Best festive afternoon teas in London 2024
Looking for a festive treat? We’ve found the best spots to take friends and family over the Christmas season, from traditional afternoon tea at The Ritz to afternoon tea with a view from The Shard
Treat loved ones and dine in style over the Christmas season with one of these festive afternoon teas. Take your pick from teas including the highly Instagrammable Sketch Christmas afternoon tea, classic glamour at the Savoy Christmas afternoon tea or why not even treat yourself to The Ritz afternoon tea?
Classic afternoon tea menus of sandwiches, scones and perfect patisserie get a festive makeover at this time of year, from turkey sandwiches and spiced marmalade to go with scones, to carefully crafted yule logs, Christmas trees made of cake and many more magical discoveries. At one of our picks below, there's even an extra Christmas pudding course added to the feast. You're sure to leave full and with a wonderful new Christmas tradition to return to year after year.
If you're not after a Christmas theme, check out the best afternoon teas in London and the best across the UK, too.
Best festive afternoon teas in London
Fortnum & Mason, The Diamond Jubilee Tea Salon, Piccadilly
Fortnum & Mason serves its seasonal afternoon tea in The Diamond Jubilee Tea Salon. For the Christmas tea, you can expect classic sandwiches with a festive twist such as coronation turkey or Suffolk cured ham with mulled wine spices, alongside familiar cucumber or egg mayo. Still-warm scones are served with Somerset clotted cream and strawberry and champagne preserve and lemon curd, while cakes and patisserie highlights include a mini Mont Blanc, chocolate amarena cake and a stem ginger loaf.
Price: £82pp for traditional or vegetarian afternoon tea with a pot of Fortnum’s Tea
Address: 181 Piccadilly, St James's, London W1A 1ER.
Book the Fortnum & Mason afternoon tea here.
The Corinthia Hotel, Whitehall
The Corinthia will be serving its festive afternoon tea in The Crystal Moon Lounge with a selection of festive treats from 15 November-5 January 2025. Relax in the stylish lobby under the glistening chandelier and listen to grand piano playing in the background while you feast on elevated turkey or roast beef sandwiches, followed by scones with both rhubarb or strawberry and elderflower jam. Finish with the patisserie, including a Tahitian vanilla snow globe, Black Forest gateau or plum and amaretto tartlet, to name just a few of the many treats on this classically luxurious menu.
Price: Festive afternoon tea £95pp, caviar afternoon tea from £150pp.
Address: Whitehall Place, Westminster, London SW1A 2BD
Book festive afternoon tea at The Corinthia here.
The Ritz, Piccadilly
The Ritz will be serving its traditional afternoon tea with a fun festive twist from Saturday 23 November-Monday 6 January 2025, with five sittings per day. Listen to the Ritz Choir singing carols while you feast on six different sandwiches (think classic cheddar and chutney, ham and mustard mayonnaise, and traditional smoked salmon sandwiches and more), Christmas-inspired British pastries; and choose from 18 teas including a bespoke Ritz Christmas spiced tea. The tea also includes a glass of champagne and, for children, a Ritz teddy bear.
Price: £115pp; £75 per child (up to 15 years old), except for Christmas Day which is priced at £85 per child
Address: 150 Piccadilly, London W1J 9BR
Book the Ritz Christmas afternoon tea here.
oblix at The Shard
Nothing starts off a festive afternoon tea like walking through a corridor lined floor to ceiling with sparkling fairy lights. Oblix, on the 32nd floor of The Shard, more than delivers that Christmas feeling. If you can tear your eyes away from panoramic views of London including Tower Bridge, the City and the Walkie Talkie building, then the Oblix tea has been given a Christmas makeover. Start with a plate of sandwiches including coronation chicken, egg mayo with generous amounts of truffle and a delicate leek and comte tart. Cranberry scones are served with raspberry jam and clotted cream, whilst patisserie includes warm madeleines, a hazelnut rocher and jasmine, yuzu and pear choux. Available until 31st December.
Price: from £68pp
Address: oblix East, Level 32, The Shard, 31 St. Thomas Street, London SE1 9RY
Book the oblix festive afternoon tea here.
The Savoy, The Strand
The festive afternoon tea at The Thames Foyer in The Savoy is available now. You can expect classic sandwiches with a Christmas twist, such as oak-smoked cheddar with plum and ginger chutney, coronation turkey on cranberry bread, and a savoury parsnip and carrots cak. Traditional freshly baked plain and raisin scones come with strawberry jam, lemon curd and clotted cream to accompany festive spiced teas.
To finish, enjoy a cluster of seasonal cakes and pastries such as the Santa (bourbon vanilla cake, chocolate whipped chantilly, redcurrant glaze) and Christmas Bauble (yoghurt crémeux, lemon sponge, blackberry compote). Click here to read our full review of traditional afternoon tea at The Savoy
Price: Afternoon tea starts at £95pp and £115 with a glass of Nyetimber.
Address: Strand, London WC2R 0EZ
Book The Savoy afternoon tea here.
TĪNG Shangri-La, The Shard
TĪNG at the Shangri-La is serving a festive afternoon tea until 6 January 2025. The first thing you'll notice are the striking views of London from the heights of The Shard. The stunning scenery makes this trip worth it alone.
Then choose from the extensive list of signature teas or add a festive cocktail, mocktail or glass of champagne. The finger sandwiches include coronation chicken, roast beef and truffle egg mayo, while extra savouries include a veggie parsnip and truffle burger. Cranberry scones are served with clotted cream and cranberry jam for full on festivities. Finish with pastries including festive gingerbread cake and a Santa's Hat made of chai tea mousse. A vegetarian tea is also available.
Price: £78pp, £88 with a glass of champagne.
Address: 31 St Thomas Street, London SE1 9QU
Book the TĪNG festive afternoon tea here.
The Carlton Tower Jumeirah, Knightsbridge
This festive afternoon tea served at The Carlton Tower Jumeirah from the 12 November 2024 – 5 January 2025 is inspired by Highgrove House & Gardens. It's perfect for a spot of indulgence after a shopping trip. Cosy up in their dedicated tearoom, complete with a warming fire and pastry counter. Start with a selection of sandwiches and savouries including a wild mushroom tartlet and Cajun turkey breast with cranberry chutney. Expect the unexpected with the 'Scones Experience', with four different flavours of scones to enjoy. The finale is a tower of festive delights ranging from a twist on a Christmas log to a cranberry pear tart, Christmas pudding to share and a blackcurrant Monc Blanc. The tea is accompanied by a selection of teas, chosen for flavour and wellness benefits. £1 from every tea is donated to The Felix Project.
Price: from £85pp
Address: The Carlton Tower Jumeirah, 1 Cadogan Pl, London SW1X 9PY
Book festive afternoon tea at The Carlton tower here.
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