Craving a rooftop afternoon tea with a side of stunning city views? Look no further! London boasts incredible rooftop restaurants where you can indulge in delightful treats while soaking up the panoramic skyline. We’ve narrowed it down to the top 3 contenders – raise a cup (or two) and discover the best rooftop afternoon teas London has to offer!
- What are the best London rooftop afternoon teas?
- Best rooftop afternoon teas in London reviewed
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What are the best London rooftop afternoon teas?
Editor’s insight: Though there are plenty of afternoon teas in London with a view, there are only a handful that have an actual rooftop. These are our top picks, read on for our full reviews of each!
| ⭐ SUSHISAMBA Covent Garden | 110 Bishopsgate, EC2N 4AY |
| ⭐ Vintry and Mercer | 110 Bishopsgate, EC2N 4AY |
| ⭐ OXO Tower Restaurant | Barge House Street, SE1 9PH |
| ⭐ Radio Rooftop | 336-337 Strand, WC2R 1HA |
Last updated:
Why do our recommendations change?
Every three months I review our top choices for rooftop afternoon teas in London. This is to ensure our recommendations are accurate, up to date and trustworhy. Since we last checked in, Radio Rooftop no longer offers an afternoon tea. For now, our top choice is SUSHISAMBA!
Best rooftop afternoon teas in London reviewed
1. SUSHISAMBA Liverpool Street afternoon tea ☀️
Sushi lovers, this one is for you! Located on the 38th and 39th floors of the Heron Tower, SUSHISAMBA offers unparalleled 360-degree views of the City. My personal highlight is the two panoramic glass elevators! One word of warning – the outside dining terrace is very popular and can be hard to book. But regardless, the main dining room still has a panorama of London with floor-to-ceiling windows.
SUSHISAMBA offers a unique afternoon tea experience with a twist. Forget cucumber sandwiches, here you’ll find a delightful mix of sweet and savoury treats inspired by Japanese and Latin American flavours. Think Wagyu sliders, sushi bites, and colourful desserts, all presented on a beautiful 3-tier stand. While there’s no rooftop seating, the vibrant atmosphere and innovative dishes make it a fun alternative to a classic tea. Keep in mind reservations are a must!
- 💬 User review: “What a delight. Such a cool combination of unique food options. Wagyu katsu sliders, taquitos, sushi, Battenberg. Had such a lovely meal.” Max E, TripAdvisor
- Price: £65 per person
- Location: 110 Bishopsgate, London, EC2N 4AY
2. Vintry and Mercer afternoon tea ☀️
Steep yourself in luxury (and delicious treats!) at Vintry and Mercer’s afternoon tea. This 5-star hotel offers a regal spread fit for a king (or queen). You can expect delicate finger sandwiches, warm scones with jam and clotted cream, plus a selection of sweet treats. But the real crown jewel? The stunning rooftop! Sip your tea while gazing across the iconic London skyline, including the Tate Modern, Jubilee Bell, London Eye, The Shard, and St Paul’s Cathedral. It’s a bit of a splurge, but for a luxurious afternoon, it’s unforgettable.
- 💬 User Review: “Four of us enjoyed a lovely afternoon tea here on Sunday. Unfortunately it was too cold to sit outside, but we did step out onto the terrace to take in the incredible views across the city.” Adam P, TripAdvisor
- Price: £73 per person
- Location: 110 Bishopsgate, London, EC2N 4AY
Book through Virgin Experience Days
Right now, you can book with Virgin Experience Days to try Vintry and Mercer’s ‘Crown Afternoon Tea’ – inspired by all things British royalty! And for total transparency, we may earn a small commission if you purchase through the link below.
Go to Virgin Experience Days3. OXO Tower Restaurant afternoon tea ☀️
The latest addition to our list, the famous OXO Tower offers a quaint afternoon tea with views over Southbank and the Thames! I’ll be honest, this isn’t 100% a rooftop afternoon tea, but the restaurant does have an outdoor dining area which is nearly as high as the roof of the building. Plus, the inside has floor-to-ceiling windows, so you get pretty incredible views wherever you are.
The current afternoon tea menu consists of finger sandwiches like smoked salmon and slow-cooked Coronation chicken breast. And for the sweet side of things, you can tuck into a light coconut mousse with a passionfruit filling or a banana tart with hazelnut. It’s truly delicious, and arguable lets you dine with the most iconic view in London!
Note: The current afternoon tea menu at OXO Tower Restaurant is only available until the end of September!
- 💬 User review: “It was absolutely lovely. Wonderful spread and such good value for London. Highly recommend.” Hayle, TripAdvisor
- Price: £60 per person
- Location: OXO Tower Wharf, Barge House Street, South Bank, SE1 9PH
Book through Red Letter Days
Right now, you can book with Red Letter Days to try OXO Tower’s Champagne afternoon tea for two, for £120. And for total transparency, we may earn a small commission if you purchase through the link below.
Go to Red Letter Days4. Radio Rooftop afternoon tea ☀️
Note: The afternoon tea at Radio Rooftop is not currently available. That said, you can still head over for brunch!
Just as the name suggests, Radio Rooftop offers the perfect rooftop afternoon tea in London. Perched on the 10th Floor of ME London, you’ll be treated to striking visions across the River Thames and London’s impressive skyline. The venue is positioned just off Covent Garden, so you really and truly get views that stretch from the Shard and St Paul’s downstream to the London Eye and Big Ben.
When it comes to the tea, you can expect dainty finger sandwiches, fluffy scones with all the niceties, and a selection of sweet treats. It’s a little pricey, but for a splurge with a friend or loved one, it’s a memorable way to spend an afternoon.
- 💬 User review: “Love the chic sophistication of this London roof top bar! Great location in the center of town and a nice mix of indoor/outdoor seating with heated options too.” Kieran_Mander, TripAdvisor
- Price: From £45
- Location: ME London, 336-337 Strand, London WC2R 1HA
More London afternoon tea guides
- Best London afternoon tea
- Quirky afternoon teas in London
- Best afternoon teas in Covent Garden
- Best bottomless afternoon teas in London
- London bus afternoon tea
FAQs
Does Radio Rooftop accept walk-ins?
Bookings aren’t mandatory, but we’ve found that it’s necessary to book in advance. It’s a hugely popular restaurant right in central London – book to avoid disappointment.