Valentine’s 2022: Instagrammable Afternoon Teas to Feast Your Eyes On
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3 years ago
Scones and cakes and tea, oh my!
A quintessential British tradition (believed to date back to the 1800s), afternoon tea is a feast for the eyes as much as the stomach. Now, in the age of TikTok and Instagram, the country’s top hotels, restaurants, patisseries and parlours have taken to creating spreads almost too beautiful to eat – because one must photograph their meal before eating. From Peggy Porschen’s romance-themed selection to The Lane’s Regency spread, get snapping at these Instagrammable afternoon teas.
Instagrammable Afternoon Teas to Feast Your Eyes On
Peggy Porschen
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Love birds, get ready. Peggy Porschen has launched its ‘Love Is In The Air’ Valentine’s afternoon tea to celebrate the month of love. Prepare to be swept off your feet with fluffy scones, classic finger sandwiches, chocolate, raspberry and rose cupcakes and passion fruit meringue tartlets. We’ll see you on cloud nine. £45 per person. peggyporschen.com
The Ritz
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With perhaps one of the most romantic settings in London, The Ritz is a top contender for Valentine’s outings. Taking place in the hotel’s former Ballroom, afternoon tea is nothing short of a fancy affair (if the setting doesn’t convince you, the live musical ensemble sure will). On the menu, guests will find a selection of sandwiches, freshly baked scones and a range of pastries and teacakes – replenished on request, of course. The Ritz’s certified Tea Master, Giandomenico Scanu, has also curated an impressive selection of teas to complement the experience. From £62 for adults and £40 for children. theritzlondon.com
The Lane
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Situated in the newly reopened Theatre Royal Drury Lane, The Lane has become quite the hotspot for theatre lovers. Its Regency Afternoon Tea menu was created by artisan baker and cake designer Lily Vanilli, who has been turning heads since 2008 with her beautifully ornate confectionaries. Her takeover of The Lane is no different, as she interweaves key features from the theatre’s new interior with Regency aesthetics to create a menu fit for any duke or duchess in the making. Highlights from the menu include sausage rolls, sugar-topped scones and a rich dark chocolate sponge cake decorated with cherubs. £49 for adults and £35 for children. thelane.co.uk
Read our review of The Lane’s Regency Afternoon Tea here
Dalloway Terrace
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Dalloway Terrace has unveiled its Spring Afternoon Tea menu just in time for the romantic season, inspired by quintessential classics and created by Head Pastry Chef (and Afternoon Tea of the Year Finalist) Chris Dodd. Guests can expect an array of delights, from Tahitian vanilla and lemon scones and rose and almond sponge, to a selection of savoury sandwiches and champagne. From £35 per person, served daily from 1pm – 4pm. dallowayterrace.com
Fortnum & Mason
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Fortnum & Mason has been running its Tea Salon for over 300 years, but 2022 will see the luxury department store celebrate Her Majesty with the Diamond Jubilee Tea Salon. Named in the Queen’s honour back in 2012, the space salutes timeless afternoon tea traditions through its menu. Think smoked salmon sandwiches, fruit scones and patisseries inspired by seasonal ingredients. A true British classic. From £70 per person. fortnumandmason.com
The Berkeley
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The Berkeley’s Prêt-à-Portea afternoon tea is back with its Spring ’22 collection, serving up sweet treats straight from the fashion world. Perfect for fashionistas with a sweet tooth, guests can expect to find cakes and biscuits inspired by iconic runway creations by the likes of Isabel Marant, Valentino, and Versace. Look out for the Anna Wintour vanilla biscuit, complete with signature bob and sunglasses piped in royal icing. 11 – 14 February 2022, from £79 per person. the-berkeley.co.uk
Hotel Café Royal
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‘Traditional or contemporary, the choice is yours…’ says Hotel Café Royal. The hotel’s Van Gogh Afternoon Tea blends the best of art and confectionary to immerse guests in a world of creativity, serving cakes and sweets decorated in miniature masterpieces. Served in partnership with The Immersive Experience, the menu features The Starry Night (pink grapefruit compote and orange marmalade), Vase with Twelve Sunflowers (sunflower seed praline and salted caramel), and the Van Gogh Self-Portrait (pecan crunchy and coffee mousse). This Valentine’s, you can spoil your lover with afternoon tea for two with champagne for a reduced rate of £130. From £65 per person, served Thursday to Sunday from July 22nd 2021 until 5 January 2022. hotelcaferoyal.com
Cutter & Squidge
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Fancy a bit of magic this Valentine’s Day? Fondly dubbed the best afternoon tea in Soho, Cutter & Squidge spent the majority of lockdown delivering its teatime offering to homes across the UK while its bakery remained closed to visitors. The bakery is ready to open its doors again with an immersive afternoon tea experience in The Potion Room. For fans of magic, tea, and cake, this is an experience you won’t want to miss. From £49.50 per adult and £39.50 per child. cutterandsquidge.com
Céleste, The Lanesborough
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Céleste restaurant has partnered with world-famous Belgravia bakery Peggy Porschen to bring guests the Peggy Porschen Afternoon Tea – and this February it comes with a romantic spin. Full of flowery details, pastel hues, and sugary delights, the afternoon tea is a celebration of everything feminine and fairytale. Sweet highlights include Peggy’s pink pavlova, lemon and elderflower tartlets, and cherry and chocolate chip cupcakes. £71 per person with a Belgravia Bloom cocktail. oetkercollection.com
Rosewood London
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If you’re special someone is an art lover, this is the afternoon tea for them. Voted as the best contemporary afternoon tea in the UK, Rosewood’s Kusama Art Afternoon Tea is an exploration of Japanese artist Yayoi Kusama’s current exhibition at Tate Modern. Combining Japanese flavours and French patisserie, the food combines bright colours and bold patterns to reflect the work of the artist. Highlights include All My Love For Tulips, Dots Obsession Soul Of Pumpkin, and Flowers That Bloom at Midnight. From £65 per person. rosewoodhotels.com
Featured image: Getty Images
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