Afternoon tea in London for a special occasion

[bendmeoverbackwards]

Short list is

The Ritz
Sketch
The Goring
Brown’s

Recommendations please?

I know some people rave about the Lanesborough but we had a dreadful tea there a few years ago,it was like a school outing and they were very sniffy about the fact that I have a crab allergy, the only place which didn’t provide an alternative sandwich to their crab rolls. The biggest surprise was a brilliant tea at The Shard and the view was amazing, we watched the sunset and all the Xmas lights coming on .

If you wanted something a little different we recently had an amazing afternoon tea at the Petersham in covent garden for a special occasion.

They have a nursery and restaurant out Richmond way too but a tiny restaurant in Covent garden.
The food is amazing kind of an Italian twist on afternoon tea, all locally sourced etc and the service was perfection. Not as shiny as fortnums but delicious.

I've had my share of posh afternoon teas and I don't think it's all about the butties and the macarons.

The thing about the Ritz and the Savoy is that it's about the venue and the experience. The teas themselves were perfectly good but it was the ambience and the history of the places that made it so special. We took an Aussie friend to the Ritz when she was leaving to go home after a couple of years in Europe. To say she was "stoked" is an understatement. Not sure the others would have had the same effect.

I've been for drinks up the Shard and I do quite fancy afternoon tea there now.

Sketch and Goring are both great. Ritz was crap.

Claridges and The Corinthia would be my recommendations, they were both excellent!

I did enjoy The Ritz just for the experience of it, but I do completely understand what everyone else is saying about it.

Sorry to hear of your experience @Peaseblossum22 that’s a shame.

Anyone know if Brown’s is quite old fashioned/traditional?

Ooh I love afternoon tea. My favourite was probably the Landmark in Marylebone. The palm court was beautiful with the pianist playing.

Wolseley a different atmosphere, less tranquil and more buzzy. We got a table up on one of the balconies before Christmas which was lovely to sit and people watch down below.

Palm Court at The Langham.

The shard.
Had a wonderful afternoon tea there

For the quality of food it has to be the Langham or the Ampersand

I had afternoon tea at Browns with a group of friends last year. Good choice of food for vegetarians and vegans. The plus point for me was the staff - friendly and professional. They really looked after us.

I think Brown's is lovely

And it has the most amazing loos - massive anteroom, chaises longues

Oh, and I'd say Brown's is traditional but not old fashioned

Fortnum and masons... Always amazing, and service is impeccable
Recently had tea at blue box cafe in harrods, its Tiffany's cafe. It was also very good.

Sketch or Claridges both were wonderful

Following..
Looking for somewhere to take my 70yr old Mum for afternoon tea in Feb.
She's more Babs Windsor than Miss Marple so quirky works as well.
Quick look at Sketch is promising

Following as was also looking for a venue for Mum's birthday!

Is a particular room at Claridges the nicest?

@TheresOnlyOneWayOfLife definitely the fashionista tea at The Berkeley.

We had a lovely time yesterday at the Covent Garden Hotel before a show. They made us feel really looked after.

I really want to go to Sketch.

Fortnums was nice. The sandwiches were some of the nicest I've had in an afternoon tea.

The Wolseley is much more low key, but pleasant. Substantially cheaper than some of the others.

O opinions on the Cafe Royal then ?

The Landmark is absolutely beautiful- feels very special.

Really liked The Montague on the Gardens. Quiet, lovely view overlooking their garden, very tasty and refined.

Harrods

NOT The Ritz. Its so overcrowded and not that special imo.