Afternoon tea is a meal disguised as a snack. The good ones reset your appetite. The great ones reset your week.
London (the originals)
The Ritz London — Palm Court
Three sittings daily, dress code enforced, formal silver service. Booking 6+ months out for weekend slots.
Claridge's
Reading Room setting, exceptional pastry programme. Booking 60-90 days out.
Brown's Hotel — English Tea Room
The historical tea — Brown's claims credit for popularising the institution.
The Savoy
Thames Foyer, harp music, the most photogenic tea in London.
The Connaught
Modern interpretation. Extensive cake selection. Quieter than the others.
The Lanesborough
Classic English tea in Belgravia — afternoon tea with royal-park views.
Paris
Hotel Plaza Athénée — La Galerie
Christophe Michalak pastry programme. Dior heritage setting.
Le Meurice
Cédric Grolet pastry artist — extensive cake selection.
Hotel de Crillon
Jardin d'Hiver setting, classical French pastry.
Hong Kong
Mandarin Oriental Hong Kong — The Clipper Lounge
Hong Kong's tea capital. Excellent dim sum/scone hybrid.
The Peninsula — The Lobby
Iconic. The Peninsula afternoon tea is on the bucket list. Booking essential, especially weekend.
What to look for
Pastry programme
Real laminated dough croissants. Hand-piped éclairs. Real choux pastry. Avoid hotels where the pastry comes from a central commissary.
Tea programme
20+ teas, with the sommelier-equivalent (a tea-master) describing each. Avoid hotels where it's bagged tea.
Sandwich programme
Crustless cucumber, smoked salmon, egg mayo, ham and cream cheese. Done right, refreshed throughout the sitting.
Five rules
- Book 60+ days out for top hotels
- Dress codes apply — read the fine print
- Two-hour minimum — don't rush
- Skip lunch beforehand — it's a meal
- Champagne option is worth it
For more, see the food and drink pillar.
