The Dorchester Afternoon Tea: The Full Guide
For my birthday this year, my boyfriend surprised me with an afternoon tea experience at The Dorchester in London, and it was such a beautiful afternoon that I knew I had to share it with you.
The Dorchester is located on Park Lane in Mayfair which is one of London’s most prestigious areas. It’s also really easy to get to if you’re travelling into Central London. The nearest Tube stations are Marble Arch (10 minute walk), Hyde Park Corner (8 minute walk) and Bond Street (14 minute walk), while there are also several bus routes that run along Park Lane and the surrounding streets.
My boyfriend and I went for the traditional afternoon tea, which was £95 per person when we visited. This included a selection of sandwiches (unlimited), pastries, freshly baked scones and a lovely range of teas.
If you’re considering booking afternoon tea at The Dorchester, here’s everything you need to know, including what we ate, the teas we tried, the atmosphere, service and whether I think it’s worth the price.
Our Arrival At The Dorchester
Our afternoon tea was booked for 2pm, but we decided to arrive around 30 minutes early so we could take our time and have a look around the hotel.
Even before entering, we were warmly greeted by the doorman, who pointed us in the direction of the afternoon tea area.
Walking through the grand doors and into the reception area was the perfect introduction. A huge chandelier sparkled above us, and there was an immediate sense of calm that felt worlds away from the busy London traffic outside.
We made our way to the afternoon tea check-in area, where we were greeted with a smile by a lovely member of staff and asked to take a seat while our table was being prepared. We took a seat on what I can only say is one of the softest, plushest sofas I have ever sat on! The kind that you instantly sink into and never want to leave!
A few minutes later, we were shown to our table and introduced to our waiter, Tommaso, who looked after us throughout the afternoon.
I do need to mention that the sofa we sat on was the same as the ones in the waiting area and it was an absolute dream throughout the experience!
As it was my birthday, Tommaso also surprised me with a birthday card from The Dorchester team. It was such a thoughtful little touch and made the experience feel even more personal.
The Dorchester Afternoon Tea Menu
It was time to choose what afternoon tea experience we wanted to enjoy so we both decided to go for the traditional afternoon tea, which was priced at £95 per person when we visited. There was also a Champagne afternoon tea available for £115 per person, which included a glass of Veuve Clicquot Yellow Label Brut Champagne.
Our waiter gave us an overview of how the afternoon would go and asked whether we had any allergies or dietary requirements. My boyfriend is dairy-free, so we requested one traditional afternoon tea and one dairy-free option for his sandwiches.
One thing I would recommend is letting The Dorchester know about any dietary requirements when you make your reservation. We requested the dairy-free sandwiches when we arrived, so they were prepared fresh and this meant we waited around 20 minutes for them to arrive.
It was absolutely worth the wait, but something to keep in mind if you’re particularly hungry when you arrive!
Choosing Our Tea
Now for the tea!
The Dorchester had a fantastic selection to choose from, with the menu divided into different categories including exclusive blends, black tea, green tea, white tea and rose tea.
For my first tea, I chose the Organic Whole Rosebuds which arrived in a beautiful teapot filled with beautiful rosebuds. It was very light and delicate in flavour, with a fresh, earthy taste that was really lovely.
My boyfriend decided to try the Chai Tea, which was served with a choice of milk on the side (you can choose regular, coconut, oak or almond). This was absolutely delicious, with lovely notes of cinnamon and a subtle hint of ginger with every sip.
One thing I absolutely adored was the beautiful china everything was served in! The teapots were gorgeous and surprisingly generous in size, while the dainty teacups added to the whole experience. I wish I could have taken them home with me!
The Atmosphere
One of my favourite parts of the afternoon was the atmosphere as that can really enhance an already beautiful experience.
Throughout the afternoon tea experience, there was a lovely pianist playing contemporary classics which filled the room beautifully without being too loud or disturbing the atmosphere. When she took a break, jazz music would fill the room instead which was just lovely.
The Dorchester Afternoon Tea Sandwiches
While we waited for the sandwiches, our waiter brought over a little starter for us to enjoy. It was a delicious tart layered with goats cheese, truffle and pumpkin puree on top.
It was light and delicate, with a lovely combination of sweet and savoury flavours. I cannot compare it to anything I have tried before but I was thoroughly enjoying it.
After around a 20 minute wait, our sandwiches finally arrived and they were delicious!
Starting from the left: The first one was smoked salmon with horseradish, apple and fennel on rye bread. The next was Roast chicken, lettuce, parmesan and lemon on malt bread. This was my favourite one! Full of flavour, not overbearing with the filling but just the perfect balance.
The next one was an egg mayonnaise, chives and crispy shallots followed by cucumber, elder flower and watercress and finally ham and tarragon mustard. Each of these sandwiches were soft to the bite, melting in your mouth in a pool of flavour.
Once we had finished, our waiter came back with another plate of sandwiches and asked whether we would like another selection and if there were any particular sandwiches we wanted more of.
Of course, we said yes! We went for a few more of the roast chicken and ham sandwiches because they were too good to pass up.
The Afternoon Tea Desserts
Then it was time for dessert! The best part, right?
I loved how the desserts were presented, with a selection of intricate little pastries arranged on the afternoon tea stand and the scones wrapped separately in a cloth to keep them warm.
The desserts were absolutely fantastic. Starting with the hazelnut and pecan slice which had a lovely but subtle flavour. It wasn’t overwhelmingly chocolatey or rich and had just the right balance of sweetness.
Next was the Black Forest choux, filled with cherry compote and vanilla cream. This was one of my favourites! The flavours were a dream combined with one another. The cherry compote gave it a lovely tartness which worked beautifully with the soft vanilla cream. It was light, fruity and incredibly moreish.
The Early Grey and lemon tart was lovely too. I’m not usually a huge fan of lemon desserts, but the lemon flavour here was subtle rather than overpowering. The Earl Grey worked beautifully alongside it and gave the tart a more delicate flavour.
Finally, there was the blackcurrant and vanilla cheesecake. Again, this was light and flavourful and every bite was very enjoyable.
Overall, the desserts were much lighter than I expected but so delicious and intricate in flavour, which was perfect after the sandwiches.
You know that scene in Ratatouille when Remy combines different flavours from the strawberry to the cheese and everything suddenly comes together? That’s probably the closest way I can describe it!
The Star Of The Show: The Scones
Now, let’s talk about the scones. Without a doubt, these were the star of the show for me.
We were served two plain and two raisin scones alongside clotted cream, raspberry jam and orange marmalade. They were warm, buttery and literally melt in your mouth.
I do enjoy a scone and have had my fair share from various places but the Dorchester scones were the best!
More Tea, Please!
Of course, afternoon tea wouldn’t be complete without trying a few more teas. I decided to try the Blackcurrant and Hibiscus, which had a lovely fruity flavour without being too overpowering.
My boyfriend tried the Vanilla Black and we think we may have discovered our new favourite tea. It had a beautiful vanilla and caramel flavour that made every sip feel incredibly comforting and like a warm hug from the inside.
I really appreciated that our waiter came round often asking our thoughts about the tea and recommending we try more and not to feel shy to ask either!
A Birthday Surprise
As well as receiving a beautiful handwritten note from the Dorchester team to celebrate my birthday, our waiter Tommaso brought out a beautiful berry dessert with an edible dark chocolate slab saying ‘Happy Birthday’ and a candle on top. This was another thoughtful touch that I appreciated.
I would recommend mentioning any birthdays or occasions when booking as they really do go all out for your special day 🙂
Was There Enough Food?
Absolutely!! By the end of the afternoon, we were completely stuffed. At first when you look at the afternoon tea stand and the plate of sandwiches you make think there isn’t a huge amount of food but don’t let it fool you!
Between the sandwiches, even more sandwiches, pastries, scones and endless tea, we were more than satisfied.
And because you can request additional sandwiches, you definitely won’t leave feeling hungry. If you do have anything leftover you can also request to take it away with you so we brought back a lovely goody bag to share with others.
The Service
The service was one of the things that really stood out to me. From the moment we arrived, everyone we interacted with was warm, welcoming and attentive.
Tommaso was particularly lovely throughout our afternoon. He was kind, attentive and funny, and really added to our overall experience. Also, nothing felt rushed, and we were given plenty of time to enjoy each part of the afternoon.
For me, this is what makes a luxury afternoon tea experience feel special. It’s not just about the food and drink but it’s the little details sprinkled throughout that makes it even more memorable.
How Long Does The Dorchester Afternoon Tea Last?
We ended up staying for just under three hours! This was longer than I initially expected, but honestly we didn’t even notice the time passing.
It is very easy to spend hours when the food and tea are flowing, the music is playing delicately in the background and you’re immersed in beautiful conversation.
The Bathrooms At The Dorchester
After nearly three hours of sitting, eating and drinking tea, we eventually decided it was time to get up and explore a little more of the hotel! The bathrooms were only a short walk away and, as you’d expect from The Dorchester, were beautifully presented.
There was a lovely seating area with a fringed armchair, as well as a vanity area with a chair and mirror where you could touch up your makeup.
Everything was incredibly clean and the bathrooms had a lovely fragrance. To dry your hands you used a hand towel rather than tissue which was another lovely touch.
Is The Dorchester Afternoon Tea Worth It?
For me, I would say absolutely.
From the setting, service, atmosphere, music, attention to detail and of course the food and drink, The Dorchester afternoon tea was a beautiful experience. It is a place you will always remember visiting and sharing with a loved one or even with yourself.
If you’re looking for somewhere special to celebrate a birthday, anniversary, Mother’s Day or simply want to treat yourself to a luxury afternoon in London, I think it’s definitely worth considering.
Final Thoughts
Overall, we had such a beautiful experience at The Dorchester.
From the moment we walked through those grand doors to the moment we slowly rolled ourselves out of our seats, every part of the afternoon felt special and intentional.
The food was delicious, the tea selection was fantastic, the atmosphere was peaceful and calm, and the service was genuinely excellent.
For nearly three hours, we could simply sit, talk, eat, drink tea and enjoy being there without feeling rushed or pressurised.
It was such a lovely way to spend my birthday, and definitely an experience I would recommend if you’re looking for a memorable afternoon tea in London.
The Dorchester Afternoon Tea FAQs
How much is afternoon tea at The Dorchester?
When we visited, the traditional afternoon tea was £95 per person. A Champagne afternoon tea was available for £115 per person and included a glass of Veuve Clicquot Yellow Label Brut Champagne.
Prices can change, so I would recommend checking the current menu when booking.
What is included in The Dorchester afternoon tea?
The traditional afternoon tea includes a selection of sandwiches which are unlimited, pastries, freshly baked scones and a great choice of teas.
Can you get a refill of the sandwiches?
Yes. Once we had finished our initial selection, our waiter came back and asked whether we would like more sandwiches and if there were any particular ones we wanted more of.
Does The Dorchester cater for dietary requirements?
Yes. We requested a dairy-free afternoon tea option for my boyfriend. If you have an allergy or dietary requirement, I would recommend mentioning it when making your reservation so the team can prepare beforehand and this may lead to a longer waiting time if you say on the day.
How long does afternoon tea at The Dorchester last?
Our experience lasted just under three hours. Some people who arrived after us, left before us so it really depends on what you make of the experience. An afternoon tea is designed to be enjoyed at a relaxed pace rather than rushed.
Is the Afternoon tea experience available everyday?
Yes, you can book the Dorchester Afternoon tea everyday from 12pm – 5:30pm.
Does the Dorchester have a dress code?
The Dorchester advise smart casual as the dress code with an emphasis on no sportswear and smart shorts only worn during the day. I wore a lovely dress, heels and a handbag. My boyfriend wore a smart v-neck top, smart trousers and shoes.
What tea can you have at The Dorchester?
There is an fantastic selection of teas, including exclusive blends, black teas, green teas, white teas and rose teas. We tried the Organic Whole Rosebuds, Chai, Blackcurrant and Hibiscus and Vanilla Black.
Does The Dorchester afternoon tea have live music?
Yes. During our visit, a pianist played throughout the afternoon and during her breaks we enjoyed jazz music playing in the background.
Where is The Dorchester?
The Dorchester is located on Park Lane in Mayfair, London, overlooking Hyde Park.
Is there parking at The Dorchester?
Yes, The Dorchester offers valet parking for £85 per day.
Personally, I wouldn’t recommend driving if you’re simply visiting for afternoon tea. At £85 for parking, it can add a significant amount to the cost of your afternoon, and being in Central London means you also have to pay Congestion Charge and you will experience lots of traffic too.
I’d recommend travelling by Tube instead. Marble Arch, Hyde Park Corner and Green Park are all within around a 8-15 minute walk from the hotel.
If you do need to drive, there are also nearby parking options, including Q-Park Park Lane, which is around a four-minute walk from The Dorchester and prices range £10-£11 an hour.
Tip: Parking prices can change, so I’d recommend checking The Dorchester’s website before your visit.
Is The Dorchester good for a birthday?
Absolutely. I went for my birthday and the team made it feel very special as I was given a hand-written birthday card as well as a beautiful dessert with a candle to make a wish 🙂
Do you need to book afternoon tea at The Dorchester?
Yes, I would recommend booking in advance, particularly if you’re visiting for a special occasion or have a specific date and time in mind. You can book here
