A Luxe Experience Without the Luxe Price Tag
Looking for affordable afternoon tea in London without sacrificing style or setting? You’re not alone. Once upon a time, you could enjoy afternoon tea at The Goring Hotel for just £9—less than a coffee and sandwich today. Fast forward to 2025, and that same experience now costs up to £165 for two. But don’t panic! I’ve scoured the capital to uncover the best budget-friendly afternoon teas in London, from £12 cream teas to £27 Indian high chai served under gold mosaic ceilings. Here’s how to sip in style without blowing your budget.
1. The Wolseley: A Grand London Afternoon Tea for Less
Where: 160 Piccadilly, London W1J 9EB
Nearest Tube: Green Park
Website: www.thewolseley.com
Phone: +44 (0)20 7499 6996
For me the ambience and the service is almost as important as the tea. And with The Wolseley there’s no compromises on either. Stepping into the Wolseley is like stepping back in time to an era of Art Deco grandeur. Their full afternoon tea is £46.50 per person, making it one of the more reasonably priced options in a five-star setting. However, you can experience the same grand surroundings and attentive service for less by ordering their cream tea. For just £19.50, you get warm scones with clotted cream and jam, plus a pot of their signature loose-leaf tea. We are all trying to save on calories and this could be just the thing if you want to treat yourself and a friend and leave with a bill that is under £50 for 2.
At the Wolesely I would be happy to forego the afternoon tea and just have their signature dessert which is a classic banana split accompanied, by a pot of loose leaf tea.
Tip: Ask for a seat near the central dining area for the best atmosphere.
The Wolseley has a sister restaurant the Delaunay in Aldwych (Holborn) and we have reviewed their afternoon tea here. It’s slightly cheaper than the Wolseley but we concluded that the Delaunay Counter next door was a better option for a budget afternoon tea.
2. Masala High Chai at Masala Zone: A Spice-Infused Afternoon Tea on a Budget in a Historic Setting
Where: 9-10 Coventry Street, Piccadilly Circus, London W1D 6DG
Nearest Tube: Piccadilly Circus
Website: www.masalazone.com
Phone: +44 (0)20 7287 9966
Set within the glittering former Criterion Restaurant (a favourite haunt in my twenties), complete with its original gold mosaic ceiling, Masala Zone Piccadilly offers a stunning and unexpected location for an afternoon tea that’s anything but traditional.
The Masala High Chai is a fusion of British and Indian teatime favourites. For £27.25 per person, you’ll be served a colourful Indian street snacks like bhajias, pakoras, and lamb sliders, along with spiced takes on classic finger sandwiches and an assortment of Indian sweets and pastries. Add a glass of Prosecco for just £6, and you’ve got a luxury experience without the usual centre of town markup.
Tip: Served daily in Piccadilly Circus and Covent Garden, and on weekends at the Soho branch, from 3pm to 5pm – it’s wise to book in advance.
3. Brigit’s Bakery: An Affordable London Afternoon Tea on a Red Double Decker Bus!
Where: 6-7 Chandos Place, Covent Garden, London WC2N 4HU
Nearest Tube: Charing Cross / Leicester Square
Website: www.b-bakery.com
Phone: +44 (0)20 3026 1188
For an affordable afternoon tea in London with a twist, Brigit’s Bakery offers a unique experience onboard a vintage Routemaster (red double decker) bus. As you sip your tea and nibble on sandwiches, you’ll be driven past London’s most famous landmarks. Prices start from £45 per person, which isn’t cheap, but considering you’re getting a sightseeing tour and afternoon tea in one, it’s fantastic value. I did this trip with a friend and really enjoyed the tea which included filled wraps as well as sandwiches, pastries and cakes. I have noticed there are a number of companies offering similar bus tours with afternoon tea which are often discounted on Wowcher e.g. two for the price of one.
Tip: Check the Brigit’s Bakery website for discounts and offers—sometimes they run special deals!
4. The Wallace Collection’s Courtyard Café: A Cultural Escape with a Cheap Luxury London Afternoon Tea
Where: Hertford House, Manchester Square, London W1U 3BN
Nearest Tube: Bond Street / Baker Street
Website: www.wallacecollection.org
Phone: +44 (0)20 7563 9500
The Wallace Collection is a a surprisingly glamorous museum filled with art, armour, gilded furniture and china. It’s just north of Marble Arch and inside the museum, there is a light-filled courtyard which is an oasis of calm and famous for its afternoon tea. Here, a traditional cream tea costs just £12.00, while a full afternoon tea, with delicate finger sandwiches and patisserie, is £45 per person. Best of all? Entry to the museum is free, making it a perfect cultural and culinary day out.
Tip: Take a stroll through the museum’s collection before or after your tea to soak up some art and history.
You may enjoy our post on how to have a budget day out in Marylebone.
5. Cutter & Squidge: The London Afternoon Tea Quirky Alternative
Where: 20 Brewer Street, Soho, London W1F 0SJ
Nearest Tube: Piccadilly Circus
Website: www.cutterandsquidge.com
Phone: +44 (0)20 7734 2540
If traditional afternoon tea isn’t your thing, Cutter & Squidge offers something a little different. Cutter and Squidge is famous for its delectable cakes. Their ‘Afternoon Tea & Cake’ for £16.50 includes a hot drink and a selection of their famous handmade cakes. For a full-on indulgence, the ‘Squidge Afternoon Tea’ at £32.50 features savoury bites, their signature biskies (a biscuit-cookie hybrid), and a pot of tea. It’s a fun and modern take on a classic tradition. The only drawback (depending on your perspective) is that instead of a luxury hotel or upmarket cafe you will be in a tea room in the heart of Soho and there are also some fairly strict 90 minute time limit on your experience.
Tip: They often have seasonal afternoon tea themes, so check their website for the latest menu.
How to Enjoy a London Afternoon Tea on a Budget
- Opt for cream tea instead of full afternoon tea: Scones with jam and cream and a pot of tea still allows you to lap up the surroundings and service at a fraction of the price. Most people are full after the scones and unable to eat the cakes any way.
- Look for set menus and deals: Some places offer discounts at quieter times. Wowcher often has great two for one deals on afternoon tea.
- Skip the Champagne upgrade: A pot of tea is all you need to enjoy the experience.
- Visit museum cafés: Many offer more affordable teas.
- Make a day of it: Pair your tea with a free gallery or park visit.
- Take afternoon tea at Marks & Spencer’s: This is a radical suggestion as it lacks the 5 star ambience but you can have tea at this department store for £12.50 a person making it on of the cheapest teas in London.
- Split an afternoon tea with a friend: Some bakeries and cafés, like Paul’s Bakery and Gail’s, offer a great hack for budget-conscious tea lovers. Order one sandwich, a cake, a scone with cream, and a pot of tea for two, then split it between two people. Not only do you save money, but at venues like Paul’s facing St. Paul’s Cathedral, you also get a prime location for a fraction of the price of a formal afternoon tea.
Final Sip: a Luxe London Afternoon Tea for Less
A London afternoon tea doesn’t have to cost a fortune. I had a fabulous birthday treat with a friend at Gail’s bakery. I explained that I was far too frugal to pay for an afternoon tea and that we were going to order a few things and split them and they gave me a free smoked salmon and egg mayonnaise brioche bun as a birthday present. Perhaps they felt sorry for us! It felt special and our tea cost £21 for two people. Sometimes, hotels and museum, cafes will let you split an afternoon tea. Whether you are looking for a hotel, upmarket cafe, a museum or a DIY tea, there’s something for every budget. Now, over to you—how are you going to get your London afternoon tea bargain?
