The Best Places For Afternoon Tea In Covent Garden

It doesn’t get more British than afternoon tea and the West End is packed with places to indulge in this fine tradition. Our pick of the best afternoon tea in Covent Garden includes everything from beauty-themed pastries to Italian scones.

1. B Bakery

Bakery, Tea Room, Pastries, Tea

Enjoy afternoon tea with a French twist at Brigit’s Bakery where quiche and homemade macarons join sandwiches, scones and mini cupcakes. You can take tea right there in the bakery, but if you’re after something a little more memorable, B Bakery also does afternoon tea bus and boat tours.

2. One Aldwych

Hotel Restaurant, Restaurant, British

The afternoon tea at One Aldwych, inspired by Charlie and the Chocolate Factory (the musical was playing at a nearby theatre), is a wonderfully playful version of this British tradition. The sweet selection, including a golden chocolate egg filled with vanilla cheesecake, homemade candyfloss and blueberry brioche, all reference the Roald Dahl story. There’s even a chocolate tea too.

3. Balthazar

Bakery, Bar, Brasserie, Restaurant, Pastelaria, French

Balthazar opened in Covent Garden in 2013

Balthazar may be a grand French brasserie but that hasn’t stopped them from whipping up afternoon tea, albeit with a twist. They have collaborated with make-up queen Bobbi Brown to celebrate her brand’s 25th anniversary by creating a beauty-inspired afternoon tea. The cakes reference some of her best sellers, like the rhubarb and ginger Shimmer Brick’ and the pecan and jasmine Long-Wear Cream Shadow macaroon, making it the most stylish afternoon tea in the West End.

5. The Delaunay

Restaurant, Brasserie, Cafe, European

The Delaunay is a grand and elegant restaurant and that same sense of sophistication can be found in their afternoon tea. In line with their traditional European menu, the afternoon tea has a Viennese slant with poppy seed Gugelhupfs, apricot jam and whipped cream and classic Viennese cakes being served with sandwiches and other savoury bites.

6. The Ivy Market

Restaurant, British, European

Think of The Ivy Market Grill as a relaxed yet still sophisticated younger sister to the iconic The Ivy. Their afternoon tea is classic through and through, featuring cucumber sandwiches, fruit scones with Cornish clotted cream and strawberry jam and a choice of teas.

7. Monmouth Kitchen

Hotel Restaurant, Restaurant, Cocktail Bar, Pizzeria, Italian, Peruvian

Italian and Peruvian flavours might not be the first things that spring to mind when you think of afternoon tea but that’s exactly what Monmouth Kitchen is doing. Scones are still on the menu, although they’re amaretto and Sicilian lemon, and instead of sandwiches and pastries you get bruschetta, salmon tacos, churros with Peruvian chocolate sauce and white peach and oregano panna cotta.

8. The Savoy

Luxury, Hotel

The Savoy is a London landmark and their afternoon tea is equally as famous. Served in the glass-domes Thames Foyer, it’s very much a traditional affair, although they also offer a Salon Couture High Tea with Suzie Turner, inspired by the salon shows of the 1950s. This special menu includes a cocktail from the American Bar as well eclairs decorated with some of Suzie Turner’s designs.

9. The Crusting Pipe

Restaurant, Wine Bar, British

Afternoon tea and opera? You can get it at The Crusting Pipe if you take tea in their outdoor courtyard, which plays host to a variety of classical performances. Go for their signature afternoon tea and enjoy cheese, oat biscuits, fig cake and port.

Since you are here, we would like to share our vision for the future of travel - and the direction Culture Trip is moving in.

Culture Trip launched in 2011 with a simple yet passionate mission: to inspire people to go beyond their boundaries and experience what makes a place, its people and its culture special and meaningful — and this is still in our DNA today. We are proud that, for more than a decade, millions like you have trusted our award-winning recommendations by people who deeply understand what makes certain places and communities so special.

Increasingly we believe the world needs more meaningful, real-life connections between curious travellers keen to explore the world in a more responsible way. That is why we have intensively curated a collection of premium small-group trips as an invitation to meet and connect with new, like-minded people for once-in-a-lifetime experiences in three categories: Culture Trips, Rail Trips and Private Trips. Our Trips are suitable for both solo travelers, couples and friends who want to explore the world together.

Culture Trips are deeply immersive 5 to 16 days itineraries, that combine authentic local experiences, exciting activities and 4-5* accommodation to look forward to at the end of each day. Our Rail Trips are our most planet-friendly itineraries that invite you to take the scenic route, relax whilst getting under the skin of a destination. Our Private Trips are fully tailored itineraries, curated by our Travel Experts specifically for you, your friends or your family.

We know that many of you worry about the environmental impact of travel and are looking for ways of expanding horizons in ways that do minimal harm - and may even bring benefits. We are committed to go as far as possible in curating our trips with care for the planet. That is why all of our trips are flightless in destination, fully carbon offset - and we have ambitious plans to be net zero in the very near future.