The 10 best alternative Afternoon Teas in Yorkshire
Afternoon tea has been around forever with traditionally only the very high members of society partaking in it. Nowadays, everyone can enjoy it. For special occasions, hen dos, birthdays, baby showers… everyone loves an afternoon tea. At half past 3 everyone stops for tea.
But the traditional afternoon tea of sandwich fingers and a scone with jam & cream has been a little over done and we are all on the look out for something a bit different. Something alternative, something unique, something novel that will get us all excited at half past 3 again.
I have scouted every part of the county to bring you the 10 best alternative afternoon teas in Yorkshire.
Bento box at The Coniston Hotel
Within the Yorkshire Dales the alternative afternoon tea at the Blossom Kitchen, Coniston Hotel is a bento box. Bento is a Japanese tradition of compartmentalising food. In simple terms it is ‘a little bit of everything’.
The bento box afternoon tea at the Blossom Kitchen is beautifully presented and consists of
Savoury;
Korean BBQ Chicken Wrap
Char Sui Pork Bao Bun
Soy Glazed Mushrooms on Toast
Vegetable Spring Roll
Sweet;
Fruit Scone, Pear Jam & Clotted Cream
Lemongrass, Lychee & Poppyseed Drizzle Cake
White Chocolate & Yuzu Macaron
Banana & Ginger Cake
Comes with your choice of Suki Tea.
Served between 2pm – 4.45pm
Any theme afternoon tea at Cupcakes 2 Love
Cupcakes 2 love in Doncaster, South Yorkshire are specialists in cakes and edible art. This family run business can create any themed afternoon tea that you want. From the Lion King to 007, Willy Wonka to Marvel, Beauty & the Beast to Mary Poppins they will ‘rise to the challenge’. Serving afternoon teas Tuesday to Saturday.
Wizards Tea at The Steel Cauldron
At The Steel Cauldron in Sheffield you can sample a variety of magical alternative afternoon teas along with a variety of hot and soft potions, marvello’s magical ices and even cauldron cocktails! This wizard themed tearoom and tavern, the most magical in the world, even run special events from workshops on snakes, meeting the owls, attending wizard school right through to night time mischief. There is something for all ages.
The Wizard’s Tea is a fun, colourful and joyful mix of sweet and savoury. It comes with a selection of sand-witches, cake, chocolate frog, jelly beans, cauldron of popcorn, chocolate wand, crisps and pretzels. A children’s version is available as well as an ‘upgrade’ which sees the Wizard’s tea become Enchanted and raised onto a tiered stand with the addition of scones and cakes. If you wanted just savoury you can opt for the Professor’s Tea.
Indian Afternoon Tea at Pearls
Pearls Tearoom & Patisserie in Bradford is a place of luxury where quality affordable food meets an elegant dining experience. From sumptuous macarons to their selection of afternoon teas the menu is diverse and extensive. Featuring a live Pianist daily from 12-2pm you really are in for a treat.
They have a variety of alternative afternoon teas on offer but the one we are interested in is their Indian afternoon tea.
It consists of;
Kati Roll – a skewer roasted chicked kebab in a tortilla.
Chicken Samosa
Veg Roll served with mint sauce.
Accompanied by a home baked sultana scone with strawberry preserve & clotted cream.
Selection of sweet delights.
Served with a choice of speciality teas.
Japanese inspired afternoon tea at Issho
Across in Leeds, Issho is a contemporary Japanese rooftop restaurant, bar and terrace in the plush Victoria Gate. They have on offer a Japanese inspired afternoon tea with savoury and sweet dishes, accompanied by a choice of teas.
The savoury elements are sushi; Tuna tataki with wasabi cream, vegetable maki, salmon avocado maki and tuna and salmon nigiri. The sweet elements are; caramel purin, miso and chocolate brownie, matcha cheesecake and yuzu and raspberry tart.
This is served on Friday – Sunday 12pm – 2.30pm and comes with the option of free flowing fizz.
Italian afternoon tea at Livin Italy
At Livin Italy they have added a lot of fun and offer a traditional afternoon tea with a large Italian twist. You can experience the ultimate taste of Italy with some Italian classics:
Mini Arancini Carbonara on Saffron Cacio & Pepe
Mini Margherita Pizzas
Short Rib of Beef Sliders
Polenta & Friarielli
Chocolate Cube Cake with Salted Caramel Sauce and Dry Orange
Frollino Biscuit with Strawberry Jam
Mini Tiramisu
Glass of Italian Prosecco
You can upgrade to a Signature Aperol Spritz Cocktail or why not go all out and get an Aperol spritz tree!
Available Monday to Friday 12pm – 4pm
Fish & Chip afternoon tea in Scarborough
Over on the Yorkshire Coast in the seaside town of Scarborough, the Palm Court Hotel have on their menu an alternative afternoon tea of Fish and Chips.
It includes;
Atlantic prawn cocktail
Smoked Scottish salmon
Granary bread and butter
Scampi
Deep fried king prawn
Haddock goujon
Homemade tartare sauce
Crushed peas
Hand cut chips
Pickles
Served with tea or coffee. Can upgrade with Champagne too.
Served daily 12-5pm
Summer afternoon tea at The Ivy
The Ivy on St Helen’s Square in the centre of York is something special and their Summer afternoon tea is no different. A carefully crafted selection of savoury and sweet treats makes this quintessentially British experience. The summer twist alternative includes a delicious array of sandwiches, including Ivy Cure smoked salmon and cream cheese fingers, chicken and truffle mayonnaise brioche and pickled cucumber, courgette and basil double decker rolls. Freshly baked fruit scones served with clotted cream and strawberry preserve, while the sweets include a chocolate plant pot, madeleine cake with lemon curd, red velvet raspberry cake and a strawberry milkshake, all accompanied by a choice of teas, infusions or coffees. For that added bit of indulgence why not add on a glass of Champagne.
Summer Afternoon Tea is available at The Ivy St Helen’s Square seven days a week, served between 3:00 – 4:45pm.
Forest afternoon tea at Forest restaurant, Galtres Lodge, York
Galtres Lodge have taken inspiration from their history. Galtres is named after the Royal Forest of Galtres that used to extend to the city walls of York up to the 17th Century. Forest is the restaurant housed within Galtres Lodge.
Their alternative afternoon tea is complete with a forest floor finale, and carefully paired teas with each course. The Forest afternoon tea includes;
Piping hot shot of Chef’s soup with an Olde York cheese straw. Paired with Balance Tea with ayurvedic, cardamom, cinnamon, fennel, & ginger, from Hebden Teas just around the corner.
Smoked salmon sandwiches with cream cheese and pea shoots & hummus and chargrilled vegetable wrap. Paired with Lapsang Souchong created in the mountains of China with rich smoky flavour.
Hot mini Yorkshire Pudding with Swains family Butcher braised beef with horseradish. Served with a mini pot of cauliflower cheese. Comes with a refreshing cup of Yorkshire Tea from Taylors of Harrogate.
Homemade cherry scone with butter, strawberry jam & clotted cream and Forest cake. Served with Red Berry fruit infusion, dark red tangy fruity blast of dried raspberry, apples, oranges, rosehip & hibiscus.
Forest Sweet Treats – A selection of sweet bites from the Forest kitchen. Enjoy chocolate soil, chocolate flakes, a meringue toadstool, chocolate pebbles and edible flowers.
Finish on York’s own Guy Fawkes’ favourite! Minty Gunpowder Tea.
Served 2-5pm daily.
Tea parties at the Twisted Teapot, Barnsley
The Twisted Teapot in Barnsley do afternoon tea differently by having a tea party. All set within magical surroundings. They are only open on event days (12-2pm or 6-8pm) where you will get the full shebang;
A sparkling welcome drink on arrival
Starter course
Savoury main course
3 tiers of gorgeous sweetness.
Served with tea, coffee, soft or sparkling drinks or hot chocolate with all the trimmings.
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