Best Afternoon Teas in Manchester
By
7 months ago
High tea hangouts in the north
Everyone knows Manchester for its wild nightlife scene, but the northern city can do civilised too. Many of its hotels, restaurants and cafes have afternoon tea offerings, from traditional finger sandwiches and pastry spreads to glitzy rooftop affairs and cosy tea rooms. What better way to spend a Saturday afternoon than with some cake and champagne? Read on for our pick of the best afternoon teas in Manchester.Â
Best Afternoon Teas in Manchester
20 Stories
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This glamorous rooftop in Spitalfields is renowned for its cocktails, but its afternoon tea is also well worth a try. Soak up panoramic views of the city while tucking into an array of sandwiches, canapes and sweet treats. Begin with coronation chicken on rustic onion bread, smoked salmon and dill on rye crackers, and olive and trout macarons ahead of homemade scones with clotted cream, marmalade and strawberry jam. Next up: time for the sweet stuff. Think chocolate marquise, rhubarb and custard tart, and Victoria sponge – all to be enjoyed alongside a choice of tea, Nyetimber sparkling wine or cocktails.Â
Price: From £35pp
Availability: Monday – Thursday, 2 – 4.30pm, must be booked at least 24 hours in advance
BOOK: 20stories.co.uk
The Midland
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One of Manchester’s most historic railway hotels, The Midland opened way back in 1903. It has hosted many famous faces over the years, from The Rolling Stones to David Beckham, and remains a grand spot today. Afternoon tea is served in its dedicated Tea Room, an opulent space overlooking St Peter’s Square, with a quintessentially British spread on offer. Begin with sandwiches of honey roast gammon, and prawn and crayfish, alongside a sundried tomato and feta quiche, followed by expertly crafted pastries: think pistachio macarons, Valrhona dark chocolate mousse, and summer fruit tart. Pair with a pot of loose leaf tea, including three of the hotel’s own blends, or go all out with a bottle of Pommery.
Price: From £30pp
Availability: Everyday from 12 noon
BOOK: themidlandhotel.co.uk
Richmond Tea Rooms
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For afternoon tea with a whimsical twist, head to the much-loved Richmond Tea Rooms, an eclectic restaurant inspired by Lewis Carroll’s Alice In Wonderland. Take a trip down the rabbit hole and settle in for a quirky tea amid woodland-style settings. A range of offerings are available to choose from: opt for a traditional finger sandwiches, scones, cakes and champagne mix with The Wonderland Champagne Afternoon Tea, or go off-piste with the Tweedles option, which includes mini beer-battered fish and skin-on chips. Vegan and gluten-free alternatives are also available.
Price: From £11pp
Availability: Served everydayÂ
BOOK: richmondtearooms.com
The Lowry
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The ever-stylish, five-star Lowry hotel, set on the banks of the River Irwell, is a dreamy spot for afternoon tea. Served in the two AA rosette River Restaurant, the offering includes savouries of beef brisket on mini brioche, chestnut mushrooms on caramelised onion tartlet, and beetroot hummus and rocket on brown bread, ahead of desserts of dark chocolate and citrus slice, and raspberry white chocolate with coconut torte. There’s an option to add champagne or G&Ts too – alongside a choice of over 80 teas.
Price: From £27.50pp
Availability: Thursday – Sundays
BOOK: thelowryhotel.com
King Street Townhouse
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This boutique hotel (which, confusingly, is not on King Street, but the quiet Booth Street nearby) serves a suitably chic afternoon tea. Step into the tranquil Afternoon Tea Lounge for either a traditional afternoon tea or a High Tea. The former includes an impressive spread of British classics: sandwiches of beef and horseradish mayonnaise, and poached salmon and dill; ahead of sweet treats including apple crumble cheesecake tart, chocolate and toffee popcorn eclair, and spiced carrot and walnut cake. The High Tea, meanwhile, is better suited to those with a more savoury tooth: tuck into mini cheeseburgers, pork and cheese croquettes, courgette fritters and mini fish and chips, ahead of cheese and biscuits. You can also add a glass of champagne or cocktail to either.
Price: From £30pp
Availability: Everyday from 12noon – 6pm
BOOK: kingstreettownhouse.co.uk
Hotel Gotham
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Housed in an Art Deco building on King Street, Hotel Gotham is all about the decadence – and its food and drink offering follows suit. The Lutyens Afternoon Tea is served in the Honey Restaurant, located on the sixth floor of the hotel and offering great views of Manchester. Classic finger sandwiches are given a modern twist: there’s tandoori chicken and sweetcorn, for instance, and oak smoked salmon served with kohlrabi. Next up: desserts including raspberry panna cotta cake, hazelnut cappuccino profiteroles and Black Forest gateau. Nab a seat by the window for the best experience.
Price: From £35pp
Availability: Monday – Sunday, 12.30pm – 2.30pm
BOOK: hotelgotham.co.uk
Cloud 23
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Celebrating a special occasion? Whizz upwards to Cloud 23, one of Manchester’s highest rooftop bars, which offers unparalleled views of the city skyline. Amid this sleek setting, feast on sandwiches of chipotle chicken and smoked salmon pate, and lamb sausage rolls, ahead of sweet treats like peach melba tart, chocolate gateaux and blackberry choux – plus freshly baked plain and fruit scones with Cornish clotted cream and jam. If you fancy going all out, upgrade to the free-flowing offering, where you’ll be served bottomless bubbles for 90 minutes.
Price: From £30pp
Availability: Everyday
BOOK: cloud23bar.com
