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Original poster

Where for afternoon tea in London?

32 replies

thelastgoldeneagle · 02/10/2021 18:38

Or Brighton? Hit me with your recommendations! For DD's 18th.

I was looking at the Shard but the afternoon teas have very mixed reviews on TripAdvisor. Has anyone been to Oblix or Aqua Shard and can recommend them or not?

Thanks!

OP posts:
HerBigChance · 02/10/2021 18:42

Fortnum's was fabulous. Unhurried and posh without being stuffy. Not sure if an 18 year old might want somewhere more trendy though.

highlandcoo · 02/10/2021 18:52

I love Browns in Albemarle Street. It's quite traditional and there's often a pianist. Very generous servings .. replenishing is important and not all the big posh hotels do! I've always found the service to be excellent and very friendly.

Sketch is also good and quirkier if you're looking for something a bit different.

SunShinesBrightly · 02/10/2021 18:55

F&M definitely!
Arthur’s at Liberty is nice too.
www.libertylondon.com/uk/experiences/arthurs-restaurant-at-liberty.html

DappledOliveGroves · 02/10/2021 18:56

Another vote for Browns. My favourite place for afternoon tea!

SunShinesBrightly · 02/10/2021 18:56

Sky garden is fantastic.

cpjoli · 02/10/2021 18:57

Hard Rock Cafe. Unlimited prosecco and amazing food !

bakingdemon · 02/10/2021 18:59

If you want somewhere really special and want to spend a bit more, try the Rosewood, Corinthia or Connaught. All really really special and always interesting takes on a traditional afternoon tea.

Rememberallball · 02/10/2021 19:05

We’ve had a couple of fabulous afternoon tea experiences at Melody @ St Paul in Hammersmith. Also had an amazing one at Altitude 360 in Millbank Tower.
We’ve had dinner at both Aqua and Oblix and they were amazing. Another to die for restaurant is Gauthiers in Romilly Street, Soho

DressBitch · 02/10/2021 19:06

I loved The Savoy. F&M is next on my list.

CapitanSandy · 02/10/2021 19:08

Loved afternoon tea at the Langham a couple of years ago.

Sunshine1066 · 02/10/2021 19:08

The Goring Hotel. Amazing. Would love to go back.

Stuffragette · 02/10/2021 19:12

I love The Connaught and Claridges, but you have to book quite far in advance. Everyone raves about Sketch. The interior is amazing but the tea is a bit lame.

Look up the Firmdale hotels in London. The interiors are lovely and the tea is yum. And it's a bit more relaxed.

There is always Cahoots which is 2940s style. It's really cool. And the Afternoon Tea bus which is a route master red bus that tours round London whilst you enjoy afternoon tea.

b-bakery.com/london/bus-tours/afternoon-tea-bus-london

Stretchandsnap · 02/10/2021 19:16

Sofitel park lane was absolutely amazing! Cafe royal also very atmospheric and so much food!

Autumngoldleaf · 02/10/2021 19:18

One aldwych Charlie chock factory tea had wow factor.
Really amazing.

Fortum was beautiful... But not sure if it had the wow for an 18th. I was going to suggest sketch I've eaten there but not afternoon tea..

Definitely not sky garden, it's really lovely for afternoon out but I didn't find the interior had any wow factor?

The bus sounds like lots of fun

Fandangoes · 02/10/2021 19:19

Claridges

Original poster
thelastgoldeneagle · 02/10/2021 19:23

@SunShinesBrightly - which restaurant in the Sky Garden? I can't find afternoon teas anywhere.

There's so much choice, isn't there? Anyone been to Fortnum & Mason? That looks good.

Ideally we wanted a view... but I don't want to pay £200 for the Shard if it's not going to be good!

OP posts:
GenderApostatemk2 · 02/10/2021 19:32

I really enjoyed the river cruise afternoon tea from Tower pier. Food was decent and an ever changing view, reasonable at £65 for two.

Fortnums is lovely but I didn’t enjoy it any more than the cruise.
After experiencing the catering at the Corinthia, don’t think I’ll be returning.

Shannith · 02/10/2021 19:35

I've done quite a few (all the famous ones and quite a few others - became my hobby when I wa sprig any and couldn't drink) and The Goring was the beat. But that was in summer and they have a great garden (biggest private garden in London bar Windsor apparently)

And off the beaten track (well Haymaket, so still central) was the Haymarket Hotel. I had my baby shower there and at 8 months had finally stopped being sick/crippled by indigestion and they took the refilling of my cakes, scones and clotted cream (much better than the ones at the Ritz, scones that is) very, very seriously.

I impressed a lot of people with the amount away that day. They had great teas and cocktalls too.

Autumngoldleaf · 02/10/2021 19:37

YES, a few of us have said we've been to f and m...

Sky garden is nice for visit generally but interior feels 8os

Shannith · 02/10/2021 19:39

Bugger - just checked and HH not currently serving afternoon tea.

The Goring then. Better than the ritz/F&M

Or another that's slightly quirky but fun - Liberty's is lovely. I just love walking round the shop and it's in a funky little bit downstairs. Really enjoyed it.

Tiramumsu · 02/10/2021 19:41

The Ham Yard Hotel do a lovely afternoon tea, and they have a cocktail menu which might suit an 18th. It's off Regent Street.

ablutiions · 02/10/2021 19:42

We went on a double decker bus in Brighton with afternoon tea, it was glorious.

Shannith · 02/10/2021 19:43

If you went to the Goring - don't go on a Saturday - you want to be in the veranda (which is every day bar Saturday).

Itsnotdeep · 02/10/2021 19:46

I personally love Claridges, but I took my dd to lunch (not afternoon tea) at Sketch for her 18th. She loved it.

SuperheroBirds · 02/10/2021 19:50

I’ve had a lot of afternoon teas, Fortnum & Mason was by far my favourite. They really make you feel special and even give you more cake to take home.
That said, if she likes to post on social media, Sketch has some great photo opportunities.