The best Christmas afternoon teas to try in London

The chill is setting in, the décor is getting a whole lot sparklier and the speakers seem to be wired to only play Mariah Carey.

These three vital clues mean it’s festive season, so it’s now socially acceptable to dedicate an entire afternoon to nibbling mini sandwiches and gulping down mulled wine in some of the city’s most picturesque venues.

Here’s our pick of the best Christmas afternoon teas in London.

For music

You’ll feel revitalised and ready for the busy holiday season after treating yourself The Corinthia’s champagne packages and kicking back to the hotel pianist tickling the ivories.

The festive afternoon tea is guaranteed to fill you up with an array of finger sandwiches including poached salmon, roast turkey and cranberry, and salt beef, horseradish cream and watercress.

The luxury hotel also offers tasty vegetarian options including earthy truffle egg mayonnaise on malted granary bread and cucumber, radish and cream cheese.

If you’ve got space in that festive belly of yours, go to town on the chestnut and rum tartlets, spiced pineapple eclairs and The Corinthia’s housemade marshmallows

£60 per person. £70-£80 with a glass of champagne.

For doggos

It doesn’t feel particularly festive to leave your pooch alone at home, does it? Wave that leash or wrangle that doggo into a Christmas-themed carrier, because you’re headed to The Egerton House Hotel.

The Knightsbridge establishment offers a doggy afternoon tea featuring ‘bowl-licking’ chicken and beef meatloaf, homemade dog biscuit ice-cream and ‘Pawsecco’ in rose or white.

To reflect on the year that was, you’ll need to get some perspective. Considering its Level 35 spot in The Shard, TĪNG should get you there.

Take in the 360-degree views over turkey and cranberry sandwiches followed by mulled wine pear compote and passion fruit and cardamom mousse.

If you know your brews, the restaurant also offers more than 30 varieties of tea including white apricot with marigold flowers, China milky oolong and the Shangri-La’s signature afternoon blend.

£68 per person. £78 with a glass of champagne.

For vegans

A festive afternoon tea needn’t be all about the beef and horseradish sandwiches.

For a tasty plant-based alternative, Brigit’s Bakery has you covered with vegan offerings including quinoa verrine and mixed roasted vegetables on ciabatta, plus an assortment of homemade cakes and tarts including vanilla pannacotta and lemon drizzle slice.

The plant-based treats aren’t even the star of the bakery’s festive offerings. Brigit’s is known for its impressive set of wheels.

The afternoon tours take place on a double-decker bus that cruises through the Christmas light displays on Regent’s Street.

From £45 per person.

For Indian cuisine

If cucumber sandwiches and scones aren’t enough to stoke the festive fire in you, indulge in something spicier.

The almost entirely vegetarian afternoon tea at Taj 51 boasts a selection of Indian fusion delights including curried egg scrolls, spiced potato toasts with fig chutney, and sweet shots of salted caramel lassi with chikki toffee crunch.

If you’ve been nice this year, you can wrap up the afternoon tea with a naughty selection of desserts.

There are cardamon srikhand tarts, gold leaf Gulab Jamun and macaroons flavoured like Gajar Halwa, a rich carrot-based pudding.

£45 per person.

For mulled wine

It’s winter and you’re an adult, damn it! The marshmallow is still in your court if you’d rather drink hot chocolate, but there are many other heated – and boozy – beverages on offer this season.

Check out the festive afternoon tea at The Rubens at the Palace. Your insides will be warm and your spirits high thanks to the restaurant’s unlimited mulled wine.

£55 per person. £19 for children under 12.

For the kids

Treat the little ones to a real-life Mad Hatter’s tea party featuring menus hidden within vintage books and a ‘Drink Me’ potion.

Feast on Alice in Wonderland themed-delights with a festive twist, including Queen of Hearts rose and strawberry jammy dodger and the Mad March Hare vanilla pocket watch macaroon.

£48-58 per person. £35 for children between 4-11 years old.

For extravagance

While this 5-star hotel is striking with its elegant British architecture and lofty atrium, it’s hard to take the focus of its festive dessert menu which includes gingerbread mousse, cognac macaroon and a chocolate brownie with redcurrant honey.

£58 per person. Includes a glass of champagne.

For biscuits

If you’re a simple punter and all you want for Christmas is a biccie, pay a visit to Biscuiteers in Battersea. The dessert-connoisseurs will look after you with mini versions of their most in-demand cakes and patisseries in seasonal flavours.

£30 per person.