Affordable Afternoon Tea in London
Date post added: 7th December 2025
Is there anything more British than afternoon tea? (Actually, there is, but that’s for another story). There’s an assumption that, in Britain, everything stops for tea around 4pm. The rattle of fine bone china cups and saucers. The sound of tea pouring from a warmed teapot. The smell of a freshly-baked scone. Afternoon tea’s a nostalgic and comforting tradition.
It’s also rather decadent. A luxurious afternoon tea experience is often accompanied by a glass of Champagne. Sandwiches can be filled with smoked salmon and cakes are exquisite patisseries. Divine as that sounds, an afternoon tea service in a fine Central London hotel or department store comes with a hefty price tag. Claridges Hotel may be spectacular, but its afternoon tea costs from £95 per person. Renowned department store, Fortnum & Mason charges £82+ and it’s a similar price at The Ritz Hotel. But they will make a special occasion extra special.
But where to go for a delicious afternoon tea experience that won’t break the bank? We’ve looked around London for the best afternoon tea offers that come in at under £35 per person.
When did British tradition of afternoon tea start?
It goes all the way back to the 1800s. It started off as a high society thing. Queen Victoria’s friend (we said it was high society!), Anna the Duchess of Bedford found herself getting rather ‘hangry’ between lunch and dinner. She craved a mid-afternoon sweet treat and afternoon tea was the answer.
The idea gained popularity and society women started donning their long gloves and taking tea in the drawing room between 4 and 5 pm. Fast forward several decades, and more people wanted to enjoy the British tradition of afternoon tea like the lords and ladies did. We still do.
10 best afternoon tea venues in London that won’t break your wallet
1. Memoir Club, Bloomsbury
In the heart of literary Bloomsbury, not far from the British Museum, you’ll find the Memoir Club. This fabulous location is inspired by the Bloomsbury Set of the 1920s. Named after Adeline Virginia Woolf, Adeline’s Restaurant is a wonderful combination of vintage glamour and traditional British comfort.
Adeline’s Afternoon Tea menu brings this British tradition up to date with a delectable selection of savouries and sweets, sipped with a speciality tea or glass of Prosecco or Champagne.
On the traditional side, you get delicate finger sandwiches with egg or smoked salmon. But, the modern twist means you also get pickled cucumber and salt beef options which are really flavoursome. Their warm scones are homemade and absolutely delightful when topped with clotted cream and homemade jam. You can also enjoy a selection of cakes and pastries from chocolate brownies to macarons and fresh fruit tartlets
At £27.50 per person, it’s an affordable luxury. Afternoon tea at Adeline’s is available Monday to Saturday between 2pm and 4.30pm.
2. Wellington by Blue Orchid, Westminster
The Wellington Hotel is moment’s away from Buckingham Palace and the Palace of Westminster. It’s an ideal place to retreat from the bustle of London city life.
They serve a quintessentially British traditional afternoon tea in serene surroundings. Their freshly baked scones are warm and fluffy, and served with clotted cream and preserves. The finger sandwiches and array of exquisite pastries are crafted to perfection.
A touch of luxury at the surprisingly reasonable price of £35 per person. Along with the Westminster venue, there’s a sister restaurant at the Tower Suites beside the Tower of London.
3. Browns Brasserie, Covent Garden
“Browns Restaurant, St Martin’s Lane, London” by Paul the Archivist is licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Afternoon Tea at Browns Brasserie & Bar on St Martin’s Lane feels like a real treat. Whether you’re celebrating a special occasion or making a regular get together feel extraordinary, Browns is an ideal venue.
Their afternoon tea experience goes beyond egg, coronation chicken or cucumber finger sandwiches. Think lobster tail in a brioche roll, smoked salmon rillette pâté on toasted rye or a sandwich of mozzarella, semi-dried tomato, black olive tapenade and basil pesto. Add to that warm scones with seasonal jams and an irresistible mini selection cakes and puddings. It’s served with your choice of tea, a chilled glass of brut or pink Champagne (Moët & Chandon no less). And if you’re gluten-free, you have your own menu options too. With prices from £32, it’s an affordable treat.
4. The Wolseley, Piccadilly
“1–3 Arlington Street and 157–160 Piccadilly” by Jhsteel is licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0.
Nestled amongst renowned Green Park legends like The Ritz and Fortnum & Mason, The Wolseley is an institution itself. It’s located in an iconic, heritage building in Mayfair at 120 Piccadilly. It retains a feeling of old-school glamour and grandeur. The interiors are spectacular and you’ll get top-notch service.
Whilst the classic afternoon tea with a choice of teas is £46.50 per person, you can enjoy their traditional cream tea for £19.50. Same opulent surroundings. Same tea. Same handmade fruit scones with jam and clotted cream. Just a more affordable way of enjoying the incredible surroundings.
5. The English Rose Cafe, Victoria
A mere stone’s throw from Buckingham Palace, on Lower Grosvenor Place, is this welcoming family-run cafe serving traditional afternoon tea between 12 and 5.30pm.
Their traditional afternoon tea arrives on a tiered cake stand. Expect floral cups and saucers like your Granny used to have. Choose from a wonderful selection of baked goods, as well as your choice of tea or Americano coffee. The menu costs £35 per person.
6. Masala Zone, Soho
How about an Indian themed afternoon tea? Masala Zone serves High Chai on weekends – an afternoon tea menu with Indian savoury and sweet dishes.
You still get sandwiches, but they’re livened up by chicken tikka or chutney and cheese fillings. Savoury starters include baby squid chilli fry, lamb sliders, vegetable samosas and pakoras. Finish off with sweets like plum cake, mini Gulab Jamun and Nankhatai biscuit. You’ll have a choice of teas or the warmth and comfort of Masala Chai or Chilled Thandai. Their afternoon tea menu costs £27.50 per person. You’ll find other Masala Zone restaurants in Earls Court, Covent Garden and Piccadilly Circus.
7. NHow Hotel, Shoreditch
Afternoon tea at a London hotel for £25? There must be a catch – and there is. You have to be a dog! But you can treat your pooch to a dog-themed afternoon tea at NHow Hotel in Shoreditch. Your canine companion can enjoy homemade cupcakes, frozen peanut butter bites and other treats. Wait for it, they’ll also get a ’puppucino’. Don’t feel left out, the ‘pawrent’ can enjoy a coffee and sweet treats too.
8. The Melody Restaurant, West Kensington
On the site of what was originally St Paul’s School, The Melody is a stylish, contemporary restaurant. It exudes an air of sophistication and elegance, yet remains refreshingly unpretentious.
Each afternoon from 1pm to 5pm, you can enjoy the St Paul’s Afternoon Tea. Featuring a selection of sandwiches, freshly-baked scones, pastries and cakes with accompanying tea or coffee, the menu changes seasonally. It’s surprisingly reasonable for such chic surroundings, at £31. There’s also a bottomless afternoon tea with Champagne (for two hours) which costs £69.
9. Coppa Club, Tower Bridge
“London- Coppa Club” by Jorge Franganillo is licensed under CC BY-SA 2.0.
Talk about a room with a view. The Coppa Club is right near Tower Bridge and boasts views across the River Thames to the Shard and along to London Bridge and the Southbank. The terrace has igloos for sheltered waterfront dining.
The Coppa Club afternoon tea menu is pretty traditional. You’ll get sandwiches including ham and mustard, smoked salmon, and cheese with chutney. There’s the obligatory sultana scone with clotted cream and strawberry jam. The dessert selection is absolutely sublime. How can you choose between lemon meringue, caramel choux lollipops, chocolate opera cake, raspberry torte and delicate macarons? It’ll be a memorable experience, for only £32.50 per person.
10. The Tea House, Fulham
This friendly cafe is set in a wonderfully refurbished, heritage building within beautiful Bishop’s Park in Fulham. It’s a gorgeous green space to explore and then relax and refuel in The Tea House.
It’s not a fancy Knightsbridge department store or Mayfair hotel, but The Tea House is an absolute gem. Their classic afternoon tea is presented on a traditional tiered tea stand which makes it feel extra special. The delicious goodies are freshly prepared by chefs and artisan bakers. They also offer a vegetarian afternoon tea too.
Afternoon tea at The Tea House is made all the sweeter with a price of only £24 per person.
Can you share afternoon tea?
Tea for two and two for tea you say? Spilling secrets over tea and cake is pure pleasure. You’ll often find ‘afternoon tea for two’ offers, but that generally means double the regular price.
If you’re looking for a cost effective way to enjoy tea and cake with a friend, avoid the traditional afternoon tea menu. Go for a ‘deconstructed’ version. Order a pot of tea for two with a sandwich, cake and/or scone. You get the components of afternoon tea for a fraction of the price. You’ll find charming tea rooms across London too. They’ll offer home-baked deliciousness, warming tea and a genuinely welcoming smile to greet you.
Make time for tea
The key component of afternoon tea – the cup of tea – has a fascinating history. Join us on our Empire in a Cup walk to discover the dark and intriguing history of our daily brew. Spoiler alert: there’s nothing British about your cup of tea. Not even the refined Earl Grey version.
You can delve deeper into our history with tea leaves on our The East India Company walking tour
David Tucker
David – the Seigneur of this favoured realm – broods over words, breeds enthusiasms and is “unmanageable.”* He’s a balterer, literary historian, university lecturer, journalist, logophile and lifelong thanatophobe. For good measure, he’s the doyen of London guides.
Pippa Jackson
Pippa is a word nerd and content aficionado with a background of working in TV on both sides of the globe. She loves to discover and share the diverse and wonderful stories of her much-loved London. When she’s not writing blogs and articles, you’ll find her walking beside the Thames or even paddleboarding on it (in the finest of conditions only!) or enjoying a coffee in the sunshine with a good book.