The very mention of afternoon tea is sure to evoke groans from most Londoners these days. It’s a tired idea, and there are only so many finger sandwiches and scones one can take.Luckily, these five establishments have thrown the gimmick on its head and breathed new life into an old event.
Lady Dinah's Cat Emporium
If there’s one thing the regular afternoon tea is missing, it’s furry friends. At Lady Dinah’s Cat Emporium (the UK’s first cat café), you can enjoy their High Tea with a selection of cakes, scones and sandwiches along with some cocktails or fizz, all the while being surrounded by Lady Dinah’s purrfect pals!
Where: 152-154, Bethnal Green Road, London, E2 6DG
Book now: https://www.ladydinahs.com/
The Potion Room
Put down your broom and apparate to The Potion Room with other muggles to enjoy a full Harry Potter-themed afternoon tea experience at Cutter & Squidge bakery in Soho.
Upon entry you are dressed in a cloak, handed your trusty wand and sat in a classroom to learn all this wizardry. Mix positions to create scrumptious snacks and tasty teas in this makeshift Hogwarts – you’ll never want to leave.
Where: 20 Brewer St, Soho, London, W1F 0SJ
Book Now: https://cutterandsquidge.com/pages/afternoon-tea-london
B Bakery Afternoon Tea Bus Tour
Got somewhere to be but fancy a little afternoon tea? (I’m a poet and don’t even know it!) B Bakery Afternoon Tea Bus Tour is for you.
Hope on board one of the famous London red double decker buses at either Victoria Coach Station or Trafalgar Square and soak up some famous London tourist attractions while indulging in sandwiches, tea and scones! They also offer vegan, vegetarian, halal and gluten-free options.
Where: Victoria Coach Station, Buckingham Palace Road, London, SW1W 9TP Or 8 Northumberland Avenue, London, WC2N 5BY
Book Now: https://london.b-bakery.com/afternoon-tea-london/afternoon-tea-bus-london-tour/
Charlie and the Chesterfield
Like your afternoon teas more on the sweet side? Well you won’t need to win a golden ticket or make best mates with Willy Wonka to enjoy this Charlie and the Chocolate Factory-themed afternoon tea. Hosted in the beautiful Chesterfield Mayfair Hotel, the Willy Wonka-inspired menu includes flowering teas, bubblegum eclairs and Oompa Loompa cupcakes.
Where: 35 Charles Street, Mayfair, London, W1J 5EB
Book Now: https://www.chesterfieldmayfair.com/
Afternoon Tea with Live Opera at the Royal Albert Hall
Less “unusual”, more incredibly high-brow, this option will leave you feeling cultured and incredibly proper. Hosted in the grand surroundings of the Royal Albert Hall’s Verdi Restaurant, here you can enjoy a luxurious afternoon of sandwiches sweet treats and homemade scones all while being serenaded with one of the UK’s best opera singers. What more could you want?!
Where: Kensington Gore, London, SW7 2AP
Book Now: https://www.royalalberthall.com/tickets/series/afternoon-tea-with-live-opera/
