The Best Affordable Afternoon Teas in London (2026)
Looking for the best affordable afternoon teas in London? Here’s where to find delicious afternoon teas in the city, that won’t break the bank. From a Londoner!
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There’s nothing quite like afternoon tea in London.
From dainty finger sandwiches to fresh scones (with cream and jam, of course) having afternoon tea in the city is an experience everyone in London should have. But you don’t have to break the bank to do it!
Over the years I’ve had more afternoon teas than I can count and have come to the fine conclusion that’s there a lovely afternoon tea to be experienced at every price point.
So, from me to you here’s where to find affordable afternoon teas in London including a brief description of the afternoon tea spot, the price of the afternoon tea (all under £40), the dietary afternoon tea options they have available, how to book your afternoon tea and what makes each affordable afternoon tea spot special. Cheers!
About the Author
Hi, I’m Candace — a London-based travel writer and content creator who traded the East Coast of the US for the charm of the UK back in 2016. London’s been my home ever since.
On this blog, you’ll find hundreds of thoughtfully crafted London, UK, Europe and Worldwide travel guides alongside lots of insider London tips, honest hotel and restaurant reviews and advice for content creators.
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🗞️📺As featured on the BBC, USA Today & Recipe.TV.
Where to Find Affordable Afternoon Tea in London
Disclaimer: Some of the menu items, prices and afternoon tea times may have changed since this post was published. Please visit each website before your visit to ensure you have the best experience possible. Enjoy!
Candella Tea Room
34 Kensington Church St, London W8 4HA
Candella Tea Room is a cosy and charming spot just a short walk from Kensington High Street, known for its vintage decor, warm hospitality, and impressive loose-leaf tea selection.
Their afternoon tea is a hidden gem — offering a generous spread without the hefty price tag. Expect a selection of classic finger sandwiches, freshly baked scones with jam and clotted cream, and a rotation of homemade cakes and sweets, all served with your choice of speciality tea in a proper teapot.
I took my sister here for her first afternoon tea in London and she loved it!
Price: £28.95 per person
Dietary Afternoon Tea Options Available: Vegetarian, Vegan (on request)
What makes them special?: With its quaint, local feel and attentive service, Candella feels like stepping into a private parlour — a rare find in tourist-heavy Kensington.
The Wallace Collection
Hertford House, Manchester Square, London W1U 3BN
The Wallace Collection is one of London’s most unique museums, bursting with 18th-century paintings, sculptures, armour, and ceramics.
But did you know they serve one of London’s most affordable afternoon teas too?
Explore the museum and finish your trip off in their beautiful French al-fresco-style tea room, including a selection of fresh finger sandwiches, mini cakes, and pastries, fruit or plain scones, and delicious infusion teas.
Price: £24.95 per person
Dietary Afternoon Tea Options Available: Vegetarian
What makes them special?: There’s not many affordable afternoon tea spots in London that double as a stunning museum, which makes it perfect for a day out in London. You can book here.
Tea and Tattle
41 Great Russell Street, London WC1B 3PE
Tea and Tattle is in the heart of Bloomsbury and serves quite a mean afternoon tea (and books as well!).
Right above the Oriental and African bookshop Arthur Probsthain, the quaint tea room is ready to be at your service, with fresh leaf tea and bone china, scones with clotted cream and jam, dainty finger sandwiches, and fresh tasty cakes.
Price: £24.00 per person
Dietary Afternoon Tea Options Available: Vegetarian
What makes them special?: Being right across from The British Museum and a stone’s throw from Oxford Street makes Tea & Tattle a great option if you’re looking for an affordable alternative to the typical London afternoon tea spots, while still having Central London right on your doorstep. There’s also a bookshop and gallery upstairs so you can combine two-in-one! You can book here.
Browns
Multiple Locations
Splattered across London Browns has become a staple in the afternoon tea scene for its beautiful interiors, vibrant colours, and quintessentially British everything.
Their afternoon tea offers a fine selection of brews like Elderflower & Pear to Passion Fruit & Orange along with yummy savoury sandwiches and mini cakes, puddings, and warm scones.
Price: £19 per person at most locations for Cream Tea (£46.50 for afternoon tea)
Dietary Afternoon Tea Options Available: Vegetarian
What makes them special?: Browns is the first afternoon tea spot I’ve ever heard of in London that uses their afternoon tea to support a good cause, donating 50p from every Browns Afternoon Tea to Shelter*, a lovely charity helping house the homeless in the city. You can book here.
The Wolseley
160 Piccadilly, London W1J 9EB
Whenever I think of The Wolseley sophistication is the word that comes to mind.
Fit with slick interior designs and a reputation as one of Mayfair’s most elegant European restaurants, you’d be shocked to know they also have one of the most affordable afternoons in London compared to their chi-chi counterparts.
If you’re not feeling particularly peckish, go for their Cream Tea accompanied by their wide tea selection, warm scones, and cream and jam.
Otherwise, you can indulge in their Classic Afternoon Tea with all the same plus finger sandwiches and cake.
Price: £15.75 per person for their Cream Tea
Dietary Afternoon Tea Options Available: All items are vegetarian (ask server for vegan options).
What makes them special?: Located walking distance from popular tourist spots from Buckingham Palace, Piccadilly Circus, and Regent Street, it’s an ideal spot for a day of touristing in London. You can book here.
Bbar
43 Buckingham Palace Road, London SW1W 0PP
Inspired by South Africa Bbar hosts a lovely and eclectic afternoon tea, just opposite Buckingham Palace.
This includes a unique mix of mini bunny chows (a savoury South African snack), Amarula scones, South African teas, and delicious mini finger sandwiches and cakes.
Price: Bbar Afternoon Tea – £30 per person
Dietary Afternoon Tea Options Available: Vegetarian, Vegan, Gluten-free, or Halal (with 24 hours notice)
What makes them special?: It’s very rare to find such a multicultural afternoon tea experience, and Bbar certainly delivers (plus it’s super close to Buckingham Palace!). You can book here.
The Ivy Chelsea Garden
195, 197 King’s Road, London SW3 5EQ
It’s hard to talk about afternoon tea in London (or brunch…or dinner…) without mentioning The Ivy.
Their Chelsea location serves up a fantastic afternoon tea, all in their beautiful indoor garden surroundings.
Indulge in their signature smoked salmon and cream cheese finger sandwiches (or grilled chicken and truffle mayonnaise) followed by classic scones and a variety of decadent cakes and treats—Red Velvet Raspberry Cake anyone?
Price: £28.95 per person for their Autumn Afternoon Tea, £18.50 for their Champagne Cream Tea, or £9.50 for their Cream Tea
Dietary Afternoon Tea Options Available: Vegetarian
What makes them special?: In terms of ambiance, The Ivy always wins as a place to impress—especially at their Chelsea location. I also love the uniqueness of their afternoon tea menus (all based on the seasons!). You can book here.
Ladurée Covent Garden
1 The Market, London WC2E 8RA
You’d be easily forgiven for thinking you’ve stepped into a Parisian café when you visit Ladurée Covent Garden—but you wouldn’t be that far off!
The upscale patisserie specializes in macarons and of course, a delicious mini afternoon tea.
Enjoy their French version of the British post-lunch delight with a cream tea of choice, soft scones, and a macaroon to top it off.
Price: £16 per person
Dietary Afternoon Tea Options Available: Vegetarian
What makes them special?: There’s no other afternoon tea spot in London that can transport you to French living quite like Ladurée, especially when it comes to their macaroons. You can book here.
MAP Maison
321 Kingsland Road, London E8 4DL
With a chic and eclectic vibe, the MAP Maison is where you go for an afternoon tea with a twist.
The tapa-style afternoon tea serves a savoury selection of sourdough baguettes with ham, mozzarella, avocado and tapenade along with a wide and delicious array of desserts like their mini banoffee pie or cheesecake dessert shots (yes, really).
Price: £27.50 per person for their Classic Afternoon Tea
Dietary Afternoon Tea Options Available: Vegetarian, nut-free, and gluten-free if given advance notice.
What makes them special?: It’s not every day you find Tapas Style Afternoon Tea—so today’s your day! You can book here.
Crusting Pipe
27 The Market, Covent Garden, London WC2E 8RD
Crusting Pipe is a simple British Wine Bar that doubles as a lovely afternoon tea spot.
The laid-back and welcoming venue has a traditional menu of finger sandwiches like cucumber with lemon mint butter and bruschetta with oak smoked Scottish salmon and dill cream cheese to freshly naked scones and your choice of tea.
Price: £27.95 per person
Dietary Afternoon Tea Options Available: Some vegetarian options
What makes them special?: The Crusting Pipe sits right in the heart of Covent Garden, giving you ample time to enjoy an afternoon tea and take advantage of all the things to do in Covent Garden after, plus ample indoor and outdoor seating to enjoy the Covent Garden atmosphere over afternoon tea. You can book here.
Café Rouge
Multiple Locations
Most Londoners have come to know Café Rouge as a Parisian staple in London, but outside of their French-inspired cuisine is a lovely afternoon tea menu too.
As expected their menu comes with a French twist, filled with savoury smoked ham, chicken liver pâté and Camembert French Finedor on mini baguettes to start.
Finished off by sweets like their crème brûlée tart and classically British fruit scones.
Price: £15 per person, £20 per person with a glass of Prosecco, and £30 per person with bottomless Prosecco
Dietary Afternoon Tea Options Available: Their desserts/scones are vegetarian but the rest of the afternoon tea includes mea
What makes them special?: Out of all the affordable afternoon tea spots in London Café Rouge is one of the only ones to include alcohol (bottomless, may I add) in the £30 or under price point. You can book here.
Number Twelve Restaurant
12 Upper Woburn Pl, London WC1H 0HX
Bright and contemporary restaurant the Number Twelve Hotel Restaurant has a fine afternoon tea open to both guests and visitors.
Delve into their extensive afternoon tea experience including a mixed fruit & veg appetizer, afternoon tea sandwiches, fresh baked scones with homemade jam and preserves, macaroons, fresh cakes and brownies and your choice of fine teas or fresh ground coffee. Talk about options!
Price: £26.50 per person for their Afternoon Tea, £13.50 per person for their Cream Tea
Dietary Afternoon Tea Options Available: Unfortunately they don’t mention any specific dietary needs they accommodate to but they do ask to be notified of any allergies
What makes them special?: The Number Twelve’s central location (right in the heart of Bloomsbury) makes it a great afternoon tea spot if you’re exploring the area. There’s also a LOT included in your afternoon tea here, especially for the price point. You can book here.
Cinnamon Bazaar
28 Maiden Lane, London WC2E 7JS
Modern Indian afternoon tea in Covent Garden anyone?
Inspired by the bazaars of India Cinnamon Bazaar is one of the most unique afternoon tea spots in London, and lucky for us — one of the most affordable too!
Their classic afternoon tea blends the best of East Indian and British cuisine, with savoury choices like Papdi Chaat or sweet treats like their saffron macaroon or coriander pistachio cake.
Price: £27.50 per person for their Afternoon Tea
Dietary Afternoon Tea Options Available: Vegetarian
What makes them special?: If you’ve already had the typical afternoon tea experience and are looking for something different, Cinnamon Bazaar is a must, I’ve never come across a menu like it! You can book here.
Dean Street Townhouse
69-71 Dean Street, London W1D 3SE
I’ve always thought afternoon tea is one of the best activities to do when it rains in London, and the Dean Street Townhouse is the perfect place to do it.
Unapologetically British you can enjoy sinfully good Gin & Cucumber Sandwiches and classic British scones and cakes all with your choice of delicious cream teas.
Price: £26 per person for their Traditional Afternoon Tea
Dietary Afternoon Tea Options Available: They don’t mention any, but their desserts/scones are vegetarian
What makes them special?: A Soho House establishment being open to the public is already unique in itself, but its centre-of-Soho location only adds to the allure. And any afternoon tea at a place like Dean Street Townhouse is worth trying. You can book here.
The Melody Restaurant
153 Hammersmith Road, London W14 0QL
The Melody Restaurant is tucked in Hammersmith, with a relaxing and classic vibe.
Although their afternoon tea menu is much expected (which in their case, means delicious open sandwiches, homemade pastries, fresh scones and more) their tea menu is what really intrigues me.
From their African Pride tea inspired by the highlands of East Africa to Strawberry and Mango—you’ll be in for a treat here.
Price: £29.00 per person for their St Pauls Afternoon Tea
Dietary Afternoon Tea Options Available: N/A
What makes them special?: The Melody Restaurant is walking distance from Kensington Palace if you wanted to pair it with a day there, an its tea selection is one of the best I’ve ever seen. You can book here.
The Great Court Restaurant at The British Museum
Great Russell Street, London WC1B 3DG
I’m sure you’ve heard of The British Museum at this point (and if you haven’t…I don’t really know what to say!) but did you know they do afternoon tea too?
Housed in The Great Court Restaurant, you can take up their delightful afternoon of delicate cakes and finger sandwiches, and freshly baked Earl-Grey tea-soaked raisin scones withSomerset farm butter all while being surrounded by their beautiful indoor setting.
Price: £30 per person for their Afternoon Tea, £9.5 per person for their Cream Tea
Dietary Afternoon Tea Options Available: Some vegetarian options
What makes them special?: There’s only one afternoon tea spot in London that can say they’re located in The British Museum, and you’re looking at it! Every purchase made also supports the museum directly. You can book here.
Map of the Best Affordable Afternoon Tea Spots in London
Things to Consider For Your Affordable Afternoon Tea in London Experience
- Afternoon Tea vs Cream Tea – you may have noticed throughout this post, there are ‘Afternoon Tea’ and ‘Cream Tea’ options, both are called afternoon tea interchangeably—but a Cream Tea typically only includes tea, scones and jam whereas afternoon tea typically includes tea, scones, jam, finger sandwiches and pastries and cakes of some sort. For the most affordable afternoon options you may consider booking for a cream tea instead.
- Location – make sure to look at the map above to see which afternoon tea spots are closest to an area in London you’d be keen to explore too!
- Dietary Restrictions – if you have any dietary requirements I always say it’s best to go to an afternoon tea spot that caters specifically to you rather than only having 1-2 options. Here’s the best gluten-free afternoon tea spots or you can have a look at the ‘Dietary Afternoon Tea Options Available’ in each of the afternoon tea listings
- Booking in advance – as most of the more popular afternoon tea spots in London are the most expensive, you should be able to book close to the date of your visit for each of the affordable afternoon tea spots. But it’s always better to be safe than sorry so don’t forget to book in advance!
Thanks for reading my Affordable Afternoon Teas in London Guide. If you enjoyed it, let me know on Instagram!
CHECK OUT MORE LONDON GUIDES:
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- Where to Find Quirky Afternoon Tea in London: Unique High Teas You Can’t Miss
- The Best Gluten-Free Afternoon Tea in London
- The Best Themed Afternoon Teas in London: Your Ultimate Guide
- The Best Halal Afternoon Tea in London
- The Best Afternoon Tea for Kids in London: A Fun Guide
- What to Wear for High Tea in London
- London Brunch & Breakfast Guides
- Afternoon Tea Rules: A Quintessential Guide
Happy Londoning,
