The tradition of afternoon tea is stronger than ever in London, with hundreds of hotels, restaurants, and spas all offering their own version of tea and cakes. In the festive season you’re in for a real treat. Christmas afternoon tea is a wonderful way to spend a cosy couple of hours in good company, enjoying mince pie, mulled wine, and other festive goodies.
1. REVERIE: A SAVOY CHRISTMAS AFTERNOON TEA AT THE SAVOY
If you really want a luxurious treat this Christmas, this is the afternoon tea for you. The festive afternoon tea at The Savoy – Reverie: A Savoy Christmas – is an adventure into ‘an enchanted world, a place for awe, dreams, sparkle and wonder’. With a selection of both traditional and open sandwiches, you can choose from a variety of Christmas-inspired flavours, such as coronation bronze turkey on cranberry bread and Scottish salmon Gravlax with Fennel Pollen on Spinach bread. Alongside this are a selection of sweet treats such as a white chocolate ganache snowflake with spiced morello cherry compote and a savoy Christmas cake with candied jellies fruits and jing Earl Grey tea. This is not only a treat for the tastebuds, but a beautiful excursion for the eyes as you journey into the stunningly festive front hall which has been transformed into a forest inspired by The Savoy’s history.
£75 per person Monday to Thursday, £85 per person, Friday to Sunday, and £180 per person on Christmas day, including a glass of champagne.
The Savoy Hotel, Strand, London WC2R 0EZ
2. PETER PAN AFTERNOON TEA AT AQUA SHARD
If you’re after afternoon tea with a view, you can’t get much better than the city skyline view from the 31st floor of The Shard. Their Peter Pan Afternoon Tea is a magical adventure to Neverland which has been created in partnership with Great Ormond Street Children’s Hospital. Served on a ship-shaped tea stand, each treat is an ode to J.M. Barrie’s famous novel. Savoury options include a chicken sandwich topped with crispy bacon and a cod brandade croquette. For sweet treats, you can choose from a tinker bell-shaped cookie and Tik Tok the crocodile raspberry and rooibos jelly dessert. There is also a child’s version of this afternoon available.
£52 per person, Thursday – Sunday 12.15pm until 4.15pm. £52 per person for the child’s version.
Level 31, The Shard, 31 St Thomas Street, London SE1 9RY
3. WINTER AFTERNOON TEA AT THE WALDORF HILTON HOTEL
Christmas fans must head to the Waldorf Hilton hotel this year for their winter-themed afternoon tea. The Waldorf has created special winter-based treats such as a yuzu and lemon snowball tart, a white chocolate and coconut macaroon and sugar plum jam for their freshly baked scones. Eating your afternoon tea whilst listening to live music and sipping a London Frost cocktail, this is an afternoon tea you’ll never forget.
£45 per person Monday – Thursday, £49 Friday – Sunday.
Aldwych, London WC2B 4DD
4. WINTER WONDERLAND AFTERNOON TEA AT PODIUM, LONDON HILTON PARK LANE
For one of the cutest festive afternoon teas in London, head to the Podium restaurant at the London Hilton on Park Lane in Mayfair. Offering traditional sandwiches, freshly baked scones and plenty of seasonal pastries and fancies, there is plenty to choose from on the menu. What makes this afternoon tea menu brilliant, however, is the extensive range of teas that you can drink alongside your treats. There is tea for everyone, no matter how unique your tastebuds.
£32 per person, Monday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday, Sunday from 12.30pm until 6.00pm.
22 Park Lane, Mayfair, London W1K 1BE
5. WINTER WONDERLAND AFTERNOON TEA AT THE CHESTERFIELD MAYFAIR
Beginning with a glass of mulled wine, this afternoon tea has a wonderful selection of festive food. Sandwiches include flavours such as smoked salmon and cream cheese on beetroot bread and turkey mayonnaise and cranberry on white bread. Follow this with freshly baked cranberry and chocolate scones and a selection of festive pastries including a clementine macaroon and Christmas tree chocolate and coffee pot. There is also a winter wonderland children’s tea, so it is perfect for all members of the family.
£55 per person, £31 for children 12 years old and under.
£72 per person on December 25th, 26th, 31st and 1st January, £37 for children 12 years old and under on these dates.
35 Charles Street, Mayfair, London W1J 5EB
