Tearooms of the World. Our guide to the rooms worth the journey.

The Balmoral Hotel and its clock tower on Princes Street, Edinburgh

A truly great afternoon tea is more than food on a tiered stand. It is a whole experience: the welcome, the room, the tea list, the care of the staff and the feeling that you have stepped out of ordinary time. Our guide to the world’s finest begins with this year’s winners of the UK’s Afternoon Tea Awards, announced in 2026 by AfternoonTea.co.uk after an independent panel judged every part of the experience, from booking to paying the bill.

Best Traditional: The Balmoral, Edinburgh

Afternoon tea is served in the Palm Court of this grand hotel at the east end of Princes Street. The judges praised a polished, memorable experience with fine food, impressive tea knowledge and genuinely attentive service in a refined setting. If you love the classic ritual done beautifully, start here.

Best Themed: Raffles London at The OWO

Served in The Drawing Room of the former Old War Office in Whitehall, this tea follows a “Secrets & Spies” theme. The judges felt the concept ran consistently through everything, from the menu design to the presentation, and singled out the chocolate pastries for real wow factor.

Best Contemporary: Jumeirah Carlton Tower, London

A Tribute to Nature, served in Knightsbridge. The judges praised the service above all, saying it felt like private dining even with other guests in the room.

Also worth the journey

The judges gave an Award of Excellence to 28 further venues across the UK, among them Brown’s Hotel, The Lanesborough and Rosewood London, and outside the capital, Roseate Villa in Bath, Coworth Park in Berkshire and Boringdon Hall in Devon.

Coming soon: the Tearrific Pick

We will be visiting tearooms around the world and giving our own verdict. Alongside the tea, the food, the service and the setting, we will score one thing other guides never do: how special the alcohol-free experience is. Many afternoon teas offer champagne as the upgrade, and we have nothing against a glass of bubbles. But we will be looking for the rooms that make a sparkling tea, a beautiful iced blend or a thoughtful pairing feel just as celebratory.

Booking tips

  • Book well ahead for weekends and holidays, especially at award winners.
  • Ask about the tea list when you book. The best rooms will happily talk you through it.
  • If you’d like an alcohol-free toast, say so in advance. It gives the kitchen time to make it special.

Photo: Morgan Johnston via Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 2.0. Award results: AfternoonTea.co.uk, Afternoon Tea Awards 2026.

 
 
 
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