Afternoon Tea, The Savoy
I do love an afternoon tea. The Savoy is simply the best location in London in which to be served finger sandwiches, homemade scones, clotted cream, jam and cakes. Traditional afternoon tea at The Savoy takes place in the Thames Foyer, and I’ve heard that it’s best washed down with a glass or two of Louis Roederer brut premier. Or your choice of tea, of course.
The Savoy on The Strand
So when I was offered the opportunity to sample The Savoy’s afternoon tea in London I jumped at the chance. The Savoy is on The Strand, a busy London thoroughfare that I used to pass along daily on my way to work on the edge of Covent Garden. I would take the train to London Bridge and walk along the South Bank, crossing the Thames and passing Somerset House before arriving in Southampton Street, just off The Strand, where I was a travel consultant.
A Warm Welcome
We were greeted warmly – and with just the right balance between formality and familiarity. Seats were taken, then we were immediately offered a glass of champagne. Louis Roederer brut, of course. If you prefer pink, you can opt for Deutz Rosé instead.
The Thames Foyer
Browsing the menu while sipping champagne gave us a chance to take in the surroundings as well as the food options. Style, opulence and glamour just about sums up the setting of the Thames Foyer. With a Steinway piano right at the centre, occupying pride of place below the magnificent stained-glass dome.
Afternoon vs High Tea
Our server had explained the options. Afternoon Tea, she said, was for those with more of a sweet tooth, featuring finger sandwiches followed by scones and a selection cakes created by the executive pastry chef. The High Tea menu also included finger sandwiches, scones and cakes, but instead of four cakes apiece there were two cakes plus a middle course of slow cooked salmon or poached duck egg.
Vegan, Vegetarian & Children’s options
Liking the sound of the latter, we both plumped for that. The Savoy also has a Vegan Afternoon Tea, a Children’s Afternoon tea and a Vegetarian Afternoon Tea to choose from. The kids’ option is half the price of the adult version.
Finger Sandwiches first
Our first course of finger sandwiches included fillings of egg, brown shrimp, cucumber and coronation chicken, plus an open sandwich if smoked salmon on lemon brioche. Each featured a different bread – beetroot, multigrain, tomato or white. The amount of filling in each was generous while avoiding any of that messy overspill that could mean spoiling your make-up or clothing.
Waiting staff then offered us trays of each sandwich, so we could select some more if we wished. I managed another each of shrimp and chicken before deciding to leave space for further culinary delights to come. As it happened, we had just been discussing whether we would have preferred to select our fillings rather than being brought a plate of all four. This way, we got the best of both worlds – sampling the full quartet before being able to enjoy our favourites once more.
A savoury interlude
The next course was the poached duck egg. This was very elegantly presented on a bed of mixed wild mushrooms, with hollandaise poured over and a garnish of truffle shavings. It was lovely to have something a little more low-carb before the sweet course arrived, and it also made the whole experience feel more like a complete three course meal.
Scones with lemon curd
To finish, we were brought freshly homemade scones – one each of plain and fruit – plus clotted cream, strawberry jam and lemon curd to put on them. The cakes included a melt-in-the-mouth, ultra-light lemon tart and a chocolate and hazelnut cake that reminded us of a certain famous TV ad featuring that generous ambassador…
Five stars plus
The verdict? Five stars plus for the food, service, atmosphere and setting. I would definitely recommend and go for the high tea option again. One of the best factors, for me, was the service. It was friendly without being over-intrusive, and down-to-earth enough not to be suffocating or stuffy. The perfect balance.
The Savoy’s position is definitely a point in its favour too. It’s just along the road from Charing Cross station – the official centre of London – in the heart of theatre central, between Covent Garden and the Thames. Just about any sight you’d want to see in London is within easy reach of the Savoy, and many places are within reasonable walking distance.
Staying on
To perfect the experience, I’d loved to have had a cocktail or two at the bar, and perhaps a bite of supper later before retiring to one of the hotel’s palatial rooms or suites for the night. Another time, perhaps. Of all the top hotels in London, the position of the Savoy is in my eyes by far the best.
Many happy returns
We resolved to return once a year, making the trip to London an annual treat centred around afternoon tea at the Savoy. If it’s a special occasion, I might even be tempted to splash out on a night’s stay too.
Afternoon Tea at The Savoy FAQs
Here are some of the most commonly asked questions regarding afternoon tea at the Savoy.
Are there any afternoon tea at the Savoy special offers?
Not really – this is the Savoy. It is a London institution and it tends to be consistently fully booked out. So do book a table in advance! Afternoon tea at the Savoy offers are not really a thing, simply because they don’t need to offer discounts.
Can I buy an afternoon tea at the Savoy voucher?
You can buy gift vouchers, but don’t buy one for yourself as it’s actually slightly more expensive than the menu price! It would make a very impressive gift though… I’d certainly be delighted to receive one. Imagine opening that. Afternoon Tea. The Savoy, London, no less. Wow.
Why afternoon tea at the Savoy in London?
It might not be cheap – but it actually wasn’t as pricey as I expected, either. According to a London venue expert I know, the top five hotels for afternoon tea in London are The Ritz, The Langham, The Dorchester, Claridge’s and The Savoy. I can tell you that – unlike others – The Savoy does not give you a limited time slot.
The Ritz, Dorchester and Langham are in Mayfair, while The Langham is up in Marylebone. While Mayfair is upmarket, I much prefer The Savoy’s location on The Strand. It is the only five star London hotel on the river.
What is the afternoon tea at the Savoy price?
At the time of writing (September 2020), the Savoy Afternoon, Vegetarian, High or Vegan Afternoon Tea options all began at £75 per person. Pay £85, and you can add a glass of champagne – £95 if you’d like Deutz Rosé. The cost of afternoon tea at the Savoy isn’t too bad for the bucket-list experience that it is.
Is there an afternoon tea at the Savoy dress code?
Yes – smart casual. When I visited, people were wearing anything from jeans and a smart top to a dress or suit. As long as you’re not in scruffy, ripped clothing pretty much anything goes, so what to wear for afternoon tea at The Savoy depends on what you would feel most comfortable in.
Where can I find more afternoon tea at the Savoy reviews?
Why not check out the latest reviews of afternoon tea at The Savoy on Trip Advisor or other travel sites? While no review is 100% reliable, consistently good or bad reviews of any place are generally a pretty reasonable indicator. You could check out the competing rates for an overnight stay, too – it might not be as expensive as you think!
How do I book afternoon tea at The Savoy hotel, London?
Yuu can book afternoon tea at The Savoy here. If you fancy staying over, check out the latest rates and reviews here.
Related content:
Note – I was invited to the Savoy as a guest, and as such received complimentary food and drinks. The choice to publish a review was entirely mine, and opinions are, as always, honest.
Note – This post may contain affiliate links. If you buy via these, I may earn a small fee. This has absolutely no effect on the price you pay. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.
