What is afternoon tea and why is it worth experiencing when traveling? Afternoon tea is something my friend Anda introduced me to, and I first tried it in Riga. I was hooked! I visited another one here in Latvia, and soon I started looking for them abroad. So, little by little, whenever I can, I try to experience afternoon tea on my travels, and I already have a few “in the bag”!
One version of the tradition of Afternoon Tea states that it was invented by Anna, the seventh Duchess of Bedford (one of Queen Victoria’s friends) around 1840 in England. In those days, dinner was served very late, around eight in the evening, and there was a long gap between lunch and dinner. Duchess Anna often felt hungry and faint around four in the afternoon. She reportedly asked for a tray with tea, bread and butter, and scones to be brought to her room. This became a habit, and later she began inviting friends to join her for this late afternoon meal. Other versions suggest that the tradition is actually quite modern and that the historical element has been somewhat embellished to create an aura of exclusivity around it.
Regardless, afternoon tea is often one of the most affordable ways to enjoy a meal in rather exclusive venues with famous chefs. Very often, the offering is so substantial that it’s impossible to eat it all at once, and you have to take the leftovers home! Typically, the most exquisite afternoon teas are organized in hotels, often five-star ones.
How to Find Afternoon Tea Locations and What to Wear?
The best way is to search for “afternoon tea” or “high tea” along with the name of the city you’re visiting. In some places, afternoon tea is only available for two people, but I’ve also been to many places by myself. At some venues, you might be asked to observe a dress code.
Please note that since this article was written, the offerings may have changed in terms of both price and snacks.
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Riga, Latvia, A22 Hotel, “John” restaurant’s “Jackie” bar afternoon tea
Afternoon tea at the “John” restaurant in the “A22” hotel (which has received Michelin recognition and mention in the Latvian list) was my first introduction to what this afternoon tea actually is, and it set a certain standard for me! The table setting was “as it should be,” with a white tablecloth, sandwiches, elegant dishes, a metal teapot, very delicious cakes, and a tasty cream (not “clotted cream,” but enjoyable nonetheless). On our first visit, we were served by a very knowledgeable tea expert who told us more about teas and made sure they were brewed correctly for us. With a strainer for skimming tea leaves and changing cups when we wanted another tea! A cocktail was also included in the price, with a non-alcoholic option available. Six months later, I returned for afternoon tea with my family, and I also really liked it; this time, however, the tea presentation was omitted, but the restaurant had arranged special food for a person with diabetes. A year later, I celebrated my birthday here. The restaurant was accommodating and set it up on a day when it’s not usually served, for which I was grateful. The service was polite, the bartender recommended cocktails, told us how they got their names, and brought various teas for us to smell. I must say, however, that over the year, the offering had diminished, but the price remained the same – if previously each person had four savory pastries, they were no longer available at all, the cakes no longer had berries that previously pleasantly refreshed between the sweet cakes and nicely decorated the dishes, there were only two scones per person, not three, and the cream was also considerably less (although they brought more upon request). The sandwiches were served first, and they were smaller than before. If previously the impression was that it was impossible to eat it all, this time we ate almost all the snacks; from a table of six people, only two small cakes remained uneaten. Also regarding the tea, the previous two times it was served as much as we wanted, this time we found out that it was not unlimited (would that have been the bartenders’ initiative before?), they also did not offer hot water and we paid for additional teas. Cold water in carafes was free, though.
Booked: by calling +371 62 222 260
Paid: 35 EUR per person (55 EUR for two)
Riga, Latvia, “Kempinski” hotel lobby bar afternoon tea
“Kempinski Riga” was my second afternoon tea, shortly before Christmas. The table setting was elegant, and the seating was in a splendid spot by the fireplace. Snacks and teas were “by the book,” with scones, though this time without additional information about the teas. The tea was good, my favorite Ronnefeldt. Only, the impression was spoiled by the people sitting around; here, it was clearly felt that we were in a lobby bar, and at first, someone at the next table was talking very loudly on the phone, and then listened to music from their phone. Later, I heard from a friend that it’s possible to order different snacks here if one of the guests has lactose intolerance (must be ordered in advance).
Booked: by calling +371 6767 1111
Paid: 30 EUR per person
Dubai, United Arab Emirates, “Palazzo Versace” hotel, “Mosaico Lounge” area afternoon tea
The afternoon tea experience at the “Palazzo Versace” hotel was truly a “new level.” An extremely exclusive hotel with luxurious decor (Versace porcelain, manufactured by Rosenthal, as I later learned from @augusts_table_studio), a magnificent snack stand, snacks served with a gold leaf, and a wide selection of teas. I went here with a colleague, as the afternoon tea offer is only available for two. Served daily from 10:30 to 19:00, I booked a few days in advance. Alcohol is not served indoors. The offer included one pot of tea and one coffee. Later, my tea was refilled with hot water, as there were enough tea leaves for several infusions. We were attended to, and they took care of us. The snacks were both beautifully presented and extremely delicious, with a slight variation on what afternoon tea is – seemingly adhering to the basic principles, but diversifying the offering. There were also classic scones. I took some of the snacks to go afterwards.
Booked: by writing to dining@palazzoversace.ae
Paid: 93 EUR for two people.
Dubai, United Arab Emirates, “Raffles” hotel, “Floral Afternoon Tea” lounge
The “Raffles” hotel afternoon tea has a floral theme, both in its presentation and menu. Truly melt-in-your-mouth sweets, savory pastries (even a small burger!), scones, creams, unlimited tea. You can choose your tea by smelling special glass containers. Reservations must be made by 11:00 AM on the day of the reservation at the latest (I booked the night before), served from 14:00 to 19:00. Iced tea is also included in the price. Again, very elegant presentation (Rosenthal Gropius dishes, confirmed by @augusts_table_studio), and truly excellent service. I never felt awkward or forgotten! It’s hard to choose which of the two Dubai teas was better, as both were excellent. Next time, I definitely plan to visit: Bijou and Burj al Arab afternoon teas!
Booked: by writing to dining.dubai@raffles.com
Paid: 45 EUR for one person.
Amsterdam, Netherlands, “Sofitel Legend The Grand” “Oriole Garden Bistro” “Grand Wonderland” afternoon tea
At the “Sofitel Legend The Grand” hotel, it was again time for new horizons and a new experience. This afternoon tea had an “Alice in Wonderland” theme, and here I first tasted sparkling tea! At first, I thought the waiter was bringing me sparkling wine, but no, it was tea! Each course of food brought was paired with its own type of tea, specifically recommended by the hotel’s tea sommelier. Here, the offering was more substantial; first, they brought gazpacho soup, there were pancakes with salmon, focaccia, and egg salad sandwiches. There were also incredibly delicious chocolate scones, a large amount of sweet snacks, and an unusual way of serving tea, for example, Darjeeling tea was served in glasses. Very elegant Furstenberg dishes from the “Emperor’s Table” collection were used (which @augusts_table_studio also whispered to me), and it was at this hotel that I first started paying attention to the dishes and how the table was set. The venue was very pleasant, like a library.
Booked: via the hotel’s reservation system, with prepayment
Paid: 49 EUR per person (now 52.50 EUR per person), 100% prepayment
Amsterdam, Netherlands, “Anantara Krasnapolsky” hotel, “Grand Café Krasnapolsky” afternoon tea
Visiting Amsterdam again, I decided to try the Anantara Krasnapolsky afternoon tea offering, which, like my previous Amsterdam experience, is located in a fine hotel. I went there with a Dutch colleague, who, upon seeing where we were going, was very surprised and said that it was considered a very fancy hotel. The afternoon tea offering was very good – four types of savory and three types of sweet sandwiches, scones, lemon, and classic cream. Candies were also served. The food was served in three courses, and each was paired with a tea. A lot of thought went into the presentation, and it was truly magnificent! I must say, the café itself is slightly less atmospheric than Sofitel, as you never forget you’re in a café, but the offering was good. Unfinished food was packed in takeaway containers, which were also matched – with the hotel’s symbolism.
Booked: via the hotel’s reservation system
Paid: 49 EUR per person
Tampere, Finland, Stockmann café “Relove” afternoon tea
In Tampere, I tried afternoon tea for the first time in a shopping center, this time at “Stockmann,” in the “Relove” café, next to a second-hand clothing store. The café’s interior was slightly oriental; I chose a soft sofa with pillows (another table was reserved, but I opted for the more opulent one). The teapot was brought in one large pot. There were no scones in this offering; there were some savory sandwiches in a purely Nordic style and a lot, a lot of sweet sandwiches and cakes, most of which I took home. The dishes looked like “grandmother’s stash” vintage dishes.
Booked: cafe@relove.fi (where they then made an online reservation for me; you can also do it yourself, but the information was in Finnish)
Paid: 38 EUR for two people
Hamburg, Germany, “Atlantic” hotel, lobby bar afternoon tea
In Hamburg, the afternoon tea was a case of “good things come to those who wait,” because when I first tried to book the “Hotel Atlantic” offering, they had no free spots, and I booked another option. My trip, however, was canceled at the last minute due to a strike, and I didn’t even get to go. Six months later, fortunately, I finally went to Hamburg again, and this time the “Atlantic” offering was available! To this day, the “Atlantic” offering has the most impressive tea menu; there were at least 10 that I wanted to taste. In the end, I alone drank three pots of tea – Tanzania Usambra Oolong, Dragonwell Zhejiang, and Superior Gyokuro, all three of which are excellent teas, but the Tanzanian oolong was unbeatable! The tea was served with an hourglass to indicate its readiness. The afternoon tea offering was distinctly “by the book”; a table was already set for me with a white tablecloth and special Atlantic porcelain. A non-alcoholic drink was served (I chose that, but a cocktail with alcohol was also an option), three scones with cream and jam, and a huge selection of sweets, decorated with berries. The service was extremely kind; every now and then, they came to ask if everything was alright. I questioned the waiter about the hotel and learned that Pierce Brosnan filmed a James Bond movie, “Tomorrow Never Dies,” in this hotel, and I almost got to see the room where it was filmed, but it turned out to be occupied.
Booked: by writing to bar.atlantic-hamburg@brhhh.com
Paid: 69 EUR for one person
Hamburg, Germany, “Fairmont Hotel Vier Jahreszeiten”, “Wohnhalle” lobby bar Queen Victoria’s afternoon tea
Returning to Hamburg, this time on Mother’s Day with my mom and grandma, I wanted to arrange a special surprise for them, and for Mother’s Day lunch, we went to one of the best hotels in Hamburg, the Fairmont Hotel Vier Jahreszeiten, for their lobby bar afternoon tea. Here they served Ronnefeldt teas (whose jasmine green tea was my favorite for many years), scones with cream and jam, a special coronation recipe chicken sandwich, as well as other sandwiches, and various sweet snacks. I had ordered two of the portions with reduced sugar, and special sweet dishes were prepared so that mom and grandma could eat them too; they didn’t charge us extra for that. The hotel was extraordinarily beautifully decorated, the flower arrangements – some of the most beautiful I have ever seen! The tea was served according to all the rules, with a warmer and a timer. They wrapped up our uneaten food for us. The service was absolutely excellent, and this is one of the best afternoon teas I have ever visited!
Booked: using the hotel’s reservation system
Paid: 82 EUR per person
Brussels, Belgium, “Tangla” hotel, hotel bar afternoon tea
The “Tangla” Oriental hotel’s afternoon tea in Brussels, not too far from the airport, was the third place I tried to book in Brussels, as I couldn’t arrange anything with the first two – “Wiltcher’s Steigenberger Hotel” didn’t respond to me on social media at all and couldn’t be reached by phone, while “The Amigo” initially didn’t respond on social media for a long time, then, when reached by phone, said they weren’t offering afternoon tea at the moment, but the next day responded on social media that they were accepting reservations, and to my comment that I was told on the phone that tea wasn’t available, they replied in a way that still left it unclear whether tea was offered or not. “Tangla” was my third choice because I wasn’t sure I wanted to enjoy afternoon tea with dumplings, but in fact, the dumplings were perfectly fine! Everything started with a half-hour wait in the lobby, where, upon announcing my arrival, I was first asked who I was going to see, what exactly I wanted, and then told to wait. Since I was a little early, I thought it was my fault and decided to sit down. However, it was probably the employee’s lack of knowledge that was to blame, as the sweet snacks were clearly already ready anyway and the table was not specially prepared. Finally, after half an hour of waiting, I went to check in again, and then another employee, again questioning what I wanted and apparently knowing nothing about afternoon tea (which was advertised right there on the big screen by the concierge), led me to the bar area. In this hotel, the presentation was relatively simpler, no special dishes or table setting. I chose Dammann jasmine tea (there was no drinks menu, the waiter listed the available teas). First, they brought me the sweet snack stand, which mostly consisted of macarons and small cakes, then a tower with dim sum steaming dishes, containing 4 dim sum, as well as spicy sauces. Although the waiter was kind, he occasionally forgot about me. The room was cool, and I strongly smelled air fresheners, so I stayed for a shorter time than I had planned. I took the uneaten snacks with me. The atmosphere in the hotel was indeed oriental, and mostly Chinese was spoken at the neighboring tables.
Booked: by calling +32 2 345 67 89
Paid: 35 EUR for one person
Riga, Latvia, Elena Uldrika’s masterclass @elena.uldrika afternoon tea
Upon learning that another opportunity to enjoy afternoon tea had appeared in Riga, I signed up for it without much thought! Afternoon tea with Elena is available in a masterclass format, not only allowing you to taste afternoon tea but also learn about its table setting basics and history. I was surprised to learn that in fact, such a modern afternoon tea tradition has only developed relatively recently, in the nineties. I learned about the “traditional” cucumber and egg sandwiches and scones, and I also gained a better understanding of what is “classic” in afternoon tea and what is permissible as an interpretation. Elena complemented her narrative by introducing me a bit more to the world of dishes. After this masterclass, I re-examined photos of previous afternoon teas and paid attention to the dishes. By the way, Elena herself makes “clotted cream,” as it is currently not available for purchase in Riga, and she also bakes the scones herself! After Elena’s masterclass, I will definitely now have not only the courage but also the knowledge to prepare such an afternoon tea in my own home!
Booked: by writing on Instagram, 50% prepayment
Paid: 85 EUR for one person
New York, USA, “The Crosby Street Hotel”, “The Crosby Bar”
When looking for information about the best afternoon teas in New York, I stumbled upon information about The Crosby Street Hotel, and there was no doubt in my mind that I absolutely had to go there, because this very hotel bar is where the action takes place in my favorite book, The Idea of You! I arrived for afternoon tea a little earlier than my reserved time, but the table was already ready and I could sit down. The reservation duration is 1.5 hours, which is typical in New York. Throughout my visit, the bar was absolutely packed with people, as this place is very popular. Between courses, I went to see Jaume Plensa’s huge head and the papier-mâché dogs.
Booked: on the OpenTable platform
Paid: $75 per person
New York, USA, “The Plaza Hotel”, “The Palm Court” lobby bar
Returning to New York, I had the opportunity to visit as many as two afternoon teas, but I decided to exercise moderation and that one would be enough this time; I wouldn’t try to cram all the fun into two days! When looking for the best afternoon tea offering, I came across The Plaza Hotel’s offer, which was mentioned in many places as the best in New York. From the photos, it didn’t quite look that way, but I was so glad I booked this place, because the afternoon tea was really good! My colleague Mela from Australia joined me, and two hours flew by unnoticed (even though the reservation time is only 1.5 hours). I booked afternoon tea only the day before, because previously when I checked, it was possible to book even on the same day, but since the weather in New York was very bad and I saw that table availability was worsening, I decided not to leave it until the last minute. Tea is served in a truly grand luxury hotel (the same hotel where Kevin stayed in the movie “Home Alone” and met Trump in the foyer!). There were even several afternoon tea offerings, three for adults and one for children. Mela chose the “Central Park tea” for $125, and I chose “The Plaza Signature Tea” for $145. The most significant difference was that my snacks included caviar. They brought us both offerings on one large stand, explained what was what, and then we dug in. Mela was at such an event for the first time, so I showed her how to eat scones and told her about clotted cream (which was not available here). I must admit, the only thing that wasn’t tasty was the teas themselves. I chose lavender oolong tea, and combining two good things somehow resulted in something not great, while Mela chose the local “house” blend, which strongly resembled Christmas tea and didn’t suit the May afternoon mood at all. But the food was royal, and the atmosphere, too. The place was very full, and due to the table arrangement, the woman sitting to my right poked me with her elbow about 20 times, so next time I would probably choose one of the separate tables, rather than those where you sit almost side-by-side. But despite the tea and the elbow in my ribs, the experience was good!
Booked: on the OpenTable platform
Paid: $125 and $145 per person
Boston, USA, “Boston Public Library”, “Courtyard Tea Room”
Trying to book afternoon tea in Boston early on, I ran into the problem that everything was booked. How so? I don’t know why I decided to look at the reservation tools again on the train from New York to Boston, when I noticed that a spot was available the next day in the Boston Public Library’s map room, where the Courtyard Tea Room is located. Not believing my luck, I grabbed it! I had already decided to take a tour of the library, and this allowed me to combine both things at once. I arrived about 15 minutes early, and people were already lining up to be inside at 10:00 AM when the first tea is served. Then exactly at 10:00 AM, the doors opened, and they started letting people in, checking off each arrival. All the waiters then lined up, greeting the guests. I immediately told my waitress that I had a library tour scheduled for 11:00 AM (for which she kindly gave me a free entrance ticket a little earlier, although usually they only give them an hour in advance – first come, first served, as the number of spots on the tour is limited). The waitress assured me that we would definitely make it, and therefore paid more attention to me than to others; as soon as I was ready for the next dishes, they were served immediately. Here, too, the table is reserved for an hour and a half. Observing those around me, I saw many who had come to celebrate special occasions. At the table next to me sat a solo traveler, like myself, but she had a special menu to avoid intolerances. As usual, they packed my uneaten food for me to take away. Interestingly, this menu specifically emphasized that many of the snacks are prepared in local cafes, meaning not everything is made on-site, but the best selection from various places is offered.
Booked: on the Resy platform
Paid: approximately $70
Edinburgh, Scotland, “The Balmoral Hotel”, “The Palm Court” hall
An opportunity to try afternoon tea in the UK? Finally! During my visit to Edinburgh, I planned this as the main activity for the last day before heading to the airport. The Palm Court is considered the best afternoon tea spot in Edinburgh, located in the extremely elegant Balmoral Hotel. Although Jēkabs is not a big fan of afternoon teas, this time he had to go with me, and in the end, it wasn’t so bad at all, because the food was fantastically delicious, the presentation was excellent, a harpist played upstairs throughout our visit, and at the end of the afternoon tea, we even received two packages of their “house” tea!
Booked: by calling +44 131 556 2414
Paid: £67.50 per person
Austin, USA, “Four Seasons Hotel”, “Roses & Rosé A-Tea-X, Afternoon Tea”
Afternoon tea in Texas? Why not! I decided to use a free lunch break in Austin and after a good walk around the city, I went to the afternoon tea spot that was listed as the best in the city – the Four Seasons Hotel. I was about 10 minutes early, and the lobby bar was not yet ready to receive guests; I was asked to wait. After a moment, I saw that a gentleman was asked to move when he sat down at a table with a pink teapot on it, and a few minutes later, this table was offered to me – in the middle of the room, by the central window. The offer was a somewhat “cut-down” afternoon tea; although there were sweet and savory snacks, they were not quite by the book, for example, there was no clotted cream. The menu included a choice between two alcoholic cocktails; I asked for a mocktail version, and the waitress was very flustered and started to think on the spot what other alternatives there might be; in the end, I got a blueberry cocktail. Although the rooms were very beautiful, with many flower decorations inside and out, the TVs in the corners showing sports games did not create the expected atmosphere overall. Also, there was no special drinks menu for the tea; I was given a few options to choose from, and that was it. After 40 minutes, I had eaten and drunk everything, and left. This was probably the quickest afternoon tea I’ve ever had.
Booked: on the OpenTable platform (after an unsuccessful attempt to book on their website, where something was wrong with the form)
Paid: $65 per person
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