Looking for afternoon tea in Leeds? Introduced during the 19th century by Anna, the seventh Duchess of Bedford, afternoon tea was a dining concept initially reserved for the upper classes only. In recent years, the late afternoon meal comprising dainty sandwiches and a plethora of dainty cakes has seen a significant surge in popularity. Now, widely available in every town and city across the UK, this late afternoon treat can be enjoyed in a variety of settings including everything from swanky rooftop bars and high-end hotels to vintage village cafes and luxury city centre tea rooms.
Leeds is home to an eclectic array of eateries so it will come as no surprise that there are numerous places offering afternoon tea in Leeds. We’ve put together a list of the best afternoon teas in Leeds to help you decide where to spend your next afternoon of refined indulgence…
Where To Get Afternoon Tea in Leeds…
Grand Pacific, The Queens Hotel
City Square, Leeds LS1 1PJ
Just a stone’s throw from Leeds station is one of Leeds’ most beautiful 4* hotels and one of our very favourite places to enjoy afternoon tea in Leeds. Boasting elegant art deco-style interiors furnished to the highest standard, this stunning city centre hotel provides the perfect ambience for an afternoon of indulgence. The Queens Hotel’s in-house restaurant, Grand Pacific, serves British classics and Asian-inspired dishes so afternoon tea here is slightly different from the traditional sandwich and scone offering.
Available every day 12 pm – 5 pm, the two-course High Teas at Grand Pacific are the perfect fusion of quintessentially English tea time treats and Asian flavours. To begin, you are served a tiered platter of savoury treats including generously filled sandwiches, a Prawn Cocktail Vol au Vent, Duck & Hoisin Sausage Roll, Warm Goat’s Cheese & Hibiscus Tart, Salmon and Tuna Tartare plus more. There’s a vegetarian version available too and this comes with the most delicious Vegetable Spring Rolls.
Once you’ve satisfied those savoury tastebuds, it’s on to the sweet selection. Again, you get three tiers of beautifully presented treats and, although we thoroughly enjoyed every component of the savoury course during our visit, the sweet treats were next level! The homemade scones are served warm so they’re irresistibly crunchy on the outside, the Sherry Trifle is delicately flavoured and as pretty as a picture, the Salted Peanut & Caramel Tart is a tiny taste explosion encased in the most buttery pastry and the chocolate brownies are simply divine!
High Tea at Grand Pacific is priced from £29.50 and you get so much for your money! There’s a great selection of drinks to choose from including some gorgeous Eastern teas but you can also upgrade to pair your plethora of treats with Prosecco, champagne or one of their amazing cocktails.
The Ivy Victoria Quarter
Vicar Lane, Leeds LS1 6BA
The rather iconic British restaurant brand was established in 1917 with a single restaurant in the capital. The opulently decorated eatery quickly became central to London’s social scene and over the years has hosted countless royals, celebrities and international icons. Now, The Ivy boasts numerous restaurants scattered across the UK and Leeds has its very own located in the stunning Victoria Quarter Shopping Arcade. Offering exceptional service, extensive menus of British classics and Asian-inspired dishes and boasting wonderfully Instagrammable interiors, The Ivy is by far one of the most popular places to get afternoon tea in Leeds.
Served Monday to Sunday between 3:00 – 4:45 pm, afternoon tea at The Ivy is a classy but unpretentious affair. Priced from £29.95 per person it’s one of the more traditional offerings on our list, comprising perfectly cut finger sandwiches, fruited scones with English preserves and a number of delicate desserts. You get a choice of teas, infusions and coffees with this one but you can upgrade and pay another £9 per person to include Champagne instead.
The Lost and Found Club
3 Albion Place, Leeds LS1 6JL
A quirky but surprisingly glamourous city centre venue for afternoon tea in Leeds is The Lost and Found Club on Albion Place. Inspired by the wonders and discoveries of the Victorian era, each Lost and Found Club’s interior styling is based upon the adventures of a 19th-century professor. This Leeds venue was inspired by the somewhat mysterious Professor Benedict Pike whose specialism in chemistry is reflected through the venue’s inventive cocktails.
Afternoon tea at The Lost and Found Club is reasonably priced at just £19.95 per person and there are vegan and veggie options too. Served upon traditional tiered porcelain platters, it comprises dainty sandwiches featuring both typically British and continental-inspired fillings, small yet satisfying savouries, scrumptious scones and a duo of decadent desserts.
Sandwich fillings ON The Lost and Found Club’s Indulgent Afternoon Tea menu include the ever-popular smoked salmon with cream cheese and cucumber, a delightful truffle chicken brioche and a fresh and flavoursome tomato, mozzarella and pesto. The included savoury treat is currently a Coronation Chicken Sausage Roll or, for vegans and vegetarians, Sourdough Crostini with Pea Guacamole.
Once the savoury elements have been devoured, the obligatory scones and preserves can be enjoyed before the foodie experience ends with an Espresso Martini Tiramisu and a Chocolate & Praline Torte. If ordering the vegan version, one receives a Coconut & Passion Fruit Rice Pudding Brulee instead of the tiramisu.
Dakota
8 Russell Street, Leeds LS1 5RN
If you’re looking for decadent treats served in a stylish and contemporary setting then consider booking this afternoon tea in Leeds. Dakota, in Leeds city centre, boasts awe-inspiringly glamourous interiors, perfect for that celebratory afternoon tea with friends or family.
Available 12 – 5 pm daily, afternoon tea at Dakota Leeds is priced at £30 per person and includes an immaculately presented assortment of traditional and contemporary treats. Begin with a selection of generously filled sandwiches and savoury delights such as a Crab & Cheddar Scone before working your way through a mesmerising medley of cakes and sweets. The including desserts sound phenomenally good and, if our previous dining experience at Dakota Leeds is anything to go by, we have no doubt they’ll taste divine! Dark Chocolate & Coffee Mille-Feuille and Yuzu & Cherry Meringue Tart? Yes, please!
Those wishing to enjoy their afternoon tea with an alcoholic beverage can pay an additional £20 for two glasses of Taittinger Brut NV or £14 for two Cherry Drinkwell cocktails.
Just Grand! Vintage Tea Room
Just Grand! Vintage Tearooms, 8-9 Grand Arcade, New Briggate, Leeds LS1 6PG
If you’re looking for somewhere a little less formal for afternoon tea in Leeds, then Just Grand! Vintage Tearooms may be for you. You’ll find their quirky tea room in the Victorian Grand Arcade. Although not quite offering the same ambience as a plush hotel or stately home, they certainly won’t disappoint. They’ve combined old-fashioned service, British nostalgia and traditional home baking to provide an afternoon tea experience which is sure to bring back memories of days gone by for many.
Probably one of the most budget-friendly places for afternoon tea in Leeds, Just Grand! offers not one, not two but an astounding seven versions of their afternoon tea! Everyone is catered for here, whether they be a child, follow a vegetarian diet, prefer savoury food to sweet or simply like their food to deliver a spicy kick. Prices start at just £18.95 for adults and £9.95 for children. All the afternoon tea options include a selection of finger sandwiches but vary somewhat in regard to the other components. For example, their Gentleman’s Afternoon Tea comes with beer and lager and includes a cheese scone rather than a sweet one.
Issho
Issho, Victoria Gate, Leeds, West Yorkshire, LS2 7AU
You may not associate Japanese cuisine with afternoon tea, and rightly so. Issho’s offering is an exciting step away from your stereotypical afternoon teas. They have given the British dining concept a unique spin and added some surprising elements which you may not have come across before. Afternoon tea at Leeds’ favourite Japanese fine dining venue is served Friday to Sunday between 12 pm and 2:30 pm. Enjoy their selection of sweet and savoury treats with a choice of teas for £33 pp or upgrade and pay £52 pp to wash it all down with free-flowing fizz.
Instead of the standard sandwiches most commonly associated with afternoon tea, Issho serves a stunning array of their most popular sushi. Tuck into sensation sushi like Spicy Tuna Roll and Salmon Avocado Roll before indulging in a variety of miniature desserts like Matcha Cheesecake and Miso Orange Chocolate Tart. This is one of the more unique afternoon teas in Leeds and a great alternative to the traditional for sushi lovers.
Crafthouse
Crafthouse, Level 5 Trinity Leeds, 70 Boar Lane, Leeds, West Yorkshire, LS1 6HW
You’ll find Crafthouse on the upper floor of Trinity Leeds and it’s uniquely accessible via a scenic lift direct from Boar Lane. This brilliant restaurant pays homage to Leeds’ heritage and culture through outstanding menus of creative dishes. The contemporary fine dining restaurant is beautifully decorated and adorned with lush botanicals, giving it quite a unique vibe for a restaurant located in a busy shopping centre.
This afternoon tea in Leeds is one of the more modern offerings on our list. Created by their talented culinary team, this stunning afternoon tea is so much more than cake and sandwiches. They’ve put an awful lot of thought and creativity into their afternoon tea menu, focusing primarily on showcasing some of the gorgeous flavour creations and exceptional produce their restaurant is best known for.
Available Thursday to Sunday from 12:30 to 2:30 pm, afternoon tea at Crafthouse needs to be booked in advance and is priced from £26 per person. The contemporary menu includes a number of traditionally British components which have been given a modern and delicious revamp plus some more surprising additions inspired by cuisines from around the globe. The Traditional Afternoon Tea comes with tea or coffee but you can upgrade to a Taittinger Afternoon Tea or, even better, make a real celebration of it by booking their Free Flow Prosecco version.
Thorpe Park Hotel
1150 Century Way, Leeds LS15 8ZB
Thorpe Park Hotel is a bit of a drive out of the city centre but this popular hotel and spa resort is an excellent venue for afternoon tea. A popular choice for hen parties and baby showers due to its excellent on-site spa facilities, Thorpe Park Hotel offers a luxurious afternoon tea served in a unique setting. The 4* hotel in Leeds boasts stylish decor throughout but its internal glass-roofed courtyard is simply beautiful. Book afternoon tea at Thorpe Park Hotel and you’ll feel like you have been whisked away to a country retreat far away from the hustle and bustle of metropolitan Leeds.
Afternoon tea at Thorpe Park Hotel is served daily from 12 pm until 5 pm and is priced from £29.95 for adults and £16.95 for children. You get a selection of sandwiches with a variety of scrumptious fillings like Oak Smoked Salmon & Watercress plus an additional savoury treat like a mini Croque Monsieur. The included sweet treats change with the seasons but more often than not, include their delicious ‘Yorkshire Turf Cake’ which is served warm and comes with lashings of jam and cream. We tried their Festive Afternoon Tea in December and everything was really tasty, especially the Lemon Meringue Tartlet and Pot au Chocolat!
Malmaison
1 Swinegate, Leeds LS1 4AG
This 4-star boutique hotel is just a short walk from Leeds station and is in what was once the Leeds City Tramways Office. The vibrant Malmaison hotel is set over five floors and has an excellent on-site restaurant. The super stylish Chez Mal offers daytime and evening dining in a vibrant setting with menus covering breakfast, bottomless brunches, lunch and dinner but it’s the afternoon tea that’s the real winner here.
Malmaison’s version of the quintessentially English afternoon tea is priced from £29.50 per person and includes all manner of sweet and savoury delights. There isn’t a cucumber sandwich to be seen on their tiered platters of deliciousness. Instead, you’re served a Mini Beef Slider, Sticky Thai Beef Wrap, Mini Sausage Roll and a Prawn Cocktail.
When it comes to sweet treats, these guys know how to tempt those tastebuds! Victoria Sponge, a Dark Chocolate & Salted Caramel Tart plus the prettiest Raspberry & White Chocolate Sundae will more than satisfy those with a sweet tooth.
Weetwood Hall
Otley Road, Weetwood, Leeds LS16 5PS
There are few people in Leeds who are not aware of the spectacular Weetwood Hall. It’s a hotel which is a short distance from the city centre and can be easily accessed via the ring road. Although so close to urban surroundings, the Jacobean manor house can be found within nine acres of woodland and gardens.
A visit to their Convive restaurant invites you to partake in their skillfully crafted afternoon tea offering. Their restaurant is modern and has some sensational views on offer. It’s the perfect location for a treat or a romantic afternoon.
Afternoon tea at Weetwood Hall is served daily from 12 pm until 4 pm and is priced from £29.50 per person. Served on their rustic two-tiered wooden platters, it includes delicate finger sandwiches, a couple of savouries like Warm Goat’s Cheese & Tomato Quiche, freshly baked vanilla scones and some unbelievably tasty mini desserts such as a Glazed Lemon Meringue Pie and Chocolate & Raspberry Choux Bun. Yummy!
The Mansion at Roundhay Park
The Mansion, Mansion Lane, Roundhay Park, Leeds, West Yorkshire, LS8 2HH
Roundhay Park has to be one of the best locations in the whole of Leeds. It’s one of the biggest parks in Europe at over 700 acres so it’s a popular spot for families plus it has hosted some pretty epic live music events over the years too. Located within the park is a stunning 1820s Regency Grade II listed building called The Mansion. Restored with help from Leeds City Council, the grand building offers unrivalled views of the park and houses a lovely little eatery named The Garden Room Cafe.
Beautifully presented in copper birdcages, afternoon tea at The Mansion is served between 12 noon and 5 pm and includes all the expected components like finger sandwiches and fruit scones with jam and cream. Of course, the location of this one plays a major factor in its popularity but the produce served is pretty good too. The menu changes regularly but you always get a selection of the most divine homemade cakes and fancies alongside their generously filled sandwiches and other included savoury treats. Being in such a great location, this one is always a hit with mums and a popular venue for that obligatory Mother’s Day Treat. One of the most picturesque places to enjoy afternoon tea in Leeds!
LIVIN’Italy
Granary Wharf, Wharf Approach, Leeds LS1 4BR
This relaxed all-day dining venue and delightful deli serves one of the more alternative afternoon teas in Leeds. LIVIN’Italy serves exceptionally good Italian food in a homely and rustic dining space. Its incredibly popular afternoon tea showcases everything that is brilliant about the Leeds favourite and it is one that should not be missed out on!
For £25 per person, you can indulge in a dreamy afternoon tea with an incredible Italian twist! Forget the finger sandwiches; this one begins with scrumptious savouries like Mini Arancini Carbonara, Mini Margherita Pizzas, Short Rib Beef Sliders and ends with three insanely good Italian desserts including a Mini Tiramisu.
If the including prosecco doesn’t tickle your fancy, you can add 2 x Aperol Spritz each for just £8.00 per person If you fancy a bit of both, you can add an Aperol Spritz tree to your afternoon tea for £27.95.
Sky Lounge
Granary Wharf, Leeds LS1 4BR
Housed on the top floor of the Double Tree by Hilton on Granary Wharf, Sky Lounge serves afternoon tea with spectacular views of the city! The floor-to-ceiling windows of this luxury hotel bar and lounge allow diners to see Leeds from a whole new perspective.
Afternoon tea at this unique city centre dining spot costs £29.95 per person and it’s available Thursday to Sunday until 5 pm. Diners can expect a small selection of freshly prepared sandwiches, wraps and ciabattas with tasty fillings such as Ham & Mustard Mayonnaise, BBQ Pulled Chicken and Prawn & Avocado. Sweet treats include Banana Tea Bread, Chocolate Opera Cake and Tart au Citron. Of course, the obligatory scones with jam and cream are also included.
Alcohol upgrades are also available with this afternoon tea in Leeds. Add a glass of prosecco to your afternoon tea at Sky Lounge for £5 pp, a glass of Moët & Chandon Champagne for £10 or opt for 90 minutes of free-flowing prosecco for £15.
We’re always looking for new places to try so if your favourite spot for afternoon tea in Leeds isn’t featured on our list, just get in touch and let us know so we can check it out! To make a recommendation, discuss collaborations or request our media kit, email: business@theyorkshirepress.co.uk
You Might Also Like…
Quirky Afternoon Teas in Yorkshire
Afternoon Tea in The Yorkshire Dales
