Top 10 Places to Enjoy High Tea in London

Top 10 Places to Enjoy High Tea in London

Experiencing an afternoon of high tea is one of the most culturally things you can do in London town. This is a ritual held near and dear to the people of the United Kingdom; tea, sandwiches, cakes and treats early in the afternoon to mark the start of the end of the day.

You won’t have any trouble finding high tea while making your way through the streets of London. But with any tourist trap experience there will always be good ones and there will always be great ones. Here are ten that get it right!

1. B Bakery Tea Bus Tour in London

With the B Bakery we combine two London bucket list experiences into one: ride a double decker bus through the streets and enjoy a high tea in the afternoon.

Instead of a big red decker you’ll climb onto a vintage two story bus. There are three departure times per day, and it costs £45 per person for the full experience. Book well in advance for this one, it’s become quite a fad.

To keep up with dietary movements, the B Bakery Bus Tour have added a vegan high tea experience to their schedule. Contact them for more information and to make bookings.

B Bakery Tea Bus Tour in London – by B Bakery Tea Bus Tour – Sourced from their Facebook

PRACTICAL INFORMATION

Opening Hours: Daily

Departure Address: 8 Northumberland Ave, Westminster, London WC2N 5BY, UK

Subway STATION: Charing Cross Station

2. The Savoy in London

London hotels are usually where high teas are held in the city. The Savoy Hotel is in London central; prime position for a guided walking tour through the neighborhood followed by high tea at its finest.

You’ll have to dress for this one, which is how the Brits prefer it. Dietary requirements are happily catered for. The sound of the live piano in the background is a very pleasant touch.

The Savoy is a short walk from Trafalgar Square and the London Opera. Locals to this area take high tea quite seriously, which is why The Savoy caters accordingly.

The Savoy in London – by The Savoy – Uploaded by them

PRACTICAL INFORMATION

Opening Hours: Monday to Sunday – 1pm to 5:45pm

Address: Strand, London WC2R 0EZ, UK

Subway STATION: Embankment

3. The English Tea Room in London

The English Tea Room is situated inside of the Brown’s Hotel. This is a classic afternoon tea experience, nothing quirky or conceptual.

They have a gluten free menu on site. Vegans and kosher eaters are encouraged to give 24 hours notice so that the kitchen can prepare adequately. It’s £55 per person, but if you’d like champagne in addition to tea you’ll add £10 extra.

Whatever menu you order from be sure you get some portion of their bagels.

The English Tea Room in London – by The English Tea Room – Uploaded by them

PRACTICAL INFORMATION

Opening Hours: Monday to Sunday – 12pm to 6pm

Address: Ground Floor, 33 Albemarle St, Mayfair, London W1S 4BP, UK

Subway STATION: Green Park

4. Vegan High Tea: Cake Boy in London

Most of the high tea experiences around London are only too happy to cater to vegan eaters, and some to gluten free. At Cake Boy there is no notice required for either, as the entire high tea is vegan and gluten free friendly.

You’ll pay £40 per person, which in the greater scheme of high teas in London is actually a good deal. This includes a glass of champagne and all the treats you can handle.

Cake Boy in London – by Cake Boy – Sourced from their website

If you’re in the area before tea time, Cake Boy is worth a visit regardless. They open at 8am daily and are the main selling house for Eric Lanlard’s cakes. You can dine in or even join a baking class on site.

Note: There is another great plant based high tea over in Bayswater at Farmacy. The food is much cleaner as it is dairy, refined sugar and additive free. Gluten free is available upon request. Look into this spot if you prefer your vegan dining to be healthy as well.

PRACTICAL INFORMATION

Opening Hours: Monday to Saturday – 1:30pm to 4pm

Address: Unit 2, kingfisher house, Battersea Reach, Juniper Dr, Battersea, London SW18 1TX, UK

Subway STATION: Wandsworth Town

5. Mary Poppins Tea: Aqua Shard in London

The Shard is the tallest building in Europe and it calls London home. The Aqua Shard is the building’s cafe and sits high above the city on the 31st floor. Every afternoon the Aqua Shard hosts a quirky Mary Poppins themed high tea while you look out over the city below.

It’s a brilliant themed tea experience, just like the tea party featured in the film. It’s £49 per person, unless you want alcohol as well. At the moment the Aqua Shard are unable to cater high tea to vegans; gluten free and vegetarian menus are available.

If you’re not sensitive to vertigo, request a table by the window when you make your booking.

Aqua Shard – by Aqua Shard – Sourced from their Facebook

PRACTICAL INFORMATION

Opening Hours: Monday to Saturday – 7am to 1am

Address: level 31, The Shard, 31 St Thomas St, London SE1 9RY, UK

Subway STATION: London Bridge

6. Oscar Wilde Lounge in London

The Oscar Wilde Bar and Lounge have been the pride and joy of the Hotel Cafe Royal since 1856. It is one of the most extravagant spaces in London, and the high teas here come straight out of your dreams.

Many people regard their high tea at the Oscar Wilde Lounge as a highlight of their trip to the British capital. The food is phenomenal, the staff are welcoming and the ambiance is so rich you can reach out and touch it. Ten out of ten.

Oscar Wilde Lounge in London – by Oscar Wilde Lounge – Uploaded by them

PRACTICAL INFORMATION

Opening Hours: Monday to Sunday – 12pm to 5:30pm

Address: 68 Regent St, Soho, London W1B 4DY, UK

Subway STATION: Picadilly Circus

7. Momo in London

A Moroccan themed high tea in the heart of London’s Piccadilly Circus: where do I sign up?

The colorful interior on Momo combined with the sweet smell of shisha in the background makes for a whimsical high tea fusion experience. The kitchen have out done themselves in combining the two cuisines to make for a balanced experience.

Momo in London – by Momo – Uploaded by them

You’ll pay a mere £32 per person, and Momo are happy to accommodate any dietary requirements so long as they are given 24 hours notice. Everything in Momo is halal certified.

I must suggest a guided walking tour while you’re in this very vibrant part of town. Coordinate your day so that it starts with a tour and ends with this Moroccan high tea — what a treat.

PRACTICAL INFORMATION

Opening Hours: Monday to Sunday – 12:30pm to 5:30pm

Address: 23 – 25 Heddon St, Mayfair, London W1B 4BH, UK

Subway STATION: Piccadilly Circus

8. The Ampersand Hotel in London

Another quirky high tea experience can be found in South Kensington over at The Ampersand Hotel. This is a science themed high tea… stay with us.

It’s an afternoon of physics meets gastronomy and experimental cuisine (pun intended). They draw their influence from the hotel being neighbors with the London Science Museum.

Believe it or not this high tea experience is award winning. It’s interactive, it’s fun and it’s unusual — the people love it.

They offer separate high tea menus for regular eaters, vegetarian eaters, vegan eaters and gluten free eaters. Groups of 8 or more can be treated to private high tea experiences if so desired.

PRACTICAL INFORMATION

Opening Hours: Monday to Sunday – 12:30pm to 7pm

Address: 10 Harrington Rd, South Kensington, London SW7 3ER, UK

Subway STATION: South Kensington

9. The Lanesborough in London

Back to British elegance; the Lanesborough is an opulent hotel on Hyde Park corner and they offer high tea from their very fancy tea room.

The space is something out of the depths of Wes Anderson’s mind; the glass ceiling makes this the perfect high tea venue in both the winter and the summer. Don’t forget your camera for this experience.

You’ll pay £49 per person and there are vegetarian & gluten free menus at all times. For any other dietary requirements you’ll have to give them 72 hours notice.

The Lanesborough in London – by The Lanesborough – Uploaded by them

PRACTICAL INFORMATION

Opening Hours: Monday to Sunday – 2:30pm to 4:30pm

Address: Hyde Park Corner, London SW1X 7TA, United Kingdom

Subway STATION: Hyde Park Corner

10. Mr Fogg’s Residence in London

This is my personal favorite high tea spot in London. It’s situated inside of Mr Fogg’s old gentlemen’s club complete with mahogany furniture and taxidermy creatures.

It’s a “Tipsy Tea”, centered around their signature bottomless gin tea. It’s £40 per person but the price goes up depending on your choice of drinks.

This high tea is the perfect balance of classic meets quirky. They take their menu very seriously and everything is served with the utmost precision and care.

Customers with allergies are encouraged to let them know well in advance.

Mr Fogg’s Residence in London – by Mr Fogg’s Residence – Uploaded by them

PRACTICAL INFORMATION

Opening Hours: Monday to Sunday – 4pm to 2am

Address: 15 Bruton Ln, Mayfair, London W1J 6JD, UK

Subway STATION: Green Park