Luxury afternoon tea in Central London - recommendations please

[MrsBennetsPoorNerves]

I'm looking for somewhere fancy to go in Central London for afternoon tea. It will be in mid March this year so definitely not interested in anywhere that would need to be booked months in advance, thanks.

Very flexible on cost as it's a big birthday and I want it to be a real treat. Would prefer a place without a strict dress code but will consider all recommendations. Must have good vegetarian options and nice cake!! Also, food should be plentiful as we will be going in early evening before the theatre and it will replace our evening meal. And surroundings need to be sumptuous please!

If you have Virgin points/miles there is a good offer at Virgin Red for Fortnums

We loved the afternoon tea at Pan Pacific. Beautiful Singaporean style food.

I have done Fortnums a few years ago and they bring everything round on trays rather than serving a set menu on the tiered plates.

You could choose exactly what you wanted and they kept coming back to replenish which was good because I am a vegetarian who isn’t keen on eggs and hates scones and isn’t that keen on cake so I had extra of other things.

It was quite a bit of time ago so don’t know if things are different but would definitely recommend it as being really a lovely experience.

Just be aware many stop serving by 5/5.30

I am veggie and was disappointed at the Corinthia. Lots of food but they gave me the vegan sandwiches (tasteless vegan cheese rather than the lovely egg etc) and then looked at me like I was a fake veggie (“yes of course you can have some of the OTHER sandwiches if you like, which ones do you want?”) when I told them I wasn’t vegan! I wanted to make sure I wouldn’t get fake clotted cream with the scones etc… Also poor service - very slow but this was back in summer 2021 and it seems they were understaffed. Was also disappointed by the Ritz which felt like a bit of a factory (admittedly many years ago) but enjoyed Claridges and the Landmark.

The goring and browns are my winners by far. The views of the shard were great but the food, service and atmosphere of the other 2 are wonderful.

Same. I've done a number of afternoon teas and this was the most memorable.

Browns is my top choice.

But if you want to be nearer theatreland, then the Savoy

The Hamyard hotel

Savoy was beautiful. Browns excellent. Cafe Royale good but too dark inside but history made it
Want to try claridges next

Brown's
Sketch
The Oscar wilde room one is fun
The Langham

They are all fab

Can I just check which Browns people are referring to? I've had many afternoon teas in London but never here and I'd like to try it.
Thank you!

www.roccofortehotels.com/hotels-and-resorts/brown-s-hotel/dining/the-drawing-room/

This is the browns I mean. I've been twice and it's exceptional

The Goring. Loved it.

The Savoy is lovely.

The Berkeley pret a portea fashion inspired afternoon tea did it years ago lovely

ritz if you can get in is great too

F&M bring some slices around but most of it is served on the tiers. They bring you as much food as you want, but some of the cakes didn't have much flavour last time, just sugar.

I'm always on the lookout for recommendations for anywhere that just keeps the food coming. My DP is a human dustbin and never full!

I've done almost all of them over the years - DH is American and when he was visiting London on business trips we always got taken for afternoon tea by his vendors/clients.

I actually didn't rate the Ritz, but loved Claridges and tea at The Rose Lounge at the Sofitel St James. The one at the Sofitel was so good we went back and and took my parents.

@doadeer Thank you!x

Claridges. No comparison.

The Dorchester?

One Aldwych or the Ampersand Hotel

OP asks for places that aren’t booked months in advance as she is going soon and so people recommend Claridges, Ritz, Dorchester. Honestly 🙄

A surprisingly good one I went to recently was in the Zetter Townnouse Marylebone.

They have a traditional menu and another where instead of sandwiches you get savouries like sausage roll, pasty, quiche. It was so good. They have a vegetarian menu.

https://thezetter.com/townhouse-marylebone/afternoon-tea/

The Dorchester or the Sanderson are both lovely.

The Dorchester was gorgeous, their in-house rose jam was something else.

They may well have week day availability for mid March.