Afternoon tea, it’s a quintessentially English tradition and there’s nothing more pleasant than spending a couple of hours indulging in dainty bites, gallons of tea and the occasional glass of bubbly! We give you 5 of the best places to indulge in scones, sandwiches and drinking, tea of course.
Fortnum & Mason
For an afternoon tea that’s fit for the Queen, look no further than Fortnum’s – well, they have been selling tea for more than 300 years! While the famous tea blends they’ve perfected is reason enough to stop in, there are also three tiers of the best scones and clotted cream and jam ever, totally delicious tea-cakes, crumpets, perfectly cut crustless mini sandwiches. It’s all very elegant and the views over the Dubai Fountain and Burj Khalifa from the terrace is divine. Served daily. Call 04-3882627.
The Lounge, Address Boulevard
Think charming welcome drinks, mini fruit tarts and a beautiful chest of drawers filled with four layers of decadent goodness. In the first layer you can find edible plastic wrapped sweets and chocolate caviar, the second and third layer comprises of some tasty sandwiches like salmon and beef bresaola’s and burrata lovers can tuck into the mini version of this cream cheese. As with any traditional tea there’s freshly baked scones and jams all washed down with soothing herbal teas and coffees. Available daily from 2.30pm to 6.30pm, priced at Dhs 140 per person or Dhs 195 including glass of bubbly. Call 04-5618888.
Fairmont The Palm
The Mashrabiya Lounge afternoon tea offers dainty finger sandwiches, delicate scones with luxurious clotted cream and a selection of bite sized desserts served with that Fairmont flair. There’s a wide variety of tea from Japan, Sri Lanka and China. When the weather is cool enough choose to sit al fresco, and enjoy beautiful views of the Arabian Gulf and Dubai Marina skyline. Served daily from 12pm to 6pm, priced at Dhs 145 per person or Dhs 240 per person with one glass of Prosecco. Call 04-4573457.
Rhodes W1, Grosvenor House
If there’s one thing the Brits do a lot of its drink tea! So, a visit to British Chef Gary Rhodes’ British restaurant is the perfect place to indulge in a traditional tea. The dainty spread includes Gary’s own interpretation of the traditional, from quail’s egg mayonnaise with cress finger sandwiches and Shepherd’s Pie fritters with mint yoghurt to warm crumpets with fresh raspberries and scones with strawberry jam and clotted cream. Served from Wednesday to Saturday 2.30pm to 5pm, prioced at Dhs 195 for the classic afternoon tea with soft and hot drinks or Dhs 340 for the Laurent Perrier afternoon tea which includes a glass of bubbles. Call 04-3176000.
Anantara The Palm Dubai Resort
For a sumptuous three-tier afternoon high tea blended with signature Thai hospitality check out The Lotus Lounge. Sit back and relax with a selection of aromatic teas and coffees accompanied by delicious sandwiches, clotted cream scones and a mouth-watering selection of other sweet treats. All served up with stunning views! Available from Saturday to Thursday from 2pm to 5pm, priced at Dhs 145 per person including tea and coffee or Dhs 240 per person including tea, coffee and unlimited bubbles. Call 04-5678304.