Claridge'sAfternoon Tea at Claridge's

Claridge's is the connoisseur's pick, edged into second only by The Ritz's sheer theatre. Tea is served in The Foyer and Reading Room beneath a striking Art Deco glass installation, set off by the hotel's signature jade-and-white striped china. The traditional tea covers finger sandwiches, warm scones with clotted cream and preserves, and a line of refined seasonal pastries, backed by an extensive loose-leaf list that ranges from a rich oolong to the house Claridge's Blend. It is priced at £95 per person, with a Champagne version at £110 and rosé Champagne at £125. The room feels more intimate and design-led than some of its grander rivals, which makes it the strong choice for anyone who cares as much about the setting and the tea list as the food itself.