The Carlton Tower Jumeirah
The Carlton Tower Jumeirah has partnered with Jessica Prealpato, named the world’s best pastry chef in 2019, for a menu inspired by the floral delights of Kew Gardens. Her proprietary ‘Desseralité’ concept involves using only the highest-quality, locally sourced seasonal ingredients and relies on naturally occurring sugars for sweetness. This is certainly one for a special occasion.
Price: from £75 pp. Served with Champagne, from £85 pp
When: served daily between 2:30pm and 5:45pm, and at weekends between 12pm and 5:45pm
1 Cadogan Place, SW1X 9PY; book here
Anya Café
Just like everything else that Anya Hindmarch creates, the afternoon tea at her café on Pont Street is filled with humour and fun touches. Expect traditional sandwiches, heart- and cloud-shaped cakes and smiley-face icing.
Price: afternoon tea served with a selection of coffees or teas, £35 pp. Served with a glass of Esterlin NV Champagne, £50 pp
When: served daily between 2pm and 5pm
9 Pont Street, London, SW1X 9EH; book here
The Cadogan, a Belmond Hotel
This meticulously designed afternoon tea menu honours stunning private gardens of The Cadogan, a Belmond Hotel, with the sweet treats conceptualised by its new pastry chef, Pierre Morvan. Highlights include a zesty sunflower and lime cheesecake and a hibiscus and raspberry baba cake garnished with edible rose petals. There are traditional sandwiches, too. To drink, choose from a selection of more than 20 different teas, Ruinart Champagne or Rathfinny English sparkling wine.
Price: from £60 pp
When: served daily from 12pm to 6pm in a two-hour-long experience
75 Sloane St, SW1X 9SG; book here
11 Cadogan Gardens
In the elegant surrounds of its drawing room, 11 Cadogan Gardens honours the traditions of this very British pastime with fluffy scones and homemade savoury sandwiches including Coronation chicken and egg and watercress. There are sweet treats, too, of course, and though you can have tea, it’s all best enjoyed with a glass of Laurent-Perrier Champagne.
Price: £45 pp, or £55 pp for Champagne Afternoon Tea
When: served Monday to Sunday between 12pm and 6pm
11 Cadogan Gardens, SW3 2RJ; book here
Bluebird Chelsea Afternoon Tea
The team at Bluebird creates brilliant seasonal afternoon tea menus (offering a handy excuse for return visits), but the main menu features wonderful spins on the classics, such as coronation chicken sandwiches on toasted caraway loaf, and rare-breed hen egg, mustard cress and truffle sandwiches on onion-seed loaf. Sweet treats include strawberry delice (a mousse-like dessert) and a millionaire bar – all washed down with a wide array of teas or a glass of British sparkling wine Nyetimber.
Price: £32 pp. Add a glass of Nyetimber Cuvee Classic for £10, or a glass of Nyetimber Cuvee Rosé for £13.50.
When: served Thursday to Sunday from 3pm to 4.30pm
350 King’s Road, SW3 5UU; book here
