13 perfect places for afternoon tea in Dublin

For a traditional, old-school Dublin experience, book yourself into Bewleys on Grafton Street for their afternoon tea. This is a timeless spot and having proudly served Dubliners tea, coffee and treats for close to a century, they know what they’re doing. Tuck into a tower of sandwiches and scones with a pot of their signature tea, or better yet, upgrade to have a glass of bubbles. All the while, you can indulge in a spot of people watching and soak up the history that fills this space.

Why go? Enjoy a few cocktails in the name of afternoon tea. Part club, part restaurant, but mainly a hangout for beautiful people, House’s proposition is loosey-goosey enough to throw in an afternoon tea without raising eyebrows. With chilled-out beats on the sound system, the vibe lends itself to one of their specially-concocted afternoon tea cocktails. Try the Bramble, made with gin and blackberry liqueur, to get the tea party started.

Price: Mid-range

Why go? Because mini-food tastes so much better than normal food. Within the calming surrounds of the Chester Beatty Library, the Silk Road Café’s afternoon tea is traditional in portion size only. Forget egg sandwiches and dig in to globally-inspired bite-sized treats like stuffed aubergines, chicken paella pots, and honey and lavender mousse, with halal, veggie and celiac alternatives available. Served on gingham tables with mismatched crockery, it’s cuteness overload.

Price: Budget

Why go? Afternoon tea is given a healthy-ish – but no less delicious – twist at Póg. In their busy Tara Street branch, their vegan menu forgoes the sandwich/scone combo for dainty portions of vegan burger, sourdough toast topped with avo, beetroot hummus, vegan cheesecake and banoffee pie. It’s all served with unlimited coffee or tea – including premium drinks like the charcoal latte and matcha tea. That makes their Prosecco add-on seem quite reasonable.

Price: Budget

Why go? For the airy, light-filled setting and inventive afternoon treats. Good weather is rare in Dublin, so make the most of it from the Atrium Lounge in the Westin Hotel, where afternoon tea is served with views of the sky above. But it’s not easy to take your eyes off the table; there are delicate finger sandwiches, cuts of moist cake and a bright array of tempting sweets decorated with edible flowers.

Price: High-end

Whether you’re planning an overdue catch-up with pals, a baby shower or a rather wholesome hen party, Pink is the ultimate destination for ‘afternoon tea with the girlies’. The interiors are Barbie Dreamhouse-inspired while the food offering includes sweet and savoury options –  with cacio e pepe arancini sitting alongside traditional scones and tarts. Sure, it might be a bit of a gimmick, but it’s a fun one. Supplement with a glass of fizz and you’re onto a winner. 

Why go? For five-star elegance in a relaxed setting, veer off Grafton Street to find The Westbury, offering all the fanciness without the formality. Tea is served in its bright first-floor lounge, and it’s so huge that staff are usually happy to leave guests to catch up, leaf through magazines or people-watch for hours on end. Most importantly, they have an actual Champagne trolley.

Price: Blowout

Why go? Get your posh on at this history-drenched five-star hotel. You’ll feel richer just by taking a plush velvet seat in the busy Lord Mayor’s Lounge alongside old-moneyed elders and affluent residents. The Shelbourne’s elegant afternoon treats are mostly traditional but Irish twists – like the whiskey-cured salmon with Guinness bread – give the British version a run for its money.

Price: Blowout

Why go? The Art Tea is almost too beautiful to eat. Almost. The precision-cut sandwiches and crumbly scones with homemade lemon curd and raspberry jam are impressive, but it’s the sweet course that’ll have you furiously Instagramming. It’s inspired by some of the 90 pieces of artwork around Dublin’s most formal hotel, making the Art Tea a feast for the eyes and the tastebuds.

Price: Blowout

Why go? Fuss-free afternoon tea, made with love. Tucked away down a back lane behind a stationery shop, the Cake Café is a dinky gem of a bohemian bakery. Their afternoon tea offers a mini-selection board of the day’s sandwiches and cakes, served with a glass of prosecco and a hot drink. To add to the Irishness, it might well come with soup. Because why not.

Price: Budget