Pinkies up, everyone!
Whether you’re treating someone special, or just want to feel fancy as hell, afternoon tea is one of those experiences that hits different. You get a bitta sweet, bitta savoury, and everything is teeny tiny as well (which, as we all know, makes everything taste better). It comes as no surprise that Dublin excels in the afternoon tea department, with eleven top locations serving the yassified tea break, with salmon and cream cheese sambos atop a three-tier tray in tow. Whether it’s for Mother’s Day, a civilised hen or just a regular old catch-up, what better way to ring in the day than a spot of afternoon tea? There’s nothing like a languid chat over tiny sandwiches and buttered scones, to properly catch up with friends/family. If you’ve never had the pleasure, or it’s just been too long since your last tango with afternoon tea, check out these Dublin spots.
12. Vintage Tea Trips
No fixed abode more info here
You might have seen the distinctive yellow and blue bus roaming around the streets of Dublin, with a pile of guffawing happy customers plonked into seats chowing down on tiny sandwiches. Hoping on the vintage Routemaster buses (old London Transport), while having your afternoon tea and listening to some 1950s crooners, is truly an amazing way to spend a few hours in the city (rain, hail or shine). The buses even have names Pauline, Kitty and Jean which are named after the owner’s Grandmothers and great auntie) because they used to welcome everyone into their home for tea and cakes whether you were the postman or the Pope. A truly unique Dublin experience, go with your mam, go with a gaggle of hens, have your wedding on there or drag the work crew along for some team bonding.
The bus boards from Stephen’s Green, and the tour runs for 70-80 minutes where you journey all around the city centre (passing all the sights like Christ Church, Trinity College, St. Stephen’s Green, Wood Quay, O’Connell Street, Phoenix Park, and the grand buildings of Georgian Dublin). This is a semi-guided tour, so expect to hear some favourite Dublin stories from your host while also having plenty of time in between for a catch-up and gossip. Catering to all dietary requirements, the afternoon tea is available in either traditional, vegetarian, gluten-free, dairy-free or vegan afternoon tea, with prices from €49.50pp for adults and €27pp for kids.
11. The Cake Cafe
Camden Street, more info here
Anytime spent in The Cake Cafe is time well spent, its location alone is worth it. Set in a leafy courtyard behind one of the city’s great bookshops (The Last Bookshop), it’s widely thought of as Dublin’s best-kept secret. Location aside the team make some delicious made-to-order cakes and savoury bits in the kitchen every day, you won’t find a microwave or freezer in sight! As part of your afternoon tea you will get a selection of mini cakes of the day, mini sandwiches, tea/coffee and a glass of prosecco to wash it all down. It’s also a super environmentally friendly spot, with the team using rain water to flush their toilets and composting any of our food waste.
Available Tuesday – Saturday from 12pm – 3pm, and coming in at the very reasonably priced €40pp.
10. Póg
Available at their Tara Street, Howth, and Clontarf locations, more info here
Is there anything Póg can’t do? Not only are they legendary for their pancakes and other brunch bits, they also do a great afternoon tea. While we’d love to see mini pancakes stacked on their trays, you’ll find toast two ways alongside the staple sandwiches, one with mortgage-blocking smashed avocado, and one with nut butter and fruit. Another Póg exclusive is the addition of superfood smoothie shots, so you can feel #healthy whilst indulging. You need to book at least 48 hours in advance, and the experience is available seven days a week, all day on weekdays, and from 2pm on weekends. Best of all, if you don’t do dairy or animal products, you can opt for the vegan edition of the afternoon tea – alt milk beverages and spicy falafel sambos? Stun.
Prices start at €38pp, rising to €45 if you want to add a glass of prosecco, and capping at €55 if you’re looking to go bottomless for a special occasion.
9. Silk Road Café
Chester Beatty Library, more info here
Perhaps one of the most budget-friendly afternoon teas on this list, is also one of the most unusual. You won’t find a crust-less cucumber sandwich in sight at the gorgeous cafe set in the Chester Beatty Library. You will find sweet and savoury treats from more than 15 countries, expect the likes of Palestinian chicken, falafel, sweet corn fritters, Persian love cakes, mango mousse and Indian burfi.
The team do afternoon tea on Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays either at 2pm or at 3pm, priced at a very reasonable €30 per person or €35 if you want a glass of wine. They don’t skimp on the portions here, included in the price is five savoury and five sweet options, with tea, coffee and water all included.
8. Ladurée
South William Street, Dublin 2, more info here
If you have a friend who gives serious Emily in Paris vibes, then they’ll be buzzing for an invite to Ladurée for their afternoon tea. Set in what can only be described as looking like Marie Antoinette’s drawing room from the 2006 film starring Kirsten Dunst, the location alone is a great reason to opt for Ladurée. Included in the price is one scone, two macarons, two sandwiches, and one dessert (which you get to choose from an array of gorgeous bits) per person. In keeping with tradition, one sandwich is cucumber, and one is smoked salmon. The scone is served with the expected clotted cream, but instead of jam, you get sort of mashed-up raspberries, which gives the pastry a bit more texture.
It costs €90 for two people enjoying afternoon tea, €135 for three guests, and €180 for four guests. Our whole review of the afternoon tea experience at Ladurée is on-site.
7. Old Music Shop Restaurant
North Frederick Street, Dublin 1, more info here
The Old Music Shop likes to switch up the theme of their afternoon tea in spectacular ways, with their upcoming edition naturally centring around Mother’s Day. For just €29.95pp, the North Frederick Street spot is our most cost-friendly afternoon tea where you still get a gorgeous spread and treat a special person in your life, be that your mam, or someone else near and dear to you. The menu is made up of savoury and sweet, with sambos filled with cream cheese and egg mayo, chicken and herby stuffing, and honey-roasted ham and mustard. Scones with cream and/or butter are also on the cards, alongside a selection of mini desserts, including macarons, lemon cheesecake, caramel puff pastry balls, and more. Wash it all down with some organic herbal tea infusions, whether you’re into peppermint, Earl Grey, camomile, or the classic English breakfast.
It’s served daily between 12pm and 5pm, and you can choose between their classic and their veggie serving, coming in at €29.95 pp sharing.
6. The College Green Hotel (The Atrium)
College Green, Dublin 2, more info here
Looking for somewhere extra special to treat that extra special someone in your life? The College Green Hotel’s afternoon tea offers a selection of your classic sandwiches and nibbles, as well as the Atrium Lounge’s signature cocktails, all with a Dublin-themed names menu. It’s a relaxing spot, where time really feels like it slows down and you truly feel like you can while away several hours sipping tea and taking dainty bites from tiny sandwiches. They have multiple different menus to suit different dietary requirements, whether you’re vegan, vegetarian, or eat a bit of everything. In each section the menu splits into three, the tried and true afternoon tea formula – sandwiches, scones, and dessert. There are also 14 loose tea variations, whether you’re feeling adventurous and wanting to go for something fruity and floral like the Morgentau, or something a little cosier like the Chai Ginger Orange.
Available throughout the week from 12.00 – 18.00 the signature afternoon tea costs €65pp, but if you’re in a particularly celebratory mood, you can get a glass of champers for an additional €20 each.
5. Dylan Hotel
Eastmoreland Place, Dublin 4, more info here
Afternoon tea at a five-star hotel? Count us in. As with all the fancy hotels in Dublin, the Dylan does a banging afternoon tea, with all the usual suspects, but their desserts are gently infused with Bailey’s or champagne. The sambos come in the expected smoked salmon and cream cheese, but they also do a duck liver parfait number with fig compote – the scones aren’t your go-to raisin boys, made with more niche ingredients, including macerated fruit and champagne jelly, dulce de leche and whiskey tart, and almond & hazelnut financier, roasted chestnut & honey crémeux.
You can avail of Tipsy Tea at The Dylan Hotel, costing €45pp or €70pp if you want to include two cocktails, all of which are infused with tea in order to stay on theme. Cocktail choices include Earl Grey martini, basil & cucumber gin, East Coast cooler or white chocolate martini.
4. The Westbury
Balfe Street, Dublin 2, more info here
Voted the number one hotel in all of Ireland, let alone Dublin, you know an afternoon spent with pinkies elevated within Balfe’s will be one you won’t soon forget. Get a glam view of Grafton Street as you enjoy all the finer things in life, sinking back into the squishiness of a sofa over a hard-backed chair for maximum relaxing time. Tea comes served in sweet silver tea pots, and there is a serious selection from Ronnefeldt, from vanilla chai, Irish whisky cream, Jasmine pearl, oolong peach, and many, many more.
Afternoon tea at the Westbury costs €70pp, or €93 for the champagne edition. You can avail of this fancy meal every day between 12pm and 5pm.
3. Haddington House
Dún Laoghaire, more info here
For a view of the sea to accompany your afternoon tea, it’s gotta be Haddington House. The interior is one part Wes Anderson film set, one part Moulin Rouge.
You can tell the afternoon tea menu at Haddington House has been created by someone with an understanding of what people really want, who realises that we want a helluva lot more from an afternoon. The food comes in three stages, the savoury plates are made up of little bite-sized mouthfuls with a lot of local ingredients that rivals Chapter One’s amuse-bouche selection. The second is a shortcrust scone that comes with cream and jam, the third a trio of desserts one more unctuous than the next.
Reviewed on-site, it did not disappoint with food nor interior, and the service was top-notch (which is really all you can ask for). A great Dublin spot for afternoon tea and bubbles, especially you’re looking to get out of the city.
2. The Shelbourne
St Stephens Green, Dublin 2, more info here
Afternoon tea at The Shelbourne, overlooking Stephen’s Green, is, let’s be honest, a little bit iconic. There’s just something about the Shelbourne that exudes luxury and has everyday folk looking in, wanting a piece of the magic. As with all things they do, the afternoon tea offering is one that is elegant, the most gorgeous backdrop for a fancy meal.
The sandwiches are the classics you’d expect at afternoon tea, but you know the ingredients are top-notch, using a variety of breads including pumpkin, treacle, poppy seed, and white. The desserts mix it up a little, with an eclair that is made with yuzu and lemongrass cremeux, and The Brunch, which reminds us of the ice cream, made with rhubarb and strawberry mousse, vanilla pot creme, and strawberry crunch.
Running daily at 12pm, 2.30pm and 5pm, with the classic afternoon tea coming in at €68pp, and €88pp if opting for the champagne edition.
1. The Merrion Hotel
Merrion Square, Dublin 2, more info here
Intrigued by these mini masterpieces? Set against a backdrop of an open fire roaring, warm light emitting from elegant chandeliers, appropriately plush sofas and armchairs and tasteful art in gold gilded frames, it’s basically what you’d expect to see if you asked Chat GPT to describe the perfect afternoon tea location (in the best way). The tea comes in two courses. First, the tiered plates you’d usually associate with afternoon tea holding dinky sandwiches, a selection of cakes and of course, mini scones with clotted cream, lemon curd and jam on the side. The second course comes in the form of three pastries inspired by pieces of art on display in the hotel, which you’ll be able to learn more about from your server and the catalogue that accompanies.
Art Afternoon Tea at the Merrion is a two-hour experience, consisting of two courses. Priced at €62.50pp, or €82.50 with a glass of champagne, it’s served at 12:30pm, 1:00pm, 3:30pm and 4:00pm daily. There’s a vegan Afternoon Tea available too!
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