stormbird

My travel buddy and I like to have a high tea where we can, on our travels. Such as the Peninsula Hotel in Hong Kong and the Windsor Hotel in Melbourne etc.

So we would like a recommendation for London. There seem to be actually quite a lot once you start looking but what is it to be - The Ritz? The Dorchester? Or something completely different. I think for us the High Tea is largely atmosphere so any recommendations would be appreciated thanks.

mimipam

Hi storm, I chose the Ritz and it was great. As a matter of fact, we skipped dinner after we had this "meal." Others on this board will give different recommendations. You can do a search and find opinions. Happy travels.

cafegoddess

I like the Lanesborough.

stormbird

Hi cafegoddess - would you mind sharing why you prefer the Lanesborough?

sheila

I say this not to be pedantic but to help in your researches. It's AFTERNOON tea, not HIGH tea. High tea is a meal with meat and 2 veg.

There are a lot of threads on here about this subject already, and a wee search might provide heaps of info.

A new option for you:- we had afternoon tea at the Wallace Collection- a delightful museum in Marylebone- last month and it was lovely. The house from which the building has been converted, has had its courtyard roofed and it has the effect of creasting a large light conservatory. The tea was nice too.

stormbird

Hi Sheila,
You are absolutely right of course. Thanks for clarifying that for me. Definitely after Afternoon Tea.

I made a little blunder and have posted this twice basically (don't ask)and there are some replies on the other thread.

Thanks for your help Sheila and yes I have popped 'afternoon tea' in to the search box with great results.

I'm tasting that clotted cream and scones already!!!

Piedmont_Phil

I would second the Ritz as a great afternoon tea experience. No need for dinner afterwards!

mrs_p

Call me old fashioned...but afternoon tea at the Fountain Restaurant in Fortnum's (Fortnum & Mason in Piccadilly) is THE treat. The Ritz is really FOR tourists - though not bad in its way.
And yes - 'High Tea' is an entirely different afffair.

blightyboy

Another vote for F&M, other places by thier nature (HOTELS) are very often tourist orientated, NOT F&M

taggie

I've had afternoon tea at several spots in London - most recently at the Ritz. Frankly I preferred the Lanesborough. It was less costly and the quality of food was just as good. The setting was prettier, IMO. Not as much of an "event", but better value.

NeoPatrick

Whenever this question comes up Brown's used to be a top contender (and certainly my personal favorite). Brown's was closed for a year or more and since then I've not heard a single report. Is it as good as it used to be? What I loved about it, was little groups of chintz covered sofas and comfy chairs -- more like little drawing room vignettes instead of dining table and chair arrangements. Not to mention their sandwiches and pastries were really wonderful and abundant.

TeaLoverDenise

For something new, you might want to try the Prêt-à-Portea at The Berkeley: http://tinyurl.com/qblrk

A friend of mine was just there and said it was awesome. And definitely different.

Let us know where you decided to go!

Dottee

I was in London with a travel group two years ago and several ladies in the group mentioned that they had been to "High Tea" at Harrod's and had a wonderful experience. Since I didn't know the difference in the teas (until just now) I only accepted their word for it. But either way, they were impressed.

daph

We had afternoon tea at Brown's Hotel last August. Have had tea there several times before, when it was so charmingly English. It has been modernized now and on top of the high price for tea a large [not discretionary] tip was added [not mentioned in the guides]. We had a wonderful tea at the Dorchester and also the Lanesborough, both with lovely piano music. Brown's doesn't have that but the upscale Claridge does. No need for dinner after one of these but on our last trip I drank too much tea, not decafinated, and had in somnia.

Carrybean

I thoroughly enjoy tea in the Georgian Room at Harrods so agree with Dottee's friends. It was worth every bit of the £ 19.95 charged.