Afternoon tea is a quintessentially British experience. The dainty finger sandwiches, the clotted cream scones, the adorable little sweet treats… It’s a uniquely lavish affair that we’ve become quite fond of as a country. Despite its regal elegance, enjoying afternoon tea doesn’t have to come with a hefty price tag. There are plenty of affordable afternoon teas in London - you just have to know where to find them.
London’s best affordable afternoon teas are about saving, not skimping. You can still have all of the little luxuries - a glass of Champers, a beautiful view, attentive table service - without an eye-watering bill at the end. Whether you’re a tourist trying to squeeze an iconic British dining experience into a jam-packed day of sightseeing, or a mother-daughter duo looking for some special bonding time, a reasonably priced afternoon tea in London is a great way to go.
Cheap afternoon teas in London don’t have to be boring either. In this guide, you’ll find all sorts of cuisines, flavours, and theatrics, from Japanese-inspired sushi-style snacks to three-tiered stands dressed up as fictional characters. Of course, you can have traditional afternoon teas at a fair price too, with many of the best classic spots located in some of London’s most prestigious postcodes.
Whether you’re commemorating your recent engagement, celebrating a special wedding anniversary or simply planning a girly day out, we think an affordable afternoon tea in London ticks all the boxes. It's a great way to carve out quality time with a loved one and make life's important milestones feel all the more memorable.
Hunting for wallet-friendly afternoon teas in the capital is no easy task, which is why we’ve done the work for you. Below, you’ll find excellent, inexpensive afternoon tea experiences scattered all over the city. All you have to do is find one you like and make a reservation. Pinkies up!
ROBA Café & Bar, Paddington
![paddington bear themed afternoon tea]()
What: As part of Norfolk Towers Paddington Hotel (just a stone's throw from Paddington station), ROBA Cafe & Bar has designed a playful afternoon tea menu centred around Paddington Bear himself. Sweet and savoury nibbles arrive on a three-tiered stand decorated in Paddington's signature outfit, with treats ranging from fresh strawberry cream slice to warm classic scones and marmalade finger sandwiches - inspired by everyone's favourite furry bear. Kids can join in the action for just £14.95 while adults have the option to add a glass of Prosecco for £5.
How much: £24.95 per person
When: Tuesday to Saturday, 3:30pm-7:30pm
Where: 34 Norfolk Place, W2 1QW
Book now: ROBA Café & Bar
Richoux, Oxford Circus
![French brasserie inspired dining room and afternoon tea with champagne]()
What: Rooted in Parisian cafe culture, this iconic patisserie certainly knows its way around a perfectly flaky pastry and a dainty finger sandwich. Richoux offers both cream tea and afternoon tea, with freshly baked fruit scones and assorted patisseries served alongside a pot of specialty tea. If you've got a cause for celebration, you can also opt for a glass of Champagne to make your afternoon all the more special.
How much: £34.50 per person
When: Monday to Sunday, 12pm-5pm
Where: 14-15 Langham Place, W1B 2QS
Book now: Richoux
Georgian House Hotel, Pimlico
![wizard themed afternoon tea with purple potion]()
What: Tucked away on the back streets of Pimlico, Georgian House is an elegant townhouse restaurant and hotel. Here, afternoon tea takes a wizardly turn, with secret cakes and ghoulish drinks delivered on a jet-black stand amid a fog of smoke. Treats span whipped avocado and smoked salmon tartlets, roast beef and horseradish sandwiches, and vanilla and sultana scones. For the full experience, guests receive their own scroll and potion recipe to follow, with a side of goblin goo (caviar) and optional bottomless Prosecco.
How much: £40 per person
When: Friday to Sunday, 12:30pm-5pm
Where: 35-39 St George’s Drive, SW1V 4DG
Book now: Georgian House Hotel
Cinnamon Bazaar, Covent Garden
![high chai with pot of tea and three tiers of indian snacks]()
What: Kiss goodbye to traditional afternoon tea, and say hello to Cinnamon Bazaar's High Chai. Curated by chef and restaurateur Vivek Singh, the bespoke menu is fizzing with fire and spice, featuring a vibrant array of Bengali-inspired chaats, nibbles and sweets. Enjoy everything from a vegetable samosa chaat to masala fish finger sandwich and a spiced paneer roll. Finish with saffron and pistachio macaron and wash it all down with a pot of Indian masala chai.
How much: £27.50 per person
When: Monday to Sunday, 12pm to 4pm
Where: 28 Maiden Lane, WC2E 7JS
Book now: Cinammon Bazaar
La Bibliotheque, Dalston
![japanese inspired afternoon tea with flutes of champagne]()
What: Blending Mediterranean cuisine with Japanese flavours, La Bibliotheque offers a unique take on traditional afternoon tea. Think bao buns with cured salmon and micro-herbs, crispy focaccia with miso-glazed mushrooms, courgette chocolate cake with sesame tuile and rose cream choux with matcha and pistachio. Plus, you can add a drink of your choosing, including 'Sunshine in a Glass' made with gin, rose and grapefruit, and 'Okinawa' with vodka, cacao and plum. Sounds fun, right?
How much: £40 per person
When: Saturday to Sunday, 12pm-4pm
Where: 325 Kingsland Road, E8 4DL
Book now: La Bibliotheque
The Academy Hotel, Fitzrovia
![asian inspired afternoon tea with waiter pouring a glass of bubbles]()
What: The Academy is one of Bloomsbury's most luxurious hotels and its afternoon tea offering is equally opulent. Inspired by Chinese author Lao She's novel, Mr Ma and Son, this afternoon tea pays homage to the hotel's literary connections to Bloomsbury. Bringing an Asian twist to English High Tea, the menu features traditional finger sandwiches and classic fruit scones alongside egg tarts and sesame dough balls. To drink, choose from a range of teas, a glass of bubbles or a glass of Bloomsbury English sparkling wine.
How much: £38 per person
When: Monday to Friday, 12pm-3pm; Saturday to Sunday, 12pm-5pm
Where: 21 Gower Street, WC1E 6HG
Book now: The Academy Hotel
Maison Francois, St James's
![luxury afternoon tea with petit fours]()
What: Prestigious French brasserie Maison Francois promises a truly special experience when it comes to afternoon tea. Head chef and MasterChef: The Professionals finalist Matthew Ryle has curated a traditional afternoon tea menu with a touch of French flair - expect pull-apart babkas with cream, delicate finger sandwiches, and perfectly formed sweet treats inspired by the famous Maison François dessert trolley. For a luxury experience at an affordable price, this is it.
How much: From £35 per person
When: Monday to Sunday, 2:30pm-5:30pm
Where: 34 Duke Street, SW1Y 6DF
Book now: Maison Francois
Inamo, Covent Garden & Soho
![interactive tables in a restaurant and japanese inspired afternoon tea]()
What: If you love sushi, you'll love Inamo's pan-Asian afternoon tea. Inspired by Japanese cuisine, this dining experience is far from your traditional British flavours. Rather, expect beef gyoza, plum chicken karaage, bang bang cauliflower, and Inamo's signature dragon roll. Don't worry, there are plenty of sweets too, including mini tortes and macarons. Polish it all off with a glass of bubbles, or upgrade to one hour of bottomless fizz to keep the drinks flowing. To add to the experience, the restaurant also has interactive table menus, games, and a 'Chef Cam' for your entertainment.
How much: From £24.95 per person
When: Sunday to Friday, 12pm-5:30pm
Where: 11-14 Hanover Place, WC2E 9JP; 134-136 Wardour Street, W1F 8ZP
Book now: Inamo Covent Garden; Inamo Soho
Blakemore Hyde Park Hotel, Bayswater
![entrance to hotel and traditional afternoon tea with bottle of champagne]()
What: Just moments from Hyde Park, the Blakemore is a glamorous, four-star hotel offering a quintessentially British afternoon tea. Whether you're popping in after a day of sightseeing, planning a special pre-wedding occasion, or visiting the capital on holiday, an afternoon tea at the Blakemore is ideal for soaking up the magic of London. There is a range of afternoon tea menus to choose from, including a King's Guard special, with classic snacks spanning egg and cress sandwiches, red velvet sponge macaron, and scones with clotted cream and jam.
How much: From £29.95 per person
When: Monday to Sunday, 12pm-5:30pm
Where: 30 Leinster Gardens, W2 3AN
Book now: Blakemore Hyde Park Hotel
The Gate at Richmond Harbour Hotel, Richmond
![three tiered afternoon tea with glass of bubbles]()
What: Perched on the edge of Richmond Park, The Gate is a glorious setting to spend a peaceful afternoon. Settle in the main restaurant, or sit outside in the secluded courtyard if the weather permits. A delightful afternoon tea menu dances around savoury bites, like a coronation chicken slider and a pork and sage sausage roll, as well as sweets such as lemon cheesecake and raspberry and pistachio pavlova. Of course, there are fresh scones with clotted cream and berry jam too. And if you fancy a tipple, just ask for a glass of bubbles.
How much: £29.95 per person
When: Monday to Sunday, 2:30pm-5:30pm
Where: Richmond Hill, TW10 6RP
Book now: The Gate at Richmond Harbour Hotel
There you have it, the best affordable afternoon teas in London. Of course, the capital is home to plenty more fabulous three-tiered experiences at slightly higher prices - if you've got something special to celebrate, check out our full London afternoon tea guide. And if you're a fan of a theme, our list of the best themed afternoon teas in London will be right up your street.