Afternoon Tea at The Savoy – Review. You probably already know that I love afternoon tea, so it will come as no surprise to see me reviewing the afternoon tea at The Savoy in London.
Mr. Wonders and I are big Frozen fans, so were desperate to see Frozen the Musical. The kids used to like it when they were younger but now they are strapping teens, they’re not so keen anymore! So hubby and I took the day off and took the train down to London whilst the kids were at school.
We chose to do the matinee, and rather than doing lunch somewhere, I thought it would be nice to go somewhere decadent for afternoon tea. Luckily for us The Savoy is less than a 6-minute walk away. So what could we do but have afternoon tea there?!
Afternoon tea at the Savoy is served in the Thames Foyer. A light, elegant and spacious room, with a domed ceiling above a wisteria draped bandstand, housing a pianist. (He was very good by the way and played all sorts of styles of songs. Hubby and I played ‘Piano Heardle’ (name that tune!) while we ate. I even noticed an Ed Sheeran at one point).
The staff, as you would expect at the Savoy were very attentive, respectful and courteous. The menu was explained in full and my teacup was never empty. Halfway through the meal our teapots were taken away and fresh ones were brought.
The Afternoon Tea Menu at The Savoy in London
What is Included in The Savoy Afternoon Tea?
The Savoy afternoon tea is served in two courses. The first is the savoury course of sandwiches and tartlets. There were four styles of traditional finger sandwiches.
These included:
- Coronation chicken on granary bread.
- Heritage tomato with basil pesto cream cheese on turmeric bread.
- English garden pea with goat’s cheese and Norfolk watercress on mint bread.
- Burford brown egg with tarragon mustard mayonnaise on malted brown bread.
These were served alongside a tiny bagel with British salt beef, wasabi slaw on a pickle and a Scottish hot smoked salmon with herb cream cheese, pickled shallots and caviar on a savoury tartlet.
The sandwiches were very fresh and very generously filled. I enjoyed the lightness of the goats cheese with mint bread, while Mr. W enjoyed the coronation chicken on granary bread.
When we had finished the sandwiches we were offered more, (but of course the fear is that if you have too many sandwiches you won’t be able to do the cakes justice) so we declined!
The cakes came on a traditional three plate stand, which I always feel is an integral part of the theatre of afternoon tea.
We began with the scones which were served warm. There were plain and raisin scones served with Cornish clotted cream, apricot jam and strawberry jam.
We then moved on to the pièce de résistance of afternoon teas – the patisserie! There was a delightfully squishy strawberry tart made with Kent strawberries, vanilla salsa and Jing jasmine Chantilly (which I’m assuming is the cream).
Then there was a Taste of the Orchard which was orchard apricot compote with a rosemary infused cream and Malden sea salt Breton. (It looks a little like a peach Melba).
After this was the Financier, which if I’m honest I wasn’t very keen on as it was a bit dry. It’s a poppy and pumpkin seeds crunch, hazelnut financier and a tangy lime coconut whipped ganache. Leave that till last in case you get too full to eat the nicer cakes!
Finally, my favourite was the chocolate finger with exotic caramel, a Bahibe mousse made from 70% Cocoa Sablé.
What did we think of the Afternoon Tea at The Savoy?
So what did we think? Well, we had a lovely time. The Savoy is iconic and the staff impeccable. It was a really very relaxing experience. It has to be said though that it is eye-wateringly expensive. At the time we visited, afternoon tea for two with the discretionary (I think 12.5%) tip came to £172.50. Which is a huge amount for two people. I have to say though that the afternoon tea itself wasn’t a patch on the Alice in Wonderland afternoon tea we tried at the Taj 51 Buckingham Gate which was a similar price point. The sandwiches and cakes were lovely but really on a par with many I’ve tried in York at a fraction of the cost.
However, it is an iconic location and one that you should do at some point just to say that you have done it. Oh and Frozen the Musical? It was incredible – go and see it!
Also check out our reviews of Peter Rabbit fternoon Tea at The Dilly and the Alice in Wonderland Afternoon Tea at Taj51 Buckingham Gate. Or the best afternoon tea for kids in London.