Address: The Ritz London, 150 Piccadilly, London W1J 9BR
Website: theritzlondon.com
Price: £115 (approximately $146) per person
Bingham Riverhouse
Riverhouse Restaurant’s Festive Afternoon Tea, Bingham Riverhouse
Despite the 20-minute train journey from Waterloo, you’d be forgiven for thinking you’d arrived at a boutique hideout in a distant English village when you arrive at Bingham Riverhouse. The hotel’s Riverhouse Restaurant overlooks the calmer, narrower bends of the River Thames and offers the hottest tables in these suburbs. The festive afternoon tea is much more affordable than those in central London’s swanky spots and offers the perfect excuse to catch up with loved ones in the lead-up to Christmas. Feast on turkey and cranberry sandwiches, smother scones in spiced berry jam and discover the delight of the chestnut profiterole.
Address: Riverhouse Restaurant, 61-63 Petersham Road, Richmond TW10 6UT
Website: binghamriverhouse.com
Price: From £39 (approximately $50) per person
The SavoyJACK HARDY
The Savoy’s Festive Afternoon Tea
An icon on the London hotel scene, it’s fair to expect big things from The Savoy at the sparkliest time of year—and we were not disappointed. A huge Christmas tree stands in the lobby, gold and white glittery decorations cover the ceiling, and an LED twinkling angel, similar to those hanging over Regent Street, leads the way into the grand new restaurant, Gallery, where afternoon tea is taken on linen-topped tables kitted with polished silver teapots. Champagne is poured as perfect rectangular sandwiches filled with coronation turkey, smoked cheddar, smoked salmon, and ham and mustard arrive on The Savoy’s gold-rimmed porcelain china. Two savoury bites of parsnip, carrot and parmesan pastry and a petite truffle egg brioche topped with gold flakes follow on from the finger sandwiches. Should you want more sandwiches, the team generously offers a second serving. Opt for the High Tea menu and indulge in a hot main course between tea servings; duck breast, scallops and vegan pearl barley are on the menu. Switch up on the tea flavours and wait for your tier of warm scones served with creamy lemon curd and fresh strawberry jam and the daintiest of cakes, all in Christmas uniform from Santa’s belly, a bourbon vanilla cake decorated with a delicate waist belt made of chocolate and a lemon mouse baul ball finished with an edible chocolate bow. Festive hats off to the skilled pastry chef. —Sophie Knight