LDN Reviews | Fortnum and Mason Afternoon Tea, Piccadilly

Last updated on October 3rd, 2023 at 08:15 pm

It doesn’t get much more British than dining at the Royal family’s favourite food hall, and a Fortnum and Mason afternoon tea is the perfect treat whilst in the Capital. Our Fortnum and Mason afternoon tea review should help you to decide whether it is something to add to your London to-do list (spoiler alert: it definitely is). We’ve also explained the Fortnum and Mason afternoon tea dress code so you arrive dressed fit for a King. There is something magical about stepping off of London’s Piccadilly, up the stairs past three floors of luxurious food and drink displays, and having a piano player welcome you as you step into the Diamond Jubilee Tea Salon at Fortnum and Mason.

Fortnum and Mason Afternoon Tea: The Diamond Jubilee Tea Salon, 181 Piccadilly, St James’s, London, W1A 1ER

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Fortnum and Mason afternoon tea review

When welcomed into Fortnum and Mason, staff are at the door to welcome and direct you. The Diamond Jubilee Tea Salon is on the fourth floor, but it is well worth a gander at all the goods on display on the way up. It’s the perfect place to buy a foodie gift as well as marvel at the beautiful displays, hampers and chandeliers.

Upon stepping into the Diamond Jubilee Tea Salon, you’re greeted by the elegant tinkling of a piano being played, with rooms for afternoon tea to the right and left of the entrance. We were definitely surprised by how big the floor was. Part of Fortnum and Mason’s charm is their luxury without being pretentious. You feel like you’re a bit more on your best behaviour than if you were at a casual restaurant, but not at all uncomfortable or on edge. The friendly and attentive wait staff are definitely there to make your experience the best it can be; everything was well explained and it felt like nothing was too much trouble.

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The Fortnum and Mason Afternoon Tea Menu

Afternoon tea [noun]: a light meal consisting of tea, sandwiches, and cakes. Collins Dictionary, 2022.

Let’s just say maybe prepare a smaller evening meal following afternoon tea at Fortnum and Mason, as this wasn’t a light meal. With four teas to choose from (detailed below), your party can mix and match if one of you would like the traditional and one the savoury, for example. Once nearing the end of your first ‘portion’, you can order more of anything on offer. We went for extra gammon and salmon sandwiches (both had the traditional afternoon tea) and some extra cakes; it’s a great touch being able to order more of your favourites.

We had seen people on other tables with slices of cake after they had finished their tea stand, which we assumed they had purchased additionally. However upon leaving we noticed a trolley of large sliced cakes, and from reading other reviews we have now realised that you could choose a slice of cake on top of your afternoon tea. Just a reminder to ask for a slice of cake when asked if you would like anything else, so you don’t go without like we did!

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Traditional Afternoon Tea

• Sandwiches: Norfolk Cured Ham with English Mustard; Cucumber with Mint Cream Cheese; Rare Breed Hen’s Egg Mayonnaise with Cress; Fortnum’s Smoked Salmon with Tartare Sauce; Coronation Chicken
• Plain and fruit scones with clotted cream and Fortnum & Mason Strawberry Preserve & Lemon Curd
• Mini Patisseries: ours included a strawberry eclair, chocolate and hazelnut mousse, and a strawberry tart amongst others

Vegetarian Afternoon Tea

• Sandwiches: Pickled Heritage Carrot with Cream Cheese; Piquillo Pepper with Sun Dried Tomato; Avocado and Chickpea; Cucumber with Mint Cream Cheese; Summer Slaw
• Plain and fruit scones with clotted cream and Fortnum & Mason Strawberry Preserve & Lemon Curd
• Mini Patisseries as above

Savoury Afternoon Tea

• Sandwiches: Norfolk Cured Ham with English Mustard; Cucumber with Mint Cream Cheese; Rare Breed Hen’s Egg Mayonnaise with Cress; Fortnum’s Smoked Salmon with Tartare Sauce; Coronation Chicken
• Pea & Mint Scone with Smoked Salmon Cream Cheese; Scone Lorraine with Fortnum’s Mustard Butter
• Savouries: Deviled Eggs with Caviar; Apple & Pork Sausage Roll; Duck Mousse with Rhubarb Glaze; Wild Mushroom & Truffle Pâté; Rabbit Ballotine with Pickled Carrot

High Tea

• A choice of one main: Welsh Rarebit with Oven Dried Tomato & Caramelised Shallot; Lobster Omelette Victoria & Truffle; Twice baked Cheese Soufflé; Classic Scotch Egg with Piccalilli; Glenarm Beef Wellington with Fortnum’s Horseradish; Eggs Royale or Benedict or Florentine
• Plain and fruit scones with clotted cream and Fortnum & Mason Strawberry Preserve & Lemon Curd
• Mini Patisseries as above

The above menus are what we experienced in 2020; more information on the current options can be found here, under ‘download menus’.

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Fortnum and Mason Afternoon Tea Price

As of autumn 2023 the traditional and savoury Fortnum and Mason afternoon teas are priced at £78 per person, with the high tea option at £82 per person. There’s also a children’s afternoon tea for £30.

It is expensive, however you’re paying for the location and service; Fortnum and Mason is one of the most renowned food halls and tea rooms in London. You could probably find just as nice food at other locations for a lower price, but the decor, superb service and fine turquoise china are all part of the package.

Why not bring a slice of Fortnum and Mason to your home, with their breakfast tea or delicious salted caramel biscuits delivered to your door?

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Is there a dress code for Fortnum and Mason afternoon tea?

A dress code is hidden in the support section of the Fortnum and Mason website which isn’t easily found when looking at their afternoon tea page, leaving potential diners wondering what to wear. Their official dress code is below, and having visited we would advise that most things go. Nobody was particularly dressed up, but don’t turn up in trakkies and a hoodie either! They’re well aware that you may be walking around London for the rest of the day so comfortable shoes such as trainers are fine.

“We do not enforce a dress code here at Fortnum’s, but in keeping with the relaxed but refined atmosphere of our restaurants, the majority of our guests tend to arrive in ‘smart-casual’ attire. We understand that many of our guests dine with us in the framework of a visit to London and therefore acceptable footwear includes trainers. We also accept shorts in the warmer months.” FortnumandMason.com

And that concludes our Fortnum and Mason afternoon tea review! The whole experience is a slice of luxury and the perfect quintessentially British addition to any trip. What’s the best afternoon tea you’ve had? Let us know in the comments below.

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