Looking for somewhere to enjoy afternoon tea in Whitby?
The seaside town of Whitby is one of Yorkshire’s most popular coastal destinations. There’s plenty to see and do in the area with a bustling harbour, quirky narrow streets and sandy beaches to explore. Visitors flock from afar to visit the famous Abbey which was the inspiration for Bram Stoker’s ‘Dracula’ or to visit the Captain Cook Memorial Museum where Cook lodged and studied during his apprenticeship.
If you’re planning a holiday or day excursion to this glorious Yorkshire Coast gem, you will most probably be looking for somewhere to enjoy a well-deserved rest and perhaps, even a sugary treat or two.
There are numerous independent restaurants and inviting cafes scattered around the town offering the quintessentially British offering of afternoon tea. Tiered platters of dainty sandwiches, delicate cakes and homemade scones served with lashings of cream? Yes, please! There’s no finer way to refuel after a day of exploration and exertion so we’ve put together this list of the best afternoon teas in Whitby to help you decide where to recuperate and indulge…
Where To Get Afternoon Tea in Whitby…
The Edge
13 Bridge St, Whitby YO22 4BG
The Edge is a contemporary bar and restaurant on Whitby’s Bridge Street, open for service from breakfast through to dinner. During the afternoon, they serve generously filled sandwiches and homemade cakes alongside a number of hearty home-cooked mains. Create your perfect afternoon tea combo by choosing from a small selection of toasties and freshly prepared sandwiches and finishing off with a traditional cream tea. If you’d rather tuck into a tiered platter of their most popular treats, you can order one of their delicious and reasonably priced afternoon tea options.
Their Traditional Afternoon Tea is priced at £10.50 and includes cold sandwiches, petit fours, a homemade scone and a hot drink. If sandwiches aren’t your thing and you fancy something a little more substantial, opt for their Fish & Chips Afternoon Tea. For £12.95, you’ll get all the sweet treats but instead of cold sandwiches, you can have freshly battered cod or haddock with chips and peas instead. Afternoon Tea at The Edge is available Friday to Monday between 12 pm and 5:30 pm
Raithwaite Estate
Raithwaite Estate, Sandsend Road, Whitby YO21 3ST
Enjoy afternoon tea with a view at the Raithwaite Estate, which is just a 4-mile drive away from Whitby town centre in Sandsend. This elegant hotel, restaurant and spa is situated in glorious gardens and woodland, making it a scenic and peaceful spot for a luxury afternoon tea in Whitby.
Served in the stylish Bar 1822, afternoon tea at the Raithwaite Estate is available daily and costs £21 per person or £30 with a glass of English Sparkling. It’s a traditional offering at the Raithwaite Estate, which perfectly suits its picturesque setting. Begin with dainty finger sandwiches with fillings such as Ham & Chutney, Vintage Cheddar and Smoked Trout with Cream Cheese, all served with salad and crisps. Then, it’s on to the obligatory scones, baked fresh and served with rhubarb jam and clotted cream. You will finish your indulgent afternoon tea with an array of creative desserts prepared by Raithwaite Estate’s talented pastry chefs.
Marie Antoinette’s Patisserie
139 Church Street, Whitby YO22 4DE
Marie Antoinette’s is a gorgeous little coffee shop and tea room on Whitby’s iconic Church Street. The independently owned business boasts quirky interiors and serves delightful home-baked treats upon delicate fine china. An elegant yet homely little venue with an abundance of character, it’s in the perfect spot for lunch or afternoon tea in Whitby during a day of sightseeing.
The cakes here are legendary and the cafe does tend to get busy, particularly on weekends. However, if you can get yourself a table, you’ll be delighted with the array of treats served with their charming afternoon tea. Generously filled sandwiches, freshly baked scones, huge slabs of homemade cakes and decadent macarons all combine to make a delicious experience in the heart of this stunning coastal town.
Botham’s of Whitby
35/39 Skinner Street, Whitby YO21 3AH
Botham’s of Whitby was established way back in 1865. Local woman, Elizabeth Botham would sell her freshly baked bread and cakes at the local market until she purchased this location on Skinner Street, which continues to thrive five generations later.
The baked treats at this phenomenally good bakery have become somewhat iconic over the years and one should not visit Whitby without sampling its Lemon Buns, Yorkshire Brack and Chocolate Japonaise ‘Japs’.
In total, Botham’s now has three shops and two tearooms in Whitby, with the original Skinner Street location being the most popular. The upstairs tea room is open from Wednesday to Saturday between 10 am and 3 pm and afternoon teas must be booked in advance by telephoning the venue. Priced at £17.50, it includes a selection of mini rolls with tasty fillings, quiche with a side of coleslaw, freshly baked scones and a beautiful selection of desserts.
Hetty & Betty
7 Baxtergate, Whitby YO21 1BW
Hetty & Betty on Baxtergate is a characterful restaurant and wedding venue with beautiful interiors and a unique ballroom function room. It’s one of the most popular spots of afternoon tea in Whitby, and regularly receives streams of glowing reviews on TripAdvisor. It’s so popular, in fact, that it has been listed in the site’s top 10% of restaurants worldwide!
This lovely town centre restaurant offers an outstanding traditional afternoon tea, featuring all the expected components but, it’s Hetty & Betty’s alternative version which attracts so many hungry diners. Instead of finger sandwiches and petit fours, diners can munch their way through a tiered platter of Fish & Chips with mushy peas and bread and butter. Served Saturday to Thursday from 11 am until 3 pm, it also includes warm scones with jam and cream. Booking in advance is advised due to the immense popularity of the restaurant. Gift vouchers for both afternoon teas are also available to purchase on their website.
White House Inn
Upgang Lane, Whitby YO21 3JJ
White House Inn is a welcoming coastal inn, restaurant and bar overlooking Whitby Golf Club. Less than a mile away from Whitby town centre, it boasts spectacular panoramic views across the coast.
Available daily from 11 am to 4 pm, this afternoon tea in Whitby costs just £25 for two people, which is superb value considering the breathtakingly beautiful location in which it is served. Made using only the finest of locally sourced produce, this sensation Yorkshire afternoon tea comprises an assortment of sandwiches, freshly baked scones with cream and preserves plus a selection of mille-feuille pastries and homemade cakes. Those who prefer something a little stronger than tea and coffee can pay a slightly higher price of £32 per person to include a glass of prosecco each. Booking must be made in advance and pre-payment is required.
W Hamond
112 Church Street Whitby YO22 4DE
If you’ve been to Whitby before, you’ll be family with the W Hamond jewellery boutique on Church Street. The original Whitby jet shop has been trading since 1860 and boasts dazzling window displays of fine, designer and Whitby jet jewellery. However, Whitby’s iconic jeweller is also home to excellent tea rooms, hidden away on its first floor.
W Hamond Tea Rooms opened in 2010 and has since welcomed countless locals and tourists, including a number of well-known faces and top celebrities. Open Monday to Sunday from 9:30 am until 5 pm, it serves menus of delicious breakfasts, lunches, light bites, home-baked treats and, of course, wonderful afternoon teas!
For £16.95 per person, you can tuck into sandwiches, scones and slabs of incredible homemade cakes whilst enjoying the cosy and homely ambience of one of Whutby’s best-loved cafes. Again, this afternoon tea in Whitby is incredibly popular so do book ahead.
As with all our articles of this nature, we’ll be adding to this list as and when we discover, try or are introduced to new businesses. To recommend your favourite afternoon tea in Whitby or request our media kit, please email business@theyorkshirepress.co.uk
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