Choosing and Booking Afternoon Tea in London
Katerina Galkina · EN · 07/10/2026
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A traditional afternoon tea is a meal featuring tea, savoury items, scones and sweet treats. Cream tea usually means the simpler combination of tea and scones. For a first visit, comparing the actual menu is more useful than choosing solely from interior photographs.
Two starting points are Fortnum & Mason’s Diamond Jubilee Tea Salon ↗ and The Ritz ↗. These illustrate the format rather than establish a quality ranking. The Ritz publishes a formal dress code, including a jacket and tie for men; read its full requirements before visiting.
Agree dietary needs in advance
Specify vegan requirements, allergies and other dietary needs for each person when booking. Fortnum offers several alternative menus, but explicitly states that its made-without-gluten version is unsuitable for coeliacs. It also warns of allergen cross-contact.
Do not assume removing one ingredient makes an entire menu suitable. Obtain confirmation that the venue can accommodate the particular requirements before buying a voucher or making a non-refundable reservation.
Compare the complete price
Check the per-person price, tea selection, food included, alcoholic and alcohol-free versions, and service charge. Ask whether extra portions or changing tea incur an additional charge. Champagne afternoon tea may have a different price from the standard offering.
For children, check the menu, age conditions and whether a separate reservation is required. Check gift vouchers carefully too: expiry, permitted weekdays, excluded dates and possible supplements matter more than presentation.
Book and leave enough time
Choose an available slot through the official website. Read the seating duration, deposit, cancellation and late-arrival conditions. Keep a confirmation naming the actual salon: a business may operate several locations with different tea experiences.
Avoid scheduling a large dinner immediately afterwards. Leave time to enjoy the different teas and courses, and set a limit for extras if you have a fixed budget. Seasonal themes and menus change, so use the offer applying to your booked date.