Prepare to be swept away by an Afternoon Tea experience like no other!

Nestled in the heart of London, Corinthia elevates this classic British tradition with a modern twist: elegant, inventive, and utterly irresistible. From exquisitely crafted pastries to impeccably brewed teas, every detail exudes luxury.

Today, DOYOUSPEAKLONDON takes you inside this unforgettable indulgence, where sophistication meets pure delight.

Corinthia Luxury Hotel, London

The luxurious Corinthia Hotel sits in one of London’s most prestigious areas, just steps from Trafalgar Square, St James’s Park, and Whitehall.

Its history is as fascinating as its elegance: originally opened in 1885 as the Metropole Hotel, its proximity to the Palace of Westminster saw it requisitioned during both World Wars.

In the interwar years, the hotel became a celebrated cabaret hotspot, famously known as the “Midnight Follies.” After the Second World War, it was acquired by the Ministry of Defence and served as government offices for decades.

In 2007, the Crown Estates sold the building, and it was meticulously restored to its former glory as the Corinthia Hotel, blending historical grandeur with modern luxury.

Setting history aside, on this sunny January Sunday, I met up with friends for one of our regular tastings of London’s best Afternoon Teas.

It’s a resolution we made last year that, and unlike most others, we’ve actually stuck to! It’s the perfect excuse to escape the city’s hustle and bustle every few months and treat ourselves to a truly indulgent afternoon.

I had no idea where we were headed until the very last moment since I wasn’t the one organising this Afternoon Tea, but it was absolutely worth the suspense.

The Corinthia Hotel didn’t just satisfy our greedy (and picky) appetites, it impressed our discerning minds too!

Once stepping out of the Embankment tube station, we had a quick stroll along the River Thames before being welcomed at Corinthia Hotel with the sound of a piano in the entrance hall.

A first glance at the interior and we were all seduced by the place and ready to enjoy our afternoon tea…

Indulgent Afternoon Tea at the luxurious Corinthia

Afternoon Teas are meant to be savoured, an opportunity to enjoy exquisite food, perfectly brewed drinks, and the pleasure of good company. After all, they’re even more delightful when shared.

We started the afternoon with a glass of champagne, and by the time the waiter even began suggesting teas to accompany our treats, we were already salivating over the menu.

A quick glance at the desserts alone promised nothing short of pure indulgence.

We started with the five traditional finger sandwiches and very much appreciated their original twists.

The pickled cucumber with goat’s curd and mint on brown bread was fresh, crisp, and full of flavour.

The smoked salmon with horseradish crème fraîche, also on brown bread, was perfectly smoked and utterly delicious.

The coronation chicken with crunchy gem lettuce on onion bread was sensational, so many textures and flavours in every bite!

My personal favourite? The Clarence Court egg mayonnaise with truffle and Dijon on brioche: rich, melting, and absolutely divine.

The honey roast Wiltshire ham with Dijon and watercress was perhaps the simplest of the bunch, but still very tasty.

Next up in our Afternoon Tea feast were the Plain and Sultana scones, a classic treat we were eagerly anticipating.

Let me tell you: these scones are legendary.

Still warm when they arrived, soft inside and out, a perfect balance between cake and brioche. I loved every bite, though I have a soft spot for the plain scones!

The jams were just as impressive: organic strawberry, so good you could taste the love in every spoonful, and rhubarb with litsea cubeba, an absolute must-try. Delightful both in flavor and originality!

Saving the best for last: the desserts!

These four pastries were nothing short of divine… each bite a little moment of heaven.

The Chestnut & Cassis Éclair won unanimous praise for its bold flavors, stunning presentation, and the perfect balance of sweet and tangy notes.

The Coffee, Cocoa Nibs, and Praline Mousse was my personal favourite. Beautifully designed and utterly scrumptious, its bold flavours lingered delightfully on the palate. I’d recommend saving this one for last, it’s the perfect finale to savour every last bite.

The Spiced Pear Mousse with Chai Chantilly was simply sensational, delicate in both flavour and texture, with the biscuit perfectly complementing the softness of the mousse. Incredible!

On second thought, it might just share the top spot as my favourite, alongside the Coffee, Cocoa Nibs, and Praline Mousse…!

The final showstopper was the Coconut and Lime Cake with Passion Fruit & Chantilly, truly impressive, though on the sweeter side.

All absolutely delicious.

Inside the kitchen: Corinthia London’s head pastry Chef

Behind all these amazing pastries there’s The French Head Pastry Chef Loic Carbonnet, whom I’d like to present a bit.

Loic Carbonnet has spent the past five years at The Corinthia, leading a team of 11 talented pastry chefs responsible for the main hotel. Prior to this, he honed his craft at The Four Seasons and The Lanesborough.

On the hotel’s website, Loic Carbonnet explains that what makes Corinthia London’s Afternoon Tea so special is “the way we showcase our afternoon tea, especially with the afternoon tea trolley, filled with cakes that are presented to each of our guests.”

He also mentions that the success of an Afternoon Tea depends not only on the quality of the pastries and sandwiches but that “50% of it is the service: the setting, the glasses, the china, the human contact.” I have to admit, on this last point, our server didn’t show much warmth or engagement.

While it was a little surprising at first, we chose to overlook it and focus on enjoying the Afternoon Tea to the fullest.

The Iconic Fullmoon Baccarat Chandelier of Corinthia London

This stunning chandelier was designed in 2011 by Chafik Studio and produced exclusively for the Corinthia Hotel by Baccarat.

It hangs beneath the lobby’s glass dome, a central feature that captures the attention of every visitor.

I’m fascinated by the story behind this breathtaking chandelier. It’s composed of 1,000 clear crystal bubbles, with a 1,001st red crystal bubble placed at its heart, a nod to the red tassel that traditionally adorns and distinguishes Baccarat chandeliers. Simply astonishing, isn’t it?

I hope you’ve enjoyed this post and found a little inspiration here. If you’re planning to book an Afternoon Tea at Corinthia London, I’d love for you to share your experience and thoughts on the DOYOUSPEAKLONDON blog!

Don’t miss my other Afternoon Tea picks! See them all here!

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To go further:
Corinthia London: Whitehall Place, London SW1A 2BD
Website
Afternoon tea booking
Interview with Pastry Chef Loic Carbonnet

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