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Dublin, Ireland, has myriad pubs, clubs, and restaurants to explore. But many of the Irish capital’s most luxurious hotels also offer a delicious alternative: a traditional afternoon tea experience. And let’s face it, celebrating with friends or family over tea and cake in a historic hotel with 5-star service is undoubtedly one of life’s greatest pleasures.
Some of the best Dublin hotel afternoon tea experiences feature fine linen tablecloths, elegant china, and a table loaded with succulent savoury finger food, homemade scones and clotted cream, and petit fours. Add to the mix a selection of loose-leaf premium teas, quality coffee, or a bottle of champagne or sparkling wine, and you have all the ingredients for a memorable gustatory experience.
Here are some of the best hotel afternoon teas in Dublin to look forward to.
The Best Hotel Afternoon Teas in Dublin
Fitzpatrick Castle Hotel
Treat yourself to a truly luxurious Dublin afternoon tea at the Fitzpatrick Castle Hotel. Located near the Dublin seaside suburb of Dun Laoghaire and Dalkey, this historic hotel at the edge of Killiney Hill Park harkens back to a more refined age of ‘Old World’ elegance.
Dress up for a fabulous afternoon tea served in the library cocktail bar. Imagine high ceilings, chandeliers, and velvet seating as the backdrop to hot scones, homemade clotted cream, a selection of savoury finger options, muffins, meringues, strawberries, and more.
Accompanied by a wide range of teas and coffee, you may want to indulge in a quality Champagne toast. If celebrations extend until the evening, pop next door to either the Mapas or PJs restaurants. Extend your enchanting visit by booking an overnight stay in the luxurious 18th-century regal bridal suite or a classic sea-view room with a private balcony.
LuxuryEurope Recommends: For further details including rates and to make reservations, visit Fitzpatrick Castle Hotel
The Davenport Hotel
Centrally located near Temple Bar by Merrion Square and Trinity College, The Davenport Hotel is housed in a historic Georgian building and is considered to be one of the best hotels in Dublin.
The perfect venue for a delicious Dublin afternoon tea, The Davenport offers guests a smorgasbord of traditional favourites with a modern twist, thanks to the imagination of the resident pastry chef. From savoury finger sandwiches to delicately crafted pastries, petit fours, and amuse bouches, this is afternoon tea par excellence. The Irish and international menus also served in the Lady Jane Restaurant offer guests a selection of breakfast, lunch, and dinner.
Guest rooms here are beautifully appointed with smart TVs, fast Wi-Fi, and a calming colour scheme. Choose the 1-bedroom suite with its separate living area, Nespresso machine, and access to the Executive Lounge.
LuxuryEurope Recommends: For further details including rates and to make reservations, visit The Davenport Hotel
The Morrison Dublin
This 4-star boutique hotel in central Dublin enjoys a beautiful location by the River Liffey, just a short walk across the Millennium Bridge from the attractions at Temple Bar. As well as serving food in its Morrison Grill and Quay 14restaurant and cocktail bar, The Morrison offers guests a choice of four fabulous afternoon teas.
In addition to the wheat-free and vegan options, there’s a ‘Fancy Pants Afternoon Tea’ with a variety of finger sandwiches, including chicken, goat’s cheese, and smoked salmon, and the sweetest chocolate, strawberry, and cake-inspired desserts. Afternoon tea in Dublin isn’t just for the girls either. Guys can book the Gentleman’s Tea with man-size steak sandwiches, beer sliders, and whisky chocolate truffles.
Continue the indulgence with an overnight stay in The Morrison’s spacious king penthouse suite with stunning views over the city–one of the best places to stay in Dublin.
LuxuryEurope Recommends: For further details including rates and to make reservations, visit The Morrison
Dublin Skylon Hotel
Hotel afternoon teas in Dublin are best served in beautiful, refined surroundings like the stunning rear lobby at the Dublin Skylon. Savor the best Champagne or prosecco or a selection of teas under the cherry blossom tree.
The ideal location for celebrating birthdays, anniversaries, or meeting up with mom or old friends, guests can choose from a selection of traditional finger sandwiches, including salmon and egg, as well as deliciously fresh-from-the-oven scones and cream and refined petit fours.
This excellent tea service is accompanied by the very best loose-leaf teas and specialty coffees. We recommend adding some bubbly to the mix-ask your waiter for recommendations. As your celebrations segue into early evening, head to the Skylon Bar and Grill for cocktails and craft beers. Take a seat in the plush velvet banquettes and hang out with Dublin’s cool crowd.
LuxuryEurope Recommends: For further details including rates and to make reservations, visit the Dublin Skylon Hotel
House Dublin
Sweetmeat pies, macaroons, savoury finger sandwiches, all served on elegant bone china with white linen tablecloths–that’s what you can expect at a refined afternoon tea at House Dublin. This superb selection of savoury and sweet concoctions is perfectly paired with tea, coffee, or a glass (or bottle) of Champagne or prosecco. Gin purists might like to add a G&T to the mix or a cocktail pairing-the choice is yours.
House Dublin has also created special Japanese-inspired gin tastings blended with Sencha tea, while DJ sets rock the plush Red Room every weekend. Take a seat, order your drinks, and segue into the weekend in style.
Perhaps book an overnight stay in a well-appointed classic double room and make the most of a traditional cooked breakfast the following morning.
LuxuryEurope Recommends: For further details including rates and to make reservations, visit House Dublin
Iveagh Garden Hotel
Located at the heart of the action on Harcourt Street, this luxurious 4-star Dublin hotel offers guests 145 rooms and claims to be Europe’s first fully sustainable hotel with a reduced carbon footprint achieved by installing state-of-the-art heating and power. Take a stroll in the adjacent Iveagh Gardens before a fabulous afternoon tea at the Iveagh Garden Hotel. Handmade scones and finger sandwiches are just some of the options accompanied by delicious petit fours and hand-selected tea and coffees, and Veuve Clicquot Brut Champagne.
Elle’s Bar has the smartest cocktails, while Elle’s Bistro serves up a selection of fresh local provenance in its traditional bistro menu. The outdoor terrace is now heated and has been transformed into a lush botanical garden, perfect for lunch and brunch.
From city pods to the presidential suite, rooms at the Iveagh Garden Hotel ensure the perfect Dublin city break.
LuxuryEurope Recommends: For further details including rates and to make reservations, visit Iveagh Garden Hotel
Maldron Hotel Kevin Street
Catch up with friends, celebrate special occasions, or just treat yourself to a solo Dublin hotel afternoon tea at The Grain & Grill Restaurant at the Maldron Hotel Kevin Street, one of the best restaurants in Dublin.
The hotel’s pastry chefs have a smorgasbord of sweet and savoury treats in store, including homemade warm scones and Irish cream, classic afternoon tea finger sandwiches, sweet amuse bouches, and a selection of teas and in-house roastery coffee along with a great selection of sparkling wine, including prosecco and Champagne.
The air-conditioned rooms here are well appointed, while the Grain and Grill Restaurant offers 24/7 room service and a tasty lunch and dinner. Ideally located close to all Dublin attractions and fun things to do, the Maldron Hotel Kevin Street is an easy walk to St Patrick’s Cathedral and Dublin Castle.
LuxuryEurope Recommends: For further details including rates and to make reservations, visit the Maldron Hotel Kevin Street
A short drive out of Dublin city center, Talbot Hotel Stillorgan is the perfect location for friends to meet up and celebrate (parking is free here) over a delicious afternoon tea after a hectic morning’s shopping at Stillorgan Village shopping centre.
Relax over a tempting selection of freshly prepared pastries, mini savoury sandwiches, warm scones, and surprise sweet treats alongside a choice of fine teas and coffee.
If you want to make a night of it in style, the Luxury Bridal Suite would make the perfect choice of accommodation with its separate lounge area and quality furnishings and amenities. If you’d rather stay home, then a food delivery menu is available, simply call the hotel reception for details.
LuxuryEurope Recommends: For further details including rates and to make reservations, visit Talbot Hotel Stillorgan
Tallaght Cross Hotel
Under a ten-minute walk from Dublin’s Tallaght Stadium, home to the Shamrock Rovers, the Tallaght Cross Hotel is only a short drive to the centre of Dublin but a quieter option for overnight stays and fabulous afternoon teas.
One of the best ways to celebrate a birthday or just catch up with mum, an afternoon tea appeals to all age groups. Choose from savory finger sandwiches, fresh-out-of-the-oven scones (and a dollop of Irish cream), as well as classic pastries and petit fours.
Prosecco or Champagne? Or maybe a premium loose-leaf tea and quality coffee? The choice is yours. And you can treat your friends at home with the special afternoon tea three-tiered carryout box.
LuxuryEurope Recommends: For further details including rates and to make reservations, visit Tallaght Cross Hotel
The Fleet Hotel Temple Bar
Temple Bar restaurants in Dublin can be somewhat hectic, so we recommend heading to the quieter end of the district for a refined afternoon tea at The Fleet Hotel.
Served in the bistro-like surroundings of Café 1920, you’ll enjoy mini pastries, smoked salmon sandwiches, goat’s cheese brioches, and home-made scones alongside scrumptious petit fours and handmade truffle chocolates at one of Dublin’s best hotel afternoon teas.
Choose the Bottomless Prosecco Afternoon Tea and you may well need to retire early in one of The Fleet Hotel’s vintage-inspired double rooms with white linen duvet and all amenities. Don’t say we didn’t warn you!
LuxuryEurope Recommends: For further details including rates and to make reservations, visit The Fleet Hotel Temple Bar
The Westbury
Editor’s Note – Stay tuned for details of the delightful afternoon tea experiences available at The Westbury Hotel!
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Contributor Gina Baksa writes about hospitality, travel and lifestyle for various international publications. See her work at: https://ginabaksa.journoportfolio.com.
