Title pretty much says it all. My wife and I will be in London around Thanksgiving. I've read all about tea in the Fodors books, but would like to get some feeback based on real life experience.

I'd like an incredibly memorable experience. What's the best place to have ones first (and only) tea serving in London?

Any of the grand hotels - they pretty much all do a fine (and mostly memorable) afternoon tea.

The grand daddy is the Ritz. Amazing room, wonderful service (some will say stuffy - but I'll bet those folks haven't actually had tea there).

But any of the 5 star hotels will have afternoon tea

You can book most of them on line (booking is needed) www.theritzlondon.com/tea/index.asp

There are other lovely places to have tea for a LOT less money - but for the experience you can't beat the Ritz.

BTW - if you choose a late seating you will not need dinner - it is a great thing to do before a play. Go from tea to the theatre and then maybe have a late snack afterwards.

Hi md,

>I'd like an incredibly memorable experience.<

What's your budget?

The Savoy is pretty wonderful.

My vote would be for Claridges. The key thing is to book as far in advance as you can. Tea at any of the major 5* hotels are booked up well in advance. Also, although not for tea, I would also recommend a meal at The Wolseley. This is a beautiful restaurant, open for breakfast, lunch and dinner. I always take out-of-towners and they always love it (service can be erratic but as long as you're not in a rush, you can just relax and enjoy the ambiance).

Thanks for the replies so far.

Ira, my budget is 50 pounds per. That seems to be reasonable for a good serving doesn't it?

In past years I would have recommended Brown's Hotel, but since it's been renovated I haven't heard from anyone about whether the tea lounge has changed. From the pictures I've seen of the rooms I suspect the lounge is now bland modern, however.

So...another place to consider is the Dorchester, although I do think the Ritz is special.

Afternoon tea is probably roughly the same in all the top hotels, I mean you can't do much damage with sandwiches or scones but the Ritz setting is fabulous & everybody's all dressed up, it really is very special.

Underhill...my Mom and I did tea at Browns in May and and the tea lounge is definitely not bland/modern! It was our first time going to tea in all the years we have been going to London....so, of course, we have nothing to compare it to...but, I can tell you the setting is very elegant! We thoroughly enjoyed ourselves...service was wonderful....definitely something I would go back and do again!

Hello - I am a Londoner born and bred - so perhaps I can help.

Other than the big hotels - all fine, I suggest you go to the 4th floor of the Fortnum&mason store on Piccadilly. They do a very nice tea, piano playing etc.
Still not cheap, but better than the Ritz which is not as good as it should be for the price.. The Wolseley is just along the same block, but really not in the same league. Vy nice for morning coffee .......

Hey, what if don't don't like tea? Could you get coffee substitued at one of these fancy places? I don't like tea, but I would get coffee if I could.

What do they do at these places, like the Ritz? Do they have a buffet? Do they have entertainment? What are you getting for all the moolah you are shelling out?

Someone should come up with the idea of having tea while you get a manicure or a pedicure at Ritz/Savoy/Claridges. That would probably go over big time.

Christine

A bit yucky for everyone else in the tea-room though.

I am SO glad to hear from someone who's been to Brown's for tea! The original rooms were so English-country-house that I hated the thought of their being updated. Thanks for the report.

I guess I should also have asked: what is the dress code for all of the top places? I'd not planned on taking along a sport coat. I typically travel with pants (not jeans), sporty tennies and dress shirts. Will I make it past the reception stand?

From their websites (isn't google a wonderful thing

Ritz: "The Ritz London has a formal dress code in its public areas. Gentlemen are requested to wear a jacket and tie when using The Palm Court or The Ritz Restaurant. Jeans and/or training shoes are not permitted in these areas."

Savoy: "Smart casual attire"

Claridges: "Smart attire is required."

In other words - tennies are out and you need to clean up a bit. . . . .

Besides - you want "an incredibly memorable experience" which sounds to me you mean upmarket anyway . . . .

I love St. Martin-in -the-Fields church on Trafalgar Sq. If you go around the corner you can find some steps leading into the crypt. Inside you`ll find a coffee shop with a nice selection of dishes including deserts like apple crumble, yummy! The lighting is lovely and they play classical music to create a wonderful atmosphere. It is right in the centre so a great place to relax for an hour.

You can also do brass-rubbing, or buy some lovely souvenirs in the shop. If you are lucky they`ll have a small art exhibition at the time you go.

Thanks folks. If we end up taking the clothes we'll likely do the Ritz. Perhaps the Fortnam is a bit more 'casual' since it is in a dept. store though.

I sent an email to Fortnums and they were kind enough to send a Word document with details on their tea sittings. This was included:

"Dress in smart casual. Gentlemen are advised to wear long trousers."

My long trousers will be casual Docker's style pants (though not dockers) and shoes will be like the link below (though I didn't pay nearly that much for them).

http://tinyurl.com/gthx5

Think this meets Fortnum's definition? Probably not the Ritz for sure but perhaps Fortnums?

You'll be fine for Fortnum & Mason. I actually saw a lady in jeans. But she was also wearing very stylish boots, a blazer and a beautiful scarf..just saying she looked really nice. I really enjoyed having tea there. The tea and food were good, it was a lovely way to close out a great day of site seeing and shopping, and fed us nicely before going to the theater. We didn't have to rush through a dinner and ate after the show was over.

What does everyone think about "The Orangery" at Kensington Palace?