We’ve plotted our favourites, using super-cute tea cup symbols, on a GoogleMap - alongside the other venues from our 'Best For Afternoon Tea' list. Have we missed your favourite? Let us know!
High Tea Of Highgate - 'Up North' in leafy Highgate, look out for the pastel pink frontage of this wonderful shabby chic tearoom. With its retro wall illustrations, pretty crockery and unusual teacup chandelier; this place is perfect for girly catch-ups. It's run by local domestic goddess, Georgina Worthington, who bakes all of the cakes herself using organic ingredients so they're all guilt-free! Check out Silverbrow's review and the photos at TeaForJoy.
Chaiwalla - Tucked away in Perrins Court in Hampstead, this exotic tearoom was inspired by the roadside chaiwallas of Calcutta and serves traditional masala chai, spiced coffee and fresh fruit juices. They offer free refills of chai when you eat in and the menu features Indian treats like samosas, chicken tikka naans and kulfi. If you're looking for an alternative to the coffee shop chains on the high street, you'll love it here.
Postcard Teas - Just off New Bond Street, this place is a haven of calm. Don’t miss the wonderfully fragrant Long Jing (Chinese green tea) and the unique Coffee Blossom Tea. Cakes have always been very good and the prices are very reasonable considering the location.
Tea Palace - Shortly after our visit, Tea Palace in Notting Hill closed its doors! Thankfully they’re just moving to central London and when they do, we’re sure it’ll be as good as before. Their vast tea range includes jasmine, oolong, fruit, herbal, black, white, green, tea tonics and hand-tied flowering teas which make great gifts. Afternoon tea was modestly priced and always top-notch, so we’re looking forward to visiting their new home.
TeaSmith - Hardcore tea fans will love this stylish tea bar in the otherwise soulless Spitalfields Market. Tea maestro John Kennedy stocks everything from white to oolong, as well as the unusual Puer teas. Their jasmine tea is created naturally by scenting hand-picked green teas with jasmine blossoms as the flowers open overnight, so you don’t get any of the bitterness associated with inferior products. They serve sweet things made by William Curley and the atmosphere is one of blissful tranquility, in spite of the bustling market outside.
Yumchaa Tea Space - Half hidden away in Camden's Lock Market, Yumchaa offers a seriously unique range of teas - all neatly displayed in cute jars. Perfect for a refuel and recharge moment after battlings the crowds of goths and tourists.
Orange Pekoe - Down south in Barnes, head for Orange Pekoe - the winner of TimeOut's Tearoom award in 2008. With over a hundred loose leaf teas on offer, they promise to find 'the perfect blend for every mood and moment'. Breakfast, lunch and afternoon tea are served daily, alongside a range of speciality coffees and fresh cakes and pastries. For a relaxed teatime by the Thames, you can't go wrong here.
Bea's of Bloomsbury - This eco-friendly café near Holborn is a cut above the rest. Bea’s spiced chai is a winner and they also serve Jing tea, Square Mile coffee and Valrhona hot chocolate. Cakes and pastries are all fresh, homemade and utterly delicious. It’s a good lunch spot too, with a daily changing menu of sandwiches, soups, quiches and salads on offer.
Primrose Bakery - In ultra-chic Primrose Hill, this pastel tearoom is popular with local yummy mummies and cupcake aficionados. Their soft and sweet cupcakes come in two sizes - regular and mini - and the tea is good too. The Covent Garden branch is equally lovely.
Royal Teas - Just a stones throw from Greenwich Park, this vegetarian café serves up excellent breakfasts, homemade soups and some of the best cake we've had in London. (Try the coconut - you'll never look back.) There's a good range of loose leaf, herbal and flavoured teas on offer; as well as decent coffee and juices. Well worth a visit after a trip to Greenwich market.
Teapod - This modern teahouse is located in Shad Thames, on the south side of the river where tea and spice clippers would drop off their cargo in the years gone by. Tea fans will enjoy their range of around 20 loose leaf teas in three ways, which includes some rare options like Silver Needles white tea and Nepal Oolong – also known as the slimming tea. If you’re looking for afternoon tea without the hefty price tag, their £8.95 version might just be the best value in London.
Tea Box - They take tea very seriously at this cosy café in Richmond, with an entire wall lined with exotic blends and every pot of tea accompanied by a timer so you can achieve the perfect brew. Visitors can indulge in locally made scones, cakes and savoury snacks and rely on the knowledgeable staff for spot-on recommendations.
St James @ Fortnum & Mason - Admittedly this isn’t exactly a bargain or a local gem, but it is very lovely and perfect if your mother or grandmother deserves a treat. Their tea menu is concise but thoughtfully compiled and includes some rare teas like Yunnan Golden Needles (a full bodied black tea) and Darjeeling Bannockburn (picked in May and June and thought to be the best quality produced during the entire season). Afternoon tea starts at £34 but it’s worth every penny.
Thanks to all of the lovely foodies on Chowhound's UK Board for their recommendations!
French tea rooms are good too :)
Posted by: Lise | March 11, 2009 at 11:14 AM