Request for high tea & food tour suggestions in London

I'll start by saying you probably mean afternoon tea - one of those fancy experiences which are as authentic as a ploughman's' lunch. Any of the luxury hotels do these. I would think they are very similar in their level of obsequiousness.

Avoid the Dorchester - (Sultan of Brunei)

Fortnum & Mason offers an elegant and expensive afternoon tea. If you provide your budget per person, people here can give you recommendations geared toward what you budget.

Ever since I saw that documentary TV series on Claridge’s Hotel, I have been yearning for afternoon tea there. I am sure it is very elegant. Failing that, Fortnum and Mason’s was a good experience.

I have taken two food tours with Celia Brooks (Borough Market and Marylebone) and she does a very nice job.
http://www.celiabrooks.com/london-food-tours.html#gastrotours

Afternoon tea is a tradition of sorts (as is ploughman's lunch), but it isn't one many locals participate in, or only do on special occasions. Most hotels will do it, or you can combine it with a tour of the Houses of Parliament--tea on the Commons terrace, and it's quite a good tea too. You need to book though.

We enjoyed our food tour of East London this past December with Eating Europe’s London tour: https://www.eatingeurope.com/london/. I have been to London many times, but never spent much time in East London. The tour provides a great introduction to this hip part of London. You start the tour at Old Spitalfields market (which has some great shopping) with breakfast, learn about the history of the area, see some great street art, eat curry on Brick Lane, and end the tour in Shoreditch. Here is the link if you are interested: https://www.eatingeurope.com/london/.

Another vote for Fortnum and Mason's. Although it's pricey, it can be your dinner. And you don't have to dress up-business casual is fine(I wouldn't wear a t-shirt, jeans, or trainers)

The staff at the Wolseley is very nice and the food is good and it's less expensive. However, it is not the quiet atmosphere with pianist that I enjoyed so much at Fortnum and Mason's.

Authentic would be Claridges or The Connaught. High price and dressy attire.

Personally I prefer The Wolsley for a special London tea outing.
https://www.thewolseley.com/menu/afternoon-tea/

Another vote for this East London food tour. https://www.eatingeurope.com/london/ It gets you into some areas off the main tourist route. Small group with a friendly guide. I'm doing it again next month with my family.

hey rab
few places to check out:
b-bakery.com
girlsafternoontea.co.uk (check vouchers/specials, some 2for1)
afternoonteaonline.co.uk
eatwith.com
stmartin-in-the-fields.org
also check streetsensations.co.uk (a list and map of the street markets all over london)
have a great time and enjoy
aloha

It's afternoon tea you're after not "high" tea which is an evening meal:
https://www.timetravel-britain.com/articles/taste/tea.shtml

Below is quite a good video about a London food tour...

https://youtu.be/-IyAkOKxaXI

And another vote for the East London Food Tour. A very interesting area. Go hungry!

Thank you all! Lots of great tips/insight/advice! My apologies for the "high tea" reference. One of the few places in the US that serves a tea (and the only one we've tried) is the Brown Place Hotel in downtown Denver. It's their equivalent of "afternoon tea" but they called it "high tea." As is usual from this site, I have learned something.

Based upon what I've seen & researched here and elsewhere, here is our plan:

1. We have already booked the "East London Food Tour." It's sounds exactly what we're after--a mix of food that's off the beaten path.
2. We will plan to use "afternoonteaonline.co.uk" to book an afternoon tea once our schedule fills in a bit.

Thank you again!