anna

We are going to London in January and my fiance keeps on wanting to have afternoon tea somewhere so i decided to surprise him and find locations if anyone knows a great afternoon tea place please let me know
thanks guys

Nancy

The Ritz Hotel is the most famous. YOu need to make a reservation. Check their website. The Savoy might be another good choice.

ny

anna:
While there this past fall, we went to the Ritz (LOVED it) and Browns'. (liked it)
I did all my reservations over the internet.

Do a searth for "afternoon tea in London"
You'll get dozens of ideas. Have fun!!

Patrick

My personal opinion of tea at The Ritz was that it was a major production -- everything too polished and a big deal. The day we did it, the whole place was mainly filled with group tours. Reservations were checked and rechecked and we felt we were on a schedule -- everything happened like clockwork.

Tea at Brown's was so civilized and so relaxing -- the original idea of tea, I believe. We weren't rushed and timed, but sat for a couple of hours on wonderfully comfortable overstuffed chintz sofas and damask chairs while they brought us more and more goodies to go with our tea. I loved it.

pscaltreto

I would highly recommend Brown's. I made reservations via email before we went last April (someone on this board had suggested I contact them beforehand). Brown's responded within a very short period of time. It was a nice experience; not something you usually do but still a very nice experience. My son (19) said it was one of his favorite parts of our trip and would definitely do it again.

mimi taylor

I agree, that my choice is also Brown's
you won't see as much tour groups.

Mina

If you want cozy, as others have mentioned, go to Brown's. I had a nice time. Plus there's no way I would have survived the Ritz! (way too glitzy for a gal like me.)

virginia

Here's another vote for Brown's. During the week, they have two seatings -- 3p.m. and 5:30 p.m. We took the 5:30 seating, enjoyed our tea then on to a concert by candlelight at St. Martin in the Fields.

Some on this board consider this a totally touristy thing to do. They are absolutely right. And I am definitely a tourist who has been making tea at Brown's part of my regular London trip for almost 20 years.

A word of warning: this is not a budget experience. Tea for two with tip can easily set you back 80 bucks.

Enjoy your trip.

Ira

Hi Anna,
Brown's is my first choice for a splurge.
A less expensive, less luxurious, but still nice place is Harrod's.

Eye Spy

Anna, I really like Richoux near the Palace of St. James and very close to the Ritz. It's very cosy, Edwardian in interior style with reddish walls, nice lighting, mirrors, paintings, the waitresses are in Edwardian costume (not tacky though) and the prices/service were excellent.

James

For more options than you may wish to deal with, check http://www.gofortea.com/

Anna

Thank you all; we made reservations at Brown's and we are looking forward to it.

f.j.

If you like the afternoon tea experience enough to repeat it, a reasonable and charming location is Fortnum & Mason, the dept. store. They have a tea mezzanine at the end of the Food Hall and it's quite nice. The Food Hall is not quite Harrod's, but also not quite so overwhelming.

ceejay_ky

I had tea at the Lanesborough Hotel. They let me in even in jeans, although most people were dressed a little nicer. Very kind to a first-time "tea-er". A wonderful experience, even if it was the touristy thing to do. About 25 pounds.