Afternoon tea in Europe's grand hotels: London, Paris and Vienna
The most civilised hour of the day. Where to take afternoon tea in the great hotels of London, Paris and Vienna, and what to know before you sit down.
London, where it began
The ritual is credited to Anna Russell, 7th Duchess of Bedford, in the 1840s, and London still does it best. At The Ritz, tea is served in the gilded Palm Court with a pianist and a tea master, and gentlemen are asked to wear a jacket. At Claridge's, tea is taken in the Art Deco Foyer. The Savoy has served afternoon tea since it opened in 1889.
Paris, the pâtissier's version
In Paris, afternoon tea is a showcase for the pastry kitchen. The Ritz Paris serves it in the Salon Proust, named after its most famous regular. At the Hôtel de Crillon, tea is served in the Jardin d'Hiver, and at Le Bristol, in the Café Antonia or, in summer, in the garden.
Vienna, where cake is serious
At the Hotel Sacher, opposite the State Opera, order a slice of the original Sacher-Torte with a cloud of unsweetened whipped cream. It has been made to the same recipe for generations, and the hotel keeps it a secret.
Before you go
- Book ahead, especially at weekends and in December. The best tables go weeks in advance.
- Dress smartly. Most grand hotels ask for smart dress, and some still ask gentlemen for a jacket.
- Allow two hours. Afternoon tea is not meant to be hurried.
- Tell the hotel if it is a birthday or an anniversary. Many will add a small surprise.
The hotels
- The Ritz London · London
Opened in 1906 overlooking Green Park. - Claridge's · London
Mayfair's most famous address, beloved of royalty and celebrated for its Art Deco interiors. - The Savoy · London
Opened by Richard D'Oyly Carte in 1889 on the Thames, the Savoy was among the first hotels in Britain lit throughout by electricity. - Ritz Paris · Paris
César Ritz opened his hotel on the Place Vendôme in 1898 with Auguste Escoffier in the kitchen. - Hôtel de Crillon, A Rosewood Hotel · Paris
An 18th-century palace commissioned by Louis XV on the Place de la Concorde, a hotel since 1909 and reopened by Rosewood after a four-year restoration. - Le Bristol Paris · Paris
Opened in 1925 on the Rue du Faubourg Saint-Honoré, steps from the Élysée Palace. - Hotel Sacher Wien · Vienna
Opposite the State Opera since 1876, still family-owned, and home of the original Sacher-Torte.
