Afternoon tea has come a long way since the 19th century. What was once a snack eaten by famished ladies-in-waiting is now a quintessentially British pastime, with the upcoming Afternoon Tea Week (8th—14th August) a celebration of all things jam, cream and cake.
But whilst the UK is home to many traditional teas, we’ve turned to our global hubs in search of something a bit more unusual. Transatlantic tea, perhaps? Or how about tea paired with cigars – or with under-the-radar wines? Below, we’ve compiled an edit of ten teas with a twist in London, Dubai, New York, and Hong Kong.
London
American-inspired Tea At The Beaumont
8 Balderton Street, W1K 6TF
Enjoy the best of both sides of the pond with the Beaumont’s transatlantic tea. The twist? Typical British flavours have been swapped for American alternatives: chicken sandwiches are Caesar and not coronation, Victoria sponge makes way for vanilla cheesecake, and a delicate macaron borrows flavours from the Chicago-born Snickers. The newly refurbished Gatsby Lounge is an opulent place to tuck into it, too. A live pianist tinkles away in the corner whilst an eclectic array of portraits watches you squabble over whether it’s jam, cream, or New York blackout cake first…
![The Beaumont afternoon tea selection](https://quintessentially.com/assets/noted/The-Beaumont_Afternoon-Tea_-Credit_-Cristian-Barnett2-min_2022-08-04-075205_eamm.jpg)
![The Beaumont afternoon tea selection](https://quintessentially.com/assets/noted/The-Beaumont_Afternoon-Tea_-Credit_-Cristian-Barnett2-min_2022-08-04-075217_zexq.jpg)
The Beaumont
Jurassic Afternoon Tea At The Ampersand Hotel
10 Harrington Road, SW7 3ER
After five years touring the UK, Dippy the Diplodocus has returned to the Natural History Museum, a comeback that inspired The Ampersand Hotel’s Jurassic-themed tea. Launching on 8th August, the quirky affair includes a raspberry and lemon volcano, chocolate dinosaur nest, and macaron imprinted with a T-Rex footprint. For children, the tea is arranged atop a lurid green dinosaur, whilst adults can choose from a selection of on-theme cocktails. We’re eyeing the Dino Sour – a tropical gin, white wine, and pineapple mix served in a dinosaur egg cup.
![The Ampersand Jurassic afternoon tea selection](https://quintessentially.com/assets/noted/The-Ampersand_Jurassic-AT-01-min.jpg)
![The Ampersand Jurassic afternoon tea selection](https://quintessentially.com/assets/noted/The-Ampersand_Jurassic-AT_kids-03-min.jpg)
The Ampersand
Winemakers’ Afternoon Tea At 28°–50°
15–17 Marylebone Lane, W1U 2NE
There’s no tea to be found at this Marylebone bar, but there are many under-the-radar wines from female vintners. Accordingly, its afternoon tea is all about wine. Expert sommeliers guide guests through five rare tipples paired with miniature versions of 28°–50°’s European dishes; think salmon ceviche, chocolate madeleines, and truffle arancini. You’ll leave filled with female-produced wines from Austria, Spain and Sicily – and perhaps with a new favourite winemaker, too.
![Luxury bar interior with pink bar stools](https://quintessentially.com/assets/noted/28-50-Marylebone-interiors.jpg)
![Luxury bar interior with pink bar stools](https://quintessentially.com/assets/noted/28-50-Marylebone-interiors_2022-08-04-075528_crkl.jpg)
28-50
Cigars and Afternoon Tea At Aquavit London
1 St James’s Market, SW1 4QQ
You might not expect a Nordic restaurant to serve an afternoon tea, but you also might not expect an afternoon tea to have a cigar course. Enter: Aquavit’s cigar afternoon tea. It begins with a sommelier-guided tasting of a Perdomo 10th Anniversary Maduro; the caramel notes pair perfectly with Aquavit’s chosen Darjeeling tea. To eat, you’ll be let loose on a Scandi-inspired spread of shrimp-topped open sandwiches, homemade pastries, and scones with cloudberry jam. Available 8th–14th August only.
![Exterior white building of Aquavit London](https://quintessentially.com/assets/noted/Exteriors-Aquavit-London.webp)
![Exterior white building of Aquavit London](https://quintessentially.com/assets/noted/Exteriors-Aquavit-London_2023-02-27-173230_puet.webp)
Aquavit London
Afternoon Sea At Seabird
14th Floor, South Bank, SE1 8NY
Afternoon tea might seem out of place at a seafood restaurant, so Seabird has swapped it for ‘afternoon sea’: three towering tiers of shellfish platters. The almost intimidating selection includes 10 chef-selected oysters and half a lobster alongside razor clams, scallops, crab legs and langoustines… You’ll need to order it 48 hours in advance, and whilst you’re at it, ask for a pre-dinner reservation on the cocktail terrace; the views over the Houses of Parliament and The Shard are unbeatable.
![Seabird Terrace seating area at the Hoxton hotel](https://quintessentially.com/assets/noted/Seabird-Terrace-at-the-Hoxton-hotel-1.jpg)
Seabird The Hoxton Hotel
Prêt-à-Portea At The Berkeley
Wilton Place, SW1X 7RL
Afternoon tea is often a high-fashion affair, but none more so than at The Berkeley. Its Prêt-à-Portea is an edible edit of SS22 catwalks from around the globe, with guests tucking into Oscar de la Renta’s orange gown (apricot bavarois and meringue), a Gucci pink tuxedo crafted out of vanilla mousse and rosy icing, and a Michael Kors handbag rendered from Victoria sponge. Plus, it’s presented on Wedgewood fine-bone China: dressing up never tasted – or looked – so good.
![Pret a portea at The Berkeley](https://quintessentially.com/assets/noted/Pret-a-portea-at-The-Berkeley.jpg)
![Pret a portea at The Berkeley](https://quintessentially.com/assets/noted/Pret-a-portea-at-The-Berkeley_2022-08-04-075833_pgac.jpg)
The Berkeley
New York
Asian-American Tea At Kitsby
186 Grand Street, NY 11211
Afternoon tea is often nostalgic, but none more so than that at Kitsby. The family-run bakery recently launched its Asian-American-inspired tea, which draws on flavours familiar to those who grew up in this diaspora. It features ten homemade treats, including a salted egg scone, five-spice shortbread and matcha almond bar. If that wasn’t enough, you could also choose one bigger entrée – and you should absolutely make it the gently spiced Thai tea lava cake.
![Afternoon tea served in wooden tray at Kitsby](https://quintessentially.com/assets/noted/Afternoon-tea-Kitsby-1.jpg)
![Afternoon tea served in wooden tray at Kitsby](https://quintessentially.com/assets/noted/Afternoon-Tea-Kitsby-2.jpg)
Kitsby
Chocolate Afternoon Tea At Mariebelle
484 Broome Street, NY 10013
You smell Mariebelle before you see it. The sumptuously decorated chocolate shop is choc-full of bars, truffles and cakes, plus the odd feather boa for added flamboyance. Follow your nose to the Cacao Bar for afternoon tea on a marble-topped table. There’s a distinct theme; it starts with a shot of iced hot chocolate, flavoured teas include chocolate rose, and the final round is an indulgent chocolate fondue. To balance all that sugar, there’s also a good selection of toasted sandwiches, walnut salad, and a daily-changing soup.
![Cacao interior bar at Mariebelle Soho](https://quintessentially.com/assets/noted/Cacao-Bar-at-Mariebelle-Soho_2022-08-04-081245_ujex.jpg)
![Afternoon tea at Mariebelle Soho](https://quintessentially.com/assets/noted/Afternoon-tea-at-Mariebelle-Soho_2022-08-04-081308_phbf.jpg)
Mariebelle Soho
Dubai
Afternoon Tea On An Abra
Jumeirah Al Qasr, Madinat Jumeirah
Dubai has no shortage of sky-high teas, but take your tea to the sea for something more private. Every day from 4pm, a made-for-two abra departs along the Madinat Jumeirah waterways laden with all manner of Arabian-inspired treats. Expect hummus sandwiches, mango saffron macarons, plenty of pistachios, and a discreet waiter who will top up your tea – or champagne – whilst you ebb along the canals.
![Afternoon tea served on a boat, on an Abra Dubai](https://quintessentially.com/assets/noted/Afternoon-tea-on-an-Abra-Dubai.jpg)
![Afternoon tea served on a boat, on an Abra Dubai](https://quintessentially.com/assets/noted/Afternoon-tea-on-an-Abra-Dubai-Mob.jpg)
Abra Dubai
Hong Kong
Bobo Afternoon Tea At The Ritz-Carlton
International Commerce Centre, 1 Austin Road West
This panda-inspired tea is also Hong Kong’s highest. Created in partnership with luxury jeweller Qeelin, the ‘Bobo Gastronomy Journey’ takes place on the 103rd floor of the Ritz-Carlton Hotel as a window seat to garner the best views of the harbour. Savouries nod to Asian flavours – such as sesame balls with barbecue pork – and scones have been skipped in favour of pink guava choux, red bean tarts and lemon black tea verrine.
![Luxury afternoon tea served on a sculpture in Hong Kong Ritz Carlton High Tea Calvin Wood with a view](https://quintessentially.com/assets/noted/Hong-Kong-Ritz-Carlton-High-Tea-Calvin-Wood-1_2022-08-04-080058_ooxr.jpg)
![Luxury afternoon tea served on a sculpture in Hong Kong Ritz Carlton High Tea Calvin Wood with a view](https://quintessentially.com/assets/noted/Hong-Kong-Ritz-Carlton-High-Tea-Calvin-Wood-1_2022-08-04-080105_fbao.jpg)
The Ritz-Carlton
To book an afternoon tea, please contact your lifestyle manager.