London’s Best Festive Afternoon Teas For 2024

Afternoon tea is a treat any day of the year, but it’s particularly magical come Christmas time, when hotels and restaurants give their offerings a festive twist. Finger sandwiches are jazzed up with seasonal flavours (think turkey, smoked salmon and truffle), pastries are given an extra sparkle and mince pies are added into the mix. And, of course, there’s all the more reason to drink lots of champagne. But where to find the capital’s finest offerings? Read on for the C&TH pick of London’s best festive afternoon teas for 2024.

Christmas Afternoon Teas In London

The Lanesborough’s Festive Bridgerton Afternoon Tea

Dearest gentle readers: we have word on the social event not to be missed this season. Knightsbridge hotel The Lanesborough is giving its Bridgerton-inspired afternoon tea a festive twist, themed around the hit Netflix show. Served in the glitzy Regency-inspired dining room, the offering begins with finger sandwiches including roast Norfolk turkey, chestnut and sage; and truffled egg mayonnaise. On the sweet side, diners can enjoy pastries named after characters from the series – from Colin’s Travels to The Book of Eloise. All this can be paired with cocktails plus a specially created Bridgerton blend of tea. Lady Whistledown would approve.

When? 13 November 2024 – 8 January 2025

How much? £98pp with a festive cocktail or £105pp with a glass of champagne

BOOK: oetkercollection.com

The Adria’s Nutcracker Afternoon Tea

Tchaikovsky’s ballet The Nutcracker has long been associated with Christmas, so it’s fitting that it’s also the inspiration for a new festive afternoon tea at Kensington hotel The Adria. Located moments away from the Royal Albert Hall, where the show is performed each year, it’s perfectly placed for a pre-theatre treat. The menu is made up of whimsical sweet and savoury treats themed around the ballet, kicking off with open sandwiches like Drosselmeyer’s smoked salmon with creme fraiche, dill, Avruga caviar and brioche. Pastry highlights, meanwhile, include sugar plum fairy macarons and a red velvet mini gateau topped with snowflakes. Topped off with music from The Nutcracker, it’s the ultimate festive experience for ballet (and cake) lovers.

When? 29 November 2024 – 5 January 2025

How much? From £59pp

BOOK: theadria.com

(c) Paul Winch-Furness

Jumeirah Carlton Tower’s Festive Afternoon Tea

Afternoon tea is crafted to the highest standard at Jumeirah Carlton Tower, helmed by executive pastry chef Martin Haidar and inspired by Highgrove House and Gardens, King Charles’ private residence. This Christmas, the hotel is shaking up its offering with festive flavours. The experience begins with wild mushroom tartlets, and brie and tomato chutney sandwiches, followed by a selection of scones – plain, sultana, star anise and mushroom (don’t knock it ‘till you’ve tried it). Next up: a delectable spread of patisserie, including the Blackcurrant Mont Blanc, a choux pastry made with chestnut cream, Cranberry Pear Tart, and either Christmas log or Christmas pudding to finish. Pair with a cup of the hotel’s special festive black tea with sweet spice (and a glass of fizz, naturally).

When? 12 November 2024 – 5 January 2025

How much? From £85pp

BOOK: jumeirah.com

JOIA Restaurant & Bar

It’s not just the hotels that can do afternoon tea well: Battersea’s rooftop hotspot JOIA also has a stellar offering this year. While soaking up impressive views of the city, guests will be treated to sandwiches including turkey with cranberry sauce and watercress, and smoked salmon with cream cheese, ahead of scones – both classic and cranberry, served with mulled wine jam and clotted cream. The sweet treats will bring all the festive feels: there’s sherry trifle tart, chocolate and orange cinnamon mousse, and a pear and pecan gingerbread choux bun. Enjoy alongside an extensive selection of teas, a glass of Telmont champagne, or the De Nata cocktail made with Havana 7, toasted milk, vanilla custard and Christmas spices. Pop in after a spot of Christmas shopping in Battersea Power Station.

When? Available now on weekends

How much? From £55pp

BOOK: joiabattersea.co.uk

The Dorchester

The Dorchester really comes alive during the Christmas season, with its majestic 15ft Nordmann spruce welcoming guests in the lobby – and it’s set to look extra beautiful this year thanks to decor from in-house designer Philip Hammond. Served in the Promenade, its afternoon tea is one of London’s best, and is always given a festive spin around this time of year. Think finger sandwiches of Severn and Wye smoked salmon, and Dorrington ham with burnt orange, alongside a mulled pear, spiced beetroot and brie tart. Follow with scones before getting stuck into the pastries, made by executive pastry chef Michael Kwan: for 2024 there’s a pistachio choux bun, and spiced fruit tart, among others. Enjoy alongside rare teas from The Dorchester’s extensive collection, and a glass of Veuve Clicquot Yellow Label Brut Champagne – made all the better with live music.

When? Weekends throughout the season

How much? From £125pp 

BOOK: dorchestercollection.com

(c) Jack Hardy

Corinthia London

With its Baccarat crystal chandelier, piano melodies and Richard Brendon hand-painted china, you’ll struggle to find a prettier afternoon tea setting than Corinthia London. Cakes are appetisingly presented on a trolley which is wheeled from table to table – and these are even better come Christmas time. First up is the savoury side though: enjoy sandwiches filled with hot smoked salmon and juniper, turkey and parmesan emulsion, and egg mayonnaise with truffle, ahead of a selection of plain and sultana scones. Follow these with seasonal desserts like Black Forest Gâteau, Tahitian Vanilla Snow Globe, and Plum and Amaretto Tartlet. Feeling extra luxurious? Add the caviar course for a casual £150.

When? 15 November 2024 – 5 January 2025

How much? From £95pp

BOOK: corinthia.com