Which afternoon tea in Covent Garden is best for children?

One Aldwych's Charlie and the Chocolate Factory tea is the standout for families, with fizzy lifting drinks and a dedicated children's menu. The Waldorf Hilton and The Savoy both serve children's teas at around £40 to £45, and Brigit's Bakery runs family-friendly Routemaster bus tours.

Do I need to book afternoon tea in Covent Garden in advance?

Yes. Hotel teas and themed teas regularly sell out weeks ahead for weekends, and several venues do not serve tea every day — SUSHISAMBA is Sunday to Friday, Mariage Frères closes on Mondays and Tuesdays, and the Grand Saloon at Theatre Royal Drury Lane serves Wednesday to Sunday. Book online and mention any dietary requirements when you reserve.

Is there a cheap afternoon tea in Covent Garden?

Yes. Inamo serves a Pan-Asian afternoon tea from under £20 per person, Cinnamon Bazaar's Indian-influenced High Chai is around £25, and The Ivy Market Grill's cream tea of scones, clotted cream and preserve with tea is around £11.

Eat & drink Covent Garden

Afternoon tea
in Covent Garden.

Q: How much does afternoon tea cost in Covent Garden?

Expect roughly £40 to £95 per person for a full sit-down afternoon tea. Hotel teas sit at the top: The Savoy from £90, One Aldwych £75, SUSHISAMBA £65 and The Waldorf Hilton £59. Around £25 buys a lighter tea at places such as Cinnamon Bazaar, and a simple cream tea at The Ivy Market Grill starts near £11. Champagne upgrades usually add £20 to £40, and most venues add a discretionary service charge on top.

Q: What is the dress code for afternoon tea in Covent Garden?

Smart casual almost everywhere. Clean trainers are generally fine, but sportswear, beachwear and ripped clothing are best avoided at the hotel teas such as The Savoy, One Aldwych and The Waldorf Hilton.

Q: Where does the afternoon tea bus tour leave from?

Brigit's Bakery classic Routemaster afternoon tea bus tours now depart from Victoria Coach Station rather than central Covent Garden, so allow travel time. The bakery and tea room itself remains at 6-7 Chandos Place, a few minutes from Charing Cross.

Choose a classic hotel tea, a themed experience, or a relaxed stop for tea and cake. Prices, serving days and booking notes for every venue, checked and updated for 2026.

Afternoon tea is a cherished London tradition, and Covent Garden is one of the best places in the city to enjoy it. Within a ten-minute walk you can take a grand hotel tea beneath a glass dome, a chocolate-themed tea inspired by Roald Dahl, a Japanese-Brazilian tea on a rooftop above the Piazza, or a plain scone with clotted cream for the price of a sandwich.

Below is a guide to the best places for afternoon tea in and around Covent Garden, with current prices, the days each venue actually serves, and tips for getting the most out of your booking.

Afternoon Tea Prices at a Glance

Guide prices per person for the standard tea, excluding Champagne upgrades and discretionary service charge. Always confirm when booking.
Venue	From	Style	Served
The Savoy	£90	Grand hotel classic	Daily
One Aldwych	£75	Chocolate Factory theme	Wed–Sun
Theatre Royal Drury Lane	£59	Theatrical, in a West End theatre	Wed–Sun
SUSHISAMBA	£65	Japanese-Brazilian, rooftop	Sun–Fri, 12–5pm
Mariage Frères	£62	French tea house	Wed–Sun
The Waldorf Hilton	£59	Edwardian, theatre-themed	Most days
Brigit's Bakery	£40	Relaxed, also on a bus	Daily
Cinnamon Bazaar	£25	Indian-influenced High Chai	Daily, 12–5pm
Inamo	£20	Pan-Asian, sushi-led	Daily
The Ivy Market Grill	£11	Cream tea only	Daily, 11.30am–5pm

What has changed: Covent Garden afternoon tea prices have risen sharply. A full hotel tea now sits between £59 and £95 per person before Champagne, and most venues add a discretionary service charge of 12.5% to 15% on top. The genuinely affordable options are listed further down.

Classic Afternoon Tea Experiences

The Savoy

The most famous afternoon tea in London, now served in Gallery rather than the old Thames Foyer, with a pianist playing through the afternoon. Finger sandwiches, warm scones with clotted cream and jam, Savoy pastries and a deep tea list. Polished, traditional service and the benchmark for a celebration.

From £90 per person, children £45. Twilight Tea £49 from 6pm.
Daily, sittings from 12.30pm. Allow about two hours.
Vegan, vegetarian and children's menus. Gluten-free and halal need 72 hours' notice.

NoMad London

A modern take on afternoon tea inside the former Bow Street Magistrates' Court, directly opposite the Royal Opera House. Served in the plant-filled atrium under a glass roof, with classic savouries, inventive sweets and a tea-inspired cocktail list. One of the prettiest rooms in the district.

28 Bow Street, WC2E 7AW — opposite the Royal Opera House.
Menus and pricing change seasonally, so check before booking.

The Waldorf Hilton

Grand Edwardian surroundings on the Aldwych, a few minutes' walk from the Piazza. The current menu is the Theatreland Afternoon Tea, built around West End references, with a harpist playing and pastries served alongside the hotel's own Waldorf Blend tea. Over July and August tea moves into the magnificent glass-roofed Palm Court.

£59 per person, children £40. Tea tastings with the resident sommelier £40.
Afternoons from 1pm. Serving days vary in summer, so confirm when booking.
Best value of the grand hotel teas, and closest to the theatres.

Themed and Unique Afternoon Teas

One Aldwych – Charlie & The Chocolate Factory Tea

The best-known themed tea in London, inspired by Roald Dahl's story. Fizzy lifting drinks, a warm chocolate dip poured from a miniature waterfall, snozzberry jam with the scones, candy floss and playful savouries. Theatrical without being childish, and the strongest family choice in Covent Garden.

£75 per person, children's tea from £64.
Wed–Fri 12pm–3pm, Sat–Sun 12pm–4.30pm (last orders).
A festive version runs from mid-November to early January at a higher price.

Theatre Royal Drury Lane – The Grand Saloon

The only West End theatre serving afternoon tea, and a genuine find. Tea is taken in the restored Grand Saloon beneath chandeliers, staged in acts: savouries arrive on boards cut from the original stage floor, and the sweets are revealed from behind a red velvet curtain. There is a terrace overlooking Covent Garden for a drink afterwards.

From £59 per person; the Showstopping menu from £68, children £35.
Wed–Sun, sittings across the afternoon. About 90 minutes.
Pairs naturally with a matinee — see what's playing in the West End.

SUSHISAMBA Covent Garden

A modern afternoon tea blending Japanese, Brazilian and Peruvian flavours, served on a hand-crafted three-tier tree up on the Opera Terrace under Eric Parry's glass roof. Wagyu katsu sliders, gunkan and maki alongside scones, pandan custard tarts and chocolate cream puffs. The best view of the Piazza of any tea on this page.

£65 per person, usually including a glass of Champagne when pre-booked.
Sunday to Friday only, 12pm–5pm. Not served on Saturdays.
Full vegetarian menu with the same sweet course.

Champagne + Fromage

A savoury alternative on Wellington Street, swapping cakes for artisan French cheeses, charcuterie, biscuits and a glass of small-grower Champagne. Ideal if someone in your party does not have a sweet tooth, or if you want something shorter and less formal before a show.

22 Wellington Street, WC2E 7DD. Closed Monday daytimes.

Book a themed afternoon tea or experience in London

Tea Houses, Bakeries & Cream Tea Stops

Mariage Frères Tea Emporium

The UK flagship of France's oldest tea house, on King Street, with a tea wall of around a thousand blends, a small tea museum and a salon serving tea-infused patisserie. The Garden Tea Party menu is the one to book. This is the serious tea-lover's choice in Covent Garden.

Afternoon tea around £62 per person; pastries and pots à la carte for less.
Restaurant Wed–Sun, roughly 12pm–7pm. Closed Mondays and Tuesdays.

Ladurée

In the Market Building itself, and the easiest tea to combine with a wander round the Piazza. Light sandwiches, French pastries and the macarons the house is famous for, with two of your choice included in the tea. Relaxed and patisserie-led rather than a grand ceremony.

Afternoon tea from around £40 per person.
Open daily from 9am; tea served through the afternoon.
Ask for the tea room upstairs when you book — seating varies.

Brigit's Bakery

A friendly, flower-fronted tea room on Chandos Place, close to Charing Cross. Traditional and themed teas with vegan, vegetarian, halal and gluten-free menus, plus the vintage Routemaster afternoon tea bus tours the bakery is best known for.

Tea room from £40 per person; bus tours priced separately.
Classic bus tours now depart from Victoria Coach Station, not Covent Garden.
Walk-in tea is limited — book ahead, especially for dietary menus.

The Ivy Market Grill

Right on the Piazza with a terrace facing the actors' church. The full afternoon tea has given way to a straightforward cream tea: freshly baked fruit scones, clotted cream and strawberry preserve with a pot of tea. The cheapest proper tea stop in Covent Garden and perfect before a show.

Cream tea about £11; with a glass of Champagne about £21.
Daily, 11.30am–5pm.

Afternoon Tea Under £30

Covent Garden has a reputation for expensive tea, but three options keep it well under £30 a head without feeling like a compromise.

Cinnamon Bazaar

Vivek Singh's colourful Maiden Lane restaurant serves a High Chai: masala fish finger sandwiches, papdi chaat, saffron macarons and coriander pistachio cake, with a pot of premium tea or house masala chai. The most interesting cheap tea in the district.

Around £25 per person.
Daily, 12pm–5pm. 28 Maiden Lane, WC2E 7JS.

Inamo

A Pan-Asian afternoon tea of sushi, sashimi and small plates followed by a sweet course, ordered through the restaurant's interactive projected tables. Genuinely fun with children or a group, and the lowest price of any full tea nearby.

From about £20 per person.
11–14 Hanover Place, WC2E 9JP, just off Long Acre.

Cream tea at The Ivy Market Grill

If all you want is a warm scone, clotted cream, jam and a decent pot of tea in a smart room on the Piazza, this is about £11 and takes half an hour. No booking gymnastics, no three-tier stand.

About £11 per person.
Daily, 11.30am–5pm.

Before You Book

Book well ahead: hotel and themed teas sell out weeks in advance for weekends, and school holidays go first.
Check the serving days: several venues do not serve tea every day. SUSHISAMBA is Sunday to Friday, Mariage Frères closes Mondays and Tuesdays, and Drury Lane's Grand Saloon runs Wednesday to Sunday.
Budget for extras: most venues add a discretionary service charge of 12.5% to 15%, and a Champagne upgrade typically adds £20 to £40 per person.
Dietary options: vegetarian, vegan and gluten-free menus are widely available but usually need to be requested at the time of booking, not on arrival. The Savoy asks for 72 hours' notice on gluten-free and halal.
Dress codes: smart casual almost everywhere. Neat trainers are fine; avoid sportswear and beachwear at the hotel teas.
Timing: tea is generally served between midday and 5pm and lasts 90 to 120 minutes. Book the earliest sitting if you have a matinee, and look at The Savoy's Twilight Tea or an evening slot if you are seeing a show first.
Children: One Aldwych is the strongest family choice; The Savoy, The Waldorf Hilton and Drury Lane all have children's menus at around £35 to £45.
Festive teas: from mid-November to early January most venues switch to a Christmas menu at a higher price, and these open for booking as early as September.

A Suggested Afternoon

Late morning: walk the Piazza, browse the Apple Market and the boutiques along King Street and Floral Court.
Early afternoon: take tea — Mariage Frères or Brigit's Bakery for something relaxed, the Grand Saloon or SUSHISAMBA for an occasion.
Afternoon: catch the street performers by St Paul's, or duck into the London Transport Museum or a nearby gallery.
Evening: a West End show, or dinner at one of Covent Garden's restaurants.

Getting There

Covent Garden is easy to reach by public transport. The nearest Underground station is Covent Garden on the Piccadilly line, though it is small and often exit-only at busy times; Leicester Square, Holborn and Charing Cross are all a short walk away and usually quicker. The Savoy, One Aldwych and The Waldorf Hilton sit together at the Strand and Aldwych end, five to ten minutes from the Piazza. Most venues offer step-free access, but mention any mobility needs when you book, as several tea rooms are on upper floors.

Quick Picks

Grand and elegant: The Savoy, The Waldorf Hilton
Fun and family-friendly: One Aldwych
Best for theatre lovers: The Grand Saloon at Theatre Royal Drury Lane
Best view: SUSHISAMBA on the Opera Terrace
For tea connoisseurs: Mariage Frères
Best value full tea: Cinnamon Bazaar or Inamo
Quick and cheap: cream tea at The Ivy Market Grill
Something savoury: Champagne + Fromage

Afternoon Tea FAQs

How much does afternoon tea cost in Covent Garden?

Roughly £40 to £95 per person for a full sit-down tea. The Savoy starts at £90, One Aldwych is £75, SUSHISAMBA £65, and Drury Lane and The Waldorf Hilton both start at £59. Around £25 buys a lighter tea at Cinnamon Bazaar, and a cream tea at The Ivy Market Grill is about £11. Champagne upgrades add £20 to £40, and service is usually charged on top.

Which afternoon tea is best for children?

One Aldwych's Charlie and the Chocolate Factory tea, without much competition — fizzy lifting drinks, a chocolate waterfall and a dedicated children's menu. The Savoy, The Waldorf Hilton and Theatre Royal Drury Lane all serve children's teas too, and Brigit's Routemaster bus tours work well with older children.

Do I need to book in advance?

Yes. Weekend sittings at the hotel and themed teas often go weeks ahead, and not every venue serves daily — SUSHISAMBA is Sunday to Friday, Mariage Frères closes Mondays and Tuesdays, and the Grand Saloon runs Wednesday to Sunday. Flag dietary requirements when you reserve rather than on the day.

What should I wear?

Smart casual is right almost everywhere. Clean trainers are generally accepted; sportswear, beachwear and ripped clothing are best avoided at The Savoy, One Aldwych and The Waldorf Hilton.

Where does the afternoon tea bus tour leave from?

Brigit's Bakery classic Routemaster tours now depart from Victoria Coach Station rather than central Covent Garden, so allow travel time either side. The bakery and tea room itself is still at 6–7 Chandos Place, a few minutes from Charing Cross.

Is there an afternoon tea near the theatres?

Several. Theatre Royal Drury Lane serves tea inside the theatre itself, and The Waldorf Hilton and One Aldwych are both a few minutes from the Aldwych and Strand stages. Book the earliest sitting for a matinee, or look at The Savoy's Twilight Tea from 6pm if you are going to an evening performance first.

Afternoon tea in Covent Garden is a good way to slow down in the middle of one of London's busiest districts. Whether you are marking an occasion, entertaining visitors or simply want an hour off your feet between the shops and a show, there is a version of it here at almost any budget.

More Bookable Afternoon Tea Experiences

Explore bookable afternoon tea experiences in and around Covent Garden, including river cruises, bus tours, luxury hotel teas and seasonal specials.