11 of the best afternoon teas in Liverpool

Liverpool - famous for The Beatles, the rock'n'roll 60s and a fierce football rivalry, but also increasingly for some really fantastic food and drink. A new generation of restaurateurs and exciting food businesses have breathed life into Merseyside, with Liverpool now awash with great restaurants, brunch spots, bars, cafes and more. More importantly, it's a wonderful place to celebrate a special occasion - specifically with tea and cake - which is why we've rounded up all the best afternoon teas in Liverpool.

Liverpool is a fantastic city to kick back and relax with some of the finer things in life - finger sandwiches, Champagne, fine teas, cakes and pastries. Much to our delight, there are plenty of fantastic spots to go for afternoon tea in Liverpool, all very different but all masses of fun. When it comes to picking the best afternoon tea in Liverpool, there are lots of different things to consider to ensure you make the most of your time. Do you want something classic and traditional, served on beautiful china? Are you hoping to spoil someone special? Are bubbles optional or mandatory? Maybe you’re looking to switch it up and enjoy something a bit different from the regular sandwiches and scones, in which case, some chilli nacho cups and sriracha mayo corn dogs might be right up your street. 

All of these are legitimate questions, but they don’t necessarily make it any easier to find the right afternoon tea spot. That's where we come in - we've been out and about in the city, lifting teacups and nibbling scones in order to find the best afternoon teas on Merseyside, from fancy hotels that might leave a dent in your wallet, to unexpected venues offering excellent value deals. So, without further ado, here is our ultimate breakdown of Liverpool's best afternoon teas, just click through to see more information like opening times and how to book.

Voyagers Restaurant & Bar

What: This one’s a tribute to Liverpool’s incredible history and local flavours. Featuring nods to The Beatles and locally inspired sweet treats, you’ll find the likes of ‘Strawberry Fields’ macarons, ‘Scouse’ sausage rolls, and Liverpool favourites like salt and pepper chicken and a Liverpool tart. It’s matched with Brew Tea Co. blends or Crosby Coffee, with the option to tag on a glass of Prosecco for £4, Champagne for £10 or a whole bottle of Prosecco for £23. Inside, the restaurant is modern but cosy, making it a favourite for lazy afternoons with sweet treats and dinky savouries.
When: Served daily, 12-5pm
How much: £32.50 per person
Where: 38 Parr Street, L1 4JN
Book now: Voyagers Restaurant & Bar

Chez Mal Brasserie & Bar at Malmaison

What: Armed with a Nouveau Classic menu filled with interesting twists on afternoon tea classics, Chez Mal offers a slightly unusual afternoon tea menu. Savouries kick things off with a miniature Chez Mal slider with Ayrshire bacon, a sticky beef-filled noodle wrap, fresh crab tacos, and buttermilk chicken thighs before hexagon on to sticky toffee scones, caramel choux buns, and a pina colada trifle. Other sweets include apple crumble tarts and treacle toffee parkin cakes. Plus, you can tag on prosecco for £7.
When: Served daily, 12:30-4pm
How much: £29.50 per person for the Nouveau Classic menu, £16.50 for cream tea
Where: Malmaison Hotel, 7 William Jessop Way, Liverpool, Merseyside, L3 1QZ
Planning something special? Discover group and private dining options at Malmaison Liverpool
Book now: Chez Mal Brasserie & Bar at Malmaison

Lawns Grill Restaurant

What: This one’s a bit of a way from Liverpool City Centre, but the Thornton Hall Hotel’s impressive old-world interiors and exquisite menus are well worth the trip in our opinion. It really is a ‘Great Wirral Afternoon Tea’, starting things off with the likes of caprese salad on focaccia and prawn and smoked salmon baguette, before offering fluffy fruit scones, mini pavlovas, and passionfruit macarons. Don’t fancy the sweeter things? There’s a very tempting savoury afternoon tea menu too, replacing the sugar high with sausage rolls, scotch eggs, and cheddar scones.
When: Served daily, 12-4pm
How much: £32.50 per adult (both sweet and savoury), £25 per child
Where: Neston Road, Thornton Hough, Wirral, CH63 1JF
Planning something special? Discover group and private dining options at Thornton Hall Hotel & Spa
Book now: Lawns Grill Restaurant

Stanley's Bar & Grill at the Titanic Hotel

What: For a waterside afternoon tea in Liverpool, look no further than Stanley’s Bar & Grill in the hugely impressive Titanic hotel situated right on the Liverpool docks. It's classic afternoon tea combines stunning waterfront views, with a selection of finger sandwiches, followed by freshly baked scones and finally amazing sweet treats such as miniature chocolate eclairs, and Victoria sponge. Choose to have it alongside either a speciality tea served in vintage china, or a glass of bubbles if you’d prefer.
When: Monday to Friday, 12pm-4pm; Saturday to Sunday, 12:30pm-4:30pm
How much: £28.50 per person
Where: Stanley Dock, Regent Road, L3 0AN
Planning something special? Discover group and private dining options at Stanley's Bar & Grill
Book now: Stanley's Bar & Grill

The London Carriage Works 

What: Set in an 1860s coach and carriage builders' warehouse, the multi award-winning London Carriage Works serves a classic oh-so-British afternoon tea proudly made with locally-sourced produce. Indulge with a range of delicious finger sandwiches, freshly baked cakes, speciality teas and scones served with clotted cream, berries and preserves. LCW’s prime location means that you can easily explore Liverpool’s iconic Hope Street afterwards. Vegan and gluten-free options are available with 48 hours' notice.
When: Monday to Thursday, 12pm-4pm; Friday to Sunday, 12pm-3pm
How much: £32.50 per person
Where: 40 Hope Street L1 9DA
Book now: The London Carriage Works

Fab4 Cafe at The Beatles Story Museum

What: If you’re in Liverpool, there’s a good chance you’re brushing up on some Beatles-related culture. The good news is, you can tick off your afternoon tea and Beatles love in one fell swoop at The Beatles Story Museum, as the Fab4 Cafe serves a simple but effective afternoon tea that includes generous sandwiches, prosecco, scones and macarons all served on a vinyl record stand. You can even get a Beatles-themed ale or make it a sparkling afternoon tea for an additional £5.
When: Served daily, 12 - 2:30pm
How much: From £21.50 per person
Where: Britannia Vaults, Albert Dock, L3 4AD
Book now: Fab4 Cafe Albert Dock

Bastion Bar at The Shankly Hotel

What: If cute presentation does it for you then the afternoon tea served at the Shankly Hotel’s Bastion Bar might be the perfect spot. Served on a mini wooden picnic bench, the classic afternoon tea features finger sandwiches such as a chicken coronation roll, smoked salmon and cucumber, and tomato feta bruschetta. For sweets, there are scones, toffee banana loaf, mini custard tarts, and chocolate-dipped Viennese swirls - all can be enjoyed alongside a glass of bubbly if you so wish.
When: Served daily, 12-5pm
How much: £19.95 per person, £24.94 with a glass of Prosecco
Where: Millennium House, 60 Victoria Street, L1 6JD
Book now: Bastion Bar at the Shankly Hotel

Oh Me Oh My

What: A fairly recent addition to the Liverpool afternoon tea scene, Oh Me Oh My opened in 2013 predominantly as a wedding and events venue. However, head downstairs to its little café and you will be treated to a brilliant classic afternoon tea, all in a beautifully relaxed atmosphere. Sandwiches might include lemon and thyme roast chicken, and a ham hock and cheddar croque, whereas sweets include a wonderful honey and blueberry cake to be enjoyed alongside a glass of Prosecco, Champagne or a cocktail if you so wish. There’s also a kids' afternoon tea here too, along with selected weekend afternoon tea events!
When: Monday to Friday, 12-3pm
How much: From £29.95 per adult, £14.95 per child
Where: West Africa House, 25 Water Street, L2 ORG
Book now: Oh Me Oh My

Cuthbert's Bakehouse

What: There are options galore on offer over at Cuthbert’s Bakehouse. As well as a classic afternoon tea, there is also a vegan, vegetarian, gluten-free, children’s and more. Afternoon tea menus change with the seasons, but for a taste of what you might be in for, we’ve seen miniature sandwiches filled with ham hock and piccalilli, goat cheese with walnut and honey, and egg mayo, along with sweets like chocolate orange torte, chocolate strawberries and sticky toffee ginger cakes. Kids' menus are also available, as is high tea with a cocktail included. There’s also a ‘Taste of New York’ Menu
When: Tuesday to Friday, 2pm; Saturday to Sunday, 12-2:30pm
How much: £32 per adult, £16 per child
Where: 103 Mount Pleasant, L3 5TB
Book now: Cuthbert's Bakehouse

NYL at the Aloft Hotel

What: For what we think is one of the best value afternoon teas in Liverpool, head over to NYL Restaurant and Bar at Liverpool’s Aloft Hotel. As the name might suggest, it’s a New York-style afternoon tea on offer here, but with a few playful takes on the classics. The first tier of the afternoon tea might include savouries such as a mini sausage and apple roll, and a BBQ pulled pork slider. While the second tier contains, amongst other things, mini chocolate doughnuts and profiteroles.
When: Friday to Sunday, 12-5pm
How much: From £19 per person, £24 with a classic cocktail, £26 with a glass of Prosecco
Where: 1 North John Street, L2 5QW
Book now: NYL at the Aloft Hotel

The Art School

What: As if Paul Askew’s restaurant The Art School needed any more acclaim, it also serves one of Liverpool’s finest afternoon teas in its underground area The Cellars. Served on an elegant stainless steel Ferris wheel stand, the afternoon tea features some rather posh takes on traditional sandwiches such as Quicke’s mature cheddar with celeriac remoulade on pain cereal, and curried Raby egg on a brioche bun. As well as freshly baked scones, sweet options include classic Battenburg, lemon meringue bars, and chocolate sponge with mocha cremeux and salted caramel.
When: Wednesday to Saturday, 2-4pm
How much: From £40 per person, £49 with a glass of Henners Brut, £68 with a glass of Charles Heidsieck Champagne
Where: 1 Sugnall Street, L7 7EB
Book now: The Art School

Fancy going for afternoon tea in the capital? Check out our list of the best afternoon teas in London. Or, find our full list of restaurants in Liverpool to start planning your next meal out.