13 of the best afternoon teas in Birmingham you need to try

Afternoon tea is more popular than ever, which is surprising considering it’s been around since 1840. It all started when the Duchess of Bedford decided that there should be a meal between lunch and dinner. So, before we get on to the best afternoon teas in Birmingham, let’s recap. While opinions vary, the core ingredients of the tradition are finger sandwiches, cakes and/or pastries, warm scones with clotted cream and, of course, tea. Typical sandwich fillings include egg mayonnaise with cress or ham and mustard, although many modern afternoon teas have expanded their horizons. Classic sweet treats, meanwhile, include the likes of Victoria sponge or brownies.

Since 1840, however, afternoon tea has evolved with the times and Birmingham's scene is no exception. Here you’ll find creations like ‘high chai’, an Indian street food-style take, with classic teas swapped out for masala chai and savouries including the likes of chicken tikka sandwiches and bhel puri. Elsewhere in the second city, you’ll find additions like burger-esque sliders, Thai chicken rolls or perhaps a beetroot and goat's cheese tart. Modern sweet options, meanwhile, include treats like mango cheesecake, strawberry profiteroles and orange madeleine cakes. Teas haven’t changed as much, although you’ll find plenty more global blends than back in 1840.

Of course, there is another new addition that you’ll find throughout Birmingham (and indeed this list): booze. While it’s all well and good sipping on tea through the afternoon, many Brits like something a little stronger. As such, many restaurants offer the optional addition of Prosecco or Champagne. Some also like to offer cocktails too, although that starts leaning towards more of a bottomless brunch situation. So, now that we’re all caught up! Here are the best afternoon teas in Birmingham. We’ve included pictures, prices and where to find them, so all you have to do is book a table and enjoy!

Chez Mal Brasserie

What: Whether you’re staying the night in one of the Malmaison’s plush rooms or not, you can swing by for lovely afternoon tea. The savoury selection offers hearty options like the Chez Mal slider, a beef brisket bite with smoked tomato chutney, and crunchy buttermilk fried chicken with steak sauce. Sweeter options include sticky toffee scones with clotted cream, vanilla creme brulee and a choc chip cookie dough sundae. As one might expect, you can add cocktails or prosecco if you so wish.
How much: £29.50pp
Where: 1 Wharfside Street, B1 1RF
Book now: Chez Mal Brasserie at Malmaison Birmingham

Bistro du Vin Birmingham

What: Offering a French twist on the very British classic, Bistro du Vin serves up some of the best afternoon tea fodder around. Finger sandwiches offer fillings like chicken and tarragon Dijonnaise on pain d’epi, ham and gruyere mini croissants, and ratatouille and feta on socca pancakes. As for the sweets, expect tart au citron, Paris-Brest, and creme brulee. Vegan and gluten-free menus are also available.
How much: 29.95pp
Where: 25 Church Street, B3 2NR
Book now: Bistro du Vin Birmingham

Zindiya Streatery & Bar

What: Beloved neighbourhood eatery Zindiya Streatery & Bar offers something a little different. Instead of afternoon tea, experience ‘high chai’, which features Indian spices, flavours and teas. Savoury dishes include Bombay sandwiches, aloo tikki chaat, bhel puri and chicken or paneer tikka, while sweet options feature the likes of homemade cardamom scones, almond and pistachio shortbread (nankhatai) and seasonal macarons. While Earl Grey, English breakfast and jasmine tea are available, we recommend choosing the house-brewed masala chai for the full experience.
How much: £21.95pp
Where: 21 Woodbridge Road, B13 8EJ
Book now: Zindiya

Marco Pierre White Steakhouse Bar & Grill

What: What’s better than afternoon tea? Why, afternoon tea with a view, of course! At the top of the futuristic-looking Cube, you’ll find Marco Pierre White’s Steakhouse Bar & Grill, which also offers a lovely afternoon tea. Gaze across the city while tucking into an elegant selection of sandwiches, cakes, scones and Teapigs teas. Add prosecco for just £4 per person or £8 for champagne.
How much: £24.95
Where: 200 Wharfside Street, The Cube, B1 1PR
Book now: Marco Pierre White Steakhouse Bar & Grill

Noel’s Bar and Restaurant

What: Noel’s Bar and Restaurant has become a staple for high-end dining in Birmingham. And, while the excellent Mediterranean cooking and cocktails aren’t to be missed, the afternoon tea is rather lovely too. Enjoy sumptuous savouries like smoked salmon bruschetta with cream cheese and caviar, alongside the like of vanilla panna cotta in the sweet department. Choose from classic, Champagne or the house pink butterfly cocktail; a colourful mix of pink gin, rose syrup, lemon and pink Champagne.
How much: £35pp
Where: 22 Waterfront Walk, B1 1SN
Book now: Noel’s Bar and Restaurant

The Ivy Temple Row

What: The Ivy is another great example, offering decadent food and drink galore. Savouries include the house cure smoked salmon and cream cheese finger sandwich, grilled chicken and truffle mayo brioche roll and pickled cucumber, courgette and basil double-decker, while the sweeter elements are similarly extravagant. Naturally, Champagne is an optional addition.
How much: £36.50pp
Where: 67-71 Temple Row, B2 5LS
Book now: The Ivy Temple Row

Three Church Road at St George’s Place

What: Three Church Road at St George’s Place is a charming setting for cream tea, afternoon tea, sparkling afternoon tea or even G and Tea (think gin and tonic in china cups). In the main afternoon tea selection, you’ll find prawn cocktails, orange madeleine cakes and more. Then choose your poison: tea, Champagne or gin?
How much: £25.50pp
Where: 3 Church Road, B15 3SH
Book now: Three Church Road at St George’s Place

Aria Restaurant

What: For an elegant afternoon tea in an equally elegant setting, look no further than Aria. Sit amongst indoor trees, ornate pillars and sculptures while tucking into sandwiches, sweets, scones and the like. The food comes on a tiered tea stand, with plenty of vegetarian options, while the scones arrive fresh out of the oven and deliciously warm.
How much: £36pp
Where: 2 Bridge Street, B1 2JZ
Book now: Aria Restaurant

The Belfry

What: Few entries on this list can claim to have award-winning teas, but The Belfry certainly can. Options include the ‘garden of Eden’, a floral mix of green and black teas decorated with sugar butterflies and flowers, or the cleanse, which blends cinnamon, ginger, dates, cacao and cardamom. While you sip, enjoy the delicious homemade pastries, scones and finger sandwiches, along with a glass of bubbly or rosé.
How much: From £35pp
Where: Wishaw, West Midlands, B76 9PR
Book now: The Belfry

Praza

What: Housed in a Grade-II listed Georgian building, Praza has quite a unique afternoon tea. Sip on Indian masala chai or English breakfast while snacking on Dahi puri, chicken tikka finger sandwiches, vegetable samosas, masala chips and more. Then, sample the selection of Indian desserts including crumbly Punjabi cookies and mango barfi ganache. Add a lassi with gin for a tipsy addition.
How much: £32pp
Where: 94-96 Hagley Road, B16 8LU
Book now: Praza

The Lost & Found

What: We couldn’t let hotels have all the fun. The Lost & Found is an avant-garde cocktail bar with an excellent afternoon tea. Indulge in sweet treats like brownies, lemon posset, Victoria sponge and scones, balanced by savouries like a beetroot and goats’ cheese tart or a pulled chicken roll. Add one of Lost & Found’s excellent cocktails for just £5 - you won’t regret it!
How much: £19.95
Where: 8 Bennetts Hill, B2 5RS
Book now: The Lost & Found

Cadbury World Cafe Cafe

What: Chocolate lovers unite, because Cadbury World Cafe does an afternoon tea that you’re going to want to experience. This one combines the classic afternoon tea elements like salmon and cream cheese sandwiches with plenty of delicious Cadbury chocolate desserts such as afternoon tea. Not a fan of tea? Don’t worry, there’s also hot chocolate on offer here.
How much: £29.95
Where: 69 Linden Road, B30 1JR
Book now: Cadbury World Cafe

Afternoon tea at Macdonald Burlington Hotel

What: The Berlioz Restaurants sits inside the Burlington Hotel right in the heart of central Birmingham, and like most MacDonald Hotels, it offers a reliably sophisticated place to enjoy afternoon tea everyday of the week. This is a classic afternoon tea - dainty finger sandwiches, fresh scones and cakes, all washed down with your choice of tea. You can upgrade to some bubbles for an extra tenner as well. 
How much: £24
Where: 126 New Street, B2 4JQ
Book now: Berlioz Restaurant at Macdonald Burlington Hotel

As lovely as afternoon tea is, sometimes it's nice for a meal to be a little more intimate. In those cases, we have just the thing: our guide to the best private dining rooms in Birmingham.