So, whether you’re after a fancy afternoon tea with panoramic views or a quirky punk-themed affair, there’s something here for everyone. Check out our guide to the very best afternoon tea offerings in Liverpool.
1. Panoramic 34
Panoramic 34, 34th Floor, West Tower, Brook Street, L3 9PJ
Fancy taking your afternoon tea in Liverpool up a few levels? How about 90 metres up to one of the UK’s highest restaurants, Panoramic 34? And it’s not just the view that you need to look out for!
Located on the 34th floor of West Tower on Brook Street and not far from the Royal Albert Dock, Panoramic 34, has a posh afternoon tea menu. The restaurant offers delicious, elevated versions of the classic sandwiches such as pastrami, gouda, pickle and mustard buns and egg mayonnaise and chives served in focaccia bread.
As well as unrivalled views of the city, Panoramic 34 serves up scones, cherry macarons and dark chocolate citrus cheesecakes. This luxurious menu is priced at £45 per person, which also includes cocktails.
2. Cuthbert’s Bakehouse
Cuthbert’s Bakehouse, 103 Mount Pleasant, L3 5TB
Gluten-free? Vegetarian? Vegan? No problem, Cuthbert’s Bakehouse has got you covered. This restaurant, close to the University of Liverpool, offers an afternoon tea menu to suit your specific dietary requirements.
Vegans can enjoy a colourful sandwich selection which includes a roast vegetable, hummus and rocket wrap and a teriyaki sesame jackfruit & pickled sub. As for gluten-free folks and veggies, they can enjoy a slice of lemon drizzle cake and Sacher torte with their afternoon tea.
The traditionally decorated Cuthbert’s Bakehouse even offers a New Yorker version complete with mini-subs, hot dogs, cheesecakes, Nutella cream-filled cannoli, blondies and brownies. At £27 per person, and an extra £5 for a glass of bubbly, it’s a price not to be sniffed at.
3. Oh Me Oh My
Oh Me Oh My, West Africa House, 25 Water Street, L2 0RG
Established in 2013, Oh Me Oh My is the place for a classy afternoon tea in Liverpool. With its jazzy soundtrack, it gives the restaurant a Parisian café vibe. Their afternoon spread is classical, with a few French twists, such as rhubarb and custard brûlée, pistachio macarons, and a hazelnut and milk chocolate mille-feuille to rival local baking legend, Paul Hollywood.
These are served alongside finger sandwiches and a savoury parmesan and herb scone. If you fancy afternoon tea al fresco, Oh Me Oh My even has a rooftop garden where you can sip your tea from. Plus, the spot offers themed afternoon teas, such as Disco Afternoon Tea or Back To The 80s.
Special occasion? Oh Me Oh My offers ‘Secret Sessions’ on the weekends for you to celebrate with friends and family, which includes an afternoon tea accompanied by live acoustic music. Afternoon tea starts from £26.95 per person, which can be upgraded to include champagne or a cocktail.
4. Hard Day’s Night Hotel
Hard Day Night’s Hotel, Central Buildings, North John Street, L2 6RR
If you’ve been working like a dog then you best head to the Hard Day’s Night Hotel for a cuppa. You may have visited The Cavern, but have you been for a Beatles-themed afternoon tea?
Apparently, the band mentions tea over a dozen times in their songs, therefore all the more the reason to drink one. At Hard Day’s Night Hotel you can enjoy a ‘Traditional’ or ‘Sgt. Pepper’s’ afternoon tea, the latter allows you to take your pick from a range of bubbles from bottomless prosecco to boujee AF Veuve Clicquot Rosé for an extra fee.
The hotel also has a vast selection of teas to choose from, as well as eight different flavours of hot chocolate, such as crème brûlée or praline white hot chocolate. The menu also includes Beatles-inspired cocktails such as Cherry Lane and Honey Can’t Buy Me Love. The afternoon tea starts at £19.95.
5. The Art School
The Art School Restaurant, 1 Sugnall Street, L7 7EB
Down below The Art School, you’ll find The Cellars, but it’s anything from dingy- after all, it’s where the restaurant’s luxurious afternoon tea is served. Presented on a stainless steel Ferris-wheel stand, the sandwiches and sweets are homemade in The Art School kitchen with the same level of love as their refined tasting menu.
You’ll find sophisticated sarnies here with the likes of cold-smoked trout and Atlantic prawns bound in a lemon, chive, heirloom tomato & mascarpone cream on Art School rye bread. The desserts on the afternoon tea stand are also exquisite featuring Guanaja chocolate and cherry torte with Amaretto mascarpone; lemon curd & matcha chantilly choux bun.
Plus, an Art School buttermilk & cherry scone with clotted cream and red berry jam made in-house. The restaurant offers three levels of afternoon tea- Standard, Prosecco, and Champagne – each of which is suitable for many different occasions.
6. Mrs Blodget’s
Mrs Blodget’s Guest House, 151-155 Duke Street, L1 4JR
This historic guest house recently reopened its doors on Liverpool’s Duke Street and with it brings plenty of elegance, boutique rooms and an impressive cocktail menu. Here, the teatime classic used to be served with a side of saké at this guest house but has now been given a sprinkle of curiosity and amazement.
Mrs Blodget’s boasts a wonderfully whimsical and tipsy afternoon tea featuring dainty and colourful petit fours hidden behind a miniature cabinet and a small gust of smoke. As well as these tasty sweet treats, the afternoon tea also comes with a choice of sharer cocktail served in a teapot, giving boozy Alice in Wonderland vibes.
7. Sefton Park Palm House
The Palm House, Sefton Park, L17 1AP
During the summer months, The Palm House in Sefton Park is putting on an afternoon tea in paradise as guests get closer to nature by being surrounded by botanicals whilst they nibble on sandwiches and cake.
The classic Palm House afternoon tea consists of a selection of freshly made sandwiches with a variety of fillings such as roast beef & horseradish; egg & cress mayonnaise; roast ham & wholegrain mustard; and cucumber & dill, mini smoked salmon bagels.
You can also upgrade in order to add a glass of prosecco for you sip on as you take in the tropical wonders within The Palm House.
8. Dash
Dash, 15 Victoria Street, L2 5QS
Fancy some sophistication with a dash (get it?) of Asian inspiration with your afternoon tea? This restaurant and bar on Victoria Street serves up a sensational savoury selection which includes a lobster roll with kimchi mayo, spring onions and tobiko caviar in an all-butter brioche.
Plus, a smoked salmon sushi nori with crushed avocado, yuzu cream cheese and caviar to get your chops around. And the cakes do not disappoint either with the likes of a pornstar martini tart filled with citrus vodka, passionfruit and prosecco jelly and a cherry blossom choux bun.
You can enjoy all of this delectable food with a wide selection of drinks from classic breakfast tea to more exotic ones like jasmine silver needle or tangerine sorbet, as well as mouthwatering cocktails that take your afternoon tea up a notch or two.