Afternoon tea is so quintessentially British. While the English consider it to be a classic and refined part of their culture, the rest of us take it as a wonderful treat we’re always pleased to indulge in.
Traditionally, tearooms offer a set menu starting with a choice of carefully selected teas served with a tiered cake plate with cold finger sandwiches, a cake and pastry assortment and warm scones with jam and clotted cream. Here are 15 Muslim-friendly tearooms for you to try at any occasion!
Note: Some cakes contain alcohol so do make sure to check with the tearoom before consumption. Do also note that all tearooms serve alcohol. Readers are advised to visit at their own discretion.[First visit to the UK? Check out our all-you-need-to-know guide to London!]
A luxurious afternoon fit for a Queen
As a custom founded by the wife of Prince Charles II, it is no wonder that the finest tearooms in the UK reflect the regal pomp and circumstance it was first introduced. If you seek a traditional tearoom set in glamorous art deco serving beautifully-crafted Afternoon Tea staples with magnificent silverware and china, these suggestions will not disappoint you.
1. Claridge’s
Price: ££££
Address: Brook St, London W1K 4HR
Nearest Tube Station: Bond Street
Sitting Times: 2.45pm, 3pm, 3.15pm, 3.30pm, 4.45pm, 5pm, 5.15pm and 5.30pm daily
Reservation: 90 days in advance
Halal Status: Requires a 24-hour notice and can provide a Halal-only Afternoon Tea menu
2. The Ritz
Highlights: The fabulously-decorated Palm Court and the elegant crockery; macarons and tarts; fluffy scones served with Strawberry Preserve and Cornish clotted cream
Price: ££££
Address: 150 Piccadilly, London W1J 9BR
Nearest Tube Station: Green Park
Sitting Times: 11.30am, 1.30pm, 3.30pm, 5.30pm and 7.30pm
Halal Status: Requires a 24-hour notice and can provide a Halal-only Afternoon Tea menu
3. Espelette at the Connaught
Mixing travel and culture at Tearooms with a view
4. BB Routemaster
Highlights: Afternoon Tea is served in a vintage London bus that drives around Central London past the city’s main highlights and landmarks; traditional French Salon de Thé with authentic French bakes;
Price: ££££
Departure Location and Sitting Times: 12.30pm and 3.00pm from 8 Northumberland Avenue, off Trafalrgar Square WC2N 5BY; 12.00pm, 2.30pm and 5.00pm departing daily from Victoria Coach Station
Halal Status: Halal, gluten-free and vegetarian options available [Want to cafe hop like a local? Check out these 5 Muslim-friendly cafes in London!]
5. Aqua Shard
Highlights: The view from The Shard – Western Europe’s tallest building; vanilla raisin and orange blossom scones with Jersey clotted cream and seasonal homemade jams
Website: www.aquashard.co.uk
Price: £££
Address: Level 31 The Shard, 31 St Thomas Street London, SE1 9RY
Nearest Tube Station: London Bridge
Sitting Times: 3pm – 5pm Monday to Friday
Halal Status: No halal meat available but you can swap ham for pescatarian (i.e. seafood/dairy/vegetarian) sandwiches upon request
6. Park Lounge @ the Milestone Hotel
Highlights: Just across Kensington Palace and Kensington Gardens; garden view in Victorian setting; ‘Little Prince and Princess’ and Gentlemanly Afternoon Tea; choice to book the Oratory or Conservatory
Website: www.milestonehotel.com
Price: £££
Address: The Milestone Hotel, 1 Kensington Court, London W8 5DL
Nearest Tube Station: High Street Kensington S
itting Times: 1pm, 3pm and 5pm daily
Halal Status: Vegetarian and gluten-free options available; halal upon request at booking
A girly tea party with cake and gossip
If you happen to be in London for a girly road trip or to visit an old girlfriend you haven’t seen for ages, then a tea party is a perfect way to celebrate your friendship and laugh over all the crazy things you’ve all got away with. After all, you’ll still be doing this over tea and cake even when you’re old and grey. Here are some great locations that will suit the mood.
7. The Gallery at Sketch Parlor
Highlights: Themed dining rooms with Afternoon Tea served in the Gallery, also known as the Pink Room; apricot tartlets with gold leaf centre; raspberry flumps; gianduja Chocolate éclairs; comté cheese toastie
Website Price: ££££
Address: 9 Conduit Street, London W1S 2XG
Nearest Tube Station: Oxford Circus
Sitting Times: 1pm – 6pm every day
Halal Status: Pork is on the menu but can be replaced with vegetarian and seafood upon request.
8. Bake-a-Boo
Highlights: Unlimited tea throughout; Boo’s vanilla cupcakes; chocolate-dipped strawberries; mini brownies; shortbread biscuits;
Website Price: ££
Address: 86 Mill Lane, Greater London NW66 1NL
Nearest Tube Station: West Hampstead
Sitting Times: 12pm – 6pm Sunday to Friday; 10am – 6pm Saturday
Halal Status: Vegetarian, vegan and dairy-, gluten-, wheat- and sugar-free options available; request upon booking 24 hours in advance with a non-refundable 50% deposit
9. Prêt-à-Portea at the Berkeley
Highlights: Features the Fashionista’s Afternoon Tea inspired by the world’s finest designers; savoury skewers; taster spoons; canapés and tea sandwiches; selection of cakes and fancies in the colours of the fashion season and the style of the likes of Dolce & Gabbana, Fendi, Moschino and Valentino
Price: ££££
Address: Wilton Place, London SW1X 7RL
Nearest Tube Station: Knightsbridge
Sitting Times: 1.45pm – 5.30pm Monday to Thursday; 1pm – 5.30pm Friday to Sunday
Reservation: 90 days in advance only
Halal Status: Gluten and nut-free options can be catered for; the halal menu requires a 24-hour notice
A memorable teatime off the beaten path
Have you got the taste of a connoisseur and have a preference for artisanal, quirky and contemporary fare? Life’s too short to fly with the flock. Go your own way and pick from these choices that will give you an experience your taste buds will remember for a while.
10. OXO Tower Restaurant
Highlights: Not Afternoon Tea selection features whimsical dessert plates that changes with the season ; Overlooks the River Thames with panoramic views of the London skyline.
Price: ££
Address: Oxo Tower Wharf, Barge House Street, London SE1 9PH
Nearest Tube Station: Southwark
Sitting Times: 3pm – 5pm Sunday to Friday; 2pm – 4.30pm Saturdays
Halal Status: Vegetarian and vegan menu available; halal upon request at booking. No meats are served in the Not Afternoon Tea Selection but some cakes may be infused with alcohol. Not Afternoon Tea comes with a cocktail – switch it out for a refreshing mocktail instead
11. Drink, Shop and Do
Highlights: Afternoon Tea is served with a choice of Dos such as making Fabric Corsages, 1920s Headbands, Hen Party Sashes, Pearl Bracelets, or Balloon Bending; finger sandwiches on fancy bread; savoury scone with herb butter; miniature cakes
Price: ££
Address: 9 Caledonian Road, London N1 9DX
Nearest Tube Station: King’s Cross
Sitting Times: Tea time every day upon booking
Halal Status: Vegetarian, vegan and gluten- and dairy-free menu available. Advanced booking with a non-refundable booking is required.
12. One Aldwych
Highlights: Afternoon Tea inspired but Charlie and the Chocolate Factory; golden chocolate egg filled with vanilla cheesecake and mango; homemade candy floss; gingerbread cake pops; Eton Mess
Price: £££
Address: 1 Aldwych, London WC2B 4BZ
Nearest Tube Station: Covent Garden
Sitting Times: 12.30pm – 3.30pm Monday to Saturday and 12.30pm – 4.30pm on Sunday
Halal Status: Only one of the five sandwich options contains beef which can be swapped out for a pescatarian alternative
A humble cuppa, the local way
If you’re on a budget, don’t fret! You can still enjoy this British custom without breaking the bank. Here are some tearooms where you can enjoy a whole Afternoon Tea experience on a shoestring.
13. The Orangery @ the Fan Museum
Highlights: Part of the Fan Museum set in a beautiful Georgian townhouse; chocolate brownies with white chocolate chunks
Price: £ plus entry into the Fan Museum
Address: 12 Crooms Hill, Greenwich, London SE10 8ER
Nearest Tube Station: Cutty Sark
Sitting Times: 1.45pm, 2.15pm, 3.15pm, 3.35pm on Tuesdays and Sundays (booking strongly advised) and between 12.30pm and 4.30pm Fridays and Saturdays (no bookings taken)
Halal Status: Afternoon tea is desserts only.
14. Gallery Mess at Saatchi Gallery
Highlights: Located within the Saatchi Gallery; selection of teas from Tea Palace; macarons; chocolate tart; strawberry cream cupcake
Price: £
Address: Duke of York’s HQ, King’s Road, London SW3 4RY
Nearest Tube Station: Sloane Square S
itting Times: 2.30pm – 6.00pm daily
Halal Status: No halal meat but pescatarian (i.e. seafood) options available
15. Orange Pekoe
Highlights: Choose between the cheaper cream tea set of the full Afternoon Tea set; choice of cakes and sandwiches; large selection of tea; warm plain or sultana scones
Price: £
Address: 3 White Hart Lane, London SW13 0PX
Nearest Tube Station: Barnes Bridge (Rail)
Sitting Times: Between 2pm – 5pm daily Halal Status: Ham is not usually served with sandwiches but do double check with the waiter to confirm. Enjoy!