The Savoy Afternoon Tea – Menu, Prices, Dress Code & Reviews

For more than a century, afternoon tea at The Savoy has represented the pinnacle of British culinary tradition. Served daily in The Gallery, this celebrated experience combines delicate finger sandwiches, freshly baked scones, and an impressive selection of pastries alongside more than 30 premium teas. Visitors to London’s iconic establishment can choose from traditional, plant-based, or twilight sittings, each offering a distinct perspective on this storied ritual.

Whether marking a special occasion or simply seeking an afternoon of refined indulgence, guests encounter an experience shaped by generations of hospitality expertise. The setting itself—with its elegant stained glass dome, marble accents, and soft peach lighting—elevates the occasion beyond mere dining into something approaching ceremony.

This guide examines what visitors can expect from The Savoy afternoon tea, covering the menu offerings, pricing considerations, dress code expectations, and the genuine experiences shared by those who have attended.

What is on the Savoy Afternoon Tea Menu?

The menu at The Savoy centres on three distinct afternoon tea experiences, each crafted to accommodate different preferences while maintaining the establishment’s exacting standards. All sittings feature finger sandwiches, savouries, warm scones with clotted cream and preserves, and a rotating selection of pastries and cakes.

Traditional Afternoon Tea

The classic offering presents a carefully curated selection that honours British afternoon tea tradition. Sandwich selections typically include English organic cucumber on spinach bread, Burford Brown egg mayonnaise on white bread, coronation chicken on granary bread, and Scottish smoked salmon on rye. Savouries such as asparagus with Graceburn cream tartlet accompany these courses.

The sweet course brings warm scones served with clotted cream and strawberry jam, followed by an assortment of patisseries that rotate seasonally. The current spring 2025 menu reflects this commitment to quality ingredients and presentation.

Plant-Based Afternoon Tea

Recognising the growing demand for inclusive dining experiences, The Savoy has developed a plant-based afternoon tea that reviewers have praised for its flavour and presentation. Savouries include avocado edamame wasabi sandwich, roasted aubergine with tomato basil, carrot coriander hummus, cucumber with mint, and truffle cauliflower vol-au-vent.

The sweet selection mirrors the traditional experience with traditional and raisin scones accompanied by plant-based clotted cream and strawberry preserve. Pastries feature raspberry coconut choux, chocolate hazelnut delice, lemon blueberry tart, and pistachio cherry slice.

Twilight Tea

For those preferring an evening experience, Twilight Tea begins at 7pm and offers a refined spread in The Gallery’s glamorous setting. The menu includes finger sandwiches such as truffled egg mayonnaise, coronation chicken, cream cheese with cucumber, and salt beef with pickle mustard mayo.

Savouries feature smoked salmon brioche roll and cheesy parsnip tartlet, with scones accompanied by clotted cream and jam. A glass of Nyetimber champagne completes the experience.

• Over 30 tea varieties available from 12:00pm to 9:00pm daily
• Plant-based and dietary-specific options require advance notice
• Savouries course approximately 821kcal for traditional menu
• Twilight Tea available from 7pm with champagne additions
• Menu items rotate seasonally to reflect fresh, quality ingredients
• Gluten-free, vegan, and vegetarian adaptations maintained to the same presentation standards
• Multi-tiered stands present the complete experience from sandwiches through pastries

How Much is Afternoon Tea at the Savoy?

Pricing for afternoon tea at The Savoy reflects its position as a premium London experience. Current specific prices are subject to variation, and guests are encouraged to confirm rates directly with the hotel when making reservations.

Historical menu information indicates the Classic Afternoon Tea was priced at approximately €50 per person, with enhancements available at additional cost. Upgrades to Prosecco add around €5 per person, cocktail options approximately €10 more, and Champagne upgrades around €15 above the base price.

Understanding the Total Cost

For two adults, visitors should anticipate spending in excess of £100 based on traditional expectations and confirmed pricing structures. Children’s afternoon tea is available at a reduced rate, with one source indicating approximately €19 per child.

Comparing the Options

The Traditional Afternoon Tea represents the foundational experience, while Twilight Tea commands a premium for its evening setting and champagne inclusion. The Plant-Based option maintains equivalent pricing to the traditional menu, ensuring dietary inclusion does not affect cost.

Group bookings and special occasions may qualify for package pricing, though specific promotions are not consistently detailed in publicly available materials. Checking the Savoy’s offers page before booking provides access to any current promotions.

What Do Reviews Say About Savoy Afternoon Tea?

Guest experiences at The Savoy afternoon tea consistently emphasise the elegance of presentation and the quality of flavours. Reviews across multiple platforms highlight particular strengths in the visual arrangement of food and the overall atmosphere of The Gallery space.

Presentation and Atmosphere

The multi-tiered stands presenting the complete afternoon tea sequence emerge as a consistent highlight in visitor accounts. Descriptions frequently reference the visual appeal of savouries, with reviewers noting these courses as particularly stunning in their arrangement. The sweets course—particularly the patisseries—receives recognition as what some term the “main event” of the experience.

The Gallery’s interior design contributes significantly to the overall impression. Visitors describe the setting as glamorous, with peach lighting, marble accents, and palm arrangements creating what one review characterised as a distinctive atmosphere combining heritage with contemporary refinement.

Flavour and Quality

Taste assessments prove equally positive. The plant-based afternoon tea receives specific commendation for being “beautifully presented and full of flavour,” with some reviewers finding the desserts indistinguishable from non-vegan alternatives. Among the pastry selections, certain items such as the lime coconut creation receive higher marks than others, including some chocolate options.

The scone course—warm, accompanied by clotted cream, jam, and lemon curd—features prominently in positive assessments, with the quality of these traditional elements meeting expectations set by the establishment’s reputation.

“Beautifully presented and full of flavour”—Plant-based afternoon tea review on Veggie Vision

The Twilight Tea experience earns praise for its refined spread and intimate atmosphere, with the evening lighting creating a particularly memorable ambiance. The Nyetimber champagne addition provides an appropriate celebratory touch for those seeking an enhanced experience.

What is the Dress Code for Afternoon Tea at the Savoy?

The Savoy maintains a dress code that balances elegance with comfort. The official guidance specifies “comfortable and elegant attire” for afternoon tea guests, establishing expectations without imposing overly formal requirements.

This approach reflects the contemporary interpretation of afternoon tea as an accessible luxury experience. While jacket and smart casual options remain appropriate, the emphasis falls on presenting well and feeling comfortable throughout the multi-course occasion.

What to Wear

Guests typically arrive in smart casual to formal attire, with the elegant setting encouraging more polished choices. For those planning their visit, selecting quality shirt options provides a foundation for appropriate dressing. The comfortable element of the dress code means guests need not sacrifice comfort for appearance.

Occasion dressing is common, with visitors often selecting afternoon tea as a birthday celebration or special event. In such cases, choosing an appropriate outfit that balances the celebratory nature with the establishment’s elegant atmosphere proves worthwhile.

A Brief History of Afternoon Tea at The Savoy

The tradition of afternoon tea at The Savoy extends back to the early twentieth century, when the ritual became firmly established as a cornerstone of British social life. The Savoy, having opened in 1889, positioned itself at the forefront of this cultural phenomenon, offering guests an experience that combined culinary excellence with the hotel’s legendary hospitality.

Over more than a century, the experience has evolved while maintaining its essential character. The move to The Gallery space brought the ceremony into a setting that honours the tradition through contemporary design, with the stained glass dome and marble elements creating a distinctive backdrop for the timeless ritual.

• 1889: The Savoy hotel opens, establishing itself among London’s most prestigious establishments
• Early 1900s: Afternoon tea becomes firmly established as a signature Savoy experience
• Present day: Service continues in The Gallery with over 130 years of tradition informing contemporary offerings

What Remains Clear and Unclear

Several aspects of the afternoon tea experience at The Savoy are well-established through official sources, while others require direct confirmation from the hotel.

The Savoy Afternoon Tea in Context

Afternoon tea at The Savoy occupies a distinctive position among London’s culinary offerings. While establishments such as The Ritz and Harrods provide comparable experiences, The Savoy’s combination of heritage, setting, and culinary execution creates a particular proposition for visitors.

The Gallery’s design—featuring peach lighting, marble surfaces, and a stained glass dome—provides a backdrop that distinguishes the experience from more conventional dining settings. This attention to atmosphere reflects the understanding that afternoon tea encompasses more than food; it represents a ritualised pause in the day, elevated by its surroundings.

The inclusion of comprehensive dietary options without premium pricing demonstrates an approachability that broadens accessibility. Those seeking afternoon tea experiences across London will find The Savoy among the premium options, with pricing reflecting its position among the city’s most celebrated establishments.

Sources and Further Information

Official information regarding The Savoy afternoon tea derives primarily from the hotel’s website and published menu materials. Reviewer accounts from dining platforms and specialist sites supplement this with first-hand experience perspectives.

“Savouries visually stunning; sweets like lime coconut preferred over some chocolate by reviewers”—Step by Step London review

— Step by Step London

“Twilight Tea offers refined spreads in glamorous peach-lit setting with marble and palms”—The Savoy

— The Savoy London

Guests seeking to verify current offerings, confirm pricing, or identify available promotions should consult the official Savoy afternoon tea page directly, as details may have changed since this guide’s publication.

Summary

Afternoon tea at The Savoy represents a refined interpretation of a British tradition, served in The Gallery with attention to both culinary quality and atmospheric presentation. The menu offers traditional, plant-based, and twilight options, with over 30 teas available throughout the daily 12:00pm to 9:00pm service. Pricing requires direct confirmation as rates fluctuate, though visitors should anticipate costs in excess of £100 for two adults. The dress code requests comfortable and elegant attire, striking a balance between formality and accessibility. Reviews consistently praise the visual presentation, flavour quality, and distinctive setting, with particular commendation for the plant-based offerings. Dietary requirements including vegan, vegetarian, and gluten-free options can be accommodated with advance notice.

Frequently Asked Questions