Food reviewer Harrison Webb set out to try what he claims is the most expensive afternoon tea in London to determine whether the luxury experience is truly worth the price tag.
For countless tourists, afternoon tea ranks among the first things that spring to mind when thinking about British life. This cherished tradition originated in the 1840s as a social custom for the upper classes, designed to fill the lengthy interval between lunch and a late evening dinner. It typically comprises finger sandwiches, scones accompanied by clotted cream and jam, and pastries served alongside tea. Nowadays, it is frequently enjoyed as a special treat or celebration in hotels and tearooms across the country.
However, with London boasting numerous establishments offering this service, working out which venues are genuinely worthwhile can prove challenging. To assist people in making their choice, London-based food reviewer Harrison Webb has undertaken the task of sampling what he describes as the capital's most expensive afternoon tea to determine whether the premium price is justified.
"Today, I'm trying the most expensive afternoon tea in London. Let's see if it's worth it," Harrison said.
The afternoon tea experience takes place at Hotel Café Royale, an establishment with roots stretching back to 1865, which continues to maintain its reputation for exceptional food and service, reflected in its impressive 4.6 out of five rating on Google Reviews from more than 2,000 assessments. Yet this luxury comes at a considerable cost, as Harrison disclosed the traditional afternoon tea here will set you back £85 per person, or as much as £135 if you fancy adding a glass of champagne.
As their food and tea arrived, Harrison began by sampling the Darjeeling tea, though it failed to leave a lasting impression. He said: "I mean, I just wouldn't be able to tell. Don't get me wrong, I'm sure it's a lovely, lovely tea. I'm just no tea expert."
He then turned his attention to the sandwiches. Given his visit coincided with the festive period, the usual coronation chicken sandwich had been swapped for a roast turkey alternative. Taking a bite, he exclaimed: "Oh, oh, it's wonderful. Oh, fruity as well. Some herbs in there." That's a tasty sandwich, mate," he enthusiastically added.
Next came the scones, which the staff had encouraged them to tackle first, having just emerged from the oven and been freshly prepared before being wrapped in a napkin to retain their warmth. "Oh my, that's a good scone," Harrison declared, effortlessly splitting one in half to reveal a satisfying crumble. He proceeded to generously top it with clotted cream and jam before taking a bite. He then noted: "The quality of the clotted cream is noticeable. It's noticeably good quality clotted cream. Same with the strawberry jam as well."
The pair then moved on to the sweeter offerings. They began with a Christmas tree-shaped treat, featuring a white frosting-style coating adorned with gem decorations to mimic a festive tree. Upon cutting into it, a concealed jam filling oozed out. Although Harrison admitted consuming half in a single mouthful was 'way too much', the taste clearly won him over. The remaining sweet treats were equally impressive, according to Harrison.
But did they ultimately justify the afternoon tea's price tag? "Overall, this is a top, top spot," Harrison declared. Acknowledging the steep cost, even when choosing the most affordable option, he still maintains it is money well spent. "But I think if you want to come here, even seeing this room and being in this environment, if you're coming to London for the first time, I really think it's worth coming here," Harrison said, describing it as 'more relaxed' and 'chatty' compared to other upmarket afternoon tea venues across the capital.
