The days of being limited to dairy-laden cakes and meaty sandwiches during high tea are long gone. London’s vegan scene has blossomed, and we’re here to guide you through the guilt-free delights of vegan afternoon tea in the capital.
We found the city’s best spots for plant-based treats that won’t just tickle your taste buds but also your ethical sensibilities. Of course, if veganism isn’t your cup of tea, you can always check out our article for the best tea shops in London instead.
But otherwise, buckle up, because we’re about to lift the lid on London’s top-tier vegan tea spots!
Ampersand Hotel
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Location: 10 Harrington Rd, South Kensington, London SW7 3ER, United Kingdom
Contact: +44 20 7591 4414
Pricing: £££
Operating hours:
- Monday to Friday – 12:00 PM to 7:00 PM
- Saturday to Sunday – 11:30 AM to 7:30 PM
For those who thought cream tea couldn’t get any cooler, Ampersand is here to defy expectations and teleport you into a realm where petri dishes become condiment canvases, chocolate spacemen defy gravity, and solar system mousse orbits your plate.
Who said playing with your food was a no-no? At Ampersand, it’s practically a commandment. Come here for a fun, delicious time – and yes, of course the vegan menu is excellent.
The Savoy
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Location: Strand, London WC2R 0EY, United Kingdom
Contact: +44 20 7420 2111
Pricing: £££
Operating hours:
- Monday – 12:30 PM to 3:15 PM
- Tuesday to Sunday – 12:30 PM to 5:15 PM
Let’s talk ambience because, let’s face it, there are afternoon teas, and then there’s The Savoy’s afternoon tea. The Thames Foyer is the kind of place where even the cucumber sandwiches feel a bit extra.
The grandeur of the setting is enough to make you question if you accidentally stepped into a scene from a period drama. This is The Savoy doing what The Savoy does best – blending elegance with a touch of whimsy.
Now, onto the pièce de résistance – the drinks. The Savoy takes the vegan afternoon tea game to new heights, offering a symphony of over 30 teas that could make even the royalty reconsider their loyalty to Earl Grey.
The Athenaeum
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Location: 116 Piccadilly, London W1J 7BJ, United Kingdom
Contact: [email protected]
Pricing: £££
Operating hours:
- Monday to Sunday – 12:30 PM to 5:00 PM
The Athenaeum doesn’t just dip its toes in vegan waters, it full-body-cannonballs into the water. Picture sandwiches that could rival the most indulgent of traditional teas – with hummus, piquillo pepper, and rocket leading the charge, and spiced sweet potato and ‘feta’ stealing the show.
There’s no need to even cast a glance at the non-vegan options, by the way. Here, the plant-based parade steals the spotlight.
Dukes Hotel
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Location: 35 St James’s Pl, St. James’s, London SW1A 1NY, United Kingdom
Contact: +44 20 7491 4840
Pricing: £££
Operating hours:
- Monday to Sunday – 12:00 PM to 6:00 PM
Located just a five-minute stroll from the palace, Dukes Hotel offers a spot where veganism and elegance intertwine, and where your tea experience becomes a culinary journey fit for a king or queen.
Picture yourself in the Drawing Room, surrounded by the ambience of elegance and treated to picturesque courtyard views. The caddy arrives, brimming with delights like cucumber and cress-filled oatcakes, sultana scones, and an abundance of pretty pastries. Heaven!
Palm Court at The Langham Hotel
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Location: 1C Portland Pl, London W1B 1JA, United Kingdom
Contact: +44 20 7965 0195
Pricing: £££
Operating hours:
- Monday to Sunday – 7:00 AM to 11:00 PM
Palm Court’s afternoon tea at The Langham Hotel is an art deco tea adventure. Before you even peep the eats, they start you off with free bubbly – we’re talking sparkling wine or legit champagne here, people.
And oh, do the vegan treats just keep rolling in. We’re talking savoury tea sandwiches with bomb flavour combos like cucumber with creamy vegan cheese, sweet potatoes stacked on caraway bread, and even a fancy vegan cheese scone. Drooling yet? Just wait.
Save some room for the cute little cakes and freshly baked scones they pile onto fancy three-tier displays. We’re talking lemon curd, seasonal fruit pastries… tiny tastes of heaven. And custom tea pairings from their in-house tea expert to boot? Next level.
Farmacy
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Location: 74-76 Westbourne Grove, London W2 5SH, United Kingdom
Contact: +44 20 7221 0705
Pricing: ££
Operating hours:
- Monday to Friday – 12:00 PM to 10:00 PM
- Saturday to Sunday – 10:00 AM to 10:00 PM
Tucked away in the oh-so Instagrammable streets of Notting Hill, this sanctuary of salvaged wood and overflowing foliage is a feast for the eyes before you even glimpse the menu.
The menu is basically a parade of edible works of art, by the way. We’re talking Mediterranean quiches bringing full flavour fantasia, smoothed coconut macaroons laced with their signature “naturella” spread, and mouthwatering tea sandwiches galore.
Their scone selection in particular seems to vanish quicker than Cinderella at midnight – best grab those lovelies first!
Cutter & Squidge
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Location: 20 Brewer St, London W1F 0SJ, United Kingdom
Contact: +44 20 7734 2540
Pricing: ££
Operating hours:
- Monday to Sunday – 11:00 AM to 7:00 PM
Pastel colours swirl up candy-coated walls, leading to blown-glass chandeliers that set the stage for your sweetest Potterhead dreams. And when I say sweet, I mean SWEET – we’re talking warm cookies, oozing brownies, rainbow cake galore!
You’ll think Honeydukes set up shop in London when you come here. Save room for their freakshake-inspired potion teas, stacked sky-high with mix-in swirls. Every sip will have your tongue convinced it died and woke up at the Great Feast’s dessert table!
Lady Dinah’s Cat Emporium
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Location: 152-154, Bethnal Green Rd, London E2 6DG, United Kingdom
Contact: +44 20 8616 9390
Pricing: ££
Operating hours:
- Monday to Wednesday & Friday – 11:00 AM to 5:00 PM
- Thursday – 11:00 AM to 8:00 PM
- Saturday to Sunday – 10:30 AM to 6:00 PM
Lady Dinah’s Cat Cafe rules as the best cheap vegan tea option London’s got going on right now. And when a place lets you hang with adorable rescue kitties while munching some surprising bites? Uh, sign me up!
Most visitors initially show up for snuggles with photogenic felines like little Irie. Her cute face alone sparks urges to catnap her forever! But the drool-worthy sweets end up stealing the show.
Perfectly spiced pumpkin scones fresh from the oven, silky chocolate mousse magically made dairy-free, and moist chocolate raspberry cupcakes so fudgy they disappear quickly. Who knew such gourmet vegan nibbles came so cheap?
Charlie and the Chocolate Factory Afternoon Tea
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Location: 1 Aldwych, London WC2B 4BZ, United Kingdom
Contact: +44 20 7300 0300
Pricing: ££
Operating hours:
- Wednesday to Friday – 12:00 PM to 3:00 PM
- Saturday to Sunday – 12:00 PM to 4:00 PM
The moment you step through their doors, it’s like diving straight into the pages of Roald Dahl’s deliciously wacky imagination.
We’re talking Oompa Loompa tunes, cocktails that fizz and foam, grass-strewn platters…you’ll be belting out “I’ve Got a Golden Ticket” faster than you can say snozzberry!
But while this candy land caters to hardcore sweet tooths with sticky-fingered kiddies in tow, fear not salty snackers! We’re talking potato latkes with apple sauce, sammies on that pretzel bread, and even mini shepherd’s pies for the savoury set. Can I get an oompa-loompa hallelujah?
The Egerton Hotel
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Location: 17-19 Egerton Terrace, London SW3 2BX, United Kingdom
Contact: +44 20 7589 2412
Pricing: ££
Operating hours:
- Monday to Friday – 12:00 PM to 6:00 PM
This 5-star boutique hotel pulls out all the stops to transport guests to an era of refinement with a modern, oddly comfy twist.
The charming drawing room sets a glamorous scene with floral wallpaper, velvet sofas, and sparkling chandeliers. It’s the type of place that makes you instantly sit up a little straighter.
But while the surroundings exude elegance, the hospitality remains graciously down-to-earth. And the food is marvellous: savoury tea sandwiches feature combinations like cucumber and vegan cream cheese, roasted red pepper with cashew ricotta, and even flaky onion pie for those craving heartier fare.
Brigit’s Bakery
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Location: 6-7 Chandos Pl, London WC2N 4HU, United Kingdom
Contact: +44 20 3026 1188
Pricing: ££
Operating hours:
- Monday to Friday – 10:00 AM to 6:00 PM
Setting foot into Brigit’s Bakery feels like walking into the cosiest kitchen your granny ever cooked up in. Fairy lights dance across warm brick walls while the sweet scents of cookies and cinnamon buns wrap guests in a comforting hug.
You know you’re in for something special. And indeed, one glimpse at the treats on offer and you can already taste why Brigit’s is earning repute as serving up London’s finest flavor-fantasy-filled vegan afternoons.
While the atmosphere exudes rustic charm and whimsical nostalgia, their vegan goodies will take you to foodie heaven. Think towering five-alarm cinnamon rolls practically bleeding with creamy icing and gorgeous pastel berry teacakes tempting you to catch a sugar rush.
Mad Hatters
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Location: Sanderson Hotel, 50 Berners St, London W1T 3NG, United Kingdom
Contact: +44 20 7300 5588
Pricing: ££
Operating hours:
- Monday to Wednesday – 12:00 PM to 5:00 PM
- Thursday to Sunday – 12:00 PM to 7:00 PM
Walking into the Wonderland-inspired interiors of Mad Hatters, guests instantly feel like they took a bite of “Eat Me” cake and gone to a whimsical new realm. Pocket watch chandeliers tick welcoming rhythms while book-stacked shelves and quirky memorabilia line the walls here.
Much like Alice’s adventures, the treats awaiting discovery make one’s imagination run wild. Mini mushroom pies prove vegan flavours can pack an umami to rival any meaty morsel. Even their “Drink Me” potions like passionfruit Bellinis put typical tea libations to shame!