How Afternoon Tea Works
Updated Jan 13, 2026
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“There are few hours in life more agreeable than the hour dedicated to the ceremony known as afternoon tea.” – Henry James
What is Afternoon Tea?
Afternoon tea is a light meal served between lunch and dinner between 3PM and 5PM. It’s a set meal consisting of three courses of savories, scones, and sweets.
Afternoon tea is NOT the same thing as high tea. High Tea is a working class family evening meal or dinner, made up of hearty dishes and it was served between 5PM and 7PM.
It started in the 1840s in England by Anna, the seventh Duchess of Bedford. In the late afternoon, the Duchess would get hungry but she didn’t want a full meal since dinner was not too far ahead. The concept of afternoon tea grew once she started inviting friends over and it became a social gathering for women in the wealthy social class.
Afternoon tea is also known as ‘low tea’ since tea is served on low tables with comfortable chairs. High Tea, on the other hand, is eaten at a high table (dining room table). When people call afternoon tea, ‘high tea’ since they think it sounds fancy, they are simply incorrect.
Afternoon Tea Courses
Traditional afternoon tea is served in three courses on a tiered stand along with a pot of tea.
First Course: Tea Sandwiches
Tea sandwiches are small and bite-sized, to be eaten with your fingers, not with a knife and fork. They’re usually crustless to make it easier to eat and to give it a more delicate look. Classics are cucumber, egg salad, and smoked salmon.
Second Course: Scones
Scones are served with clotted cream and jam. Use your fingers to eat the scones. Get step-by-step instructions on how to eat a scone properly.
Third Course: Sweets
Sweets are to be picked up and eaten with your hands. The sweets are mini pastries that can be eaten in 2-3 bites. A pastry fork can be used.
How to Order
- Select an afternoon tea.
There are usually only 1-2 options. Everyone at the table orders their own afternoon tea so the pricing is per person. You don’t pick the food items since it’s a set menu. The only thing you can pick is the tea from the tea list. - Pick a tea.
Flip to the page on the menu with a list of teas. The traditional tea to have with afternoon tea is black tea. If you’re sensitive to caffeine, or if it’s for kids, go with an herbal tea.
How Afternoon Tea Works
- After ordering, the pot of tea you selected will come out first. You can drink the tea before the food arrives.
- The food will arrive next, usually on a three-tiered tray. Sometimes the tea sandwiches will come out first on a plate. The server should describe each food item served.
- Eat the tea sandwiches first, then the scones with clotted cream and jam, then finally the sweets. Everything is meant to be eaten with your hands. Utensils only come into play when spreading clotted cream and preserves onto your scones. You may need a fork if your dessert is too messy and require a little assistance.
Afternoon tea usually lasts about two hours. It’s a very relaxed and civilized way to spend an afternoon and should not be rushed.
If you finish your pot of tea and want more, ask for hot water, which can be poured into your pot of tea.
If you’re vegetarian or have food allergies, let them know when you make the reservation and when you place your order after you’re seated. Most places will accommodate this request.
Dress Code
Afternoon tea is a relaxing experience but it’s somewhat formal so you don’t want to look like a mess. It’s best not to wear sneakers or jeans. Wear business casual or smart casual at a minimum. It’s a great reason to get dressed up.
Afternoon Tea Etiquette
Pinky finger down
The proper way to hold a teacup is to use your thumb and index finger to hold onto the handle. The third finger rests on the handle and the pinky is not to be raised or sticking out — it’s considered rude, unsophisticated, and definitely not proper.
Utensils
Never place a utensil directly back on the table after it has been used. After a knife or fork has been used, place it on a dish.
Teaspoon
Don’t drink the tea with the spoon still in the cup. After using your teaspoon to stir in sugar or milk, place it on the saucer, behind the teacup.
Teacup and saucer
The proper etiquette is to keep the teacup and saucer no more than 12 inches away from each other. If you’re sitting up at the table, you shouldn’t need to raise the saucer with the teacup. If you’re finished with the food and are leaning back away from the table, pick up the saucer but keep it at waist level while you sip from the teacup.
Leftovers
Requesting to take home afternoon tea leftovers isn’t proper etiquette but it’s acceptable if the server specifically offers. But even if the server doesn’t offer, you can ask for leftovers to be packed up.
