Fortnum and Mason

Fortnum and Mason, Piccadilly, London

Epitomizing the sophistication of Afternoon Tea, the Diamond Jubilee Tea Salon has served Fortnum and Mason's most delicious tradition since 1926. It was renamed following a visit from the late Queen Elizabeth II in 2012.  The salon serves the city's top afternoon tea with a resident pianist and refined Georgian-style decor. Finger sandwiches, scones, and beautiful patisserie are freshly baked in Piccadilly. Having tea at Fortnum and Mason is a historic experience.  The iconic department store was founded in 1707, invented the Scotch egg in 1738, and added Battenburg cake to its menu in 1926.

It's so quintessentially British, in fact, that in 2012 when the brand launched its Diamond Jubilee Tea Salon at the top of its Piccadilly building, the late Queen Elizabeth II, Queen Camilla, and the Princess of Wales all came to open it. A decade later, the service remains impeccable, the signature eau de nil china is as elegant as ever, and the menu refined yet irreverent.  

2012--The late Queen Elizabeth II opened the Diamond Jubilee Tea Salon, wearing the stores signature color, eau de nil, from head to toe...swoon

Fortnum and Mason has long been linked with the royal Family.  Generations of the Fortnum family worked in Royal service, from the reign of Queen Anne onwards. During the long and illustrious reign of Queen Victoria, the company received the first of its many Royal Warrants.  On August 30, 1867, the company was appointed grocers and tea dealers to her son, Prince Albert, HRH the Duke of Edinburgh.  Today the world-famous store continues to hold a royal warrant for the King for groceries and provisions. 

I knew when I booked my trip to London for the King's Coronation a reservation for AfternoonTea at Fortnum's was a must-do. I confirmed my reservation seven months in advance...I didn't want to miss out on the Fortnum's tea experience.

181 Piccadilly is a rather special place. Beautifully crafted patisseries greeted us upon arrival and then there was display after display full of a tea lover's and gourmet food connoisseur's dream groceries and accoutrements! The place was packed with happy people shopping for loose tea, tea bags, gourmet foods, jams, honey, biscuits, and all the British fine delicacies.

This celebratory loose-leaf blend Darjeeling tea was created to mark the Coronation of His Majesty King Charles III...of course, Darjeeling is the champagne of teas.

Another tea was created to celebrate the Coronation...Pineapple and Coconut Infusion, teabags.

After shopping till we dropped, we headed to the Diamond Jubilee Tea Salon...

My afternoon tea squad...friends I have known for many, many years--from Georgia, Mississippi, Italy, and England!

I behaved myself and checked out the menu without taking it home with me!

I decided to have the Fortnum's Coronation Afternoon Tea...

We started our celebration with the Coronation of HM King Charles III Champagne!

Proper British Afternoon Tea--Savories, Scones, and Sweets...total perfection!

I sipped the fragrant Victoria Grey tea...heaven in a cup!

Afternoon tea at Fortnum's was everything I hoped it would be...elegant and delicious!