13 best places for afternoon tea in London

Updated February 27, 2025

Afternoon tea is a quintessential British pastime, and no trip to London is complete without having a cup or two while enjoying tasty finger sandwiches, fresh-baked scones, and cakes so pretty you almost don't want to eat them (almost).

If you think tea isn't "your thing," we guarantee there's an afternoon tea in London that will pique your interest. You'd rather be out sightseeing? Hop on the double-decker tea bus. Looking for the best views? You've got teatime options at The Shard. Fancy a trip to the Science Museum? The Ampersand brings the chemistry to you with an interactive culinary adventure.

Here you'll find 13 of the best places to take your tea, with options that cater to a wide range of travelers, from the budget-conscious to the vegan and gluten-free. No matter which tea experience you choose, plan to spend a leisurely 1.5 hours at your table.

For a twist that combines two classic London experiences—tea and double decker buses—book a seat on the Brigit’s Afternoon Tea Bus. After boarding at Victoria Coach Station, you'll snack on an array of tasty sandwiches, heavenly cakes and pastries, and scones with cream and jam, as your driver takes you past Big Ben, Westminster Abbey, St James's Park, Hyde Park, The Royal Albert Hall, Trafalgar Square, and more. The tour will last about 1.5 hours, depending on the traffic.

The British Museum is a must for budget-conscious travelers, not only because entry is free, but the institution is also home to one of the most affordable afternoon teas in London. Under the iconic latticed glass ceiling of the Great Court, you'll enjoy a seasonal menu of savory and sweet delights, like truffled egg salad sandwiches and two-bite fruit tartlets, along with fresh-baked scones.

Tip: During the busy summer season, you'll want to not only book your tea time but also your museum ticket, as entry is timed to keep crowds under control.

Afternoon tea becomes particularly magical during the winter holiday season and few put on a more festive show than the Savoy. Every year, the five-star hotel outdoes itself, transforming its lavish lobby into a winter wonderland with multiple Christmas trees and twinkling lights.

Tea service also gets the holly-jolly treatment, with a menu featuring wintery flavors, seasonal ingredients, and cakes that nod to Santa and snowflakes. The limited run event is popular, so mark your calendars for three months in advance, when reservations open.

Afternoon tea at The Ritz's Palm Court is one of the most timeless experiences in London—especially considering its been served here since 1906. The tea menu features classic British flavors, like savory Scottish smoked salmon and chicken with tarragon creamed mayonnaise. There are also fresh plain and fruit scones served with Cornish clotted cream and strawberry preserves, and an assortment of pastries and cakes for you.

The Ritz in London is the only hotel to have a certified Tea Master, who travels around the world to source for their wonderful teas. (Be sure to give their exclusive Ritz Royal Blend Tea a try.)

With its cute sandwiches and colorful cakes, afternoon tea is already a made-for-social-media affair but for a truly picture-perfect setting, head to Sketch, where you can take your tea in what's possibly London's most Instagrammed restaurant.

Traditional teatime treats are given a French twist here, with a ham and cheese croque monsieur among the sandwiches, along with a goat cheese and beetroot eclair. The dessert tower is ever-changing and can feature everything from checkered Battenberg sponge cake to macarons, usually with a seasonal touch.

Tip: The tea room's golden, art-adorned walls are picturesque but its the funky, futuristic bathrooms that make their way onto Instagram most often. Be sure to stop in before you leave.

For an afternoon tea beyond the fancy hotels, head to the stylish Diamond Jubilee Tea Salon, located on the fourth floor of Fortnum & Mason. Opened by Queen Elizabeth herself in 2012, the tea room is supremely elegant without feeling stuffy. Plus, the tea is catered easily to different preferences and dietary needs, with vegan, vegetarian, gluten-free, and nut-free menus. Bonus: there are also unlimited free refills of food, which you could request to-go if you are unable to finish. Just be sure to leave room for dessert: a cake cart will pop by with an extensive selection of sweet treats at the end of your tea.

Tip: Leave yourself plenty time to explore the store and pick up a few tins of gorgeously packaged biscuits and chocolate truffles (perfect for gifting), along a box of their most famous teas.

If you're only in town for a day or two, hop on a river cruise for afternoon tea that'll take you past iconic British landmarks. On the 1.5-hour tour by City Cruises, you'll sail along the Thames past sites like Big Ben, Tower Bridge, the London Eye, and more with narration by a knowledgeable guide.

You'll be treated to a classic afternoon tea menu, with finger sandwiches, scones, and pastries, along with unlimited tea or coffee. You can add a glass or two of bubbly from the bar, and be sure to come hungry—travelers note that you get quite a bit of food.

The tallest building in the United Kingdom has not one, not two, but three different ways to enjoy afternoon tea, all with knock-out views.

Looking for an unforgettable outing with kids in tow? You can’t go wrong with afternoon tea at The Rubens at the Palace. Directly opposite the Royal Mews of Buckingham Palace, your kids will feel like royalty here thanks to the Little Prince and Princess Tea for those under 12. They'll be treated to bite-sized sandwiches with simpler flavors (like peanut butter and jelly or ham and cheese), as well as scones, a cupcake and iced donut, plus a milkshake or hot chocolate.

As for adults, you'll be snacking on a delectable selection of delicate finger sandwiches, warm and fluffy scones, and mouthwatering pastries influenced by Royal dining trends throughout the centuries.

This South Kensington hotel looked to its neighbor, the Science Museum, for inspiration in creating its Science Afternoon Tea experience—and an experience it is. Chemistry and gastronomy come together in an interactive culinary event where petri dishes and measuring cups are used as serving dishes and pipettes and test tubes deliver tastes and freeze-dried toppings.

If dinos are more your speed, the Ampersand also offers a Jurassic Afternoon Tea, with a sweets menu featuring a volcanic eruption and a candy dinosaur egg basket. The kids' version includes T-Rex foot-shaped cheese straws and a chocolate fossil hidden in edible soil; it's served with a pastry brush to be carefully unearthed.

An award-winning London hotel located just opposite Kensington Palace and Gardens, The Milestone has been consistently recognized for its high standards of tea service. Tuck into the wide array of classic tea bites, from a sizable selection of exquisite sandwiches and warm scones with Devonshire clotted cream and homemade preserves, to trays of delicate pastries, including eclairs, tartlets, cupcakes, and macarons. We highly recommend adding a glass of Champagne—the opulent setting calls for it.

Located in the magnificent Art Deco–inspired lobby, afternoon tea at Claridge’s is a classic. For the last 150 years, Claridge’s has been keeping this delightful tradition, serving finger sandwiches made with the finest ingredients, warm scones with Rodda’s Cornish clotted cream, and seasonal pastries.

At the heart of afternoon tea, though, is the tea. You'll find an astonishing selection that spans from the White Silver tea of China's Fujian province to Malawi Antler, one of the most prized teas in the world.

You can't get much closer to royalty at afternoon tea than at the Kensington Palace Pavilion, which sits on the grounds of palace itself. You'll get traditional sandwiches, scones with clotted cream and jam pots, and petite cakes, which you can snack on alongside a selection of tea, bubbles, and Pimm’s Cup cocktails. The attentiveness of the service staff, delightful ambience, and lovely food makes this a worthwhile splurge.

If you’d like to enjoy more than just the food, The Kensington Palace Gardens Royal High Tea package allows you to explore the gardens with a knowledgeable guide.

Tip: If the weather permits, be sure to request a table on the alfresco terrace.