Afternoon tea is something to be savoured, whether you enjoy it on your own, with a partner, friends or family. Dublin’s an absolute oasis of options, including vegan, vegetarian and gluten-free options. You can take it with champagne, a glass of prosecco or alcohol-free. It’s all up to you!
1. The Westbury
Balfe St, Dublin 2
The Westbury offers beautiful views over Grafton Street and delicious afternoon tea worthy of the hotel’s five-star rating. You can expect the classic offering of finger sandwiches, pastries and scones served with a selection of teas from all around the world and a tasty glass of Charles Heidsieck Rosé Réserve NV. It will set you back €60 per person for this rather fancy treat.
Plus, if the champagne has really grabbed your attention you can opt for the ‘Bubbles & Cake option instead, which includes two glasses of Charles Heidsieck Champagne and two slices of mouthwatering cake for €35 per person.
2. Vintage Tea Trips
Departs from Temple Bar
If you’re feeling adventurous, Vintage tea trips are a delightfully unique way to explore the city and enjoy a quirky afternoon tea at the same time. A team of friendly drivers and hosts will drive you around the city on a beautifully decorated vintage bus whilst you listen to jazz and enjoy a classic combination of cakes, coffee, scones, sandwiches, and, of course, tea!
Tours start at Temple Bar in Dublin city centre and last around 80 minutes, costing €47.50 each and you can choose from either that standard afternoon tea menu, a vegan version, a vegetarian version or one that is gluten-free. It’s great if you’re looking for an experience that doesn’t involve alcohol where the thrill will instead come from a jovial atmosphere and a stunning view of Dublin’s most amazing landmarks. You canbuy your Vintage Tea Trips tickets here.
3. The Merrion Hotel
Merrion St Upper, Dublin 2
The Merrion in Dublin 2 offers a luxury afternoon tea that you won’t be able to get enough of. It styles itself as an ‘art tea’ and does not disappoint on that front. Everything served, from the finger sandwiches to the cakes, scones and pastries is truly a work of art, served on fine china and inspired by the works of incredible writers like J.B. Yeats.
It’s a two-hour experience, priced at €55 per person, and €67.50 per person if you’d like to pair it with a glass of champagne. Plus, you can now book a vegan afternoon tea experience and savour it in the same beautiful drawing rooms.
4. The Shelbourne
27 St Stephen’s Green, Dublin
The Lord Mayor’s lounge makes for the most decadent of surroundings in which to enjoy afternoon tea at The Shelbourne. Here you can enjoy a succession of moreish sandwiches and sweet treats alongside a pot of tea, overlooking the stunning St. Stephen’s Green. This makes it the perfect place to take visitors to the city.
The afternoon tea itself is priced at €55 per person and you can upgrade to the champagne afternoon tea if you’re feeling a little fancy, which is priced at €73 per person.
5. Pink Afternoon Tea
34 William St S, Dublin 2
Pink, pink and more pink is what you’ll find at this appropriately named Pink Restaurant. They offer, you guessed it, pink afternoon tea here, and why not? It’s one of the happiest colours in the world! It’s a pretty whimsical experience, having a platter of delicious pink treats.
You’ll also be served tea, of course, alongside some tasty pink champagne. So, it’s basically the place to go if you love a certain colour and love the idea of eating tiny portions of yummy food like parmesan arancini and honey and buttermilk scones. A children’s afternoon tea catered to younger tastes is also available and both are priced at €45 per person.
6. The Cake Cafe
The Daintree Building, 8 Pleasants Pl, Saint Kevin’s, Dublin
You can escape the hustle and bustle of Dublin city centre at the beautiful Cake Cafe, hidden behind The Last Bookshop on Camden Street Lower. There’s a gorgeous, sunny terrace on which to enjoy a tasty afternoon tea and you can expect tons of amazing Irish produce to feature in your meal.
Colourful decor greets you as you walk through the back door of the bookshop, where you’ll be treated to a selection of mini cakes, sandwiches on freshly baked bread and even a cheeky glass of prosecco. €30 per person gets you all of this, plus some freshly brewed tea and coffee, and it’s basically afternoon tea heaven!
7. Laduree
1-3, William St S, Dublin, D02 K339
Get ready for world-famous macarons, delicious sandwiches and desserts alongside tea and a glass of prosecco at Laduree when you book afternoon tea. It’s a super-fancy affair but it’s not as expensive as you might expect it to be. It comes to €40 per person. If you book for two people then the total cost is €80. For 3 guests it comes to €120 and for 4 it’s €160 for afternoon tea.
8. The Westin
At, College Green, Westmoreland St, Dublin
Afternoon tea at The Westin comes with live music! You can enjoy a huge selection of tasty sandwiches with sweet treats in the Atrium Lounge.
The cocktail menu is pretty extensive too, with delicious flavour combinations all named after iconic Dublin locations like Phoenix Park and Dublin Castle. The last time we checked it was €45 per person for the afternoon tea, with an additional €7 extra for prosecco, or €16 extra if you’d like champagne instead.
9. The Silk Road Cafe
Chester Beatty, Library, Caisleán, Castle St, Dublin
In the Chester Beatty Museum sits the most incredible restaurant serving up scrumptious afternoon tea. It really is unique, influenced by Chester Beatty Library’s collection of works from around the world.
You won’t find the finger sandwiches and usual tiny cakes here, but you will find tiny cakes of a different kind. If you book a table here you’ll eat irresistible flavour combinations like Palestinian chicken falafel and Indian burfi for your afternoon tea.
For €27 you get 5 sweet and 5 savoury options, alongside tea and coffee. If you’d like to enjoy a glass of wine with your meal then you’ll pay a total of €32 instead. There are gluten free, dairy free, vegetarian and vegan options too, so everybody can enjoy the delicious flavours here .
10. Pog
32 Bachelors Walk, North City, Dublin 1
By the stunning Howth Pier, you’ll find an Italian-Irish restaurant named Pog. Here everything is vegan and compared to most afternoon tea menus it’s relatively healthy, but still incredibly delicious. You can enjoy things like mini vegan sausage rolls and mini avocado toasts with pomegranate seeds for afternoon tea.
Fans of acai bowls will love the little desserts and other little healthy plates. Then there are various vegan desserts for €30 per person. You can add bubbles and make it €37 or make it bottomless for €47. Plus, you get to enjoy the beautiful location looking out over the Irish Sea.
Visit any of these ten amazing restaurants, cafes and hotels for top-tier afternoon tea and you won’t be disappointed. Whether you’re looking for something fancy or more of a classic affair, there’s something to suit everybody’s tastes here in Dublin.