Best afternoon tea in London

[IHopeYouStepOnALegoPiece]

Done Claridges & The Ritz, looking for somewhere as fantastic as Claridges (or an excuse to go back to Claridges... )

Any ideas gratefully received!

Fortnums 100%. In my job, I take people to afternoon tea quite often (the hardship, I tell you ).

Fortnums is absolutely the best food and there is so much of it. Staff are incredibly kind and you leave with a fresh piece of cake and all of your leftovers.

My #2 and #3 are The Dorchester and Claridges. The Dorchester is better than Claridges, as it’s much more spacious and the Promenade lounge is nicer but I’ve stopped going recently due to Kingdom of Brunei’s law changes and CSR. Although in fairness you wouldn’t step foot in half of London’s best hotels, or Harrods, if you genuinely were concerned about the human rights track record of the owner’s country.

Yes I rate the Dorchester as much better than Claridges. Better atmosphere. Found Claridges disappointing actually. The Goring great. Also the Langham.

Bookatable had a £55 lunch at the Ritz recently
I liked Langhams and Fortnum & Mason. The second visit to F&M I had the savoury afternoon tea which was delicious 😋 my companion had the sweet afternoon tea and we eat each other’s and asked them to replenish which meant neither of us missed out on trying items. Then we were offered cakes from the trolley.. they were very generous

I like the Wosley for brunch, the service is great

Redbed, yes I'm indian

Browns is my favourite, much more understated and less touristy. And their breakfast tea blend (which they give you loose leaf in little bags at the end) is amazing.

Ann Russell invented afternoon tea in about 1840

Oh some fantastic sounding places on here! How am I going to choose!

Deathraystare I know! I’m currently pondering who’s going to play me in the movie adaption of the hardship

bunnyhop I’m sorry, cake and gin?! I want to go there aswell now!

I was really disappointed with the ritz, it was all just lacking a bit! I won’t hear a bad word against Claridges!

Thanks all so much!

Yes cake AND gin AND you get to wear a safari hat.

Have you tried the tea bus. Great day out , lovely food and tour of London ?

I'd live to have afternoon tea at claridges but £150 for 2 people OMG

Redbed, yes I'm indian

That's not a source unless you were around in the 1800s when it was popularised 🤨

Tea was popular in the U.K. from the 1660s encouraged by the Portuguese wife of Charles II. Sandwiches were "invented" in the 1700s to provide sustenance at the gaming table and afternoon tea was popularised by Anna Russell in 1840s as a bridge between lunch and late dinners.

Obviously tea itself comes from India we know that, but the ritual of afternoon tea as we know it - cucumber sandwiches, cakes, scones etc is Victorian.

My vote goes to the Goring - a proper, traditional afternoon tea, and fabulous cakes

Thanks all!

I thought this thread would make things easier...now I can’t decide which one!!