Afternoon tea in Manchester
Afternoon tea is a lovely activity to do with friends, family, your significant other, or even by yourself for a bit of me-time. Whether you’re looking for a traditional afternoon tea or something a little quirkier, we’ve put together a list of the best places for afternoon tea in Manchester.
The Midland Hotel – The Tea Room
Peter St, Manchester M60 2DS
The tea rooms at the Midland Hotel offer six kinds of afternoon tea – traditional, royal, vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free, and children’s. Each menu consists of a selection of sandwiches, quiches, and cakes, accompanied by a wide variety of teas. The children’s menu replaces the tea with a small glass of fruit milkshake, suitable for children under the age of 12.
The Hilton Manchester – Cloud 23
303 Deansgate, Manchester M3 4LQ
Take in the panoramic views of the city while enjoying your tea at The Hilton, and upgrade to bottomless champagne if you fancy it. Nibble on savoury bites, scones and cakes alongside iced or hot tea, coffee, or hot chocolate. If you don’t fancy the champagne but would still like to upgrade to a drink, switch it out for a cocktail (or mocktail) to make the afternoon feel extra special.
The Ivy
The Pavilion, Byrom St, Manchester M3 3HG
If you’re looking to experience a bit of luxury on a budget, The Ivy Manchester is perfect - enjoy a cream tea with scones, jam and cream for less than £10 per person. If you’d prefer a full winter afternoon tea, indulge in savoury sandwiches, scones, and sweet treats with tea or coffee on the side – and you can add on a glass of champagne as an extra treat. The Ivy offers afternoon tea between 3pm and 4:45pm, and if a special dietary requirement menu is needed simply contact the team 48 hours in advance. If you’re lucky, maybe you’ll find yourself seated in the beautiful roof garden with a pink onyx bar, stunning greenery and a retractable roof, making it a fantastic location no matter the weather.
Richmond Tea Rooms
46 Sackville St, Manchester M1 3WF
This amazing tea room is Alice in Wonderland themed, and is one of the best quirky afternoon tea locations in Manchester. Each menu has slight variations and has a different Wonderland name, such as the Hatters Tea, the Queens Tea or the Wonderland Champagne Tea. To fully immerse you in the experience, the tea room interior is decorated in the style of the Mad Hatter, with mismatched chairs, Queen of Hearts bunting, and China tea sets. Next time you’re looking for an afternoon tea, head to Richmond Tea Rooms and go down the rabbit hole!
The Afternoon Tea Taxi Tour
The most unusual afternoon tea of all is one on the move, and this is exactly what local taxi company Manchester Taxi Tours has done. Teaming up with Slattery Pâtissier & Chocolatier, they will pick you up wherever you are and take you on a tour to see the sights of Manchester, all while enjoying a full afternoon tea of sandwiches, cakes, and scones. Even better, the tour is personalised so just let them know where you want to see and you’ll be taken on a completely customised tour of the city.
Have a look at our Buyers’ Guide page for more information about living in Manchester.