Olympics? The Queen? General urge to be caught up in the excitement? Whatever brings you here you’re very welcome. And now you’ve arrived you’ll probably want a nice cup of tea. Fancy a scone with it? Bit of clotted cream? Nice cake? Try these.

The Ritz may hold the glitzy reputation (seatings from 11.30am, good luck getting a booking) but just down the road from it, the uber chic Athenaeum is quietly stealing its thunder. Recently awarded the Tea Guild’s prestigious award for Top London Afternoon Tea 2012 – achieving an almost perfect score – tea is served in the Garden Room with views of a ‘living wall’ bedecked with plants and foliage. The room pulls off the feat of being both cosy and stylish, and the tea offers all the usual delicacies, plus a chance to try the local honey and peruse one of London’s largest tea menus. I've had many a tea in the city and this still ranks as one of my favourites. (£28.50 per person, £35 with a glass of champagne; phone 020 7499 3464 to book, more information from www.athenaeumhotel.com)

If you are here because of the Queen, you might like to take tea in one of her favourite shops, Fortnum & Mason. As well as sending groceries to Buckingham Palace, this fine institution serves sumptuous afternoon tea on the fourth floor, complete with grand piano. Try Fortnum & Mason’s own lemon curd on your scone, it will knock your socks off and – best of all – you can pick one up to take home in the Food Hall downstairs. (£38 per person, booking at 0845 6025694 or online at www.fortnumandmason.com)

Handy for the Olympic screens in Hyde Park, afternoon tea at the Jumeirah Carlton Tower in Knightsbridge gives you a chance to eat the Queen’s head (pictured) and other delicacies, created by master chef Eric Lanlard. Know that your cakes come from a good pedigree, this man baked Madonna’s wedding cake and has created birthday cakes for the Prime Minister and Elton John. (£40 per person, £45 with a glass of champagne; for bookings phone 020 7858 7181 or visit www.jumeirahcarltontower.com)

Not going to make it to London? Whip up a cake from one of our classic 'teatime' recipes and enjoy in front of the Olympics on telly