From curry houses in Brick Lane to Michelin‑star tables in Mayfair, the city packs endless flavours into one day. Historic Tea Rooms in London complete the picture. Weekday workers grab bao buns beside river bankers, while late‑night diners queue for fresh bagels. Every block feels like a short trip abroad, yet the accent floating above remains cheerfully local.
Centuries of trade built this pantry. Romans marched in with herbs. Dutch boats later landed with cocoa. By 1652 coffee houses stood side by side along the Strand. Heated debate, fresh news, and stock deals brewed above steaming cups.
Tea soon replaced coffee on fine tables. Anna, Duchess of Bedford, asked for bread and tea at four o’clock to fill the gap before late dinner. Friends copied her habit. Hotels spotted the chance and turned the pause into an event, complete with scones and cakes.
Today, afternoon tea still draws locals and visitors together. Classic tearooms share the ritual with new twists, from vegan menus to skyline views. The next sections tour eight historic rooms that pour three centuries of skill into every pot. Bring your appetite and keep your camera ready.
Twinings on the Strand—The Original Tea Rooms in London
A small white shopfront at 216 Strand pulls tea lovers inside. A golden lion sits above the door. Thomas Twining opened the shop in 1706. He sold loose-leaf tea to ladies who could not enter the nearby coffee houses.
Step inside today and find one of the most historic Tea Rooms in London, still trading on its first site. Glass jars line dark wooden shelves. Each jar carries a simple label and an even simpler promise: pure tea, no fuss. Staff guide guests to try custom blends at the tasting bar.
A tiny back room shows portraits, old ledgers, and an early tea price list. You can trace how tax cuts in 1784 lifted tea from luxury to daily habit. The exhibit takes five minutes yet gives sharp context for every sip.
Finish with the ‘Golden Lyon’ black tea, exclusive to the shop. Pick up small tins to carry home. The site sits between Covent Garden and Temple, so it fits neatly into a morning walk before bigger hotel teas later in the day.
Kensington Palace Orangery—A Regal from Tea Rooms in London
Queen Anne ordered the Orangery in 1704 to shelter citrus trees and host summer parties. Tall windows flood the hall with soft light, and many guests call it the prettiest among Tea Rooms in London.
Chefs here lean on garden produce. Expect elderflower cream, rose‑petal jam, and warm scones whose scent drifts down the terrace. The ‘Queen Caroline’ cake layers orange zest with almond. Guests often linger outside among lime trees planted when George II ruled.
After tea, walk the short gravel path to Kensington Palace. The building once raised Princess Victoria and now shows her dresses. Music fans can time a visit with free summer concerts nearby.
Book the last seating at 3:45 pm for gentle light in your photos. The Orangery sits two stops from our Royal London food tour meeting point. A sweet high‑tea pairs well with savoury bites on the tour later.
Brown’s Drawing Room, the Literary Tea Rooms in London
Brown’s Hotel opened in 1837 and welcomed writers, rulers, and explorers to one of the grandest Tea Rooms in London. Agatha Christie wrote here. Alexander Graham Bell made Europe’s first phone call from room 36. The Drawing Room still keeps green walls, grand mirrors, and a crackling fire in winter.
Tea service starts with a trolley piled high with cakes. Waiters explain each item with calm pride, then pour the house Assam blend. Clotted cream from Cornwall lands beside still‑warm scones. A live pianist fills pauses with jazz standards.
Outside, Mayfair’s narrow lanes hide fashion houses and old pubs. After tea, you can browse the Royal Academy, only five minutes away on foot. Our Mayfair food tour also meets close by, so you can move smoothly from sweet to savoury.
Reserve at least six weeks ahead for weekend sittings. Ask for a sofa seat by the fireplace in cool months. For summer visits, choose the window tables and watch people walk past.
Gilded Glamour: Tea at The Ritz and The Savoy
Few addresses say ‘special occasion’ like The Ritz or The Savoy, two celebrated Tea Rooms in London. At both hotels, a pianist greets every seating. Heavy drapes soften sound, mirrors bounce gentle light, and staff carry silver teapots with steady hands.
The Ritz demands jackets for men and bright smiles for cameras. Tea arrives on fine china painted in peach tones. Sandwiches land in two rounds, fresh to keep bread soft. Ask for extra lemon drizzle cake; servers never refuse.
The Savoy sits beside the Thames, so tables under the glass dome catch daylight well into winter. A small band sometimes joins the pianist and lifts the mood. Champagne upgrades cost less at the early noon sitting, a good tip for budget watchers.
Both hotels open reservations on the first of each month for dates six months ahead. Slots go fast, yet weekday afternoons often stay free longest. Book those times if you travel last minute.
Plot Your Historic Tea Crawl
Plan west to east to save time. Start at Kensington Palace for a late morning tea. Next, ride the Piccadilly line to Green Park and walk to Brown’s. After a short pause, cross Piccadilly Circus to reach The Ritz or Fortnum’s. End the day on the Strand with Twinings and, if energy allows, The Savoy.
Allow at least two hours for each seating. This pace lets you enjoy the food and keeps queues low. Use contactless cards on the Tube for quick hops. Walking between Mayfair spots takes ten minutes, so you may skip cabs.
Spread bookings across two days if you want to try full menus. Another option: order one tea per table and share. Many hotels allow that during off‑peak slots. Check menus online for dietary notes before you pay.
Carry a small bottle of water and walk between stops to balance the sugar. Also pack a portable charger; you will take many photos. Finally, bring a tote bag for loose-leaf purchases along the way.
Etiquette, Dress Codes & Booking Hacks
Smart casual works for most rooms. Men should wear jackets at The Ritz and The Goring; a tie stays optional. Skip sports tops, logo hoodies, and ripped jeans. Women choose dresses, skirts, or neat trousers. A light sweater covers shoulders in winter. Comfort helps when you sit for two hours.
Use tongs for sugar cubes. Break scones by hand, never with a knife, then spread jam first in London style. Stir tea in a gentle back‑and‑forth motion to avoid clinks. Raise only the cup, not the saucer, unless you stand. Mute your phone and keep it face down.
Set calendar alerts for release days. The Savoy posts tables six months ahead at midnight UK time. Brown’s and Claridge’s release three months out, usually at 9 am. Call reservations if online slots show full; staff often spot late cancellations. Weekday sittings after 3 pm stay easier to grab.
Service charge often sits on the bill at 12.5 percent. Add five percent more for standout care, and tip cloakroom staff a pound per coat. Cash tips reach waiters fastest. If the room brings bottled water by default, you may politely decline to avoid extra cost.
Sip and Snack with Secret Food Tours
After visiting Tea Rooms in London, you might want a wider bite of the city. Our London food tours lead small groups through must-visit food spots in the city.
Each stop brings a tasting picked that morning—fresh cheese at Borough Market, flaky pastry in Soho, or a surprise sweet in Shoreditch. Guides live close to these streets. They share quick facts, point out small details, and answer every question.
Group size stays cosy, so you hear each story and never wait long to eat. Meeting points vary by route and appear on your ticket. Tours run several times a week, often in the afternoon and early evening.
Check the schedule online, choose the neighbourhood that fits your plans, and reserve soon. We look forward to exploring London’s flavours with you.