Even the most dedicated theatre buff cannot live on showbiz alone, which makes Afternoon Tea the perfect meal to schedule between matinee and evening performances. Here we pick a selection of the best, from an exciting new tea at the lavish Theatre Royal Drury Lane in the West End, to other central London favourites and beyond.

Theatre Royal Drury Lane Afternoon Tea

Andrew Lloyd Webber has spent millions restoring this beautiful, historic theatre, and not just the auditorium! The theatre’s lavish public spaces have also had a facelift, creating a number of beautiful bars and restaurants. None are more beautiful than the theatre’s Grand Salon, where you can enjoy a perfect afternoon tea before catching a show.

Their new Showstopping Afternoon Tea started on 17 April, and promises to be a unique experience that brings the drama and magic of theatre to the timeless tradition of Afternoon Tea. The Showstopping Afternoon Tea is staged in two acts, with Act One inviting guests to ‘tread the boards,’ with the savoury options presented on a limited-edition serving board, crafted from the original 101-year-old stage floor removed during the 2019 building restoration; and the sweets in Act Two will be concealed beneath a resplendent red velvet curtain that is dramatically lifted at the table for the big reveal, evoking the grandeur and essence of theatre’s most iconic moments.

Catherine Street, London, WC2B 5JF (Map)
Website

Nearest Theatres: Theatre Royal Drury Lane, Duchess Theatre, Fortune Theatre, Aldwych Theatre, Novello Theatre, Lyceum Theatre, Royal Opera House

Shakespeare’s Globe Afternoon Tea

Enjoy a delicious afternoon tea in the historic Swan Restaurant at Shakespeare’s iconic Globe theatre. The Afternoon Teas are often themed around current productions.

Swan Restaurant, Shakespeare’s Globe, 21 New Globe Walk Bankside SE1 9DT (Map)
Website

Nearest Theatres: Shakespeare’s Globe, Sam Wanamaker Playhouse, National Theatre, The Old Vic, The Young Vic, The Bridge Theatre, Waterloo East Theatre

The Delaunay

The West End sister restaurant of The Wolseley is based on a grand European Café Restaurant, and serves a sumptuous Afternoon Tea created by pastry chef Regis Negrier, Doyen of Viennoiserie and master baker.

55 Aldwych, London, WC2B 4BB (Map)
Website

Nearest Theatres: Aldwych Theatre, Novello Theatre, Duchess Theatre, Peacock Theatre, Royal Opera House

The Ritz

No afternoon tea list is complete without the opulence of tea at the Ritz, the world’s most famous Afternoon Tea.

150 Piccadilly, London, W1J 9BR (Map)
Website

Nearest Theatres: Trafalgar Theatre, The Other Palace, Victoria Palace, Apollo Victoria Theatre

The Wallace Restaurant

Set in the beautiful Sculpture Garden of the Wallace Collection, the V&A’s Marylebone outpost is free to enter, and is a great way to combine a tasty Afternoon Tea with a world-class class of art and objects.

The Wallace Collection, Manchester Square, London, W1U 3BN (Map)
Website

Nearest Theatres: London Palladium, Marylebone Theatre

Fortnum and Mason

Founded in 1707, Fortnum & Mason are grocers to the King and a wonderful tea is served in their St James’s Restaurant.

181 Piccadilly, London, W1A 1ER (Map)
Tel: 0845 602 5694
Website

Nearest Theatres: Criterion Theatre, Piccadilly Theatre, Trafalgar Theatre, Theatre Royal Haymarket, His Majesty’s Theatre

More West End Afternoon Teas

Back to the Future Afternoon Tea & Tickets to the show – See smash-hit West End musical Back to the Future AND have a great Back to the Future-themed Afternoon Tea at the Cumberland Hotel. BOOK NOW

The Wolseley Afternoon Tea – Refined, decadent and continental – a stylish choice for tea. The Wolseley, 160 Piccadilly, London, W1J 9EB. WEBSITE

Dean Street Townhouse Afternoon Tea  – A great and good-value choice in the heart of Soho. Dean Street Townhouse, 69 – 71 Dean Street, London, W1D 3SE. WEBSITE

Off West End: JOIA Bar, art’otel London Battersea Power Station

Battersea Power Station has fast become one of THE hottest spots in London, anchored by the gorgeous, beautifully renovated art deco Power Station, plus a full complement of shops, restaurants and bars – both inside and outside the power station, and all set on the River Thames.

A major new addition to this has been the art’otel London Battersea Power Station, with its gorgeous interiors, and destination bars and restaurants, not least its JOIA Bar on the 14th floor, with sweeping views of London.

Given Battersea’s growing reputation as a weekend shopping destination, JOIA Bar has sensibly started a luxurious new Afternoon Tea every Saturday and Sunday.

The perfect weekend treat, the epic views are complemented by a lovely Afternoon Tea, featuring delicious sandwiches, warm scones, and an excellent selection of beautiful cakes with nuanced flavours. Compared to offerings from other luxury London hotels, the JOIA Afternoon Tea is good value at £55 per head, or £65 to add a glass of Telmont Brut Réserve champagne.

Verdict: Impressive

JOIA Bar, art’otel London Battersea Power Station, London SW11 8BJ (Map)
Website

Nearest Theatres: The Turbine Theatre, The Southbank Centre, The National Theatre

JOIA Bar Afternoon Tea in London. Photo provided by art'otel London Battersea Power Station
JOIA Bar Afternoon Tea in London. Photo provided by art’otel London Battersea Power Station

Off West End: The Landmark Hotel – Bake Off Afternoon Tea

There’s a lovely new luxury Afternoon Tea in town – and it’s at The Landmark Hotel in Marylebone (see main picture). The five star hotel’s pastry chefs – Mauro and Daniel – won this year’s Bake Off: The Professionals 2023 on Channel 4, and to celebrate they have created a sumptuous new Afternoon Tea, held daily in the hotel’s impressive Victorian Winter Garden atrium. Expect some delicious finger sandwiches, freshly baked scones served with rich Cornish clotted cream and a selection of preserves, plus four of the most incredible crafted cakes and pastries – all designed by the Bake Off: The Professionals winners. There’s a chocolate and salted caramel Swiss roll with banana cremaux and peanut butter; a raspberry and lemon pavlova with crème fraiche; a white chocolate and ginger cheesecake served with pears and yuzu; and a vanilla custard almond choux with passion fruit and coriander. Just go!!

Verdict: Luxury in Marylebone

The Landmark Hotel, 222 Marylebone Road, London NW1 6JQ (Map)
Website

Nearest Theatres: Marylebone Theatre

Thames River Sightseeing Cruise & Afternoon Tea

What can be more civilised that gently sailing down the Thames in London, seeing all of the magnificent sights, and enjoying a British afternoon tea?! If your time is limited in London, then this is the perfect combination.

Pick up: Tower Pier, near Tower Hill underground station (Map)

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Main photo: Theatre Royal Drury Lane - Afternoon tea (Photo via PR)

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