Liverpool, it’s a city with a history perhaps most often thought of as being at the centre of the rock n’roll era of the 1960s which was of course fronted by The Beatles. Or maybe you associate it more with its fierce football rivalry. Whatever springs to mind, Liverpool's past doesn’t mean that you can’t still enjoy the finer things in this Merseyside city. Here at SquareMeal, one of our favourite things to do in a city when we want to kick back and treat ourselves a bit is to go for afternoon tea.
Much to our delight, there are plenty of fantastic spots to go for afternoon tea in Liverpool, all very different and all a huge amount of fun. However, when it comes to picking an afternoon tea, there are lots of different things to consider depending on what is important for you. Do you want a classic afternoon tea served on beautiful china? Maybe you’re looking for something a bit different from the regular sandwiches and scones. Perhaps you want to be able to have a glass or two of bubbles on the side. Or maybe the food and drink is secondary and you care more about the atmosphere and setting.
All of these are very legitimate stances on a very serious debate but don’t necessarily make it any easier to find the right spot to indulge in an afternoon tea. Liverpool, in particular, is a city with a lot of different parts to it, all of which have a number of fantastic bars, restaurants, and hotels serving afternoon tea. But just because a hotel is fancy doesn’t mean its afternoon tea is the best and you can often get a better experience for a lower price elsewhere. So below we have tried to take everything into account to come up with a list of Liverpool’s best afternoon teas - enjoy.
60 Hope Street
Why: If you’re looking for a classic afternoon tea, then you’ll struggle to find many better than 60 Hope Street’s offering. Based in a gorgeous Georgian townhouse just outside the busy centre of Liverpool, this smart restaurant serves an afternoon tea featuring a selection of fluffy sandwiches, scones topped with cream and fresh berries, and then miniature home-made cakes and macarons to finish. You also have the choice to upgrade to bubbles on the side or even a gin flight.
Where: 60 Hope Street, L1 9BZ
When: Every day from 12pm to 4pm
Price: £19.95 for standard afternoon tea, £26 with bubbles, £32.95 with gin flight
Panoramic 34
Why: If it’s a view you’re looking for then Panoramic 34 might be the afternoon tea for you. At 90 metres up, Panoramic 34 is one of the highest restaurants in the UK and it has an impressive afternoon tea on offer to match the stunning views of Liverpool. With the choice to have either a luxury afternoon tea (with a glass of bubbles) or a standard, expect sandwiches including beef pastrami and sauerkraut and delicious pastries such as a chocolate and caramel tart. Panoramic 34 also offer a separate afternoon tea for children.
Where: 34th Floor, West Tower, Brook St, L3 9PJ
When: Every day from 12pm to 5pm
Price: £25 standard afternoon tea, £35 for luxury, £12.50 for children's
Hard Day's Night Hotel
Why: Okay, so we had to include at least one Beatles-themed afternoon tea on the list as you can't go to Liverpool and not do anything to do with the fab four. The Hard Day's Night Hotel is (as you have probably guessed) all about the Beatles and is an incredibly fun option for afternoon tea. Go for either a classic, or a Sgt. Pepper’s afternoon tea which comes with a glass of prosecco or Champagne depending on how fancy you’re feeling. Oh, and expect Beatles memorabilia on every wall!
Where: Central Buildings, North John Street, L2 6RR
When: Every day 12pm to 6pm
Price: £14.95 for standard, £20.90 for Sgt. Pepper's with Champagne, Monday-Thursday £22 for two people
Alma De Cuba
Why: The samba afternoon tea at Alma De Cuba is as much about the fantastic entertainment on show as the tea. Whilst you eat and drink, prepare to be wowed by an amazing performance from the samba dancers and you can even get up and join them if you aren’t too full of cake. The food on offer has a twist, with sandwiches featuring fillings like Mediterranean vegetables and baba ganoush, as well as smoked salmon with lime and chilli crème fraiche.
Where: St Peters' Church, Seel Street, L1 4BH
When: Every Saturday 2pm to 4pm
Price: £24.95
Bastion Bar at The Shankly Hotel
Why: If cute presentation does it for you then the afternoon tea served at the Shankly Hotel’s Bastion Bar might be the perfect spot. Served on a mini wooden picnic bench, the classic afternoon tea features finger sandwiches such as a chicken Caesar salad wrap, and a ham and mustard croissant. The top level of the picnic table is stuffed full of scones and cakes and all can be enjoyed alongside a glass of bubbly if you so wish. The Bastion Bar also additionally offers a constantly changing themed afternoon tea.
Where: Millennium house, 60 Victoria Street, L1 6JD
When: Every day from 1:30pm
Price: £19.95 for classic, £24.95 with a glass of fizz
Oh Me Oh My
Why: A fairly recent addition to the Liverpool afternoon tea scene, Oh Me Oh My opened in 2013 predominantly as a wedding and events venue. However, head downstairs to its little café and you will be treated to a brilliant classic afternoon tea, all in a beautifully relaxed atmosphere. Sandwiches might include lemon and thyme roast chicken, and a ham hock and cheddar croque, whereas sweets include a wonderful honey and blueberry cake to be enjoyed alongside a glass of Prosecco, champagne or a cocktail if you so wish.
Where: West Africa House, 25 Water Street, L2 ORG
When: Monday to Friday, 12pm to 2:30pm
Price: £18.95 for standard, £23.95 with Prosecco, £26.50 with a cocktail or Champagne
Cuthbert's Bakehouse
Why: There are options galore on offer over at Cuthbert’s Bakehouse on Mount Pleasant when it comes to afternoon tea. As well as a classic afternoon tea, there is also a vegan, a vegetarian, a gluten-free, a children’s and even a brunch ‘afternoon’ tea meaning that everyone is catered for. Our favourite however is its ‘New Yorker’ afternoon tea which includes miniature hot dogs, cheese burgers and Reubens, as well as red velvet cupcakes and New York baked cheesecake. Even traditionalists out there can’t deny that sounds amazing!
Where: 103 Mount Pleasant, L3 5TB
When: Monday to Friday 2pm to 4:30pm, check website for set sitting times at weekends
Price: £18 for classic afternoon tea, £10 for children, £21 for the 'New Yorker', £20 for brunch tea
Stanley's Bar & Grill at the Titanic Hotel
Why: For a waterside afternoon tea in Liverpool look no further than Stanley’s Bar & Grill in the hugely impressive Titanic hotel situated right on the Liverpool docks. Its classic afternoon tea combines stunning waterfront views, with a selection of finger sandwiches, followed by freshly baked scones and finally amazing sweet treats such as gin and tonic macaroons and praline choux buns. Choose to have it alongside either a speciality tea served in vintage china, or a glass of bubbles if you’d prefer.
Where: Stanley Dock, Regent Road, L3 0AN
When: Monday to Friday, 2pm to 5pm. Weekends 1pm-5pm
Price: £23 for classic afternoon tea, £27 with Prosecco, £32 with Champagne
NYL at the Aloft Hotel
Why: For what we think is one of the best value afternoon teas in Liverpool, head over to NYL Restaurant and Bar at Liverpool’s Aloft Hotel. As the name might suggest, it’s another New York-style afternoon tea on offer here but with a few playful takes on the classics. The first tier of the afternoon tea might include savouries such as a smoked salmon and cream cheese bagel, and a BBQ pulled pork slider. The second tier contains, amongst other things, a sweet take on a hot dog featuring a dark chocolate rolled ganache inside a brioche bun.
Where: 1 North John Street, L2 5QW
When: Wednesday to Sunday, 12pm to 5pm
Price: £17.50 for standard afternoon tea, £22 with a cocktail, £25 with Champagne
The Art School
Why: As if Paul Askew’s restaurant The Art School needed any more acclaim, it also serves one of Liverpool’s finest afternoon teas in its underground area The Cellars. Served on an elegant stainless steel Ferris wheel stand, the afternoon tea features some rather posh takes on traditional sandwiches such as a Loch Duart poached salmon creation with dill creme fraiche, cucumber and Keta caviar on rye bread. As well as freshly baked scones, sweet options include Earl Grey macarons. You have the choice to enjoy your afternoon feast with coffee or tea, Prosecco, or Champagne.
Where: 1 Sugnall Street, L7 7EB
When: Tuesday to Saturday, 2pm to 4pm
Price: £20 for standard afternoon tea, £25 with Prosecco, £32 with Champagne
Fancy going for afternoon tea in London? Check out our list of the best afternoon teas in London.