A guide to afternoon tea in the West End

Enjoy an afternoon of elegance in some of the West End's finest establishments.

Tea, a drink with jam and bread… There’s definitely something theatrical about afternoon tea, with all the ritual and setting the scene with sandwiches, getting stuck in with scones, and spectacular cakes for the grand finale. It’s also so visually appealing with the tiered stands, pretty china, dainty proportions, and intricate details. Very mindful, very demure.

Afternoon tea is a lovely way to celebrate a special occasion or to catch up with family or friends in style. It can be a real highlight of a trip to London. Dressing up can also be part of the fun. Outstanding service is guaranteed to make all guests feel like royalty.

If you think you know what tea tastes like, prepare to have your tastebuds with the beautiful loose-leaf options on offer. Most also have Champagne or Prosecco upgrades if you fancy. It’s a wonderful pairing with a London show.

Read on for our guide to some of the finest afternoon tea options in the West End. You’ll be spoiled for choice!

The Lane (Theatre Royal Drury Lane)

The refurbishment of Theatre Royal Drury Lane was a real passion project for Andrew Lloyd Webber. As well as being one of London’s most historic and theatres, the Lane is also an all-day destination for dining, drinks, and afternoon tea.

Located in the Grand Saloon and taking inspiration from the elegant and extravagant Regency Era, you can enjoy finger savoury bites, scones and cakes (designed by “Queen of Cakes” Lily Vanilli), served on bespoke bone china decorated with mythical creatures. Prepare to feel as if you’re in one of the operettas that the Lane used to stage back in the day!

£59 adults; £20 children

Sound Café, Cumberland Hotel

Hop in the Delorean from the Adelphi Theatre to Marble Arch’s Cumberland Hotel (a little way away from Theatreland) for a Back to the Future-themed afternoon tea at the Cumberland Hotel.

The menu includes McFly’s slider burger and Mayor Goldie Wilson’s Hot Dog, pulled pork burrito, E=MC2 Mac and cheese toastie and Marty’s crispy shrimp tortilla, plus brownies, Biff’s apple cobbler and George’s fruit macarons. An all-American and perhaps slightly more boisterous than usual take on the tradition.

From £45 per person

Waldorf Hilton

Sake’s alive, well, I’ll be blessed! Mrs Potts herself is at your service (in a manner of speaking) at the Waldorf Hilton’s Be Our Guest: Enchanted Rose Afternoon Tea, which takes its cue from the beloved Disney animation and stage musical and was winner of Best Themed Afternoon Tea at the 2024 Afternoon Tea Awards (Lumiere would be so proud).

Enjoy lots of witty and whimsical visual flourishes and nods to the fairy tale’s French origins as you savour your array of savoury and sweet treats. Tea is, of course, served in a Chip (but certainly not chipped!) cup. Is it one lump or two?

From £59 per person

Fortnum & Mason

The most beautiful and luxurious place to shop for food in London, Fortnum & Mason offers an unparalleled afternoon tea experience. F&M’s Tea Salon was established over 300 years ago and The Diamond Jubilee Tea Salon (opened by Her Majesty The Queen in 2012) and afternoon tea at the mothership in Piccadilly makes for an experience to treasure.

Everything from the tableware to the teacups to the sandwiches is the crème de la crème. You can also shop for all sorts of delicious teas, biscuits, and accessories to take home to recreate the experience.

From £80 per person

Savoy Hotel

Currently undergoing refurbishment and reopening in early November 2024, the Savoy Hotel – attached to the Savoy Theatre, currently home to Mean Girls – is one of the most prestigious spots in London for afternoon tea (early booking is essential). Afternoon tea is served in the Thames Foyer, where the concept of the dinner dance was first born.

The beautiful glass-domed atrium is filled with natural light and the tea itself combines 1920s elegance and decadence with a modern twist. The Savoy’s legacy of tea dances is very much present with live piano music accompanying the exquisite delicacies served. Heaven, you’ll be in heaven…

From £80 per person

Brown’s Hotel

One of the most quintessentially British options, Queen Victoria once enjoyed afternoon tea in the wood-panelled Drawing Room at Brown’s, London’s oldest luxury hotel. It’s steeped in tradition but there’s nothing stuffy about it. You won’t have to worry about going hungry – finger sandwiches are replenished at no additional cost.

Brown’s has long been a favourite hotel for many writers, most notably Rudyard Kipling, and it’s believed that it inspired the setting for the Agatha Christie classic At Bertram’s Hotel – only the finest in understated elegance for Miss Marple. Pair this tea with sleuthing at The Mousetrap or Witness for the Prosecution.

From £80 per person

Ladurée

Famed for its exquisite macarons, Ladurée, nestled in the heart of Covent Garden, offers an enchanting afternoon tea experience with a Parisian twist. There are excellent views across the Covent Garden Piazza from the Tea Room – plus it's close to numerous West End theatres.

The afternoon tea is filled with French sweet treats as well as traditional scones and sandwiches. The St Honoré rose framboise, with layers of choux pastry, rose-petal cream and raspberries is a particular highlight. Don’t forget to take some macarons home from the shop to prolong the experience.

From £39.50 per person

Caffe Concerto

A popular Italian chain serving modern Italian and British dishes and specialising in cakes, Caffe Concerto has branches across Theatreland, including Covent Garden Piazza, Long Acre, Shaftesbury Avenue, Piccadilly, and Haymarket.

All are attractively decorated with chandeliers, mirrors and plush furniture, and many have outdoor seating when the weather obliges. It’s a luxurious experience that’s also good value. The traditional afternoon tea menu includes coronation chicken sandwiches – you can’t get more English than that!

£34.95 for one / £64.95 for two (with prosecco £39.95 / £74.95)

Photo: Diana Susselman (Flickr)