A food reviewer named Harrison Webb decided to try what he claims is the most expensive afternoon tea in London to see if the experience was really worth the price
For many tourists, one of the first things they associate with life in the UK is afternoon tea. This historic tradition dates back to the 1840s as a social ritual for the upper class to bridge the long gap between lunch and a late dinner. It traditionally features finger sandwiches, scones with clotted cream and jam, and pastries served with tea. It’s often enjoyed as a special indulgence or celebration in hotels and tearooms today.
But with London, in particular, having so many tea rooms to offer this service, it can be difficult to know which ones are worth going to. To help people decide, one London-based food reviewer named Harrison Webb has taken it upon himself to try what he claims is the most expensive afternoon tea to see if it was worth the extra cost.
“Today, I’m trying the most expensive afternoon tea in London. Let’s see if it’s worth it,” Harrison said.
The afternoon tea took place in Hotel Café Royale, which dates back to 1865, and is still known for its food and service, which has earned them a score of 4.6 out five on Google Reviews, out of over 2,000 reviews.
But it will cost you to visit, as Harrison revealed the traditional afternoon tea here can set you back £85 per person, or up to £135 if you want a glass of champagne.
As their food and tea arrived, Harrison started of with trying the Darjeeling tea, but it didn’t impress him much. Instead, 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.”
Next up, he went on to try the sandwiches. As he visited the hotel around Christmas, the normal coronation chicken sandwich had been replaced by a roast turkey alternative. After taking a bite, he stated: “Oh, oh, it’s wonderful. Oh, fruity as well. Some herbs in there. That’s a tasty sandwich, mate.”
He then went on to try the scones, which the servers had urged them to start with, as they’d just come out of the oven and were freshly made before being tucked into a napkin to keep them warm.
“Oh my, that’s a good scone,” Harrison said as he effortlessly cut it in half in his hand, showing a nice crumble. He went on to add a layer of clotted cream and jam before taking a bite from it.
To this, he said: “The quality of the clotted cream is noticeable. It’s noticeably good quality clotted cream. Same with the strawberry jam as well.”
They then continued with the sweet part of the afternoon tea. They started with a Christmas tree shaped tree, which included a white frosting-like treat that had been decorated with gems to replicate a Christmas tree. Cutting into it, a hidden filling of jam spilled out.
While Harrison said eating half of it in one bite was ‘way too much’, the flavour did impress him.
The other sweet treats were just as impressive, Harrison said. But would they end up making the afternoon tea worth the price?
“Overall, this is a top, top spot,” Harrison said. Explaining it is expensive, even if you opt for the cheapest option, he still claims it’s worth it.
“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, claiming it’s ‘more relaxed’ and ‘chatty’ compared to other luxurious afternoon tea spots around London.
