I discovered Fortnum & Mason soon after arriving in London. First it was the gorgeous windows that caught my eye, then their delicate biscuits, jams, and tea completely won me over.

Having fallen for the English tradition of Afternoon Tea, I couldn’t wait to try it here. And what better occasion than my husband’s birthday to indulge in such a festive treat?

Today, DOYOUSPEAKLONDON invites you to join me for a journey into the quintessential British Afternoon Tea in London!

Fortnum & Mason: a London icon for Gourmet delights and more

If you haven’t discovered Fortnum & Mason yet, it’s a historic 18th-century Piccadilly gem, beloved for its fine teas, decadent biscuits, chocolates, and elegant preserves.

At Christmas, I always love popping into Fortnum & Mason for last-minute gift ideas. After all, who can resist treats wrapped in beautiful packaging? And if you’re hunting for something extra, the lower level is packed with fantastic spirits and fine drinks.

Looking to take a break from shopping? Fortnum & Mason has you covered with several bars and restaurants:

• The Field (reopening 1st February) on the Ground Floor Mezzanine

• The Parlour on the 1st Floor, ideal for ice cream or a sweet treat

• The Diamond Jubilee Tea Salon on the Fourth Floor

• 45 Jermyn St., just a stone’s throw from the store

That day, we had a special booking at the Diamond Jubilee Tea Salon to celebrate a memorable occasion…

Step Inside the Diamond Jubilee Tea Salon at Fortnum & Mason

Every corner has a story, and the Diamond Jubilee Tea Salon has one stretching over 314 years! From a Fortnum family apartment to an interior decorating department in the 1920s–30s, then an antique department, and finally a restaurant called St. James’s, its evolution is as rich as its afternoon teas.

Since 2012, the Tea Salon has been devoted to the classic and beloved tradition of Afternoon Tea.

The Diamond Jubilee Tea Salon was named to honour Her Majesty’s visit in 2012, when she officially opened the room alongside Their Royal Highnesses the Duchess of Cornwall and the Duchess of Cambridge. A truly royal debut!

What I truly loved about this Tea Salon is the light. It’s not every day you can enjoy Afternoon Tea in a room so bright and airy. I could take in every detail and snap photos, confident they would capture the space beautifully.

Fortnum & Mason’s iconic Afternoon Tea, a timeless British tradition

Not only is the Tea Salon full of light, it’s also a peaceful escape from the bustle of Piccadilly, with the added bonus of stunning panoramic views.

Step out of the lift and you’re immediately greeted by a serene atmosphere, complete with a piano softly playing in the central hall.

The staff greeted us warmly, and we chose a table right in the center. Perfect for soaking in, and photographing the Tea Salon from every angle.

The Tea Salon quickly filled up after we arrived, so we had a short wait before placing our order. Thankfully, our waitress was warm and attentive, doing her best to keep pace with the busy room.

Not long after our tea was poured, the treats began to arrive. I opted for the classic Afternoon Tea, and my husband went for the indulgent High Afternoon Tea from the tempting selection of menus.

I really enjoyed the sandwiches. They were fresh, flavourful, and delicious, but I found them a bit predictable.

I know Fortnum’s celebrates traditional Afternoon Tea, yet I was hoping for a few surprises in the ingredients or presentation. As W. Somerset Maugham once said, “Tradition is a guide and not a jailer.”

Meanwhile, my husband kicked off with a showstopper: the Lobster Omelette Victoria with Truffle. What a memorable dish! (Lucky me, I got to share a bit!). The truffle was wonderfully intense, and the omelette rich and succulent… truly a must-try!

Next came the plain and fruit scones, served with Fortnum’s Strawberry and Wild Blueberry Preserves and rich Somerset clotted cream.

Knowing the incredible variety of jams Fortnum & Mason offers in their stores (the Strawberry & Champagne, Strawberry & Rose Petal, and Cherry Preserves are divine, and the lemon curd is amazing!)

I was hoping for a bit more originality here. Did anyone else feel the same?

That said, let’s talk about the scones. Overall, they were good, but a bit too sweet for my taste and not quite soft enough inside. Should I admit that scones aren’t exactly my favourite treat? That probably makes me pickier than most!

The desserts were all beautiful and tempting, but my favourites were definitely the tarts: coffee-chocolate and lemon. I loved their textures and bold, satisfying flavours.

By this point, let’s be honest, we were nearly full!

We sampled a few desserts from my husband’s menu, but honestly, they didn’t wow us. Compared to the Truffle Omelette’s brilliance, these desserts felt surprisingly bland and lacking character. Not my cup of tea, but hey, tastes differ!

The waitress seemed a bit surprised that we’d left a few desserts on our plates and kindly offered to pack the leftovers to take home… along with some sandwiches if we wanted.

We agreed to take just a few sandwiches – mostly because she insisted – but didn’t want to overfill the bag (more about not overdoing it than any practical problem, but you get the idea!).

Just as we were about to leave with our doggy bag, the waitress noticed it was my husband’s birthday and asked us to wait… then returned with a surprise birthday cake!

We appreciated the thoughtful gesture, but after all we’d eaten, there was no way we could finish another cake! If I may suggest, celebrating a client’s birthday is a perfect opportunity to personalise the experience. But adding another dessert may not be ideal.

Why not offer a glass of Fortnum’s champagne instead, or a small gift like a miniature preserve or a box of their famous biscuits, with a special note? Fortnum’s is special, and an Afternoon Tea here should feel just as extraordinary, especially on a birthday.

Overall, we really enjoyed our visit to Fortnum’s: the setting was lovely, the staff friendly, and a few dishes were absolutely delicious (mmm, that omelette!).

That said, I want to be honest with my readers: I’d recommend Fortnum’s mainly if you’re after a traditional, authentic Afternoon Tea experience in London.

It’s especially perfect if you’re discovering Fortnum & Mason for the first time, as it’s a great way to explore the brand, its iconic products, and this delightful British tradition all at once.

I hope you’ve enjoyed this post and found inspiration here. If you are about to book an afternoon tea at Fortnum & Mason soon, please share your experience and opinion on DOYOUSPEAKLONDON’s blog!

Looking for more Afternoon Tea inspiration? Click here!

To go further:
Fortnum & Mason: 181 Piccadilly, St. James’s, London W1A 1ER
Website

*Afternoon Tea, Savoury Afternoon Tea, High Tea, Vegetarian Afternoon Tea, Made Without Gluten Afternoon Tea