The Diamond Jubilee Tea Salon at Fortnum & Mason

The Diamond Jubilee Tea Salon is the afternoon tea room on the fourth floor of Fortnum & Mason, the Piccadilly department store founded in 1707 by William Fortnum and Hugh Mason. It was opened by Queen Elizabeth II in 2012, the year of her Diamond Jubilee, and it has become one of London's best-known places for a traditional afternoon tea. The room is light and elegant, and an in-house pianist plays daily.

Afternoon tea is the main event, with delicately cut sandwiches, freshly baked scones with clotted cream and preserves, and a selection of cakes and pastries, served with a choice from Fortnum's long list of teas. Alongside the Classic Afternoon Tea, there are Savoury Afternoon Tea and High Tea options, Vegetarian Afternoon Tea, an afternoon tea made without gluten and a Children's Afternoon Tea. A Caviar Tea is also offered. Vegan, vegetarian, made without gluten and made without nuts menus are available if you let the restaurant know in advance, but other changes to the menus cannot be accommodated.

The Tea Salon suits celebrations, couples, families with children and anyone wanting a classic London afternoon tea in a historic store. It was named Time Out London's best afternoon tea for 2025. Allow around two hours for a relaxed sitting, and leave time before or after to explore the store's food halls, tea department and hampers. Larger groups can book by phone or email, and the salon can occasionally be hired in its entirety.

Opening hours are 11:00 to 19:30 Monday to Thursday, 11:00 to 20:30 on Fridays and Saturdays, and 11:30 to 19:30 on Sundays. Reservations are made online, and booking ahead is strongly recommended, especially at weekends and in the run-up to Christmas. The last reservation is two hours before closing. Check last order times with the restaurant if you plan a late sitting.

Fortnum & Mason is at 181 Piccadilly in St James's. Piccadilly Circus and Green Park Underground stations are both a short walk away; there is no dedicated parking and on-street parking is very limited. The Royal Academy of Arts is almost opposite, and Jermyn Street, St James's Park and the Ritz are all within a few minutes' walk.