The Tamesis
Let’s be honest: most afternoon tea in London is a bit of a scam. I should know – I’ve been reviewing them for the past four years Fashion And, more often than you think, this involves arriving at a trendy venue only to be served stale, thin finger sandwiches that taste like they’re part of a supermarket meal, tasteless English breakfasts, dry scones and thick, over-refrigerated pastries that leave you feeling slightly nauseous. After all, you usually get a staggering bill.
It’s pretty outrageous when you think about it – ingredients like the Coronation Chicken Sandwich and Lemon Cake cost so little, the price tags are eye-wateringly high, and there’s almost always an emphasis on Instagram-worthy interiors, panoramic views, or fancy live performances (orchestras, ballerinas, I’ve seen them all) rather than basic food and service quality. But with so much money to be made and the steady stream of tourists flocking to the capital to enjoy this quintessentially British experience, it makes perfect sense that every hotel, restaurant, cafe, museum and theater within the M25 is now clamoring to launch its own afternoon tea menu.
Thankfully, though, amid this swath of mediocre to downright terrible offerings, there are still a few spots—some historic, some new, some stunningly beautiful, some downright casual—that really stand out, and will go some way to restoring your faith in the ritual as a whole. Read on for our honest guide to the 10 best afternoon teas in London.
