It’s high time for high tea in London — with a sustainable upgrade courtesy of plant-based treats, locally grown produce, and clotted dairy-free cream.
London is the perfect springtime destination; the city truly comes alive with its lush gardens and beautiful weather for sightseeing. It’s also immensely vegan-friendly — just have a look at the number of restaurants in the British capital.
Most of the restaurants in our awards list cover main meals, but why not soak in the day with a classic British afternoon tea. The practice began more than 200 years ago when the seventh Duchess of Bedford started serving a meal between lunch and dinner.
Best spots in London for plant-based high tea
From the refined to the whimsical, here are seven standout vegan high tea spots in London for anyone looking to relish in a mid-day indulgence.
1. Farmacy
Price: From £50 per person.
Address: 74-76 Westbourne Grove, London W2 5SH, U.K.
2. Palm Court at the Langham
Palm Court at The Langham is famed for being the birthplace of afternoon tea. Celebrity chef Michel Roux Jr and executive pastry chef Andrew Gravett have tapped into the archives of Britain’s favorite biscuits and baked tarts and reimagined them with a modern spin. Customers remark that the vegan high tea experience at Palm Court is unparalleled. Here’s what you can expect: scones as light as air, tantalizing savories, and patisserie using the finest seasonal ingredients. Opt to have a glass of English sparkling wine or Champagne for extra indulgence, and you have all the makings of an unforgettable moment.
Price: From £65 per person.
Address: 1C Portland Pl, London W1B 1JA, U.K.
3. Thames Foyer at The Savoy Hotel
The well-renowned Savoy Afternoon Tea is situated in the Thames Foyer — the heart of The Savoy London Hotel. Savor a wonderfully crafted selection of vegan high tea delights in a stunning glass-domed atrium. Dig into finger sandwiches with fillings like pickled cucumber, wild mushroom, and artichoke while scones come served with vegan cream and jam. As you sink into the plush seats, give your ears a treat as the pianist plays at the gazebo, and complete the experience with a glass of Deutz Rosé.
Price: From £65 per person.
Address: Strand, London WC2R 0EZ, U.K.
4. The Egerton House Hotel
Price: From £52 per person
Address: 17-19 Egerton Terrace, London SW3 2BX, U.K.
5. The Drawing Rooms at The Ampersand Hotel
Dig into a whimsical high tea feast at The Ampersand Hotel with its one-of-a-kind Science Afternoon Tea. The experience here is like having a lucid childhood dream. The jellies are served in petri dishes, chocolates are formed into spacemen while biscuits are dinosaur-shaped. Gimmicky? Perhaps. But the afternoon tea here has proven to be a hit as it was named Best Themed Afternoon Tea at the Afternoon Tea Awards in 2018.
Price: ~£49.50 per person
Address: 10 Harrington Road, South Kensington, London SW7 3ER, U.K.
6. Lady Dinah’s Cat Emporium
Attention all feline fanatics: Lady Dinah’s Cat Emporium is the place to be as it houses rescued cats. Enjoy a vegan high tea set that offers mini Victoria sponges, velvet and polenta cakes, scones with jam and plant-based spreads, and finger sandwiches. Some of the delicacies – like the shortbread — are also cat-shaped. “As the world changes, we hope to continue to offer people solace,” it states on the website. “When times are tough, it can really help simply to drink a hot beverage and gaze upon the blissful face of a sleeping cat.”
Cost: On request. Bookings essential. Strictly ages 12+ only, children not admitted.
Address: 152-154, Bethnal Green Road, London E2 6DG, U.K.
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This article originally appeared on abillion.com
