The best afternoon tea in Manchester – locations, prices and how to book
It’s one of one of the most quintessential British culinary pastimes, characterised by pots of tea, dainty finger food and scones with lashings of clotted cream. The tradition of afternoon tea is said to date back to the mid-19th century when the seventh Duchess of Bedford and her friends got a bit peckish mid-afternoon, and opted for some tea and sweet treats.
And here in Manchester the tradition endures too with a number of luxury hotels, retro tea shops and trendy cafes all serving up their spin on the much-loved culinary experience. Fit for a weekend treat, Mother’s Day gift or just something a little different, the city excels in this field.
Our list below is far from exhaustive, but gives a taste of some of the brilliant afternoon tea options available across Greater Manchester.
So, whether its a Alice in Wonderland-themed dining experience, or high tea with a view that you’re after, there’s something for every appetite, budget and dietary requirement. Let us know if we’ve missed any of your favourites too in the comments section.
Cocoa Cabana
For those with a a real sweet tooth, award-winning chocolatier Cocoa Cabana is just the place to indulge. With two sites – one in West Didsbury and another in Ancoats, the chocolate specialists serve up one of the most decadent offers in the city.
For £25 a head you can indulge in a selection of sandwiches, a scone with clotted cream and chocolate sauce, plus extras like Black Forest Brownie, Macaron, Pumpkin Spiced Cheesecake, Apple Crumble Dessert Pot and Millionaires Chocolate Tart.
There’s bottomless tea, coffee and hot chocolate too – if you have space. All the details can be found here.
168 Burton Rd, West Didsbury, Manchester M20 1LH and 7 Murray St, Ancoats, Manchester M4 6HS
Tender at the Stock Exchange Hotel
The hotel’s afternoon tea experience was launched in February 2025 by Michelin Star chef Niall Keating and is served in an Art Deco style circular stand featuring a host of sweet and savoury treats with nods to both Manchester and the hotel building’s history.
It spans fruit scones with Cornish clotted cream and strawberry jam, sweet treats like hazelnut and praline Valrhona chocolate waffle cone, raspberry and vanilla choux bun with coconut and maraschino cherry and an Eccles cake macaron with raisin and shortbread crumb.
On the savoury front, there’s a hefty slice of pork and Bury black pudding sausage roll, while artisan Sandwiches include dinky prawn Marie-Rose milk rolls as well as larger sandwich slices of roast beef with creamed horseradish, and truffled chopped egg mayonnaise.
The afternoon tea service (£35 per person) is available to book on Wednesdays through to Saturdays from 1pm at the restaurant.
And for those who want some fizz with their fancies, the Stock Exchange Champagne Afternoon Tea is priced at £45 and includes a glass of Collet Brut. There’s also a cocktail option too, which you can book here.
4 Norfolk St, Manchester M2 1DW
Hotel Gotham
Afternoon tea at this rather fancy Manchester hotel is taken in the Honey Restaurant on the top floor with views of King Street. Here you can tuck into a delectable afternoon’s worth of bite-sized delights in a fabulous Art Deco interior that takes you back to its awe-inspiring former glory.
The Lutyens Afternoon Tea, priced at £39 per head includes oak smoked salmon sandwiches as well as cakes such as the strawberry and rosemary frangipane tart, plus handmade plain and sultana scones with fruit jam and clotted cream.
Wash it back with a series of tea infusions, signature cocktails or a glass of prosecco (£48 per person) or glass of Champagne (£54). There’s also vegan, vegetarian and gluten-free options. All the booking details can be found here.
100 King St, Manchester M2 4WU
Refuge at Kimpton Clocktower
It’s only been running for a month but the Refuge Afternoon Tea inside Manchester’s impressive Kimpton Clocktower is already attracting praise.
Hosted in the hotel’s gorgeous Winter Garden, the afternoon tea has been curated by local tea connoisseurs Tea from the Manor, who have even come up with an exclusive Refuge blend.
The new blend is served alongside an array of other loose-leaf teas, as well as an exquisite spread of sweet and savoury goodness, including classics with a twist such as truffled egg mayonnaise finger sandwiches and sweet treats such as glazed lemon meringue pie and a selection of scones.
With the tea option, the experience costs £35 per person, or you can pay extra to add prosecco or Champagne.
Guests can book tables up to six people via the website here. For larger bookings, you can email [email protected].
Oxford St, Manchester M60 7HA
Sugar Junction
Carrying on the much-loved tradition every day is Sugar Junction, a charmingly retro tea room on Tib Street.
Decorated authentically with a vintage vibe, China tea sets, pin-up and war posters to the sounds of authentic music, it will feel like you’ve stepped back in time – but in a good way. Served on traditional tiered stands, afternoon tea here encompasses homemade sandwiches, cakes and scones in a vintage atmosphere.
For Afternoon Tea bookings they can cater for up to 30 guests at any time in the week, they just don’t take any weekend bookings. They can also customise the Afternoon Tea package to your liking, with Gluten free cakes, or the delightful option of adding Prosecco.
The classic afternoon tea comes in at £22.95 per head and you can book here.
60 Tib Street, Manchester, M4 1LG
The Lowry Hotel
The Lowry’s classic take on afternoon tea is served in The River Restaurant and its spread includes scones with fresh cream and a good dollop of jam, pastries and dainty sweet treats.
You can enjoy unlimited tea from the hotel’s supplier, Tea from the Manor, or elevate the experience with a glass of Champagne, a refreshing Afternoon Tea G&T, or a handcrafted cocktail.
The Lowry’s Traditional Afternoon Tea starts from £32.50, with the option to upgrade to the Champagne or Gin Afternoon Tea for £42.50. The vegan option equivalent is £30 and £40 respectively.
50 Dearmans Pl, Salford M3 5LH
Richmond Tea Rooms
Richmond Tea Rooms offers diners one of Manchester’ most experiential afternoon teas, inviting guests to step inside a Mad Hatter’s Tea Party with its Alice in Wonderland-themed afternoon teas.
Step inside and you’ll find yourself dining within an enchanted forest under twinkling lights all while sampling some of the most exotic and rare teas available alongside delicious sandwiches, cakes and treats. Expect delicacies such as mini beer-battered fish and homemade scotch eggs alongside tea-infused scones with plenty of clotted cream.
There’s an afternoon tea for every budget here too, starting with the Alice Tea (£11) and progressing with the Hatter’s Tea £15.50, Queen’s Tea £28, Tweedles Tea £29.90, and Wonderland Champagne Afternoon Tea £39.90. All the details here.
46 Sackville St, The Village, Manchester, M1 3W
The Midland
It’s one of Manchester’s oldest and most prestigious hotels – and its afternoon tea has been a highlight of its culinary offer since the hotel first opened in 1903.
Served in luxurious surroundings overlooking St Peter’s Square, The Tea Room by Pommery has its own knowledgeable team on hand to guide you through its menu which spans sandwiches filled with smoked salmon avocado and chive, as well as chicken, roasted cherry tomato and basil emulsion, alongside freshly baked scones with Devon clotted cream and Mrs Darlington’s jams, and assorted cakes including raspberry and pistachio tart.
The Afternoon Tea offering includes a range of menus, from Traditional Afternoon Tea for £35 to Royal Afternoon Tea for £45, which includes a glass of champagne. There is also an Excellence Afternoon Tea for £55 with a glass of Apanage Brut 1874.
There’s options like Vegetarian Afternoon Tea, Vegan Afternoon Tea, Gluten Free Afternoon Tea, and Children’s Afternoon Tea for £15 too. More details here.
16 Peter St, Manchester M60 2DS
The Library at The Edwardian Hotel
Bringing five-star luxury to the city’s beautiful and historic Free Trade Hall, the luxurious surroundings of the Edwardian Hotel boast the Library Champagne Bar, where its Traditional Afternoon Tea (£39) and Champagne afternoon tea (£49) is served.
Freshly prepared in-house by The Library’s pâtissiers, the experience begins with a seasonal set of delicious sandwiches made using local produce, followed by a handcrafted selection of scone sand patisseries – make sure to try the cranberry buttermilk variety for something a little different.
You can add to the experience with your choice of Newby Teas and an optional Champagne pairing for the ultimate indulgence. There’s special Mother’s Day, Easter and Winter afternoon teas available via the website here as well as 25% on Thursdays and Fridays.
Free Trade Hall, Peter St, Manchester M2 5GP
20 Stories
Take the lift 19 floors above the city you can sup Champagne and scoff scones, which sounds like a rather nice way to spend the afternoon.
Available Monday to Thursday, 2pm until 4pm and Friday and Saturday, 12pm until 3pm inside the luxurious rooftop surroundings of Manchester bar and restaurant 20 Stories, it features all the afternoon staples from sandwiches and classic sweet treats, to homemade scones and pairing tea options.
The highest Afternoon Tea in Manchester even allows you to opt opt for their Piper-Heidsieck Afternoon Tea, or try our Miniature Cocktail Pairing Afternoon Tea where you can sample a selection of our signature cocktails overlooking the city and beyond.
Traditional Afternoon Tea is priced at £37.50 per person; Piper-Heidsieck Afternoon Tea at £50 per person; and the Miniature Cocktail Pairing Tea per £62.50. You can find out more information here.
No. 1, 1 Hardman St, Manchester M3 3EB
