As spring begins, new afternoon tea menus are launched across London. Psst… it’s Mother’s Day at the end of the month, so consider booking one of these if you’re looking for a little treat for your mum.
Mamma Mia! Afternoon Tea at Strand Palace Hotel
Mamma Mia! An edible celebration of the ABBA-themed musical has launched at the Strand Palace Hotel, a short walk from the Novello Theatre where the lively show is playing.
Items on the menu are inspired by characters and songs from the musical: think Donna’s Dynamo Ball, a silver, shimmering coconut macaroon filled with citrus curd and covered in white chocolate shavings; and I Have A Dream — a lemon drizzle cake topped with a blue candy floss cloud.
The savoury section takes inspiration from the story’s Greek setting, with ingredients including tzatziki, sundried tomatoes and whipped feta, all with punny names (Voulez-Vouz vol-au-vent, anyone?). Various teas and alcoholic drinks are offered, and though it’s not often we turn down a glass of prosecco, we can recommend the Winter Garden mocktail (Seedlip, spiced lavender and rhubarb lemonade) for adding summery vibes to the proceedings.
The Palace Tea Parlour itself is decked out for the occasion, with Greek island artworks and pictures relating to the theatre production lining the walls. The afternoon tea itself is served on a stand festooned with colourful flowers. All that’s missing is a rendition of Dancing Queen or Waterloo blasting from the speakers.
Mamma Mia! Afternoon Tea, £43 adult/£25 child. Available daily, until November 2025.
Rail Travel Afternoon Tea at the Great Northern Hotel
The golden age of rail travel is the apt inspiration for the new afternoon tea menu at Rails at the Great Northern Hotel. Each item on the menu plays tribute to a destination which can be reached by train from King’s Cross station, which the hotel adjoins. Think: a Wensleydale scone served with tomato cream cheese; a ‘Scouse Pie’ with chunk of beef encased in flaky pastry; Yorkshire parkin served with Chantilly cream; a Millionaire’s shortbread topped with a golden chocolate locomotive; and a Scottish cranachan choux bun as a nod to Edinburgh on the East Coast Main Line.
Rail Travel Afternoon Tea, from £39.50 per person. Available Thursday-Sunday.
Dolci Momenti Italian Afternoon Tea at The Hari
Dolci Momenti, or sweet moments, is the theme of the new Italian afternoon tea at The Hari in Belgravia. Who wouldn’t be persuaded to abandon the traditional finger sandwiches when phrases like “freshly baked focaccia” and “crispy deep fried taleggio” (a soft Italian cheese, served here with fig jam) are thrown around?
The sweet portion of the menu is led by a ‘tiramichoux’, with mascarpone cream and an espresso glaze, and bunet (a creamy chocolate pudding), served with amaretti and a sour cherry compote.
Dolci Momenti Italian Afternoon Tea, from £35 per person. Available Thursday-Sunday.
White Lotus Afternoon Tea at Four Seasons Park Lane
With the latest season of The White Lotus filmed at Four Seasons Resort Koh Samui in Thailand, London’s own Four Seasons Park Lane pays homage with a new afternoon tea served in the opulent Pavyllon Lounge. Thai influences meet British traditions in a menu served on a lotus-inspired tea stand, while music taking its cue from the show’s soundtrack plays in the background.
Items on the menu include a crispy crab and green papaya tartlet with lotus cream and roasted peanuts, and a duck spring roll with Thai basil and green chilli, followed by a black sesame and hazelnut teacake, and a slow-roasted pineapple and pandan brioche cake, among other Thai desserts.
White Lotus Afternoon Tea, £85 per person. Available until 16 May 2025.
Mother’s Day Afternoon Tea at Biscuiteers
Both the Notting Hill and Belgravia branches of Biscuiteers offer a special Mother’s Day afternoon tea, with a menu consisting of finger sandwiches and patisserie. Smoked salmon and cream cheese, cheese and fig chutney, ham and truffle, and cucumber and cream cheese sandwiches are followed by treats including a blueberry tart, a strawberry and champagne macaron, and a lemon curd cake.
You’ll also get one of the hand-iced biscuits for which Biscuiteers is known, and a free gift for mums to take home. A bespoke Mother’s Day blend of Tregothnan tea is available to accompany the meal, and you can even book to take part in an icing class before or after your meal, to extend the experience.
Mother’s Day Afternoon Tea at Biscuiteers, from £50 per person. Available 8-30 March 2025.
London By Lily Vanilli Afternoon Tea at Four Seasons Tower Bridge
East London baker Lily Vanilli teams up with the Four Seasons at Tower Bridge for London By Lily Vanilli, a new afternoon tea with a twist for modern Londoners — think mini cocktails, extravagant cakes, and an evening aperi-tea twist.
As day turns to evening, the afternoon tea takes the form of an aperitivo-style service, with small bites served alongside those mini cocktails. Tuck into cheddar, feta and spinach savoury scones with pickled cucumber and dill; crunchy and salty confit potatoes topped with smoked salmon, creme fraiche and lime; tiramisu tart; and creme brulée Basque cheesecake.
The cocktail menu includes the Lily Royale (vodka, cacao blanc, raspberry cordial and champagne, garnished with a raspberry dipped in white chocolate), and the Salted Espresso, a twist on the classic espresso martini with tequila, mezcal, fresh espresso, Pedro Ximénez and salted caramel syrup.
Lily Vanilli Afternoon Tea, £48 per person. Available from 28 March 2025, Friday-Sunday, 2pm-7pm.
Mother’s Day Afternoon Tea at St Ermin’s Hotel
The St Ermin’s Hotel in St James’s Park offers a special Mother’s Day twist on its regular afternoon tea service. Over Mother’s Day weekend, a live harpist provides a soundtrack to the Tea Lounge as you tuck into a menu of sandwiches, scones and dessert including an apple caramel tartlet and a chocolate and blood orange crémeux.
Even better, all mums receive a goodie bag to take home, containing travel products from The White Company, a mini St. Ermin’s Gin, and a selection of loose-leaf teas from The Tea Makers of London. Doesn’t mean you’re off the hook for getting her a present, though.
Mother’s Day Afternoon Tea at St Ermin’s Hotel, £70 adult/£45 child. Available 29 and 30 March 2025.
New London Landmarks Afternoon Tea at The Dilly
Though it’s not new (we’ve been fans for quite a while), the London Landmarks afternoon tea at The Dilly hotel has had a bit of a shake-up, with some new additions to the menu.
The London Eye and the Crown Jewels are among the icons of the capital now served in edible form, the former is mud cake, while a black forest cake is shaped into a crown. The Dilly building itself now features too, as a walnut and honey cake. Even better news; the hazelnut praline and milk chocolate Big Ben (possibly the best dessert we’ve ever eaten at an afternoon tea, not a claim we make lightly) is still on the menu.
London Landmarks Afternoon Tea, £49 adult/£39 child. Available daily.
Still hungry for more? Check out last month’s new afternoon teas, some of which are still being served into March and beyond.
