Best places for afternoon tea in Belfast

For a true one of a kind experience, we recommend booking in for a delicious afternoon tea at the Grand Central Hotel Observatory. Not only will you be treated to delicious afternoon tea delights, fantastic teas, and five-star service, you will also get to enjoy unrivalled views of the city centre and beyond from the highest bar in Belfast. This is certainly a more indulgent experience, with packages priced from £80 per person. However, if you are looking for a really special experience, this is one worth checking out.

Set in the heart of the city, tucked away down Adelaide Street, Zen Restaurant is an exciting Asian fusion restaurant that prides itself on offering an indulgent and unique array of dishes inspired by the fresh and fragrant flavours of the East. Well designed and atmospheric, this is the perfect place to enjoy a romantic date night or spend the afternoon catching up with friends over delicious food and great drinks. If you’re in the mood for a real treat, the High Tea menu, which showcases a great selection of world class Asian cuisine, is worth a try. Available from 5pm to 6:30pm Monday to Saturday, diners can enjoy an Asian-inspired take on a classic afternoon tea for a humble price of just £22.50 per person – an absolute steal if you ask us. With that, you can choose a starter and a main of your choice from the High Tea menu, which will be accompanied by steamed rice, egg fried rice, garlic potatoes, chips, yaki ramen, or udon noodles.

At one of the most unique restaurants in Belfast, diners can expect an afternoon tea like none they’ve ever seen before. Spearheaded by talented chef Gemma Austin, A Peculiar Tea is known as ‘the emporium of imagination’, highlighting its role as a food focused wonderland for adults, where diners can let their imaginations run wild and remember what it’s like to be a kid again. The afternoon tea features a range of sweet treats, sandwiches, and scones that will match with the theme of the limited tasting menu running at the time of your visit.

One of the most prestigious hotels in Belfast, the Stormont Hotel is perfectly located in East Belfast, just across from the famous Stormont Estate. So, if you’re looking to enjoy a relaxing afternoon in the city, why not head for a quiet walk around the Estate before enjoying an indulgent afternoon tea at this iconic hotel. The level of service and hospitality here is almost unrivalled, making your experience truly one to remember – and that’s before we’ve even made it to the food and drinks. Being part of the prestigious Hastings Hotel group, the team here certainly know what they’re doing when it comes to top-class Irish hospitality. So, it should come as no surprise that the afternoon tea offering is undoubtedly one of the best in the city. For just £29 per person, guests can relax and sip on cups of the finest steaming teas and coffees while indulging in an array of flavourful finger sandwiches, freshly made pastries, and delectable sweet treats. Plus, for just £10 extra, why not make your afternoon sparkle with the addition of a 20cl snipe of Prosecco for the ultimate treat?

A relaxed garden centre and bistro located a short drive outside of the city in the quiet suburb of Dundonald, The Secret Garden at Dundonald Nurseries is the perfect place to enjoy a delicious and unpretentious afternoon tea with friends or family. With a vaulted ceiling, cosy furnishings,  a stone fireplace and countryside views, you’ll feel like you’ve stepped inside an old time farmhouse as you’re treated to a delicious array of teas and classic Irish sandwiches and treats. For £39.98 (less than £20 per person), you and a loved one can enjoy a delightful afternoon tea for two served on a silver cake stand. When the weather is nice, you can relax outside in the garden, breathe in the fresh countryside air, and enjoy stunning views out over Stormont and the hills as you indulge in your choice of Punjana tea or filter coffee, accompanied by a stunning afternoon tea offering. From a tasty selection of freshly prepared finger sandwiches to home-baked plain and fruit scones served with preserve and fresh cream, as well as a selection of small cakes and desserts, you’re sure to be impressed by what comes out on silver here.

Located on the road from Belfast to Bangor overlooking Belfast Lough, The Culloden Estate and Spa is one of the most luxurious hotels that Northern Ireland has to offer. Personally, we can think of nothing more magical than spending an afternoon in the beautiful dining room or in the perfectly manicured gardens enjoying a delicious afternoon tea with an array of teas and coffees while catching up with a pal. Priced from £40 per person, guests can truly unwind and enjoy an exquisite afternoon tea experience featuring a delightful spread of tasty finger sandwiches, delicate pastries, and freshly baked scones served with jam and clotted cream. Made from fresh, locally sourced ingredients, the quality of the afternoon tea here is almost unrivalled anywhere else in the city. So, unfold your napkin and get ready to be treated to the ultimate five-star luxury experience. Even those with specific dietary requirements don’t need to worry about missing out on the incredible flavours available, as it even offers delicious vegan and gluten free afternoon tea options.

Located in the heart of the city centre overlooking Belfast City Hall, Parisien is the perfect spot to enjoy a delicious French-inspired afternoon tea. Served upstairs from Friday to Sunday between 12pm and 3pm, for just £29.95 per person, you can enjoy a selection of savoury and sweet goods served with your choice of tea, coffee, fizz or even your favourite cocktail. Savoury offerings include plenty of French-inspired fancies, such as brioche navette filled with prawns Marie Rose, mushroom and spinach bouchée, tomato and goats cheese cone, a demitasse of French onion soup, and a boudin noir sausage roll. For those with a sweet tooth, you will be treated to fruit scones served with strawberry jam and clotted cream, salted caramel macarons, a dark chocolate cup with amarena cherry, a matcha tea tartlet with lemon and raspberry, a delicious choux bun with hazelnut cream, and a French martini panna cotta complete with raspberries and homemade shortbread. What more could you want?

One of the most famous hotels in Belfast, you need to head to the Europa for afternoon tea. Served daily between 2pm and 5pm in the elegant Piano Lounge, you will be treated to an array of delicate pastries, scones and sandwiches, alongside an array of the finest blended teas. Making use of the finest local ingredients, the afternoon tea here is truly exquisite – and if you really fancy treating yourself, you can top it all off with a glass of bubbles. For just £35 per person, you can enjoy either a traditional or fully vegan afternoon complete with various sandwiches, scones and sweet treats (Biscoff and chocolate tart anyone)? For an extra tenner, you can enjoy all the delights of a traditional or vegan afternoon tea with the added luxury of a 20cl prosecco snipe. Sure, why not treat yourself? Whether it’s a special occasion, a relaxing weekend in the city, or an afternoon out with your pals, the Europa Hotel is an ideal spot to enjoy afternoon tea in Belfast.

For an experience like none other, we highly recommend booking a spectacular afternoon tea in the Champagne Lounge at AMPM. With a wide selection of teas and various delicious afternoon tea favourites, your senses will be delighted by what is placed before you here. The decadent surroundings of the beautiful Champagne Lounge adds to the overall experience. With plush armchairs, crisp linens and walls adorned with flowers, quirky local artwork and more, you can enjoy the perfect blend of elegance and comfort as you indulge in a delightful selection of sweet and savoury treats served on the finest china. Served Sunday to Friday from 2pm to 4pm, afternoon tea here is a great affordable option with prices starting from £21.50 per person. However, it never falls short on quality, with a carefully curated menu of traditional afternoon and high tea favourites, including finger sandwiches, homemade scones with clotted cream and jam, and a selection of pastries and sweet treats, all accompanied by a wide selection of fine teas, such as the traditional Earl Grey and English Breakfast or the more exotic Jasmine and Oolong.

Another fantastic spot that’s worth visiting on the road from Belfast to Bangor, The Old Inn Crawfordsburn is an old-school bar and restaurant serving up a delicious selection of food and drinks for breakfast, lunch and dinner. With something for everyone, this is the perfect place to enjoy a family meal, a date night with your significant other, or a long-overdue catchup with your best friends. To make it even better, it serves up one of the very finest afternoon tea menus you’re likely to find anywhere in Northern Ireland. Specialising in good food and top-class Irish hospitality, diners are truly in for a treat here, with local flavours and a warm and welcoming atmosphere waiting to welcome you through the door. Serving up a delicious array of culinary delights, the delectable afternoon tea offering is priced from £32.40 per person. Enjoy everything from sandwiches and savoury delights like Mozzarella, Tomato Fondue, Basil Pesto on Sourdough, Scotch Haggis Bon Bon, and Confit Duck and Orange on Wheaten alongside Blueberry and Plain Scones served with Lemon Curd and Clotted Cream, and plenty more!