To ask your best afternoon tea experience in London?

[Selok]

So my high school friend visiting me in April, first time we will meet since graduating from high school which was 30 years ago I thought we treat ourselves to an afternoon tea in London. The choices are
Claridges
The Goring
Wolseley
Berners
Ritz
Savoy

Or if you have any other recommendation please add to the list but I need to decide soon! Help!

TIA

The langham!

For a meeting where you want everything to be lovely, comfy and not stilted, choose Claridges.

Fortnum and mason?

I've been to Claridge's twice and it is like heaven.
The food the service the ambiance is perfection.

Browns. Best scones ever.

Thanks ladies! Also my other question in fact the dress code! I am not British, I have been to afternoon tea in my local area at nice places but not in iconic/traditional places like Claridges or others in London! What do you wear, do I need one of those cute little hats?

Correction: I am a proud British citizen as well (my second lovely home) but I meant I am not by heritage

No definitely not a cute little hat - although the beauty of London is your can wear anything and Claridges is posh enough never to say anything but you might feel a bit overdressed. Anything smart and pretty is fine. Think tea dress or a nice casual trouser suit. I have a vague recollection some if them might say no trainers or even no jeans? Best check.

No hat!

We've been to a fair few over the years. My favourite is Sketch.

Claridges is amazing. You could certainly dress up (I wore a nice tea dress last time) - even in informal London terms (where being properly underdressed is a bit of an art) I’d say it’s smart, but think hats would be too much. Immaculate service, delicious tea. But be aware you need to book well in advance!

Sketch is lovely but quite different - depends if you want trad English glamour or contemporary eclectic!

Definitely Claridges, but you might be a bit late for April as they are usually booked up 90 days in advance.

I went to the Goring a few months ago. It was fantastic. Their tea room overlooks the garden, very tranquil. Sandwiches were really good, cakes were amazing. We were offered boxes to take away the ones we were too full to eat. Would deffo recommend.

The Ritz is quite touristy.

I recommend Claridges or Brown’s. (Claridges if you want to pretend to be a “bright young thing” or Brown’s if you would rather be Agatha Christie).

The Goring is also nice. Fortnum’s has good food but I think isn’t as nice a venue as some. The Mandarin Oriental has great cocktails (but that isn’t really traditional afternoon tea).

The Corinthia for traditional and Sketch for a bit more unusual. The Langham also amazing.

I've been to the Ritz and the Savoy. The Savoy was really lovely! With the Ritz it felt like you were just paying for the name, although it was years ago I went there, not sure what it's like now.

Vote here for the Goring!

The Langham

The Langham for sure.

The Goring for cocktails - the terrace in summer is lovely.

If you've missed out on booking Claridge's then I think The Wolseley is wonderful, authentic London.

About 4 yrs ago we went to the Dorchester and that was lovely

Claridges or F&M, definitely not the Ritz.

I loved The Goring.
Not London but Chatsworth House at Christmas, afternoon tea, look at the Christmas display and lots of Christmas trees and finish at the shop.

One Aldwych for me. I love the Savoy or Four Seasons for afternoon cocktails. Ritz is too noisy.

www.onealdwych.com/

Out of the ones you mention The Wolseley stands out , not The Savoy or The Ritz.

If you are up for suggestions I would recommend The Berkeley and The Dorchester