Let’s break down the £65. That includes a bottomless pot of your choice from a selection of over 18 teas. Yes, you can drink as much Earl Grey or peppermint as your bladder allows. It also includes a full spread of those classic sandwiches—think cucumber, smoked salmon, egg mayonnaise—plus a warm scone with clotted cream and strawberry jam.
Then comes the pièce de résistance: a selection of miniature pastries and cakes that look like they belong in a jewelry store. We’re talking delicate éclairs, tiny fruit tarts, and chocolate mousses that are almost too pretty to eat. Almost.
If you want to add a glass of Champagne—and honestly, who doesn’t?—you’ll pay a bit more. The “Champagne Afternoon Tea” is £80 per person. That extra £15 gets you a flute of bubbly and a little extra sparkle in your afternoon. It’s the difference between “having tea” and “having an occasion.”
Jessie & Jake: High Tea at The Ritz
Is It Worth the Splurge?
Here’s where the rubber meets the road. Is it worth it? If you’re comparing it to a regular café sandwich and a cup of tea from the corner shop, absolutely not. That would be like comparing a bicycle to a Ferrari. But if you’re looking for a memory, a special treat for a birthday, an anniversary, or just because you’re tired of your Tuesday routine—then yes, it’s an experience you won’t forget.
I once took my mom there for her 60th birthday. She spent the first ten minutes whispering, “Is this allowed? Are we fancy enough?” And when the scones arrived, she actually giggled. That giggle, my friends, is what you’re paying for. It’s not about the tea leaves; it’s about the feeling of being pampered for an hour or two.
For a single person, the bill for two people doing classic tea is about £130 before service charge. That’s roughly the same as a nice dinner out for two, but with more sparkly lights and less awkward small talk. You’re also paying for the theatre of it all—the waiters in tailcoats, the silver teapots, the careful refilling of your cup without you even asking.
