Not content with the plain finger sandwiches and scones of old, London has mastered the art of a themed and novelty afternoon tea. While the dainty snacks and sweet treats are still very much in place, many experiences now transport diners to the worlds of their favourite books, characters and musicals. Let's dig in...
London themed afternoon tea at The Dilly
*Until September 2024, a Parisian-themed afternoon tea replaces the London Afternoon Tea, in celebration of the Paris Olympics. The London menu will be available again after this*
Where better to start a collection of themed afternoon teas in London, than an afternoon tea themed on London? Fancy hotel The Dilly (previously Le Meridien — which served the now-defunct Peter Rabbit afternoon tea), unveiled a menu based on our fair city in spring 2023, with sweet representations of Big Ben, a red phone box, a black cab and a tube roundel, all elegantly presented on a silver stand, in the venue's light and airy Terrace restaurant above Piccadilly.
From first hand experience, we can say that the food is top-notch — the rich and creamy chocolate cremeux Big Ben with salted caramel centre definitely makes the top three things we've ever eaten in London — and the London theme is made the more charming by the use of crockery designed by House of Cally, adorned with whimsical illustrations of north London landmarks. One that's sure to please the tourists, but a treat for Londoners too.
London themed afternoon tea at The Dilly, 21 Piccadilly, W1J 0BH.
Charlie and the Chocolate Factory afternoon tea at One Aldwych
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Candy floss, chocolate milkshakes and character-themed menus all feature in this Charlie and the Chocolate Factory afternoon tea, based on Roald Dahl's imaginative children's book. It was one of London's original themed afternoon teas, and has been running for several years now, with occasional tweaks and updates made to the menu.
The chefs behind it have been pretty creative — think 'snozzberry' jam to top your scones, a 'Not quite as it seems beetroot macaron' and 'Fizzy lifting lemonade posset'. There's even the option of a chocolate tea to wash it all down with. Scrumdiddlyumptious.
Charlie and the Chocolate Factory afternoon tea at One Aldwych, WC2B 4BZ.
Peter Pan afternoon tea at Aqua Shard
Inspired by the adventures of the boy who never grew up, Aqua Shard serves up sweet and savoury goods on a tea stand inspired by the grand pirate ship the Jolly Roger, surrounded by dry ice for extra theatrical chutzpah. It uses motifs from J.M Barrie's classic novel, including a Tinkerbell cookie sprinkled with gold fairy dust, a chocolate cake designed to resemble the entrance to the Home Under The Ground where the Lost Boys live, and a gummy crocodile submerged in a raspberry and rooibos jelly. You're faced with a toss up between ogling the beautifully presented food, and the views of London from 31 floors up.
£2 from each Peter Pan afternoon tea is donated to the Great Ormond Street Hospital charity.
Peter Pan afternoon tea at Aqua Shard, Level 31, The Shard, SE1 9RY.
Mad Hatters afternoon tea at The Sanderson Hotel, Fitzrovia
You're invited to a Mad Hatter's Tea Party at the Sanderson Hotel. The Alice in Wonderland afternoon tea takes you beyond the rabbit hole, with savoury and sweet treats served on charming crockery, all themed on Lewis Carroll's ultra-imaginative books.
Said crockery is loaded with creations like the Caterpillar Swirl, Tweedle Brothers and Mad Hatter themed sandwiches, a Minion's Macaron, a Mad Hatter's Opera Cake, and a 'grow me, shrink me, bring me back' potion.
Note: Fancy dress is not allowed — although you may well end up leaving with a Cheshire Cat grin on your face.
Mad Hatters Afternoon Tea at The Sanderson, 50 Berners Street, Fitzrovia, W1T 3NG.
Art afternoon tea at The Rosewood, Holborn
Mirror Room at The Rosewood in Holborn has been serving its Art Afternoon Tea for a few years now, switching it up every so often to reflect a different artist — often coinciding with a current London exhibition. Van Gogh, Dali, David Hockney and Banksy have been saluted in pastry form in the past, but as of 2024, it's a generic Art Afternoon Tea taking inspiration from several artists and art movements.
Art afternoon tea at The Rosewood London, 252 High Holborn, WC1V 7EN. Keep an eye on the website of the next incarnation of the art afternoon tea.
Secret Garden afternoon tea at Kona
Tucked away in a colourful but private courtyard, Kona has a regularly changing rota of themed afternoon teas. Past incarnations have included Sherlock Holmes, complete with pipe and deerstalker, and a Candy Striped Carousel (Mary Poppins) theme with food served on a mechanical carousel (honestly one of the most charming and joyous afternoon teas we've had in London — and we've tried a lot) .
A Jasmine Indian afternoon tea is a permanent fixture of the menu, but if you're in the mood for something a bit whimsical, it's always worth checking what's currently on. As of summer 2023, it's a Secret Garden afternoon tea, with Frances Hodgson-Burnett's novel represented through pastries and savoury items, including a chocolate key within a layer of biscuit soil and edible flowers, and a chocolate pudding with its own flowers blooming out of an edible pot.
The Secret Garden Afternoon Tea at Kona, Taj 51 Buckingham Gate Suites and Residences, SW1E 6AF
This is a sponsored inclusion on behalf of The Waldorf Hilton.
Beauty & The Beast-inspired afternoon tea at The Waldorf Hilton
Fancy some fairy tale-level escapism? The Waldorf Hilton’s 'Be Our Guest' A Winter's Tale afternoon tea experience offers exactly that, with a wonderfully wintry spread inspired by the enchanted world of Gabrielle-Suzanne Barbot de Villeneuve's La Belle et La Bête (and there are more than a few nods to Disney's iconic adaptation, too).
Amid the Edwardian grandeur of this Covent Garden Hotel, you’ll experience Lumiere-level hospitality, as you tuck into a sumptuous selection of cakes, sandwiches, and teas. The menu is curated by Executive Chef Luke Rayment-Blakey, and combines bold flavours with delicate techniques, incorporating plenty of playful Beauty and the Beast motifs.
Highlights include the festive cranberry and brie tart with candied pecans, which references the fairy tale's French heritage. There's also a blueberry snowflake layered tort that sweet-toothed diners will love, as well as a Cogsworth-inspired chocolate and hazelnut tart. Choose from an exquisite range of teas to wash it all down with, or elevate your experience with something stronger, such as a glass of champagne or specially-themed Enchanted Rose cocktail.
The 'Be Our Guest' A Winter's Tale afternoon tea is available now at Homage restaurant — The Waldorf's elegant, chandelier-adorned dining room. There's even a resident harpist to serenade you as you sip — who needs the Beast's castle, eh?
Haute Couture fashion-themed afternoon tea at The Franklin
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West London hotel trio The Gore, The Pelham and The Franklin, all belonging to the Starhotels Collezione group, usually have a themed afternoon tea going on, often based on current exhibitions at the nearby V&A Museum — past menus have covered Winnie the Pooh, Frida Kahlo and Christian Dior.
As of autumn 2023, The Franklin has an Haute Couture afternoon tea, offering an imaginative twist on the fashion world, taking inspiration from the current DIVA and Gabrielle Chanel exhibitions at the V&A. Themed highlights include a fig mousse and orange sable sheath dress, a yoghurt and lemon cake pochette, and a red chocolate lipstick.
Check The Pelham, The Gore and The Franklin websites to see which afternoon tea is currently being offered at each venue — the presentation is always playful and creative, and the food nothing but top-notch.
Haute Couture fashion afternoon tea at The Franklin, 24 Egerton Gardens, Kinghtsbridge, SW3 2DB.
Prêt-à-Portea fashion afternoon tea at The Berkeley
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*Note: this afternoon tea is currently on a break and will be back later in 2024. Instead, the venue is currently serving a Goûtea, which fuses the French tradition of sweet snacking with the best-of-British afternoon tea*
Similar to The Rosewood's art afternoon tea, The Berkeley's fashion-centric Prêt-à-Portea is a permanent feature, but has a makeover every few months to celebrate a different designer, fashion house or collection. In early 2024, it was inspired by a multitude of designers from Victoria Beckham to Nina Ricci: a Versace gown fashioned from vanilla mousse, a Prada handbag taking the form of a cinnamon blondie, glazed with silky white icing, and sandwiched with Ivoire chocolate — while Victoria Beckham’s trophy jacket was reimagined as an orange sablé, piped with royal icing.
Prêt-à-Portea at The Berkeley, Wilton Place, Knightsbridge, SW1X 7RL.
Much Ado About Nothing afternoon tea at The Swan
Bankside pub/restaurant the Swan makes the most of its position right next to Shakespeare's Globe, with a Shakespeare-themed afternoon tea served overlooking the Thames. We've previously tried the Midsummer Night's Dream offering, though they're currently serving a Much Ado About Nothing afternoon tea. The menu includes a tomato and basil tart, Egg Benedict mayonnaise sandwich, and Beatrice's Seville orange cake.
Much Ado About Nothing afternoon tea at The Swan, 21 New Globe Walk, Bankside, SE1 9DT.
Wizard Afternoon Tea at The Wizard Exploratorium
Located in Soho, the Wizard Exploratorium — sister venue to Dalston's The Cauldron potion bar — offers a wizard-themed afternoon tea that's more interactive than your average sarnies-and-scones experience.
Pick your magic wand on arrival, then use it to cast spells to control your tea stand and open your locked puzzle chest, which contains your ingredients, including two teas that you brew yourself. After all the hard work, enjoy scones, sand-witches and desserts from a regularly changing menu. It's afternoon tea meets molecular gastronomy, aimed at witches and wizards of all ages — though note it's completely unrelated to, and unaffiliated with, the Harry Potter Wizarding World.
Wizard Afternoon Tea at The Wizard Exploratorium, 26 Greek Street, Soho, W1D 5DE.