Recently launched at Helix (owned by Searcys), is their first-ever afternoon tea offering.

Situated on Levels 39 and 40 in this amazing structure, not only do you get a Champagne Afternoon Tea, but an incredible, panoramic 360-degree bird’s eye view of the London skyline. The restaurant here serves an all-day menu between 12 and 7.30 pm, so you can choose from any of their modern English menus. Afternoon tea is served between 2 pm and 4 pm.

But back to afternoon tea – my partner and myself decided to give it a try, as it is brand new to this venue – who does not like champagne in the afternoon and this incredible view?

There is a choice of 2 options with champagne, and another option without. Having decided we were going for champagne (we both love it), we went the whole way and ordered the Gherkin Limitless Sparkling Afternoon Tea. As the restaurant partners with the Lanson brand, we were served with an NV, Lanson, Père et Fils, Brut Champagne – it was extremely drinkable as we discovered during the 90 minutes of non-stop fizzy delight! Perhaps if you took your grandmother here as a special treat, it might be wise to stop at the standard Champagne Afternoon Tea with just the one glass of fizz!

The food itself comes with what you would expect for afternoon tea. A delicate appetiser to start, followed with a selection of finger sandwiches, a variety of cakes (mini black forest gateaux and lemon macaroons were particularly divine) and pastries worthy of any top patisserie – but the stars of the show were the freshly made scones with rich butter, thick and unctuous clotted cream and a selection of preserves, made in house. Traditionally English and perfectly fabulous!

The food menu is the same for both afternoon tea options – but once we had the first glass of champagne, we were happy that we had chosen the ‘Limitless’ – everything was going down very well. It is amazing how fast 90 minutes passes when you are enjoying yourself!

We took time to gaze out over the view on several occasions, spotting landmarks and soaking up this marvel of a venue. Congratulations must be handed out to Executive Chef Darren Deadman for designing this special afternoon menu.

If you are looking for somewhere for a special occasion, or even a proposal (!), try Helix for afternoon tea. The sky’s the limit!

A: Helix, The Gherkin, 30 St Mary Avenue, London EC3A 8EP
T: 0330 107 0816 or book online
W: Searcys at The Gherkin

Written by Rapha Zurita  for Luxuria Lifestyle London and International