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So, what is Afternoon Tea, exactly? Well, it means real tea (Earl Grey, English Breakfast, Ceylon, Darjeeling, or Assam) brewed in a china pot, and served with china cups and saucers, milk, lemon, and silver spoons, between 3 and 5:30 pm.

For the full experience there should be elegant finger foods on a three-tiered cake stand: crustless sandwiches on the bottom; fruit scones with Devonshire clotted cream and strawberry jam in the middle; and rich cakes, shortbread, patisseries, macaroons, and fancies on top.

Tea-goers dress smartly (though not ostentatiously) and a certain level of decorum is, of course, expected.

The Savoy.
Hands down, this super-glamorous hotel offers the most beautiful setting for tea: the Thames Foyer, a symphony of grays and golds centered around a “winter garden” wrought-iron gazebo, just the place for the house pianist to accompany you as you enjoy the award-winning house teas along with finger sandwiches, homemade scones, and yumptious pastries. Don’t forget to stop in the adjacent Chinoiserie Vestibule—a gloriously chic black-and-white chintz-covered room—to make some purchases in the Savoy Tea Boutique. | Strand, Covent Garden | WC2R 0EU | 020/7836–4343 | Served daily 3 to 5 | Station: Covent Garden, Charing Cross.

Claridge’s.
The hallowed tradition is given a sophisticated, contemporary twist at Claridge’s, where your teatime companions are more likely to be film stars and supermodels than aristocrats. Afternoon tea is £38 and Champagne tea is £49. | Brook St., Mayfair | W1K 4HR | 020/7629–8860 | Served daily 3, 3:30, 5, and 5:30 | Station: Bond St.

The Dorchester.
Amid a maze of marble and gold leaf, tea in the Promenade is best taken on comfy sofas and to the sound of the resident pianist. Afternoon tea is £38.50, Champagne tea is £46.50. Book well ahead. | 53 Park La. | W1K 1QA | 020/7629–8888 | Reservations essential | Served daily 2:30 and 4:45 | Station: Hyde Park Corner.

Fortnum & Mason.
Upstairs at the venerable 300-year-old store (grocer to the Queen), three set teas are ceremoniously served: afternoon tea (£35), old-fashioned high tea (a traditional light meal, £37), and Champagne tea (priced according to Champagne). Unfortunately, the tea parlor decor is tired and stained while many of the edibles served are shockingly inedible. | St. James’s Restaurant, 4th fl., 181 Piccadilly, St. James’s | W1A 1ER | 020/7734–8040 | Served Mon.–Sat. 2–7, Sun. noon–4:30 | Station: Green Park.

The Ritz.
At the Ritz tea is served in the impressive Palm Court, with marble tables and Louis XIV chaises complete with musical accompaniment, providing a taste of “Edwardian London” in the 21st century. Afternoon tea is £52 and Champagne tea £54. Reserve two to three months ahead and remember to wear a jacket and tie. | 150 Piccadilly, St. James’s | W1J 9BR | 020/7300–2309 | Reservations essential | Served daily 11:30, 1:30, 3:30, 5:30, 7:30 | Station: Green Park.

The Wolseley.
The sumptuous dining room at the Wolseley has barely changed since the 1920s, and it remains as fashionable a hangout as it was in its roaring heyday. Afternoon tea is £21 and Champagne tea £30. | 160 Piccadilly, St. James’s | W1J 9ER | 020/7499–6996 | Served weekdays 3–6:30, Sat. 3:30–5, Sun. 3:30–6:30 | Station: Green Park.

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