The Best Christmas Afternoon Teas in London

The Rosebery’s Festive Afternoon Tea, Mandarin Oriental Hyde Park

Is there anywhere more Christmassy in London than Knightsbridge, where the mood shifts to celebratory from the moment you emerge from the tube station and the Mandarin Oriental Hyde Park’s cascading fairy light installation rivals Harrods’ window displays? Step inside the hotel and past the pop-up Winterhaus—with its crackling fire and menu of festive tipples – to the festive afternoon tea. Set in a cosy, dimly lit lounge overlooking the buzzy street below, it’s the perfect retreat after a day of shopping. Intricately cut gingerbread stars come stacked to resemble a tree, glossy white chocolate ‘baubles’ are like tiny works of art, and perfectly puffed apple pastries feel reminiscent of traditional winter desserts. There’s a child-friendly version, too: they’ll love watching course after course of mini delights emerge from the kitchen and will feel part of the festive action. —Sarah Bannerman

Address: Mandarin Oriental Hyde Park, 66 Knightsbridge, London SW1X 7LA
Website: mandarinoriental.com
Price: From £98 (approximately $125) per person

The Ritz’s Christmas Afternoon Tea

There’s no shortage of opulent hotels in London, but few are as synonymous with the quintessentially British tradition of afternoon tea as The Ritz. The ritual dates back more than 100 years, so the hotel has had a reasonable amount of time to perfect the choreography required, both behind the scenes and front of house. Firstly, a moment for the team’s dedication to the brew. Think you like a cuppa? In-house tea master Giandomenico Scanu travels the world, using his discerning palate to collect unique loose-leaf teas. Choose from a classic Earl Grey or an English Rose Blend, let the team guide you through the menu, or embrace the festive season with a Ritz-Christmas blend of Chinese black tea infused with orange peel, apple and cinnamon. Finger sandwiches are classic enough so as not to stray into questionable flavor pairings (if it ain't broke, don't fix it, hey), but enthusiastic nods at the prospect of a “refill” on the sourdough sandwiches with Scottish smoked salmon and lemon butter are encouraged. Let the savories settle to the sound of a harpist among scintillating red and gold decorations before round two—cakes served with the welcome theatrics of a dessert trolley. An assortment of scones and handcrafted pastries follow, and you soon realize those evening supper plans may need revising. Note that this is one of the few dining rooms in the capital that still strictly implements a formal dress code. Smarten up and settle in for one of London’s most unforgettable experiences.

Address: The Ritz London, 150 Piccadilly, London W1J 9BR
Website: theritzlondon.com
Price: £115 (approximately $146) per person

Riverhouse Restaurant’s Festive Afternoon Tea, Bingham Riverhouse

Despite the 20-minute train journey from Waterloo, you’d be forgiven for thinking you’d arrived at a boutique hideout in a distant English village when you arrive at Bingham Riverhouse. The hotel’s Riverhouse Restaurant overlooks the calmer, narrower bends of the River Thames and offers the hottest tables in these suburbs. The festive afternoon tea is much more affordable than those in central London’s swanky spots and offers the perfect excuse to catch up with loved ones in the lead-up to Christmas. Feast on turkey and cranberry sandwiches, smother scones in spiced berry jam and discover the delight of the chestnut profiterole.

Address: Riverhouse Restaurant, 61-63 Petersham Road, Richmond TW10 6UT
Website: binghamriverhouse.com
Price: From £39 (approximately $50) per person

The Savoy’s Festive Afternoon Tea

An icon on the London hotel scene, it's fair to expect big things from The Savoy at the sparkliest time of year—and we were not disappointed. A huge Christmas tree stands in the lobby, gold and white glittery decorations cover the ceiling, and an LED twinkling angel, similar to those hanging over Regent Street, leads the way into the grand new restaurant, Gallery, where afternoon tea is taken on linen-topped tables kitted with polished silver teapots. Champagne is poured as perfect rectangular sandwiches filled with coronation turkey, smoked cheddar, smoked salmon, and ham and mustard arrive on The Savoy's gold-rimmed porcelain china. Two savoury bites of parsnip, carrot and parmesan pastry and a petite truffle egg brioche topped with gold flakes follow on from the finger sandwiches. Should you want more sandwiches, the team generously offers a second serving. Opt for the High Tea menu and indulge in a hot main course between tea servings; duck breast, scallops and vegan pearl barley are on the menu. Switch up on the tea flavours and wait for your tier of warm scones served with creamy lemon curd and fresh strawberry jam and the daintiest of cakes, all in Christmas uniform from Santa’s belly, a bourbon vanilla cake decorated with a delicate waist belt made of chocolate and a lemon mouse baul ball finished with an edible chocolate bow. Festive hats off to the skilled pastry chef. —Sophie Knight

Address: Strand, London WC2R 0EZ
Website: thesavoylondon.com
Price: From £95 (approximately $120) per person

Afternoon Tea inspired by That Christmas, Sheraton Grand London Park Lane

Few festive afternoon settings in London are as opulent as Sheraton Grand London Park Lane’s Palm Court. This year’s theme is Netflix’s That Christmas, the new animation based on the books by Love Actually creator Richard Curtis. Expect classic turkey and cranberry sandwiches followed by orange, cinnamon and cranberry scones accompanied by seasonal preserves and clotted cream. The dedicated vegetarian afternoon tea menu means veggies needn’t just ‘double-up’ on the egg sarnies, while the kids’ menu is designed to get little ones in the festive spirit.

Address: The Sheraton Grand, Piccadilly, London W1J 7BX
Website: palmcourtlondon.co.uk
Price: From £65 (approximately $80) per person

Après Tea at W London

W London has partnered with W Verbier, bringing a taste of the Swiss Alps within a stone’s throw of Piccadilly’s bright lights. Choose from several classic and unique tea blends (flavours include tiramisu and apple strudel) or sample the seasonal ‘Black Run’ cocktail made with Belvedere and Crème de Mûre before an abundance of food arrives. Swiss takes on a British tradition include a crisp potato rösti topped with sour cream and smoked ham, a croissant served with melted raclette cheese, and sweet treats including the Alpine tree – a layered crumble of apple and almond frangipane topped with a delicate vanilla mousse. Afterwards, stick around in the après lodge for a final punchy concoction – or diver into a chocolate fondue for two if your sweet tooth isn’t quite satiated.