Just because you’re gluten-free doesn’t mean you should miss out on an afternoon full of tasty treats. Here are 10 Gluten-Free Afternoon Teas In London…
There is nothing like an afternoon tea to while away an afternoon. You get to taste some classic sandwiches, indulge in a whole range of traditional cakes and fill that last bit of space in your stomach with freshly baked scones before washing it all down with a cup of tea or a glass of champagne. On the note of Champagne, have you read our article on champagne buckets to keep your bottles cold at home? If you are someone who can’t eat gluten, you may worry that there’s nowhere to go to get a really good afternoon tea, but luckily that isn’t the case. In fact, our capital city is packed with a host of delicious gluten-free afternoon teas in London that you are spoilt for choice.
Here’s our guide to gluten-free afternoon teas in London you don’t want to miss…
Gluten-Free Afternoon Tea In London
Fortnum & Mason – The Diamond Jubilee Tea Salon
Afternoon tea isn’t just an afternoon tea when visiting Fortnum & Mason, it’s an experience and one that’s guaranteed to impress. Served in The Diamond Jubilee Tea Salon, this room is a beautiful, sophisticated tea room named in honour of Her Majesty when she formally opened the room in 2012.
Quintessentially British, Fortnum and Mason are proud to offer a truly classic English afternoon tea made without gluten. You’ll enjoy an hors d’oeuvre to start, before moving on to finger sandwiches, scones, and then finishing with patisseries. A pot of the tea that Fortnum & Mason are known for will accompany your afternoon tea while champagne, wine or beer & cider can be added at an additional fee. From the moment you arrive to the moment you leave you’ll feel looked after and truly special.
Where: Fortnum & Mason, 181 Piccadilly, St. James’s, London, W1A 1ER
Price: £70.00 without champagne / £86.25 with a glass of Fortnum’s Platinum Jubilee Blanc de Blancs Extra Dry NV
B Bakery Bus Tour
Enjoy a gluten-free afternoon tea on one of London’s most unique venues, B Bakerys London bus tour. A memorable experience where you will explore the city’s top landmarks on a vintage double-decker bus. You’ll do this while sipping on cups of tea and indulging in a selection of freshly-cut gluten-free sandwiches, cakes and of course freshly baked scones with clotted cream and jam. The gluten-free afternoon tea menu doesn’t stop there, it is also available on their boat tour and in their cafe in Covent Garden.
Throughout the year, Brigit’s Bakery changes the theme of their afternoon tea, so make sure you look at their schedule to find the right one for you.
Where: The bus will pick you up from Trafalgar Square or Victoria Coach Station. Refer to their bus routes & departure points on their website.
Price: From £45 per adult, £35 per child.
Dietary Needs: Please specify requirements upon reservation. All allergies must be emailed and confirmed by management at info@b-bakery.com.
Ting Shangri-La – The Shard
As soon as you step out of the lift into the Shangri-La lobby, you are instantly wowed by the breathtaking views from the 35th-floor. Your gluten-free afternoon will take place in Shangri-La’s Ting restaurant. Here you will enjoy your scones, sweet treats, tea and a glass of champagne to the backdrop of the tower bridge of London, Sky Garden and St Paul’s Cathedral in the distance. Your gluten-free afternoon tea is the same as the Skyline Jubilee Afternoon Tea, just made with gluten-free ingredients instead.
Ting at the Shangri-La is a great option when looking into gluten-free afternoon teas in London. It’s special and makes for a great birthday present or a treat for your loved one.
Where: TĪNG Restaurant, Level 35, Shangri-La The Shard, 31 St Thomas Street, SE1 9QU
Price: Skyline Afternoon Tea £65. From £75 when including a glass of champagne
Dietary Needs: Please specify requirements upon reservation.
One Aldwych
The luxurious One Aldwych, located in the heart of Covent Garden (London’s theatreland) offers its take on a Charlie and the Chocolate Factory-inspired afternoon tea. Catering to gluten-free, vegetarian and vegan diets, you can expect scrumptious savouries such as their meal-in-marshmallows and cheddar scones with bacon toffee jam, then journey on to Loompaland lemon floss and plates piled high with Wonka-worthy cakes, sweets, mousses and scones – all washed down with chocolate or lemon sherbet tea, swimming pool fizz or pistol punch cocktails, or fizzy lifting Champagne. As far as gluten-free afternoon tea in London goes, this is one you don’t want to miss.
Where: 1 Aldwych, London, WC2B 4BZ
Price: From £52 per person, £65 with a glass of Champagne or cocktail
Corinthia
For a luxurious and indulgent dining experience, Corinthia’s gluten-free afternoon tea in London is the one for you.
Taking inspiration from what a traditional afternoon should be, you’ll be dining under the light of their gorgeous Baccarat Chandelier in their Crystal Moon Lounge. Dine to a backdrop of live piano music while taking in the beautiful decor and relaxing atmosphere.
The menu is full of enticing afternoon-tea treats such as finger sandwiches made with gluten-free bread, freshly made scones and a range of freshly-made cakes. Their tea menu is impressive with many blends to choose from. You can upgrade your afternoon tea to a champagne afternoon tea at an additional cost.
Where: Corinthia, Whitehall Place, London SW1A 2BD
Price: Afternoon Tea From £65 per person. From £75 when including a glass of champagne
Mandarin Oriental Hyde Park – The Rosebery
After a day exploring Knightsbridge including many of the popular things to do such as shop in Harrods or wander around the V&A Museum, the Mandarin Oriental Hyde Park is the perfect pit stop for a luxurious gluten-free afternoon tea in London.
Your afternoon tea is served in The Rosebery room, a lavish lounge with a stunning interior. It’s bright, welcoming, has a relaxing atmosphere and is luxurious without being pretentious. You will be treated extremely well by the staff and will feel special for the duration of your visit.
You’ll start your gluten-free afternoon tea experience by choosing from their extensive selection of the finest teas from around the world. A delicious array of finger sandwiches will then follow, before enjoying their freshly baked plain and raisin gluten-free scones. Hand-made cakes and pastries designed to match the theme of your gluten-free tea will finish the afternoon.
The theme of their afternoon tea can change so be sure to keep an eye on their website for the most up to date menu.
Where: The Rosebery, 66 Knightsbridge, London, SW1X 7LA,
Price: Wimbledon Afternoon Tea £63 | £79 with one glass of Ruinart Blanc de Blancs
The Chesterfield Mayfair
Taking you back to the good old days, The Chesterfield Mayfair gluten-free afternoon tea is a collaboration with Mr Simms Sweetshop, inspired by a traditional sweet shop. Enjoy the flashback to your old favourite flavours or the excitement of trying something new.
Sip Mr Simms Sweetshop tea blend before tucking into homemade sandwiches with tasty fillings like roast chicken, honey roast ham and freshly baked gluten-free fruit scones (served with clotted cream and homemade strawberry jam). And what gluten-free afternoon tea in London would be complete without cakes to finish up with? Tuck into their selection of coca-cola slices, drumstick macaroons, chocolate jazzies and more – all of which are a treat for the senses.
The Chesterfield Mayfair can accommodate vegetarian, gluten-free and Halal afternoon teas and is also dog-friendly if you are considering staying and bringing your canine.
Where: The Chesterfield Mayfair, 35 Charles Street, Mayfair, London, W1J 5EB
Price: £55 per person, £65 per person including a glass of 100ml brut, rosé, or white label Lanson Champagne.
The Beaumont
The Beaumont is known for serving some of the best afternoon teas in London and they cater to multiple dietary requirements including vegan and gluten-free.
Your afternoon tea is served in the Gatsby Room, a beautiful lounge that oozes elegance and charm. Impressive artwork adorns the walls while a baby grand piano plays melodies for you to enjoy alongside your tea.
The menu is just as impressive as the room, consisting of finger sandwiches (on gluten-free bread) that include shrimp cocktail, salt beef, devilled cacklebean egg mayonnaise, and freshly baked gluten-free raisin and plain scones. Make sure you leave some space for their sweet treats such as Alabama lane cake, Mississippi mud pie, wild blueberry religieuse and caramelised apple pie.
Where: The Beaumont, Brown Hart Gardens, Mayfair, London, W1K 6TF
Price: £52 per person, £67 per person including a glass of 2017 Gusbourne Blanc de Blancs champagne
Cutter & Squidge
We included Cutter and Squidge in our guide to afternoon tea hampers and feel they deserve a mention in this article on Gluten-Free Afternoon Teas In London.
Cutter & Squidge has a cosy all-day Café & Tea Room in Soho, ideal for those who are looking for a more affordable – but still very delicious gluten-free afternoon tea. They also cater to other dietary requirements including vegetarian and vegan.
The menu includes delicious pineapple roasted ham, sliced cucumber, egg salad and chicken salad sandwiches alongside a savoury offering of a sausage roll and sweetcorn blini with tomato. The scones come with clotted cream while desserts include a mini cake, passionfruit fool, brownie and macarons. You can enjoy all of this alongside a choice of fine loose leaf tea. We recommend upgrading and adding a glass of Prosecco, Bellini or non-alcoholic drink for £6.5.
Where: 20 Brewer Street, London, W1F 0HL
Price: £32.50 per person, £39 per person including a glass of Prosecco, Bellini or non-alcoholic drink
The Langham London
Indulge in a traditional gluten-free afternoon tea created by Michel Roux Jr. and Executive Pastry Chef Andrew Gravett at the Langham London.
Taking place in the impressive Palm Court at the Langham, this is the birthplace of afternoon tea so one of the most iconic spots you will ever dine in. Here you can enjoy indulgent finger sandwiches on gluten-free bread which includes classic cucumber, roast beef, cornish Burford brown eggs and hot smoked salmon. Their scones are freshly made in the Palm Court bakery and are served with Cornish clotted cream and chef’s seasonal preserves. Keep some room for their sweet treats, inspired by the nation’s favourite biscuits and baked tarts they’re not to be missed.
Add a glass of Gusbourne Brut Reserve for £15 or a glass of Taittinger Brut Reserve for £21. If you want to bring your little ones with you, they can dine from the dedicated Children’s afternoon tea menu.
Where: 1c Portland Place, Regent Street, London, W1B 1JA
Price: £70 per person, £80 per person including a glass of Gusbourne Brut Reserve champagne
There are many great Gluten-Free Afternoon Teas In London. We hope you enjoy some of the ten that we have included in our guide above. Have you had a gluten-free afternoon in London that you would like us to add to the list above? Have you been to one of the ten restaurants above? Which one is your favourite? Let us know in the comment box below.
Libby’s bakery on Ledbury Rd is a fantastic gluten free shop!
We will have to check it out – thank you for letting us know!