings and good food.

No dress code as far as I was aware. And a veggie option was available (and good) if you need it.

https://www.thewolseley.com/menu/afternoon-tea/

[Ruthie]

I’ve always fancied The Dorchester.

[Regulator]

Fortnum & Mason is another great place for afternoon tea (if a little pricey - cheapest menu is £80 per person)

[nextSibling]

From personal experience I can can recommend both The Wallace Collection restaurant
https://www.wallacecollection.org/visit/food-and-drink/
and
The Ochre restaurant at The National Gallery
https://www.nationalgallery.org.uk/visiting/eat-and-drink

[citoyen]

I don’t really understand the appeal of afternoon tea myself but if you’re into that sort of thing, Brown’s in Mayfair is reckoned to be very good.

[Asterix, the former Gaul.]

 The Savoy has apparently ALWAYS had rats, due to its proximity to the Thames. Mum told me this.

Or vice versa.

Mrs A and daughter had tea at the Ritz. They did doggy bags ISTR.

[MikeFromLFE]

I don’t really understand the appeal of afternoon tea myself but if you’re into that sort of thing, Brown’s in Mayfair is reckoned to be very good.

I didn't really 'get' the whole afternoon tea thing until we were given a voucher for The Ritz in London.
I'm a convert.

Afternoon Tea is a genuine treat for us when such things are a rarity in *our* beige lives.
A good afternoon tea substitutes for lunch and an evening meal. We've never had a really bad experience.

[Pedal Castro]

At some point we will do afternoon tea at Claridges simply because Mrs PC's great grandfather died there. 
(hoping for a discount) 

[Wowbagger]

At some point we will do afternoon tea at Claridges simply because Mrs PC's great grandfather died there. 
(hoping for a discount) 

Had he just partaken of afternoon tea?

[citoyen]

I don’t really understand the appeal of afternoon tea myself but if you’re into that sort of thing, Brown’s in Mayfair is reckoned to be very good.

I didn't really 'get' the whole afternoon tea thing until we were given a voucher for The Ritz in London.
I'm a convert.

Afternoon Tea is a genuine treat for us when such things are a rarity in *our* beige lives.
A good afternoon tea substitutes for lunch and an evening meal. We've never had a really bad experience.

I suspect my judgment is coloured by the fact that I've never had a really memorable one but have had several very ordinary ones. I also resent the idea of having to wear special clothes to eat food so I doubt I'll ever bother with the Ritz.

They do seem to involve too much food - I always thought the idea was a light meal between lunch and a late dinner rather than replacing either.

But ignore me being curmudgeonly - if afternoon tea is your kind of thing, go for it. I sincerely hope Auntie H and her chap enjoy theirs.

[Auntie Helen]

We do intermittent fasting so don’t eat breakfast so our afternoon tea at 12:30 will function nicely as brunch!

[hellymedic]

Advertorial from my local rag.
I would not choose to eat on a bumpy bus but this ‘gift experience’ might suit those with sea legs or strong stomachs!
https://www.harrowtimes.co.uk/news/24106523.tried-brigits-bakery-afternoon-tea-bus-tour-london/

[MikeFromLFE]

Advertorial from my local rag.
I would not choose to eat on a bumpy bus but this ‘gift experience’ might suit those with sea legs or strong stomachs!
https://www.harrowtimes.co.uk/news/24106523.tried-brigits-bakery-afternoon-tea-bus-tour-london/

My sister in law did this last year - seemed to enjoy the trip.
Not sure it's my idea of fun though