Afternoon Tea in London - Who is the Frontrunner Now?
Jan 30, 2024, 7:53 pm
#1
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Join Date: Jan 2018
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Afternoon Tea in London - Who is the Frontrunner Now?
Hi all, with several new hotels having just opened in London such as the Raffles and the Peninsula, I was wondering if anyone has had the afternoon tea there yet? If so, how does this compare, particularly to the Ritz, Lanesborough, Dorchester, Berkeley, and Mandarin Oriental?
Jan 31, 2024, 12:26 am
#2
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Theater Royal Dury Lane, The Berkeley, The Goring.
Unless you like Bling and Nouveau Riche vibes. Then the Bulgari, or the top floor place in the Shard would win.
Unless you like Bling and Nouveau Riche vibes. Then the Bulgari, or the top floor place in the Shard would win.
Jan 31, 2024, 5:56 am
#3
Join Date: Dec 2014
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My afternoon tea info is slightly out of date as I rather had a few too many one year and got fed up of it!
I wasn't a fan of the one at Hotel Cafe Royal (been there twice, with different people). They like to remind you at every interaction how long you have left on your table, which just makes you feel like you're not welcome.
I do like The Goring, and retiring to the cocktail bar afterwards is always a nice option.
I've been to Ting in the Shard for an afternoon tea, that one had a choice of Asian themed or traditional, so my friend and I went for one of each. It was really good with fab views and great service.
I wasn't a fan of the one at Hotel Cafe Royal (been there twice, with different people). They like to remind you at every interaction how long you have left on your table, which just makes you feel like you're not welcome.
I do like The Goring, and retiring to the cocktail bar afterwards is always a nice option.
I've been to Ting in the Shard for an afternoon tea, that one had a choice of Asian themed or traditional, so my friend and I went for one of each. It was really good with fab views and great service.
Feb 25, 2024, 2:29 pm
#5
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Probably a good idea to figure out which you want as afternoon tea is a very different sort of thing than high tea. The former is taken around 4 or 5pm and consists of cakes, scones, buns and/or sandwiches. The latter is taken after school or work and usually would consist of savoury food as the last meal of the day.
Feb 28, 2024, 6:30 am
#6
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There's an afternoon tea for most budgets and some places do a "gentleman's tea" that is more savoury focussed (sexist, I know).
Maybe consider where you're going to be based / willing to travel to and what your budget it. Then it's possible to narrow down the options.
Maybe consider where you're going to be based / willing to travel to and what your budget it. Then it's possible to narrow down the options.
Mar 1, 2024, 10:21 am
#7
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Probably a good idea to figure out which you want as afternoon tea is a very different sort of thing than high tea. The former is taken around 4 or 5pm and consists of cakes, scones, buns and/or sandwiches. The latter is taken after school or work and usually would consist of savoury food as the last meal of the day.
I'm wondering if a US tourist turns up to the Ritz at 16:00 and asks for "high tea", will they be ushered to a corner table and asked if they want a mug of tea or a cup of milk with their jam sarnie?
tb
Mar 2, 2024, 1:11 pm
#8
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I’m not really an afternoon tea person, but really enjoyed the Asian afternoon tea at the Pan Pacific (near Liverpool Street). They also offer a traditional tea.
Mar 3, 2024, 3:31 am
#9
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Anyone working in hospitality in London will be quite used to dealing with foreign tourists, and no-one is going to be made to feel silly if they ask for "high tea".
Mar 3, 2024, 6:16 am
#10
Join Date: May 2010
Posts: 3,461
I was speculating who was going to complete my Bingo card on this one.
I'm wondering if a US tourist turns up to the Ritz at 16:00 and asks for "high tea", will they be ushered to a corner table and asked if they want a mug of tea or a cup of milk with their jam sarnie?
tb
I'm wondering if a US tourist turns up to the Ritz at 16:00 and asks for "high tea", will they be ushered to a corner table and asked if they want a mug of tea or a cup of milk with their jam sarnie?
tb
no, they’ll be told that since they didn’t book 6 months in advance, there’s nothing available.😃
Mar 3, 2024, 11:50 am
#11
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Mar 3, 2024, 11:52 am
#12
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I'm British and don't know the difference between "afternoon tea" and "high tea"; I didn't even realise that there was a difference. I suspect that the vast majority of British people would say the same, as they are terms that most of us rarely - if ever - use.
Anyone working in hospitality in London will be quite used to dealing with foreign tourists, and no-one is going to be made to feel silly if they ask for "high tea".
Anyone working in hospitality in London will be quite used to dealing with foreign tourists, and no-one is going to be made to feel silly if they ask for "high tea".
tb
Mar 3, 2024, 9:30 pm
#13
Join Date: Aug 2000
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Who knew tea could be so complicated. The misses uses the term "high tea", so I don't want to accidentally end up at an afternoon tea spot. Something traditional. Budget wise it looks like you can really get fancy and expensive with some spots like the Ritz as mentioned or Fortnum and Mason.
26 Best Afternoon Tea in London To Book in 2024 (timeout.com)
26 Best Afternoon Tea in London To Book in 2024 (timeout.com)
Mar 4, 2024, 1:43 am
#14
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I was reinforcing the point you made, rather than disagreeing with it. Apologies if I didn't make that clear.
Mar 5, 2024, 12:21 pm
#15
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I can’t laud Brown’s afternoon tea enough. If you want to go modern but with some integrity, the Mad Hatter Afternoon Tea at the Sanderson is good fun.