The best afternoon teas in Leeds: 11 places for a properly posh treat

Wherever you are in the country, everyone occasionally needs to treat themselves in some way, and as far as we’re concerned that nearly always has to include some form of food. While your first instinct might be to go for an indulgent dinner or perhaps even a bottomless brunch, we think that afternoon tea can be just as fun, and in a lot of cases better value for money. Plus, how often have you gone for an afternoon tea in your life? It stands out as a treat because it's such an occasional affair. 

Now, Leeds is a city full of amazing things to see and do including many fantastic museums and galleries, and plenty of performance venues. It’s also home to some of the best restaurants in the whole of Yorkshire as well as numerous fantastic pubs, clubs and bars. However, what you might not realise is that when it comes to afternoon tea, Leeds has a whole host of different spots for you to go to and raise your pinky finger at. With everything ranging from cute little tearooms, to luxury hotel bars and even some far more unusual offerings, there’s no doubt that afternoon tea in Leeds is something you should be considering for your next treat. Let’s not forget that the North of England is also famous for its brew, so these places all take their tea offerings pretty seriously.

With so many different options on offer in Leeds, we know that it can be tricky to decide which afternoon tea you should try. So, to make things a little easier for you, we have put together a list below of the best afternoon teas in Leeds, with some information on each offering as well as the prices. One piece of advice: once you’ve decided on which of these spots you’re going to check out, don’t be tempted to snack beforehand - in our experience most afternoon teas fill you up for days!

Convive at The Weetwood Hall Estate

What: Just a short distance from the centre of Leeds sits the stunning Weetwood Hall. Managing to feel like a country escape despite being so accessible, this hotel is a wonderful spot to enjoy an indulgent afternoon tea in its restaurant Convive. Expect a beautiful spread of cakes and home-baked scones as well as playful savouries including mini shepherd’s pies and mac and cheese bon bons. For an extra touch of class, you also have the option of adding a glass of Prosecco.
How Much: £23.50 per person, £27 per person including a glass of Prosecco.
When: Mon-Sun 12am-4pm
Where: Otley Road, LS16 5PS
Book now: Convive

Crafthouse

What: For those of you looking for a particularly boozy afternoon tea in Leeds, look no further than Crafthouse, based on the top of the Trinity shopping centre. This stylish spot offers the choice to add free-flowing Prosecco for up to 90 minutes to your afternoon tea. The food offering is pretty spectacular too, with savouries including smoked salmon and crème fraiche charcoal cones, and truffled cheese gougeres; then you can finish your tea with sweet treats such as a yuzu tart.
How Much: £26 per person, £51 with bottomless Prosecco
When: Thurs-Sun 1pm-3:30pm
Where: 70 Boar Lane, LS1 6HW
Book now: Crafthouse

The Mansion at Roundhay Park

What: This gorgeous grade II-listed building is just 15 minutes away from the centre of Leeds, yet is surrounded by 700 acres of stunning parkland. This makes it an idyllic spot to enjoy an afternoon tea. The ever-changing menu, served in The Garden Room restaurant, includes classic sandwiches such as a smoked salmon, cream cheese and cucumber bun, alongside a variety of cakes, pastries and fruit scones, all beautifully presented on a platter.
How Much: £32.95 per person
When: Multiple events throughout the year
Where: Roundhay Park, LS8 2HH
Book now: The Garden Room

Just grand! Vintage Tearooms

What: Bursting full of old-school charm, the Just Grand! Vintage Tearooms offers a more relaxed alternative to some of the smarter afternoon teas in Leeds. This Victorian-style tearoom is also one of the most reasonably priced afternoon teas on our list, coming in at under £20 including a glass of Prosecco. For that, you also get unlimited tea, scones, Wensleydale cheese and fruit cake - if you’re wanting a truly classic afternoon tea experience Just Grand! has got you covered.
How Much: £16.95 per person, £17.95 with a glass of Prosecco or rosé
When: Wed-Sat 10am-4pm Sun 11am-4pm
Where: 8-9 Grand Arcade, LS1 6PG
Book now: Just Grand! Vintage Tea Room

Dakota

What: The ultra-luxurious Dakota hotel is home to a less traditional afternoon tea, served in the dimly lit, swanky bar area. Served on an elegant circular stand, the tea consists of a selection of finger sanwiches, scones and a number of delicate cakes and sweet fancies. Considering this is one of the city's more luxurious hotels, we think that £20 is incredibly reasonable for the amount of food you get as part of the afternoon tea, and the quality of it all is also top notch.
How Much: Classic afternoon tea £25 per person
When: 12pm-4:30pm every day
Where: 8 Russell Street, LS1 5RN
Book now: Dakota

Sky Lounge at DoubleTree

What: The Sky Lounge at the DoubleTree by Hilton in Leeds certainly has one of the best views of all of the afternoon teas on our list. Based on the 13th floor of the hotel, the bar is chic through and through, and is perfect for special occasions. When it comes to the afternoon tea menu though, it isn’t exactly traditional, with plenty of twists on classics, such as a Pornstar cocktail delice, and a Pimm's jelly cup. There’s also the choice to upgrade to bottomless Prosecco for an extra £15 depending on how you’re feeling.
How Much: £29.95 per person
When: 12pm-5pm every day
Where: 2 Wharf Approach, LS1 4BR
Book now: Sky Lounge at DoubleTree by Hilton

Issho

What: There's no doubt that Issho wins the award for the most quirky afternoon tea in Leeds. You won't find sandwiches and scones on the menu here, as the whole afternoon tea has an Asian twist. This smart Japanese restaurant's take on the British classic includes edamame beans, miso-braised lamb shoulder pancakes and sushi balls for savouries. Meanwhile you can expect sweet treats including caramel purin and matcha chocolate delice, all accompanied by a selection of Japanese teas or free-flowing Prosecco.
How Much: £33 per person, £52.50 including bottomless Prosecco
When: Fri-Sun 12pm-2:30pm
Where: George Street, LS2 7AU
Book now: Issho

Woodlands Hotel

What: The stunning setting of the Woodlands Hotel and its grand interiors make it a brilliant place to enjoy an afternoon tea, and what’s more it feels like you’re completely escaping the city despite being easily reachable from the centre of Leeds. With the option to enjoy your afternoon tea both in front of the dining room’s wonderful fire or outside on the terrace, you can expect treats including mini tumblers full of Eton mess and of course amazing warm scones.
How Much: £16.95 per person, £21.95 with a glass of Prosecco
When: 1pm-5pm every day
Where: 79 Gelderd Road, LS27 7LY
Book now: Woodlands Hotel

Grand Pacific at Queens Hotel

What: This striking art deco-style hotel is perhaps one of the most recognisable buildings in the whole of Leeds, and it serves an equally impressive high tea to match. Expect an incredibly traditional selection of classic finger sandwiches, fruit scones and small pastries. However, when each traditional element is done as well as it is here, there are no real complaints. There's also the option to include a special cocktail or glass of Champagne.
How Much: £25.95 per person, £32 with a special cocktail, £34.95 with Champagne
When: 12pm-6:45pm every day
Where: City Square, LS1 1PJ
Book now: Grand Pacific at Queens Hotel

The Lost & Found, Leeds Club

What: Found right in the heart of Leeds city centre, it might surprise you to hear that this cocktail bar serves an afternoon tea, but its offering is in fact a fantastic mixture of the traditional with the less conventional. Begin with a selection of classic finger sanwiches such as smoked salmon and cream cheese, and a chicken wrap, and then you can move onto sweet treats including a miniature lemon posset and a chocolate brownie. Then you can wash it all down with one of Lost & Found's refreshing cocktails.
How Much: £19.95 per person, £23.95 with a cocktail, £26.95 with a glass of Champagne
When: 12-5pm every day
Where: 3 Albion Place, LS1 6JL
Book now: The Leeds Club

Harewood House

What: If it’s a country house afternoon tea that you’re looking for, then Harewood House might be just the place for you. The property is steeped in history and has gardens designed by famous landscape gardener Capability Brown. While you enjoy your afternoon tea, which includes all the favourites such as homemade scones and finger sandwiches, you can stare right out over the beautiful grounds. The price of the tea also allows you to have a wander about the property and gardens meaning that you can make a whole day of it.
How Much: £45 per person for a minimum of two people, and the price includes access to house and gardens
When: Open March-November, available all afternonn
Where: Sandy Gate, LS17 9LG
Book now: Harewood House

Not a fan of the traditional? Why not try one of the UK's Harry Potter-themed afternoon teas.