14 of the best afternoon tea venues in London you need to book now for summer

Is there ever an excuse needed to dress up for an afternoon indulging in finger sandwiches, sweet treats and prosecco? There isn't, so we have come up with the difficult task of searching for the very best afternoon tea venues across London - inside and outside - ranging from royal-inspired to a few quirky takes on tradition – gin and tea anyone?

The Dorchester

Outdoor seating? Yes.

For a special afternoon tea, put on your glad rags and venture to The Dorchester's The Promenade. Enjoy tucking into finger sandwiches with fillings such as chicken with ginger, as well as warm scones and pastries including a Strawberry champagne tart, all washed down with a selection of teas and/or champagne.

To find out more, visit tripadvisor.co.uk

Celestial Afternoon Tea with Astley Clarke at Plateau

Outdoor seating? Yes.

Jewellery lovers – this one's for you! The modern and luxurious Plateau in Canary Wharf is the ideal spot for this twinkling afternoon tea, created in collaboration with gorgeous jewellery brand Astley Clarke. Gems aside, you'll love this one if you're into the zodiac and astrology – as each treat is inspired by the night's sky (our favourites were the pretty planetary macarons and galaxy-swirled choux buns). Plus, if you book the VIP package, you'll bag a gorgeous Astley Clarke Celestial Compass Pendant (worth £85) as well as a perfectly chilled glass of Moët & Chandon.

How much is afternoon tea at Plateau? £100 per person for the VIP package 

To find out more, visit tripadvisor.co.uk

Thames Afternoon Tea for Two at Syklon, Southbank Centre

Outdoor seating? Yes.

After a busy day sight-seeing in London, treat yourself to a relaxing afternoon tea overlooking the Thames. Conveniently located at the Southbank Centre, close to Waterloo station, Skylon serves up a delicious array of finger sandwiches, cakes and scones, in a chic and elegant setting. Cakes include a raspberry macaron and a chocolate and lavender cupcake, while sandwiches vary from classic cucumber to smoked salmon. 

To find out more, visit tripadvisor.co.uk

Champagne Afternoon Tea in The Domes at London Secret Garden

Outdoor seating? No.

If you are feeling tired from wandering the busy streets of London all day and fancy a little break, this luxurious afternoon tea is the perfect escape. This unique dining space, located in the back streets of Kensington, is bound to be an experience you will never forget. Sit back and relax in one of the cosy, transparent domes and enjoy a delicious afternoon tea that includes rare delights such as umami duck spring rolls and pistachio and white chocolate cake. Sip on a glass of champagne and take in the breathtaking surroundings from your lavish private pod.

How much is afternoon tea at London Secret Garden? £60 for two

For more details, visit buyagift.co.uk

The Capital afternoon tea

Outdoor seating? No. 

Located just a stone's throw away from Harrods, The Capital is a luxury boutique hotel that provides the perfect place to relax and recharge after a day of retail therapy with mum. This year, mothers will be treated to free-flowing bubbly while they dine in the cosy sitting room. Start the tea with a range of freshly prepared cucumber, smoked salmon and roasted beef sandwiches, made with colourful matcha, beetroot or turmeric bread. The mini fruit and plain scones that come with cherry and strawberry jam and clotted cream are the perfect size – not too filling or stodgy. Moving onto dessert, you'll find two tiers of sweet treats from the orange cheesecake dome to the rose, pistachio and white chocolate delice. Make sure you try the Darjeeling second flush tea, and for those ordering the champagne option, the pink bubbly is an absolute treat.

How much is afternoon tea at The Capital? Prices start from £30 per person

To find out more, visit booking.com.

The Wizard Afternoon Tea at the Georgian House Hotel

Outdoor seating? No.

Calling all Harry Potter fans! The Wizard Afternoon Tea is at the Georgian House Hotel is in the hotel’s atmospheric Pimlico Pantry. Enjoy a mystical feast of goodies including smoking salmon sandwiches, the eye of newt scones, lemon cursed tart and head-popping chocolate lollipops complemented with either Bottomless Bubbles or a Wizard’s Cocktail or Mocktail potion of frozen crystals, druid's water and ancient red fairy dust. The Wizard Afternoon Tea is on until May 2021 and costs £30 per person. Bottomless Bubbles cost £20 per person, a Wizard Cocktail is £10 per person and a Wizard Mocktail is £8 per person. 

How much is afternoon tea at The Georgian House Hotel? £30 per person

For more details, visit georgianhousehotel.co.uk. 

100 Queen's Gate Hotel

Outdoor seating? No.

Head over to 100 Queen’s Gate Hotel in Kensington to experience an immersive, scent-filled afternoon tea, designed in collaboration with 290-year-old perfumery Floris London. The hanging plants in the Botanica tea rooms set the scene for the lime or cherry blossom flavour options available in the ‘Scentsation’ menu. Decision made, the classics of afternoon tea make an appearance; smoked salmon sandwiches and scones with a cherry and bergamot twist, plus more unusual flavours like a chocolate and Kaffir lime dome with a coconut base which was a personal favourite. Tie everything together with a specially selected tea from Whittard of Chelsea and, for a few pounds more, a glass of Moet. Experience the Scentsation menu for £42.50 or add a glass of Moet and Chandon for £55.

How much is afternoon tea at 100 Queen's Gate Hotel? Prices start from £42.50 per person

To find out more, visit booking.com.

Taj 51 Buckingham Gate

Outdoor seating? No.

Calling all Alice in Wonderland fans out there - this afternoon tea is for you! At Taj 51 Buckingham Gate - just a stone's throw away from Buckingham Palace - you can sit back and relax while tucking into an eclectic menu of themed cakes and pastries, from the Queen of Hearts mango tarts to a tasty 'Drink Me' strawberry potion. No afternoon tea is complete without scones - with chocolate, sultana and plain all on the menu. Sandwiches range from cucumber and cream cheese on beetroot bread to chicken and sultana on carrot bread - and there is also a complete vegetarian menu on request. For an extra-special treat, pay an extra £5 for a glass of prosecco to wash down your meal nicely. Cheers to that!

To find out more, visit booking.com.

Roast, Borough Market 

Outdoor seating? No.

Watch the world go by with an incredible view of London's Borough Market and its surrounding sites, all while tucking into a delicious afternoon tea at Roast. The stylish interior is very photogenic, and that's before the food even comes out! The tasty menu features a range of dainty sandwiches - with fillings including sundried tomato and basil and smoked salmon and crème fraîche. To satisfy your sweet tooth, there are scones with strawberry jam and cream, along with a selection of classic cakes. Champagne or sparkling wine is also available for an extra-special touch to your experience. 

How much is afternoon tea at Roast? Prices start from £35 per person

To find out more, visit roast-restaurant.com. 

The Biscuiteers Icing Cafe

Outdoor seating? No.

The Biscuiteers Confectionery Afternoon Tea is a must for baking enthusiasts, artists and keen biscuit eaters – okay everybody then. The popular London-based bakery offers an afternoon tea featuring some of its most popular biscuits, along with other sweet treats such as salted caramel brownies, macaroons and Cherry Bakewells. 

How much is afternoon tea at The Biscuiteers Icing Cafe? £35 per person

To find out more, visit biscuiteers.com.

45 Park Lane

Outdoor seating? No.

If you are looking for the ultimate Instagramable eating experience, look no further than 45 Park Lane's American afternoon tea - CUTcakes & Tea. Instead of your traditional afternoon tea, this features everything from cake pops to s'mores, as well as black truffle grilled cheese and of course, American craft beer. 

How much is afternoon tea at 45 Park Lane? £55 per person

To find out more, visit dorchestercollection.com.

Dukes Hotel

Outdoor seating? No.

Dukes hotel in London has a special MarTEAni Afternoon Tea in partnership with The East India Company. Guests can sit down to three beautifully crafted mini martinis, which are all to be enjoyed with different parts of the menu. The Lemon Martini is paired with the sandwiches, the Orange Marmalade Martini sits perfectly with the scones, while the First Romance Tea Martini goes wonderfully with the pastries and sweets. Only a five minute walk from Buckingham Palace and a stone's throw from St. James' Palace, DUKES offers a truly regal setting for tea! 

How much is afternoon tea at Dukes Hotel? £48 per person

To find out more, visit dukeshotel.com.

B Bakery Gin Lovers Bus Tour

Outdoor seating? No.

This is a rather quirky one (and perfect for tourists in the city). See the sights of the city on a traditional London bus while nibbling on very British treats with the B Bakery Afternoon Tea Bus Tour. Plus, they've recently partnered up with Harrogate-based gin brand Slingsby to infuse their cakes with gin, served alongside cocktails. Gin, tea, double-decker buses, and London sights - Can you think of anything more quintessentially English?! 

How much is afternoon tea at B Bakery? £110 for two

For more information, visit b-bakery.com.

‘Nineteen Twen-Tea’ Afternoon Tea at Sheraton Grand London Park Lane

Outdoor seating? No.

The Sheraton Grand London Park Lane has long been famed for its unique art deco design and 1920s heritage, and their Nineteen Twen-Tea Afternoon Tea features intrinsically designed pastries and delectable savoury treats inspired by the 1920s, with a contemporary twist. Expect wonders such as 'Strawberries and Champagne Opera' cake and a 'Peanut Butter and Jelly Macaron', drawing inspiration from the 1920s tipple of choice and the advent of sliced bread. We'd certainly raise a toast to that!

How much is afternoon tea at The Sheraton Grand London Park Lane? £84 for two

For more information, visit Virgin Experience Days

HELLO!'s selection is editorial and independently chosen – we only feature items our editors love and approve of. HELLO! may collect a share of sales or other compensation from the links on this page. To find out more visit our FAQ page.