The Cutest Place for Afternoon Tea in London: Millie’s Lounge
Are you on the hunt to find the cutest place for afternoon tea in London? Let me introduce you to Millie’s Lounge, a chic restaurant located inside The Ned, London, that allows patrons to enjoy this English delicacy.
Afternoon tea is a time-honored tradition that has been enjoyed for centuries. The origins of afternoon tea can be traced back to 19th century England, where it was originally enjoyed by the upper class as a way to stave off hunger between lunch and dinner. Today, afternoon tea is enjoyed by people from all walks of life and is typically served between the hours of 3 pm and 5 pm.
In my opinion, a trip to Great Britain would not be complete without experiencing the delight of being served flavorful teas, delicate finger sandwiches, and scones with clotted cream and jam. This British pastime is something that must be included in your itinerary, even if you’re not a huge tea drinker like myself. Afternoon tea in London caters to locals and tourists alike, as this must-try experience leaves patrons feeling both indulged and cultured.
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Cutest Place for Afternoon Tea in London
Millie’s Lounge is hands-down my top recommendation for those looking for the cutest place for afternoon tea in London. From the comfortable booths clothed with elaborate fabrics to the carpeted floor creating a homely atmosphere, Millie’s Lounge will make you feel like the royal family has welcomed you into their home for the afternoon.
This traditional tea experience is offered Monday-Friday from 2-5 pm and Saturdays from midday-5 pm. The restaurant’s hours extend beyond this time frame, but if you’re hoping to snag a reservation for afternoon tea, this is the time frame you’ll want to book your table for.
Millie’s Lounge is located inside The Ned, London, a 5-star hotel and members’ club with accommodations modeled after 1920s glamour, a world-class spa, 10 restaurants, and more. However, no membership is required to dine at the classy Millie’s Lounge, allowing commoners like myself to enjoy the prestigious setting for an afternoon. Located in the grand banking hall, the lounge’s spacious setting is made more intimate by its warm-toned furnishings and friendly waitstaff.
If you’re not able to make it for afternoon tea but feel sold on the location, rest assured that Millie’s Lounge is also open for breakfast, lunch, dinner, and cocktails.
Price of Afternoon Tea at Millie’s Lounge: £38 per person.
Millie’s Lounge Hours: Monday-Wednesday 6 am-Midnight; Thursday-Sunday 7 am until late
Do You Need to Book a Table at Millie’s Lounge?
Millie’s Lounge’s website does prompt prospective customers to book a table, especially as afternoon tea is only offered for a set amount of hours each day. Personally, I would recommend having this reservation made in advance in order to guarantee a table for yourself. Even though the restaurant was not particularly crowded when I visited, it can be difficult to predict table availability ahead of time. Play it safe and book a table so that you don’t have to miss out on the cutest place to have afternoon tea in London!
How Long Does It Take to Have Afternoon Tea?
The length of time it takes to have afternoon tea can vary depending on the setting and the type of tea service being offered. In a formal setting, like Millie’s Lounge, afternoon tea can take anywhere from 1.5 to 2 hours to complete. This allows guests to leisurely enjoy the tea and the accompanying food items.
In a more casual setting, such as a friend's home, afternoon tea may be a shorter affair, lasting anywhere from 30 minutes to an hour. In this case, the host may serve a simpler selection of food items, such as tea and biscuits, or a small selection of sandwiches. Regardless of the setting, however, the purpose of afternoon tea remains the same: to enjoy a warm drink and a light snack while socializing with friends or family. I recommend taking your time to sit back and enjoy this pastime rather than rushing yourself to get through your portions in a set amount of time.
Can You Share Afternoon Tea?
Afternoon tea has always been meant to be shared and is a great way to spend your time with your travel companions. Given the portion sizes of the towered food that arrives with an order of afternoon tea, you’ll like having the extra company with you to help sample the various foods set in front of you. Sharing also allows you to try multiple items, as you can pick at a variety of sandwiches, scones, and desserts. As for the tea itself, you’ll want to choose your own flavor to enjoy.
At Millie’s Lounge, you’ll be served your own individual tea service, complete with your own teapot for refills. The food will be served on a typical three-tier tray, with the scones, sandwiches, and desserts each served on a separate tier.
If you happen to be traveling solo, then you’ll likely need to take some food items home with you. Even though the food menu is described as “light,” it is still quite a lot to indulge in, even when sharing!
Can You Ask for Refills for Afternoon Tea in London?
Whether or not you can ask for refills of afternoon tea depends on the specific tea service you are participating in. In a formal setting, such as a fancy hotel or tea room, it is not common practice to ask for refills of tea or food items. Instead, the tea service is typically designed to provide guests with a specific amount of food and drink offerings. However, if you find that you need more tea or food items, it may be appropriate to discreetly ask your server if additional servings are available.
At Millie’s Lounge, we had no issue with this, as the servers actually asked us if we wanted some refills. Even if this is not a common practice, it didn’t seem to raise any eyebrows when we were brought a second serving of tea or sandwiches.
It is also important to note that some tea services may offer unlimited refills of tea or specific food items. For example, some restaurants or cafes may offer unlimited pots of tea or scones during their afternoon tea service. In these cases, it is generally acceptable to ask for refills as needed. Ultimately, whether or not you can ask for refills of afternoon tea depends on the specific circumstances and the etiquette of the setting in which the tea is being served.
What Are the Main Foods Served at Afternoon Tea?
The main foods served at afternoon tea typically include a selection of sandwiches, scones, and sweets displayed on a three-tier tray alongside your teapots. Finger sandwiches are a popular staple of afternoon tea, typically made with thinly sliced bread and a variety of fillings such as cucumber and cream cheese, egg salad, chicken salad, or smoked salmon. The sandwiches are usually cut into small, bite-sized portions and presented on the middle level of the tiered serving tray.
Scones with jam and cream are also a quintessential part of the afternoon tea experience. The scones are typically plain or flavored with fruit and are served warm with a dollop of clotted cream and a spoonful of jam. This sweet and savory combination is a favorite of many tea enthusiasts and is often considered the highlight of the meal.
Finally, a selection of sweets and pastries is usually offered as the final course of afternoon tea. These may include miniature cakes, tarts, cookies, and other delicacies. The sweets are often beautifully presented, with colorful decorations and intricate designs, and are meant to be enjoyed in small portions. Overall, the foods served at afternoon tea are designed to be light and elegant, providing a perfect balance of flavors and textures to accompany the tea.
How Should I Dress for Afternoon Tea in London?
In general, the dress code for afternoon tea can vary depending on the setting and the occasion. For a more formal setting, such as a fancy hotel or tea room, it is usually recommended to wear semi-formal or dressy attire. This may include a dress or skirt for women and a suit or jacket for men. Avoid wearing overly casual clothing such as shorts or graphic t-shirts in sophisticated environments, as this may be seen as disrespectful to the setting and the tradition of afternoon tea.
While Millie’s Lounge has an elegant feel to it, it didn’t feel snobbish or intimidating. I showed up to afternoon tea at Millie’s Lounge in jeans, a nice blouse, and jewelry and never felt out of place or looked down upon. I’d say that jeans are acceptable to wear, but I do recommend dressing them up a bit! After all, when dining at the cutest place for afternoon tea in London, why wouldn’t you want to dress up a bit more than usual?
Ultimately, the key to dressing appropriately for afternoon tea is to consider the setting and occasion and to choose attire that is respectful and in line with the overall tone of the event.
What Is the Best Time for Afternoon Tea in London?
The best time for afternoon tea in London typically falls between 2 pm and 5 pm, with many establishments offering multiple sittings throughout the afternoon. It is recommended to book a reservation in advance, especially for more popular tea rooms and hotels.
While the specific time for afternoon tea may vary depending on the establishment, it is generally recommended to avoid scheduling tea too early or too late in the day. Early afternoon is considered the most popular time for tea, as it offers a pleasant midday break and allows guests to enjoy the offerings without feeling too full for dinner later on. However, these later afternoon tea sittings can also be enjoyable, especially for those who prefer a lighter dinner or evening snack.
We had our afternoon tea scheduled for 4:30 in the afternoon, given that we had spent our morning and early afternoon exploring the Notting Hill neighborhoods. We wanted to make sure that we gave ourselves enough time to get to this side of London for our highly anticipated reservation. I could tell that afternoon tea was winding down by this time, but we had no problem having tea at this time, especially as the food that was included ended up serving as our dinner for the evening, as it was quite filling!
Ultimately, the best time for afternoon tea in London depends on your schedule and preferences, but scheduling a tea sitting between 2 pm and 5 pm is generally the most popular and convenient option.
If you’re looking for the cutest place for afternoon tea in London, Millie’s Lounge is easily my top recommendation! This chic restaurant created an unforgettable first-time experience with this British pastime and left quite an impression on me. Even if drinking tea is not your thing and you’d much rather frequent a pub than a tea room, this unique experience is one that I recommend any time someone tells me they’re planning on visiting England.
