Thames Foyer at The Savoy: afternoon tea

Sandwiches are excellent – laser-cut rectangles of flavoured bread and impeccably sourced fillings. Soft basil bread with cucumber and minted crème cheese; Wiltshire bone ham with grainy mustard and apple chutney on fragrant carrot and coriander bread; and tender classic Coronation chicken on olive-jewelled bread, are all worthy of trying.

Warm, fluffy scones are perked up with homemade lemon curd if the classic strawberry jam and clotted cream don’t tempt you.

If you’ve opted for the traditional afternoon tea your sweet tooth will be duly satisfied with a limitless cake tray from pastry chef Ludwig Hely. The offering is refreshed each season, and the latest Spring menu included fresh strawberry and cream macaroons, zesty lemon tart, chocolate and coffee delice and blackberry jelly sponge. Other delicacies have included lavender icing-topped éclairs filled with subtle vanilla pastry cream; large pink macaroons with wild strawberry jelly and fresh rose-scented Chantilly; and a layered raspberry and chocolate number with crunchy chocolate shortbread, fresh raspberries and a light chocolate mousse on top.

Check out our best afternoon tea recipes here, including:

• Raspberry macaroons
• Strawberry éclairs
• Traditional scones
• Gin and tonic granita
• Classic Victoria spone

If you’re not the biggest cake fan, opt for the high tea instead as that switches the pastry course for H Forman & Son smoked salmon and poached egg on a crisp brioche disc with crème fraiche, lemon and herbs.

With both, the Thames Foyer signature cakes arrive last are worth saving room for – the finest sponge sandwiching fresh strawberries and cream (check out our foolproof Victoria sponge recipe here).

Star-lined Madonna, Marilyn, Frank and friends ensure the afternoon tea runs smoothly from their ornate frames that line the walls, and familiar tunes unobtrusively float out of the grand piano. Afternoon tea at The Savoy gives you a glimpse into the room’s former life, with a vintage carpet, ornate chandeliers, and white marble columns with gold detail.

And if you can’t bear for it to end? Head to the coutique shop where you can bag some macaroons and pastries to take away for later.

Star of the show: Coronation chicken sandwiches and Savoy Rose macaroon.

Scone rating: 8/10

Perfect for: Jane Austen fans dreaming of tea-dances

Price: Traditional afternoon tea £65pp, champagne afternoon tea from £75pp

Address: 7-12 Half Moon Street, Mayfair, London, W1J 7BH

Words by Alex Crossley

Got you in the mood for afternoon tea? Here's our round up of the best afternoon teas in London.

Plus, we've rounded up the best afternoon teas outside of London, too...

olive magazine podcast ep65 – Who will win the great scone debate? Jam or cream first?!

On this week’s podcast the team explore the British tradition of afternoon tea, sharing their favourites in London, and get into a debate on which is the right way to serve scones. (Psst, cream is the right way.)