Every once in a while, it’s fun to see how the other side lives – and when it’s in a fancy-decorated room filled with society ladies sipping tea and eating tiny sandwiches with ridiculous hats adorning their heads – it’s much, much more entertaining.
The custom of afternoon tea began in the early 1800’s and quickly became an established tradition in Britain that is still observed today. If you’re visiting England, afternoon tea is a “must,” and when it comes to the best tea in London – look no further than The Ritz London.
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Afternoon tea at The Ritz London is an institution, to say the least. Since its opening in 1906, The Ritz has been serving tea to royalty, dignitaries, celebrities, the well-to-do and more recently, everyone and anyone who’s lucky enough to get a reservation.
“Classy” is the right word to sum up the entire experience.
Served in The Ritz’s Palm Court, the marble columns, chandeliers, and golden-hued tapestries make even commoners feel like royalty or upper crust, at the very least. The sounds of pianist Ian Gomes playing classic song requests like the theme of Love Story create a romantic ambiance and you won’t be able to help but love every moment of it.
Precious china and silverware sit pretty on the table while you choose your tea. An extensive choice of 17 different types of loose-leaf tea is offered, from classics like the Ritz Royal English tea and Darjeeling First Flush to fruiter choices like Passion Fruit & Orange or Moroccan Mint.
Then comes the classic three-tiered serving tray – one of the prettiest sights in the world. It’s customary to start from the bottom to the top. First, you begin with finger sandwiches like smoked salmon, cucumber, and cheese. Next up: delicious freshly baked raisin and apple scones served with clotted Devonshire cream, a selection of preserves, and lemon curd. I’ve had many, many scones in my life – and the scones here are the Ritz are definitely worth the trip.
Last, but definitely not least, are a selection of bite-sized pastries and cakes that are guaranteed to finish you off on the perfect note.
Best of all, amid all its classiness, everything is “all you can eat” – meaning as much (free!) tea as you can drink and as many scones (with copious amounts of clotted cream) as you can handle.
With five daily sittings with the first at 11:30am and the last at 7:30pm, it’s highly recommended that reservations be made at least 12 weeks in advance to avoid disappointment.
All in all, it’s jolly good fun – not to mention a perfect excuse to wear a ridiculous hat of your own. For more information, visit: www.theritzlondon.com/tea.
For more great spots for a spot of afternoon tea in London, see VisitLondon.com’s Best Afternoon Teas in London.