Finger sandwiches, warm scones with clotted cream and jam, and a tiered stand of cakes, with a pot of loose-leaf tea. A London hotel ritual since 1840.
Anna, the seventh Duchess of Bedford, is credited with inventing afternoon tea around 1840 to bridge the gap between lunch and a late dinner. The Ritz on Piccadilly began serving formal afternoon tea in 1906 in the Palm Court, and Brown's Hotel, Claridge's, The Savoy, Fortnum and Mason and The Lanesborough have served it continuously since the Edwardian era. The orthodox order: a pot of loose-leaf tea, three finger sandwiches (cucumber, smoked salmon, egg mayonnaise), warm scones with clotted cream and strawberry jam, a tiered stand of patisserie. Booking opens months ahead at the marquee rooms.
3 editor picks for Afternoon tea in London, ranked by editorial score. All London signature dishes · Afternoon tea across every city.
The Ritz ★ 4.6
mayfair · 150 Piccadilly, London W1J 9BR
The Ritz Piccadilly dining room in Mayfair London, opened 1906 in Cesar Ritz's hotel, holds one Michelin star and runs classical French cooking. Jacket and tie required.
The Wolseley ★ 4.5
mayfair · 160 Piccadilly, London W1J 9EB
Chris Corbin and Jeremy King's grand European brasserie on Piccadilly in London, opened 2003 in a former 1921 Wolseley showroom, runs from breakfast to late-night supper.
Fortnum and Mason ★ 4.4
mayfair · 181 Piccadilly, London W1A 1ER
The 1707 grocery and bakery on Piccadilly in Mayfair London, founded by William Fortnum and Hugh Mason, claims the original Scotch egg (1738) and runs the food hall and hamper rooms.