The Best Tea Rooms in London

The English Tea Room at Brown's Hotel

• The English Tea Room at Brown's Hotel won The Tea Guild's "Top London Afternoon Tea 2009 Award" from the UK Tea Council following a competitive contest among the most exclusive tea-rooms in London. Receiving this award is the equivalent of winning a Michelin 3 Star rating and the Tea Guild's anonymous judges gave Brown's perfect scores for service, ambiance and food. At Brown's, you'll sit in the room where Agatha Christie penned one of her famous crime novels and relax to the soothing tunes of a baby grand piano. Traditional afternoon tea consists of 17 different types of tea, assorted pastries and finger sandwiches, cakes, and freshly baked scones with clotted cream and strawberry preserves. If you'd like to learn more about the traditions of English tea, sign up for Brown's "Tea-Torials" where you will view the secrets of their award-winning scones and learn about the rituals of tea.

  The English Tea Room at Brown's Hotel London
  Albemarle Street
  W1S 4BP
  London, Great Britain
  +44-20-7493-6020
  brownshotel.com/dining/english-tea-room

The Orangery

• Offering one of the most reasonably priced afternoon teas in London, the Orangery is a stunning glass-walled room on the grounds of Kensington Palace, the palace where Princess Diana resided when she was in London. Choose from over 10 different types of teas or, if you prefer, a glass of champagne from the large wine selection. In sunny weather, sit on the terrace and enjoy the view over Kensington Gardens and the palace. The Orangery welcomes families with children and you will often find young mothers taking tea with their tots on weekday afternoons.

  The Orangery
  Kensington Palace, Kensingtom Gardens
  W8 4PX
  London, Great Britain
  +44-20-7376-0239
  hrp.org.uk/KensingtonPalace/CafesAndRestaurants.aspx

Afternoon Tea at the Ritz Hotel

• Awarded the "Tea Guild's Award of Excellence" for each of the last five years, the Ritz is a good option if you are craving the experience of a formal London Tea in a palatial setting. Tea at the Ritz is an elegant affair, so dress appropriately. No tennis shoes or jeans are permitted, and men must wear jackets. When you enter the spectacular Palm Court with its crystal chandeliers, huge vases of fresh cut flowers, crystal and silver place settings, marble pillars and luxurious velvet arm chairs, you will be relieved that you dressed in your best. The legendary afternoon tea is served with the a selection of fresh sandwiches, just-baked scones, tea pastries, and the famous Ritz's chocolate cake. For special celebrations, order a Celebratory Tea with champagne or a Birthday Tea served with a homemade birthday cake. For choco-holics order ahead the Chocolate Afternoon Tea featuring drinking chocolate, champagne and a large array of chocolate desserts. Due to the popularity of tea at the Ritz, reservations are mandatory. You should book at least twelve weeks in advance.

  The Ritz Hotel
  150 Piccadilly
  W1J 9BR,
  London, Great Britain
  +44-020-7300-2345
  theritzlondon.com/tea