The British practice of having a late afternoon snack began during the 19th century when a young countess grew irritated with the then-common practice of only eating two meals a day. She eventually invited her friends to join her and things subsequently progressed from there. This formerly aristocratic pastime known as “having tea” has since become a national habit that remains popular to this day. Many travelers to London also choose to indulge in the tradition so we surveyed some of the best places to have tea while you’re in town. The results are as follows.
Image Source: condesign on Pixabay.
Although some critics insist that the Ritz and Claridge’s are no longer as posh as they once were, most folks agree that the traditional style teas held at both establishments are definitely a pleasant experience if you can manage get a table. After all, these two upscale locations have been popular spots with the locals and visiting guests for over 100 years. The former is so elegant that visitors are required to dress up and the latter makes up for its comparative informality by providing live piano music to accompany your meal. Despite the fact that it doesn’t have the lengthy history of the other two places, Fortnum and Mason’s Dimond Jubilee Tea Salon is another equally elegant option that also serves up traditional tea time fare.
Tea at Claridge’s.
(Image Source: Sarah Kelemen Garber via Flickr and CC 2.0)
Diners that are concerned about their budget should try options that are less expensive. Good options for old school teas at lower prices should check out Le Chandelier as well as The Delaunay and its’ sibling restaurant The Wolseley. For scenery that can’t be beat, the Kensington Palace Orangery is the definitely place to go when the flowers are blooming in the springtime. The National Portrait Gallery also serves a classic high tea with good views over London and offers their guests the option of having coffee instead. Bea’s of Bloomsbury is also among the top choices for their causal setting and their classic menu.
Image Source: via emregokyuz on Pixabay.
Of course, there are other options. Health conscious folks might want to head over to Brown’s Hotel for their Tea-tox, a spread full of tasty options that are low in sugar, carbs, and fat. People that cannot eat sugar, gluten, or dairy should check out the spreads found at the Marylebone Hotel or Bake-a-Boo. Meanwhile, The Modern Pantry offers new twists on old favorites with items such as green tea scones on their menu. Guys that don’t care for frilly, traditional style teas will probably be pleased with the meat laden and alcohol spiked fare available during the Gentlemen’s Afternoon at Sanctum Soho or at the Reform Social and Grill in the Mandeville Hotel.
Image Source: Sookie_cfw on Pixabay.
Those seeking an experience that isn’t entirely British should head over to Teanamu Chaya Teahouse for a light, ceremonial Chinese style tea, or Ichi Sushi and Sashimi Bar, for a Japanese style experience that showcases seafood rather than sweets. An Indian touch can even be found at Cinnamon Soho where there sliders are included with the tea. Those seeing a more upscale yet foreign experience should check out the Shangra-La at the Shard. The view of central London is wonderful and the food is great so advanced reservations are going to be needed.
Image Source: gadost0 on Pixabay.
In most locations, tea is served from about noon to 6 pm. However, some places do open as late as 3 pm and close as early as 5 pm. Others are only open for an hour, so be sure to check before making your plans. At the more upscale places, having tea costs anywhere from £45 to £55 per person. Many places also offer champagne with your meal, but this does naturally cause the overall price to increase. By comparison, lower priced options ten to run around £22 to £30. Bargains can still be found and the “cream tea” option that include tea, scones, jam, and cream is a good choice for those on a budget.
Image Source: Sarahtevendale on Pixabay.
Good choice for cream tea start at £7 at the Fan Museum. This repast is held twice weekly on Tuesday and Sundays. It includes homemade jam and cake as well as scones. The Michelin starred Sketch restaurant and The British Museum serve a more basic cream tea to their customers for £10 and £8.50, respectively. More lavish options are also available for museum guests.
Image Source: tpsdave on Pixabay.
Those heading out to Kew Gardens might want to stop by The Original Maids of Honor for their incredibly delicious scones and their classic High Teas, which run £15 for the sweet version and £1 more for the savory goodies. These repasts include a bit more than the basic trimmings and come with the option of coffee rather than tea. Or visitors can start with the basics at £7 and choose from the tasty add ons they have on their menu which start at £3.
Image Source: sharonang on Pixabay.
Cheers!
Sources: The Telegraph; Time Out; Conde Nast Traveler; Huffington Post; Buzz Feed; Trip Advisor; The British Museum; The National Portrait Gallery; The Original Maids of Honor; Budget Travel; Beas of Bloomsbury
Disclaimer: With the exception of the photo taken at Claridge’s, the delicacies shown here are only representative of the foods discussed in this article. To our knowledge, the images aren’t actually of meals served by any of the other shops in question.
