Afternoon Tea at Corinthia London

A really good afternoon tea demands a certain level of luxury, and happily we’ve found one that fits the bill in the Corinthia London’s offering. Served in the hotel’s comfortable Crystal Moon Lounge, the tea here is worth taking your time over. Unwind under the central crystal chandelier while enjoying the comfy armchairs and the tinkling of piano music in the background.

We’d suggest you delight in a leisurely perusal of the tempting menu while settling into your surrounds, happy in the knowledge that you won’t be made to pick between any of the best bits. Your decision-making will extend to what you fancy to drink and no further. All guests are served the same seasonally changing selection of finger sandwiches, scones and sweet dainties, with special substitutions made for dietary requirements.

Of the drinks you’ll have the choice of various specially selected house tea blends which include fruity, floral serves and more traditional options. You’re welcome to mix and match, trying a few different infusions, or if your sweet tooth knows no bounds the team can also swiftly rustle you up a decadently rich hot chocolate.

The sandwich selection might throw up pairings like egg mayonnaise and truffle or tandoori chicken with green apple and raisins. Scones are delivered warm and buttery from the oven and come accompanied by lashing of clotted cream and homemade jams. If, like us, you’re mainly at an afternoon tea for the patisserie work then you won’t be disappointed. The in-house pastry chefs have meticulously honed their craft so as to be able to present guests with the most beautiful edible works of art. The treats are wheeled around on a trolley for you to pick from and without a maximum limit enforced things could take a pretty dangerous sugar-fuelled turn here.

Light mousses, delicate macaroons and airy choux buns might all feature, while our favourite was the playful marshmallow lengths which are wound up inside glass apothecary jars to be snipped into fruit flavoured sections tableside by unhurried and charming staff and gulped down with childlike delight.

We’re of the opinion that if you’re going to do afternoon tea, it’s a tradition that’s worth doing right. Corinthia London is a hotel that really understands the elegance of the perfect afternoon tea and over the years, has perfected a sumptuous menu, refined environment and design-led space to host its guests.

You’ll find the Corinthia London hotel in one of London’s most historic areas, nestled in the heart of Whitehall, just a stone’s throw from the river. After a decadent welcome, the team will usher you into the magical-sounding Crystal Moon Lounge, decorated in elegant cream and gold, studded with lounge seating and boasting a jaw-dropping design feature: a huge, shimmering light fixture glowing with 1,001 Baccarat crystals.

Whether it be a birthday, anniversary, Mother’s Day or perhaps a baby shower or pre-wedding celebration for the bride, this stunning lounge is the perfect place for afternoon tea and clinking a glass of Champagne. Afternoon tea is served every day of the week.

The afternoon tea menu is seasonal, with different foodie creations from spring to summer, autumn to winter. First off, why not treat yourself to the caviar course, with Oscietra or Beluga caviar served with blinis and sour cream, alongside a glass of Bollinger Special Cuvée Champagne.

Moving onto the classic finger sandwiches, there are fillings like Secret Smokehouse salmon with dill crème fraîche on malted bread, alongside heartier options like marinated roast beef and horseradish on onion bread, plus a Tunworth and spiced plum tart. Both plain and sultana scones can be enjoyed with organic strawberry jam, elderflower and lemon curd and Cornish clotted cream, followed by a flurry of seasonal desserts. Think caramelised apple and speculoos biscuit, dark chocolate and salted caramel choux, and fig tart.