I’ve rounded up the Top 5 Instagrammable Afternoon Teas in London. Whether you’re planning on eating in or taking it out for a picnic, you’ll have the perfect spread for your IG feed!
Yayoi Kusama Afternoon Tea at Rosewood London
The hottest name in town right now is Yayoi Kusama. If you didn’t manage to get yourself tickets to the ‘infinity mirror rooms’ then don’t worry you can still experience a beautiful afternoon tea inspired by the infinity mirror room.
Executive Pastry Chef Mark Perkins, combines unique Japanese flavours with traditional French pastry and patisserie to create literal art. Kusama’s conceptual sculptures and bold art has been translated into three courses with traditional sandwiches, classic pastries and a trio of Kusama-inspired cakes. There’s Flowers That Bloom at Midnight, made with coconut mousse, strawberry yuzu jelly, matcha green tea sponge, strawberry crisps and an earthy sable biscuit; All My love for Tulips, with a yuzu mousse, raspberry yuzu jelly, almond pan de gene, green tea sable, raspberry cremeux and chocolate petals; and Dots Obsession – Soul of Pumpkin, with a dark chocolate sable, passion fruit cremeux, jivara chocolate mousse, flourless chocolate cake, praline feuilletine and passionfruit ganache. Mouthwatering stuff!
Priced from £65pp – pricey but definitely looks worth it!
Where: 252 High Holborn WC1V 7EN; rosewoodhotels.com
Prêt-à-Portea at The Berkeley, Knightsbridge
Prêt-à-Portea is (finally!) back at The Berkeley. The afternoon tea showcases SS21 couture cakes inspired by designers from Valentino to Versace. This season’s collection opens with Donatella Versace’s ocean-inspired cocktail dress, reimagined as a coconut darquoise and mango confit encased in a fruit mousse and topped with a shimmering sugar starfish.
The bold capsule collection of cakes also includes Tod’s neon tote bag transformed into a citrus Victoria sponge, glazed with acid-lime icing and sandwiched between florescent green Valrhona chocolate Ivoire; and Isabel Marant’s high shine, disco-inspired purple ensemble as an almond sponge with a beriolette jelly centre, glazed in glittering purple and topped with a matching chocolate bow. But the showstopper has to be Michael Halpern’s feather couture gown reimagined as a light financier cake with raspberry compote, Amatika chocolate dome with praline crunch, grue de cacao and black wafer legs sit akimbo on top.
Priced from £60pp – They do also cater for halal dietary requirements. I’d recommend giving them a call just to make sure beforehand.
Where – Wilton Place, Knightsbridge SW1X 7RL; the-berkeley.co.uk
Cruella De Ville – It’s A Little Bit Mad at The Lanesborough
The Lanesborough hotel in Knightsbridge have launched a new Cruella-inspired afternoon tea called It’s A Little Bit Mad. Running throughout the summer, the afternoon tea features fantastical cakes like Anarchy Reigns, a millionaire shortbread presented on a mini artists easel; Runaway Diva, a treacle tart with a whipped dulcey ganache and Cruella’s iconic red lips; Fashion Makes Art Makes Fashion, a black-and-red chocolate and raspberry Battenberg cake; and Totally Unexpected, a red choux bun hat with caramelised banana and pecan nut crema.
Available until 4th August and priced from £55pp (a children’s version is available from £25).
Where – Hyde Park Corner, Knightsbridge SW1X 7TA; the-lanesborough/afternoon-tea
The Hatter’s Tea Party at The Egerton House Hotel
Egerton House hotel have launched a brand new afternoon tea based around Alice in Wonderland and the mad hatter’s tea party. It features treats like the Queen of Hearts (a homemade raspberry jam tart with almond crumble), Pearl of Oysters (a white chocolate Lanson Champagne truffle), Plum Pudding (vanilla posset with stewed plums), and Eat Me (a chocolate cake with a rich buttercream icing). Sandwiches include H Forman’s smoked salmon, free-range egg mayonnaise, cucumber and cream cheese, and coronation chicken.
Priced £52pp – Vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free and kids options are available (still waiting to hear back on whether they can offer halal). You can also enjoy a picnic version to go for £55pp, or £125pp with butler service.
Where – 17-19 Egerton Terrace, Kensington SW3 2BX; egertonhousehotel.com
Hello You
I’m Rosie!
