The best afternoon tea Belfast has to offer in 2024 can be found at The Merchant, but there are plenty of other places to choose from in the city centre!
Belfast’s food scene grows stronger each year and, while it’s the late-night dining that tends to dazzle the most, there are some exceptional afternoon tea offerings.
Some, like The Merchant, offer a unique setting, while others, like The Fitzwilliam, provide a luxurious experience from start to finish.
The best afternoon tea in Belfast City Centre and beyond
Photos via Culloden Estate on FB
I first published this guide many years ago when I started to spend more and more time in Belfast City.
It’s packed with the places that I think do the best afternoon tea in Belfast, based on personal experience.
1. The Merchant Hotel (from £42.50 p/p)
Photos via Merchant Hotel on FB
It’s at the Merchant Hotel (one of the top 5 star hotels in Belfast) that you’ll find what is arguably the most unique afternoon tea Belfast has to offer.
It is served in the opulent Great Room Restaurant, which boasts an original Victorian interior, a glass cupola, and Ireland’s largest chandelier,
The menu features delicate finger sandwiches, freshly baked scones with clotted cream and jam, and a variety of sweet and savory treats, complemented by Prosecco, cocktail, and Champagne options.
Priced at around £42.50 per person, it’s one of the pricier spots for afternoon tea in Northern Ireland, but for a weekend treat, nowhere else compares.
2. Parisien (from £33.95 p/p)
Photos via Parisien on FB
You’ll find Cafe Parisien right across from City Hall. When you step inside, you’ll be greeted by an elegant, old-world setting where classic French dishes reign supreme.
Afternoon Tea at Parisien is available Wednesday to Sunday from 12:00 PM to 3:00 PM for a reasonable £33.95 per person.
The menu features savory options like Tomato & Red Pepper Crostini and sweet treats such as Vanilla Macaron and Lemon Cheesecake.
When you’re done, head to the outdoor terrace on the 2nd floor for a cocktail and enjoy the views of Belfast City Hall and beyond.
Related read: Check out of guide to 25 of the best restaurants in Belfast in 2024
3. The Fitzwilliam Hotel (from £35 p/p)
Photos via The Fitzwilliam on FB
Enjoy afternoon tea at the five-star The Fitzwilliam on Great Victoria Street, situated right in front of the Grand Opera House.
Priced from £35 per person, it includes savory items like roasted red pepper and goat cheese vol-au-vent, pork and sage sausage rolls, and Cajun chicken brioche.
Sweet treats include French macarons, raspberry crème brûlée, and homemade scones with clotted cream.
It’s served Monday to Friday from 1:30 PM to 3:00 PM, and weekends from 1:30 PM to 3:30 PM.
As this is considered the best afternoon tea in Belfast City Centre, advance booking is needed!
4. Titanic Hotel Belfast (from £39 p/p)
Photos via Titanic Hotel on FB
Experience the Golden Age of Hospitality with Afternoon Tea at Titanic Hotel Belfast, located in the heart of the historic Titanic Quarter.
Indulge in delicate sandwiches, freshly baked scones, and sweet pastries served on fine china, all crafted by the expert team from The Wolff Grill.
Options include Regular Afternoon Tea at £39, Sparkling Afternoon Tea at £44, and Champagne Afternoon Tea at £49
A Kids’ Afternoon Tea, featuring sandwiches, scones, sweet treats, and homemade chocolate milk, is also available. Not driving? Take the Glider G2 from the city straight to the Titanic Quarter!
5. The Europa Hotel (from £30 p/p)
Photos via Europa Hotel on FB
The historic Europa Hotel on Great Victoria Street offers one of the more luxurious afternoon tea Belfast has to offer.
Few hotels in Belfast boast a past as interesting as this one, which dates back to 1971 – a turbulent time in Belfast’s history.
I’ll stick history to the side today, as this guide is all about the food!
Served daily in the very elegant Piano Lounge from 2 PM to 5 PM, this experience features delicate pastries, freshly baked scones, and a selection of sandwiches.
6. Maryville House
Photos via Maryville House on FB
Two miles from the city centre just off the A1, Maryville House is an upscale B&B in the classic Victorian mould.
The decor here is a blend of traditional and modern and it’s widely regarded as one of the best places for afternoon tea in Belfast.
With a selection of hot and cold savoury canapés and sandwiches, guests here can also indulge in Maryville House’s famous homemade scones with jam, clotted cream and hand-whipped butter.
Throw in their homemade petit-fours and you have a treat fit for even the most critical gourmand.
Related read: Check out of guide to the best brunch in Belfast (or, if you fancy a tipple, the best bottomless brunch in Belfast)
7. AMPM Bohemian Restaurant (from £34.50 p/p)
A real institution on the Belfast dining scene, AMPM on Upper Arthur St. serves innovative grub in what can only be described as a magical environment.
Served daily from 2 PM to 4 PM in the elegant Champagne Lounge, adorned with local artwork and blooming flowers, this is a nice, quirky afternoon tea in Belfast City Centre.
Enjoy a selection of finger sandwiches, homemade scones with clotted cream and jam, and a wide range of fine teas
Enhance your experience with a glass of Prosecco or Champagne. When you’re done, many of the best pubs in Belfast are a short stroll away.
8. Culloden Hotel (from £40 p/p)
Photos via Culloden Estate on FB
If you’re looking for the best afternoon tea in Belfast to mark a special occasion, what’s on offer at the swanky Culloden Hotel in Hollywood may tickle your fancy.
Unwind with an exquisite afternoon tea experience in the luxurious surroundings of Vespers, where you’ll be treated to a five-star experience.
Afternoon tea here includes finger sandwiches, savory items, delicate pastries, cakes, and scones paired with a premium assortment of teas and coffees.
When you finish, take the short spin to Crawfordsburn Country Park and round off your afternoon with a stroll.
Related read: Check out of guide to the best breakfast in Belfast (from pancakes and french toast to the traditional Ulster Fry)
Afternoon tea Belfast: Where have we missed?
Photo courtesy of Studio Kin/Merchant Hotel via Tourism Northern Ireland
I’ve no doubt that we’ve unintentionally left out some brilliant places for high tea in Belfast City Centre and beyond.
If you have a place that you’d like to recommend, let me know in the comments below and I’ll check it out!
Have a favorite spot for afternoon tea in Northern Ireland? Let me know in the comments!
Keith O’Hara has lived in Ireland for 35 years and has spent most of the last 10 creating what is now The Irish Road Trip guide. Over the years, the website has published thousands of meticulously researched Ireland travel guides, welcoming 30 million+ visitors along the way. In 2022, the Irish Road Trip team published the world’s largest collection of Irish Road Trip itineraries. Keith lives in Dublin with his dog Toby and finds writing in the 3rd person minus craic altogether.
Carmel
Saturday 21st of January 2023
Have you tried A Peculiar Tea for afternoon tea and their tasting menu x