Best 9 cheap afternoon teas in London

Find an afternoon tea in London for less than £30 per person. You don’t need to go over budget to enjoy this British tradition, with plenty of affordable afternoon tea options available in the capital. Or check out these afternoon tea deals* for some great low-budget ideas.

1. Mr White's by Marco Pierre White, Leicester Square

A brown table with two glasses of rose sparkling wine and sandwiches and scones. — Traditional Afternoon Tea at Mr White's by Marco Pierre White Leicester Square. Image courtesy of Red Letter Days.

Savour a delectable afternoon tea at Mr White's by Marco Pierre White in lively Leicester Square. The restaurant's warm lighting and cascading plant features make for the perfect setting, as you tuck into tempting sweet and savoury treats. Once you're finished, do a spot of shopping on Oxford Street or tick off some of the city's top sights.

Price: from £25 per person
When: Monday-Friday 12pm-4pm
Where: 20-21 Leicester Square, London WC2H 7LE

Book a Traditional Afternoon Tea at Mr White's by Marco Pierre White Leicester Square now*

2. Café Rouge

A white table with cups and afternoon tea cakes and finger sandwiches. — Indulge at an afternoon tea at Cafe Rouge. Image courtesy of Red Letter Days.

Treat yourself to afternoon tea with a French twist at Café Rouge. With locations across London and super affordable prices, enjoy sweet treats and French-inspired savouries, including French onion sausage rolls and mini meingue torte.

Price: from £15 per person
When: Times vary across branches, please check before booking.
Where: There are several locations across London including hot spots such as St Paul's (5-14 St. Paul's Churchyard, London EC4M 8BX), St Katherine Docks (Tower Bridge House, 4 St Katharine's Way, London E1W 1BA) and Greenwich (Greenwich, 30 Stockwell St, London SE10 9JN).

Book a Café Rouge afternoon tea for two*

3. Boulevard Brasserie Covent Garden

This traditional afternoon tea at Boulevard Brasserie Covent Garden is situated smack bang in the middle of London's dazzling theatre district, just a stones throw from the Royal Opera House. Choose from fine teas and coffees which are accompanied by a selection of savouries, classic baked scones and an assortment of cakes and tarts.

Price: from £24.95 per person
When: Monday-Sunday 12pm-3.45pm
Where: 40 Wellington St London, WC2E 7BD

4. The Drawing Room at Brown's

A three-tiered cake stand full of cakes and sandwiches, surrounded by plates, cups and saucers, on a table with a white table cloth, in front of a lit fire in an open fireplace. — Afternoon tea at Brown's Hotel. Photo credit: @Lateef. Image courtesy of Rocco Forte Hotels.

A traditional afternoon tea fit for a queen, Queen Victoria to be exact. Follow in the footsteps of royalty and enjoy an afternoon tea in the elegant Drawing Room at Brown's. Serving an irresistible selection of sweet and savoury nibbles, from neatly crimped sandwiches to dainty pastries. This award-winning dining experience will be nothing short of memorable.

Price: from £30 per person
When: Monday-Sunday 12pm-4.30pm
Where: Ground Floor, 33 Albemarle St, London W1S 4BP

5. Cinnamon Bazaar

Tuck into a budget afternoon tea with an Indian twist during the Bazaar High Chai at Covent Garden's Cinnamon Bazaar. Start off with spiced sandwiches and rolls, and continue to street-food-style chaats, before indulging in sweet and sticky Indian-influenced treats. Enjoy a pot of tea or sip on flavour-packed Indian masala chai throughout.

Price: £27.50 per person
When: Monday to Sunday 12pm-4pm
Where: 28 Maiden Lane, London, WC2E 7JS

6. Lilly's Cafe

A pink table with white plates and brightly iced cakes. — Lily's Cafe. Image courtesy of TGP International. Photo credit: Steven Joyce.

London romance at its best, Lilly's Cafe is all about blending wellness with fun. Its beautiful conservatory is the perfect setting for a delightful afternoon tea with a loved one and who can go wrong with bottomless cake... Yes, you heard that right - bottomless cake! Grab a cup of tea, or a glass of bubbles and sit back and enjoy its relaxing atmosphere before heading out for an evening of fun in Covent Garden.

Price: from £20 per person
When: Monday-Sunday 4pm-10pm
Where: 3 Henrietta Street, London WC2E 8LU

7. The Melody at St Paul's, Hammersmith

The Melody at St Paul's is the perfect spot for those looking to pair a delicious afternoon tea with a show at the Eventim Apollo, Hammersmith. Enjoy a variety of traditional finger sandwiches and a selection of pastries with a selection of teas or coffee, with the option to add a glass of bubbles if you're feeling extra indulgent.

Price: from £27 per person
When: Monday-Sunday 15:30-17:30
Where: 153 Hammersmith Road, London W14 0QL

8. The Wolseley

A grey marble table with a silver tray with a teapot and cup of tea next to a beige and white place with four round fruit scones. — Indulge with a cream team at The Wolseley. Image courtesy of The Wolseley. Photo credit: David Loftus.

Look around the magnificent interior of The Wolseley on Piccadilly, a grand European-style all-day eatery. It offers a good value cream tea including just tea and scones (no sandwiches), which makes for an indulgent afternoon pick-me-up. If you're still hungry, add a few more sweet treats or break the budget with the full afternoon tea.

Price: from £16.75 per person
When: Monday-Friday 3pm-6pm, Saturday and Sunday 3.30pm-6.30pm
Where: 160 Piccadilly, London W1J 9EB

9. The Wallace Restaurant

A selection of colourful cakes and sandwiches on serving plates — Afternoon tea of cakes and sandwiches © Sebastian Coman Photography via Unsplash. Image courtesy of Sebastian Coman Photography via Unsplash

Enjoy fine arts, including paintings, porcelain and furnishings, at the Wallace Collection in Manchester Square, then take a well-deserved break with an affordable afternoon tea in The Wallace Restaurant. Alongside sandwiches, scones and cakes, you can choose from a wide range of specialist teas.

Price: from £24.95 per person
When: Daily 10am-5pm
Where: Hertford House, Manchester Square, London W1U 3BN

Looking to splash out? Take a look at the full range of afternoon tea in London including traditional and unusual afternoon tea.