All at sea when it comes to Afternoon Tea in Manchester? Don’t despair. From high tea with a view at Harvey Nichols to the Alice in Wonderland-inspired Richmond Tea Rooms, our team of trusty tea tasters has set sail to find the finest places to sip Darjeeling, eat dainty finger sandwiches and slap extra clotted cream on a freshly baked scone. This is our guide to the best afternoon tea. Now, shall we be mother?
The afternoon tea experience at The Alan is just that. A truly memorable, wonderfully laid-back experience and whether you love tea and scones, or simply want to catch up with friends or family, you’ll definitely be wowed.
Head to The Ivy Spinningfields for Champagne-fuelled high-end tea, cakes and delicate little sandwiches in opulent surroundings.
With its bone china and crisp linen, the whole experience has a pre-Beeching, high-class railway café feel. If you’re looking for a boisterous dining experience, with all manner of 21st century gadgets and modern fripperies, go elsewhere. However, if you want a gentle, Enid Blyton style glimpse into our nation’s most-loved meal, an afternoon at the Midland Tea Room comes highly recommended.
Harvey Nichols’ second-floor brasserie has quietly established itself as a place to escape the bustling city centre, whether it be working on that novel or somewhere to take grandmama for her birthday. The floor to ceiling windows deliver glorious views over the city, giving a birds-eye glimpse of how Manchester’s industrial past, still evident in the redbrick rooftops, contrast with the glass-and-chrome-filled ground level. Go for the views, stay all day for the food (and endless amounts of tea).
Despite its two large rooms, one Alice in Wonderland-esque, the other more Scottish Highlands in style, the Richmond Tea Rooms regularly gets booked out. This might be because of its hidden away feel, its four different afternoon tea options, or the high quality of the food. Either way, book ahead.
Our favourite place in the NQ to pop in for a brew, some excellent freshly-baked goods and friendly chat. It’s not the biggest venue in town so be sure to dive in when you see a spare seat.
Not many venues are as easy on the eye as The Refuge. Inside, you’ll find a maze-like array of spaces and rooms, consisting of bars and dining areas, all serving different purposes and all wonderful. For their newly-launched afternoon tea, try the Winter Garden, easily one of the most grand and instantly relaxing locations this side of a spa day.
The retro-styled Sugar Junction is a dainty place for treats served on vintage china. With everything from a simple cream tea through to a cake platter and the traditional afternoon tea (with or without prosecco), this is one of the less pricey options in the city – but the quality is still up there with the best.
Sitting proud on the 23rd floor of the Beetham Tower, Manchester’s tallest building, Cloud 23 boasts unparalleled views across the city. There’s a stunning range of cocktails on offer, a possible compliment to a traditional afternoon tea. Go and stand on the small glass oval in the floor to look down at street level 23 floors below and really get your heart racing.
Boasting delightful views over the centre of Manchester, Level 3 in the Mercure Piccadilly Hotel are offering a classic Afternoon Tea for visitors to the city.
Factory Square is a huge beer garden, on the banks of the River Irwell, with top-quality drinks and street food selections.
Playing a powerful role in the community, this venue functions as a bookshop, café and place to meet and chat with likeminded individuals.
Sett is an art café in West Didsbury, one of the areas many thriving independent businesses.
A woman-owned and woman-ran neighbourhood bakery in Levenshulme, serving fresh cakes and pastries daily.
A one-stop-shop, Stretford Foodhall is a place for those who like to eat, drink and shop with a guilt-free conscience. Whether you fancy visiting to sample some delicious street food or to top up your refillable containers, Stretford Foodhall is well worth a visit.
Ditto Coffee has opened a branch on Albert Square, teaming great coffee with a passion for independent music.
The Dressing Room Cafe is an award-winning cafe bar and arts space based at The Edge Theatre in Chorlton.
Haunt MCR is a speciality coffee shop and wine bar located on Manchester’s bustling Peter Street.
Ducie Street Warehouse’s new menu is full of hearty dishes, large and small.
Offering a packed schedule of events and things to do, HOME Manchester is one of the city’s leading hubs for arts and culture.
We check out the new festive changes to Hatch, Manchester’s favourite collection of small independents.
Popular cafe on Deansgate in Manchester with a great range of lunch options.
Make the most of the sun in one of Manchester's many top-notch beer gardens.
The world's at your fingertips with free history, art, science and creative capers for all ages in Manchester.
Best roof terrace in Manchester? We know the lot, and we're willing to share our hard-earned information.
Looking for the finest luxury multi-course restaurants in Manchester? Look no further. We've picked out the very best tasting menus in the city - just make sure you have deep pockets.
Manchester is still a great place to watch new and innovative music – so here’s a guide to where to watch the best live music in the city.
Looking for the finest roast dinners in Manchester? Look no further. We've picked out the very best Sunday dinners in the city.
Manchester is strong with the breakfast force, and has some impressive form where brunch is concerned. Here’s our pick of the city’s morning glories.
There are more green spaces in Manchester than you might think. We've picked out some of the best parks and gardens in and around the city.
Looking for a laugh? Here are Manchester's very best comedy nights.
The best new bars in Manchester, plus some old favourites for good measure.
Check out our top picks of shows previewing in the North West before heading to Edinburgh Fringe Festival later in the summer.
Take me there
Gearing up for a sunny July? Take some eating-out tips from this month's guide to food and drink in Manchester and the North.
Make bread, throw axes, learn costume design and drink beer like you've never done before in this month's Tours and activities guide.
All-dayers make a strong showing in our latest music picks, from dance music marathons to vibrant showcases of South Asian artistry.
School year, complete! And as we say goodbye to what seems like a rather long summer term, we can look forward to the summer holidays, with lots of exciting activities...
This month we look at Indie Horror Summer, outdoor movies, and a brand new film festival in Sheffield.
Interactive circus, arts festivals and new writing, our guide features a show-stopping selection of theatre happening indoors and outside.
In between working out, then working through, your holiday reading pile this summer, find inspiration for your next bookish acquisitions from our selection of live events and exhibitions.
Virginia Woolf and lasers, environmental recovery through wildness and thoughts on motherhood - all this and more in our exhibition top picks!
Read our latest highlights from the live classical music offer in Manchester and the North, taking in a number of the region's most cherished orchestral forces and venues.
