This season, The Mandarin Oriental Hyde Park has taken its famed Afternoon Tea and steeped it – quite literally – in springtime inspiration.
- Welcome to the ‘Botanical Afternoon Tea’ at The Rosebery, where the elegance of Hyde Park’s seasonal bloom is mirrored in every bite, sip, and note of violin music.
- It’s the sort of experience that makes you forget your emails, your deadlines, and your calorie count.
- The Botanical Afternoon Tea is available daily from 12pm to 6pm until 3 June 2025 at £89 (approx. R2246) per person.
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There are few things more quintessentially British than Afternoon Tea – crustless sandwiches, fluffy scones, delicate pastries, and enough tea to float the HMS Britannia. So, when The Sandton Times landed in London, it was only fitting to wander to the spiritual home of scones and civility: The Mandarin Oriental Hyde Park, London. Tucked into the ultra-chic Knightsbridge, mere tea-lengths away from Harrods, this iconic hotel doesn’t just whisper opulence – it serenades it with a string quartet.
A Setting Fit For Royal-Tea
With over 140 years of heritage, the Mandarin Oriental Hyde Park is no ordinary hotel – it’s a grand dame of London hospitality. The Rosebery tearoom, where Afternoon Tea unfolds daily, is an ode to understated luxury. Think soft pastels, high ceilings, and the comforting clink of fine china, which is supposedly custom made for the hotel and takes quite some time to reorder, should someone clink it a bit too enthusiastically.
And just when you think you’ve stepped into a Victorian painting, the theatrical bronze cake stands – styled like apple trees – introduce a touch of whimsy, with hanging birdcages holding the afternoon’s treasures. It’s playful, it’s elegant, and it’s extremely Instagrammable.
Sandwiches That Deserve A Standing Ovation
Let’s start where all good teas begin – the sandwiches. And not just any sandwiches. These are precision-engineered pockets of joy, with just the right balance of texture and taste. The Slow Roasted Grass-fed Hereford Beef with mustard tartare sauce on malbran bread was, without a doubt, the star of the show. So good, in fact, we requested seconds – possibly thirds. It was the roast dinner of sandwiches.
The Clarence Court Egg & Black Truffle added a decadent twist to a British classic, while the Prawn & Elderflower combo was as refreshing as a Hyde Park breeze. From the Cucumber & Herbs on spinach bread to the Smoked Salmon with citrus crème fraîche, each bite was an exercise in restraint – until it wasn’t.
Scones That Spark A Decadent Escapade
Freshly baked plain and raisin scones were served warm, with clotted cream and a duo of seasonal British jams. There’s a method to this madness – cream first, then jam (or vice versa if you’re from other parts, or so we are told). Either way, the result was heavenly. Add a strawberry and cream pre-dessert, infused with elderflower, and we were floating several inches off the velvet hugging chairs.
Pastries That Bloom With The Season
Chefs Francisco Hernandez and Emmanuel Bonneau brought spring to life with a line-up of botanically-inspired desserts. Highlights included the Earl Grey and Lapsang Tea Chocolate Tart (deep, smoky, and oh-so-sophisticated), and the ethereal Lychee & Apple Sphere, with its cherry blossom twist.
The Verbena & Rose Gel Macaron was a dainty floral kiss, and the final flourish – a choice of table-side cakes – was both interactive and indulgent. We chose the Classic Raspberry Victoria Sponge, and it was as regal as its name implies. For the chocolate lovers, the Chocolate & Orange Blossom cake offered a rich, ganache-laden indulgence with a citrus zing.
Tea Fit For A Sommelier
With 29 loose-leaf teas curated by resident Tea Sommelier Ivan Stoyanov, the beverage side of Afternoon Tea is far from an afterthought. From Silver Needles White Tea to the playful Sticky Toffee Black Tea, every cup was a flavour journey. Tea is brewed the traditional Eastern way, giving the leaves time to truly shine.
There are also botanical gin cocktails available, made with the hotel’s own London Dry Gin, inspired by Hyde Park’s flora. We recommend sipping one while listening to the music…
A Soundtrack To Sip By
If you thought the food was impressive, wait until Nadine Galea starts playing. The multi-genre violinist—who’s performed for the Royal Family and even Madonna—fills the room with a live soundtrack that makes every sip more soulful. From classical overtures to a Bridgerton-worthy backtrack, her performance transforms a lovely tea into an unforgettable moment. She had us moved, with maybe even a tear drop in our tea.
The Verdict? A Cup Above The Rest
Afternoon Tea at The Rosebery at Mandarin Oriental Hyde Park, London is not just a meal – it’s a gentle afternoon journey through flavour, fragrance, and feeling. From the meticulously crafted menu to the curated tea selection and whimsical presentation, every element is orchestrated for maximum enjoyment.
Whether you’re a seasoned tea devotee or a curious traveller looking for the ultimate British experience, this botanical-themed afternoon tea offers elevated indulgence with a seasonal twist.
The Mandarin Oriental London Dry Gin is also available to take home for £80 (approx. R2020) a bottle – because memories of this afternoon deserve to be sipped slowly, long after the teacups have been cleared. So go on – book it. And remember: pinkies up. Always.
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