Afternoon Tea in London - any recs?

I booked afternoon tea at the Landmark for our parents as wedding thank yous...it looks like a beautiful setting and I wanted something different. They're going next week so will keep you updated! I think it was about £35ish pp, inc champagne x

Myself and Spot had it at the Mandarin Oriental a couple of weeks ago. Cute sandwiches (and refills), cakes and the yummiest scones in the world, served with jam and clotted cream. ?

I would recommend you DON'T go to Le Meridien in Piccadilly

L
xx

Claridges was very nice when I went.....

Claridges is grand and lovely and my favourite. The Lanesborough is cosier, and more intimate and 'real'. The Ritz is hopelessly touristy and blousy, though it's good fun and the loos are nice.

Claridges really is very nice though.

I'd also say Claridges, I took my Mum there for her birthday this year and it was lovely. I was going to go for the ritz but after people commented how touristy it was, I decided against it.

Many thanks for the recommendations (and places to avoid!)

H x

Eek - my friend's getting married there in Dec..is it just the tea or the hotel which was crap?

The hotel is gorgeously stunning. The service was crap in the restaurant. Slow, they didn't know what was going on, and they struggled to make sandwiches without cheese. They also didn't offer to top up champagne, or even tea. Did I mention they were slow?

I would assume they make a hell of a lot more effort for a wedding than they do for a couple mooching in on an afternoon where they would be otherwise empty.

L
xx

Ah, sounds pretty miserable. I always wonder what these places do when they are busy if they can't cope with a restaurant which is only 2% full ?

My friend is Jewish so kosher caterers are doing food, not sure about service though...I have a feeling caterers may provide staff too.

Thanks xx

I would imagine the caterers will provide staff, as you say, in which case all should be good

L
xx

We took MIL to The Dorchester for her 60th and it was marvellous. Couldn't recommend it highly enough.

I've had afternoon tea at the Landmark and Brown's. Both were very nice, but the Landmark was best. I highly recommend it (although I've not had afternoon tea at the Ritz, so I don't know how they compare).

I took my mum to the ritz it was lovely no complaints from any of us

Another good place might be the Wolseley, we had a fab afternoon tea there for about £25 each (no champagne but I imagine you could have some). It's not as stuffy as I found the ritz to be when we went there - and we saw Patrick Stewart!

Another vote for the Lanesborough. Took my Mum for her birthday this summer, it was all we'd hoped for and more. Grand and luxurious but not terrifying. The choice of tea is ridiculous, there's about 6 pages on the tea menu! We had tiny sandwiches and rolls, then cakes, macaroons and mousses, and finally scones with cream and jam and the most gorgeous teasted cinnamon teacakes. Can't wait for an excuse to do it again!

IIRC the champage tea is about £35 pp.

I LOVE afternoon tea!

Pret a Portea at The Berkeley is good for a girlie treat but arguably a bit overpriced for what it is.

Claridges and Fortnum & Mason are my other favourites.

Ooh decisions decisions

Many thanks for the further replies!

H x

AllyDrew and I went to Fortnums for tea for a hen party a few months ago. Tea with champagne was about £40 each and they were very good at adapting things for Ally who was pregnant and the vegetarian with had with us.

Parents have been to the Ritz and said it was amazing. Claridges also looked good when we went for dinner there a few weeks ago.

Another vote for the Landmark. It was utterly stunning when we went. Also, it's right next to Marylebone station, so no milling around trying to find somewhere, or walking anywhere.

Fact fans: The landmark used to be the British rail headquarters and has a cycle track right round the roof!