London Afternoon Tea at The Dilly
Yo, tea drinkers.
It's me, your afternoon tea addicted gal. I recently had a delightful afternoon tea experience at The Dilly in London and wanted to share some of the fun deets with you all.
As I mentioned literally two sentences ago, I am obsessed with afternoon tea. I couldn't pass up the chance to indulge in one of London's classic traditions! After a morning of exploring the city's iconic landmarks - and admiring the aftermath of London Pride, I made my way to The Dilly, a charming hotel with a touch of elegance that basically guaranteed a memorable tea time.
The ambiance was fantastic – classic and sophisticated, with a hint of modern style. I felt a little like I was stepping into a scene from a fancy movie. As a solo traveler, sometimes it can feel a bit daunting to do these things alone, but the staff were very friendly and made me feel welcome right away.
Now, let's talk about the star of the show – the tea itself! If you’re looking to book this experience, it’s called London Afternoon Tea (pretty simple, but easy to remember!). The selection of teas wasn’t huge, but it was nevertheless impressive. Being a tea lover, I had a hard time choosing, so I tried two. The first one I ordered was the vanilla rooibos, and it was so delicious and warming but not overly sweet on its own. For my second pot, I decided on the Earl Grey (with Calabrian bergamot, so fancy). Early Grey is one of my go-to’s in everyday life, so I was happy that this one was a nice blend of comforting and refreshing.
And then came the tiered tray of delights – sandwiches, scones, and sweets, the BEST. The sandwiches were a mix of traditional with some twists, like the cucumber sandwich with coconut cream cheese, a guacamole and quinoa on malt bread, the classic egg mayo and cress, and then a very tasty roasted vegetable and hummus on onion bread! Of course, the scones (one plain, one fruit) were a huge hit, as they always are. They were warm, and paired perfectly with clotted cream and strawberry jam.
Last and never least, the sweeeets. My server informed me that not only were they super cute (they were), but they also told a story. The (pistachio with a raspberry center) macaron with the London Underground sign represents you getting on the Tube to come to tea, then the red telephone box (lemon and poppy seed cake with lemon cream) is where you called the black cab (homemade chocolate biscuit) to bring you to see Big Ben (chocolate crémeux with a salted caramel center)! They were all super tasty, though I will admit to only eating the outside of the macaron, as I’m mildly allergic to raspberries.
Overall, The Dilly's afternoon tea was a really nice experience. It may not have been the most over-the-top or extravagant tea service, but it had that good balance of elegance and simplicity that left me feeling really content. If you're looking for a lovely spot to enjoy a traditional-adjacent afternoon tea in London, I highly recommend giving The Dilly a try.
Here’s the menu (as of July 2023): London Afternoon Tea menu
Cost: Adults £49 / Kids £39
Do you have any recommendations for good afternoon teas? Anywhere in the world? Put them in the comments below!
Stay safe, stay hydrated, and stay open to new experiences.
-Kate