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5 Best Tea Shops in London for Tea to Take Home
Looking for the best tea shops in London? There are more than you think. From tiny traditional stores to ultra luxury boutiques, it’s hard to know which ones are actually worth your time.
I’ve visited all of the shops in this guide across multiple trips to London, and they’re each good for different reasons. One is perfect for unique farm sourced tea. One is all about fun fruity blends. One feels so fancy I genuinely felt underdressed walking in.
This isn’t a giant directory. These are my honest picks, depending on what kind of tea experience you’re after.
1. Postcard Teas: For the Most Unique Tea Experience
If you care about where your tea actually comes from, Postcard Teas is perfect for you.
The shop is small, but it exceeded my expectations. Instead of flashy branding or trendy blends, everything here focuses on the farm and the farmer.
Their signature 20g loose leaf teas come in small carton boxes. The front has a beautiful image, and on the back you can read details about the exact farm, country, and grower. So the whole box looks like a postcard, so cool!
Each box also includes a reusable cotton tea bag, which is great as you can just rinse it out after use. Just keep in mind that the water is gonna drip down the string.
What I Bought
On my visit, I picked up:
- Mug Tea: A classic black tea to drink with milk
- Yimu Red: A black tea that’s meant to be enjoyed without milk
What To Know Before You Go
This isn’t a big browsing experience.
The shop is small, and there’s no sit down café atmosphere. It’s focused purely on high quality loose leaf tea.
If you’re looking for fruity blends or flavored teas, this isn’t that kind of place.
Who It’s Best For
- Serious tea drinkers
- Anyone who cares about origin and sourcing
- People looking for a thoughtful gift or souvenir from London
- Travelers who want something unique rather than trendy
2. Bird & Blend Tea Co.: For Fun and Fruity Flavors
If traditional British tea shops feel a little too serious for you, Bird & Blend is the complete opposite.
Walking in, it feels colorful, modern, and slightly hipster. You can immediately smell their flavored teas, and you can even grab a drink to go.
Big jars of loose leaf tea line the shelves, and staff scoop blends fresh into bags behind the counter. It’s less “quiet afternoon ritual” and more “let’s try something fun.”
They have multiple locations across the UK, but the vibe is consistently modern and playful rather than traditional.
What I Bought
On my recent visits, I picked up:
- A peach flavored matcha powder: It’s interesting but I prefer the traditional one to be honest
- Blueberry Pancake rooibos tea: I can’t taste the blueberry pancakes but it’s a really nice rooibos tea
- Strawberry Lemonade fruit tea: The smell is incredible, the taste is a bit milder than expected but it’s still a really good fruity tea
What To Know Before You Go
Almost all of their teas contain flavorings.
If you only drink pure, unflavored tea, this might not be the right shop for you. But if you enjoy creative blends, that’s exactly what makes it fun.
Who It’s Best For
- Tea drinkers bored of classic Earl Grey
- Anyone who prefers flavored blends over single-origin teas
- Gift buyers looking for something fun and unexpected
- Anyone who loves matcha just as much as tea
3. Whittard of Chelsea: Traditional Yet Special
If you want classic British tea with a slightly more elevated feel, Whittard of Chelsea hits that sweet spot.
They have multiple locations in London, but my favorite is the Covent Garden shop because you can sample different teas before buying. There are usually several teapots kept warm, and you can try small cups to see what you like.
It feels traditional, but not old fashioned. Compared to Twinings, it feels a bit more special to me because I can buy Twinings in a supermarket in Austria, but I’ve never seen Whittard sold anywhere else.
What I Bought
- Decaffeinated English Breakfast: I love that I can drink it in the evening without it affecting my sleep, it tastes just like the normal one
- Peach Oolong
- But my real favorite here isn’t tea. It’s their salted caramel hot chocolate. It’s honestly amazing. I’ve bought it twice now already.
What To Know Before You Go
This is one of the busier tea shops, especially in Covent Garden.
It can feel crowded, but that’s also because a lot of people enjoy the sampling experience.
If you’re sensitive to sugar, skip the instant tea range.
Who It’s Best For
- Travelers who want a classic British tea shop experience
- Anyone who likes sampling before committing
- People who prefer traditional blends with some creative options
- Hot chocolate lovers
4. Twinings: Classic and Reliable
If you want something iconic and unmistakably British, Twinings is the classic choice.
The shop itself is actually tiny, which surprised me. But at the back, you can sample any tea they sell for free. That alone makes it worth stepping inside.
Even though you can buy Twinings tea in many countries, visiting the original London shop still feels special.
What I Bought
- A decaf Earl Grey: It tastes just like the regular version. You wouldn’t even know it’s decaf.
What To Know Before You Go
You can buy Twinings tea in supermarkets internationally, so it’s not as exclusive as some of the other shops on this list.
The store is small, so it can feel cramped when it’s busy.
But the free sampling experience makes it worth popping in.
Who It’s Best For
- First time visitors to London
- Anyone who loves classic British blends
- People who want to try before they buy
- Travelers looking for a reliable souvenir
5. TWG Tea: For a Luxury Tea Experience
If you’re looking for tea that feels like a luxury purchase rather than an everyday drink, TWG is in a different category.
They have multiple locations in London, including Leicester Square and Oxford Street. Walking in, everything feels elegant and polished. The lighting, the displays, the gold tins. It genuinely feels fancy.
I always feel slightly underdressed when I go in, which says a lot for a tea shop.
What I Bought
I’ve actually never bought tea here.
Not because it doesn’t look good. The tea smells amazing, and the tins are beautiful. But it’s one of the most expensive tea shops in London, and for me, it’s just outside what I want to spend.
What To Know Before You Go
The packaging is stunning, and it would make a beautiful gift, but you’re definitely paying luxury prices. If you’re just looking for everyday loose leaf tea, there are better value options on this list.
Some locations allow you to sit down for tea, while others are retail only.
Who It’s Best For
- Luxury tea lovers
- People shopping for an impressive gift
- Anyone who wants their kitchen to feel a bit more elevated
- Travelers who enjoy premium experiences
How to Choose the Right Tea Shop for You
All of these are genuinely good. But there isn’t one single “best” tea shop in London. It really comes down to your taste, your budget, and whether you want tradition, creativity, or a bit of luxury.
- For the most unique, farm focused tea: Go to Postcard Teas. This is for serious tea drinkers who care about sourcing and origin.
- For fruity, playful, dessert style blends: Choose Bird & Blend Tea Co.. Perfect if classic Earl Grey feels boring to you.
- For traditional British tea with a slightly elevated feel: Visit Whittard of Chelsea. It feels special without being intimidating.
- For a classic, iconic London experience: Stop by Twinings. Especially if it’s your first time in the city.
- For luxury and beautiful gift tins: Head to TWG Tea. Just be prepared for premium prices.
The Best Way to Enjoy Your London Tea
For drinking the tea I usually wait until I’m back home. Then I make a proper cup, sit down, and enjoy it slowly with a good book. It’s like bringing a small piece of London back with me.
If you’re the same, I’d recommend pairing your tea shopping with a visit to one of the best book shops in London while you’re there. Pick out something new to read, and once you’re home, you’ve got the perfect excuse for a cozy afternoon.
That’s the kind of souvenir I love most. Something simple and useful, something I can enjoy and that reminds me of my trip long after it’s over.
Read more about London:
- 4 Day Itinerary for London: What to See & Do
- 21 Best Things to Do in London in August
- 15 Amazing Things to Do in Soho London
- Best Fully Vegan Restaurants in Soho London
- How to get to Harry Potter Studios from London
- 21 Magical Harry Potter Locations in London
- 13 Magical Harry Potter Things to Do in London
- 10 Most Magical Harry Potter Shops in London
- Do You Tip in London? All You Need to Know
- The Best Oxford and Cambridge Tours from London
- Top 10 Most Vegan Friendly Cities in Europe You Should Visit
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