Can you really find a great vegan afternoon tea in London?

"I thought I would have to give up afternoon tea forever after I became vegan, but this is like such a great surprise!"

That's what vlogger Chrissy B said after experiencing vegan afternoon tea at Brigit's Bakery. If you've recently gone vegan, you might have worried the same thing - that afternoon tea would be off-limits forever.

The good news? It doesn't have to be. When vegan afternoon tea is done well, it can be just as delicious, varied, and memorable as traditional afternoon tea. And Brigit's Bakery is definitely a top choice for vegan afternoon tea in the capital.

What exactly is included in a vegan afternoon tea?

A proper vegan afternoon tea follows the same elegant structure as traditional afternoon tea, entirely plant-based with no corners cut.

Here's what you can expect when you have vegan afternoon tea with us...

• Delicate finger sandwiches prepared fresh daily with plant-based fillings like almond Philadelphia with spring onion and cucumber, plant-based ham with vegan cheese, hummus and roasted red pepper, vegan pastrami, and mini vegan quiches.
• An assortment of handcrafted vegan cakes and tarts includes apricot pannacotta, mixed fruit tarts, carrot cake slices, and strawberry macarons.
• Warm, freshly baked vegan scones are served with vegan cream and jam.
• Your vegan afternoon tea comes with loose leaf tea, freshly made coffee, or hot chocolate. Add Prosecco, Champagne, or sparkling non-alcoholic wine to make it extra special.

When vlogger Chrissy B tried our vegan afternoon tea, she gravitated toward the savoury wraps with avocado. "They have avocado and it was quite spicy," she noted. For the sweets, she was struck by the quality: "They are so pretty and feel very light. They taste like buttercream, but without the butter! I didn't have that taste experience in a long time!" Her favourite was the lemon drizzle cake: "The icing is my secret vice!"

Is vegan afternoon tea as good as traditional?

It depends entirely on who's preparing it. When skilled pastry chefs approach vegan afternoon tea with the same care and passion as traditional versions, something remarkable happens.

Our French-trained pastry chefs bake fresh daily using carefully refined techniques. Every vegan cake, pastry, and savoury bite is designed to feel every bit as indulgent as traditional afternoon tea. Our vegan afternoon tea menu also changes throughout the year to reflect seasonal produce.

This is what separates a 'good enough' vegan afternoon tea experience from the best vegan afternoon tea in London.

Is vegetarian afternoon tea different from vegan afternoon tea?

Yes, and it's an important distinction:

• Vegetarian afternoon tea excludes meat and fish but includes dairy products like cream, cheese, butter, and eggs. Most scones, cakes, and pastries contain dairy, and you'll find items like cheese in the savoury sandwiches.
• Vegan afternoon tea excludes all animal products - no dairy, eggs, or honey. Every element must be plant-based, from the vegan sandwiches to the vegan cakes to the vegan scones with vegan cream.

If you eat dairy but not meat, vegetarian afternoon tea is for you. If you follow a fully plant-based diet, vegan afternoon tea means everything aligns with your values. At Brigit's Bakery, we offer both vegan and vegetarian menus, plus Traditional, Halal, and Gluten-free options. Whatever your dietary requirements or preferences, we've got you covered - and everyone in your group can choose a different menu when you book.

Where can you enjoy the best vegan afternoon tea in London?

At Brigit's Bakery, we offer vegan afternoon tea in multiple ways, depending on what suits you best.

• At our Covent Garden Bakery. A welcoming tea room in London's theatre district, surrounded by the charm of a traditional bakery while being close to shops, theatres, and attractions. Perfect for a relaxed lunch, special celebration, or simply enjoying a luxury vegan afternoon tea in the heart of the city.
• Aboard our Routemaster Bus Tours. This is where the vegan afternoon tea experience becomes truly unique - a vegan dining experience that combines plant-based treats with iconic London sightseeing. Imagine enjoying your vegan sandwiches, vegan cakes, and loose leaf tea while touring past Big Ben, Westminster Abbey, Buckingham Palace, and the London Eye. It's a plant based afternoon tea combined with unforgettable London views - something you won't find anywhere else. We offer our vegan afternoon tea across all of classic and themed bus tours.
• Delivered to your door. For intimate celebrations or home entertaining, our vegan afternoon tea delivery service brings everything to you, complete with ceramic mugs and all the trimmings.
• As an Afternoon Tea Picnic. Perfect for sunny days, our beautifully packaged vegan picnic includes all the essentials and is ready to pick up with just 24 hours' notice.

Wondering which option suits you best? Our blog post Vegan bakery in London has detailed information about each venue and what to expect.

Do I need to book vegan afternoon tea in advance?

Yes. When you book vegan afternoon tea with Brigit's Bakery, you're ordering a fully customised plant-based experience. Our French-trained pastry chefs bake vegan scones fresh, craft vegan sandwiches to order, and prepare delicate vegan cakes specifically for your group.

For our bus tours especially, capacity is limited and they fill up quickly - particularly weekend departures. Booking guarantees your preferred date and time. For our Covent Garden bakery, booking ensures a reserved table without waiting. For delivery and picnic options, we need at least 24 hours' notice to prepare your vegan afternoon tea to our high standards.

Why choose Brigit's Bakery for your vegan afternoon tea in London?

We've been creating memorable afternoon tea experiences since 2014, and we're just as committed to getting vegan afternoon tea right. It takes real skill to create plant-based treats that feel as indulgent as traditional versions - and that's exactly what our French-trained pastry chefs deliver.

Our team brings 15 years of hospitality experience and understands that vegan dining shouldn't feel like a compromise. That's why every element of our vegan afternoon tea is thoughtfully prepared with quality ingredients and the same care we'd bring to any menu. We're also SALSA approved, reflecting our commitment to the highest standards in food safety and preparation.

And more than anything, we believe that afternoon tea should bring people together - which is why we're passionate about making genuinely delicious vegan options available to everyone. That's what #MakingLondonSmile means to us.

A real vegan afternoon tea experience

After experiencing our vegan afternoon tea, vlogger Chrissy B shared: "I thought I would have to give up afternoon tea forever after I became vegan, but this is like such a great surprise! It's fully vegan - it's not just a couple of the cakes: it's everything, even the macaroons!"

"My absolute favourites from the savoury were the wraps with avocado - quite spicy. My favourite from the sweets was the lemon drizzle cake. I would recommend this 100% and I already know people I'm going to bring here!"

FAQs about vegan afternoon tea in London

Can I really enjoy vegan afternoon tea as much as traditional?

Absolutely. When prepared by skilled pastry chefs using plant-based techniques and quality ingredients, vegan afternoon tea is just as indulgent and memorable as traditional versions.

What makes a vegan afternoon tea experience special?

The combination of thoughtfully prepared plant-based menus, French-trained pastry chefs who bake fresh daily, and unique settings - from our Covent Garden bakery to vintage London buses. Plus, you can count on our commitment to creating joyful memories.

Is vegan afternoon tea suitable for special occasions?

Absolutely. Our vegan afternoon tea experiences are perfect for birthdays, celebrations, family gatherings, and relaxed afternoons with friends. It's inclusive without anyone making a sacrifice.

Ready to experience the best vegan afternoon tea in London? Book your vegan afternoon tea experience at Brigit's Bakery today.