10 Tempting Afternoon Teas in Newcastle

Café 21 at Fenwick, Northumberland Street

Served daily from 2pm, Café 21's afternoon tea for two is just as classy and classic as you’d expect. Priced at £50, you and a friend can dine on scones, sandwiches and handmade pastries washed down with a classic cup of tea or two. If you've got a craving for sugar, the confectioner's option (priced at £35 for two people) focuses more on the sweet stuff and you can make it a champagne tea for £60.

Malmaison, Quayside

Put simply, Malmaison is a must-do for for fans of afternoon tea. While they offer a classic cream tea (featuring scones, Victoria sponge and other sweet treats) costing £16.50, the Mal Afternoon Tea is where it's at. A re-imagining of the classic afternoon tea priced at £29.50, it's packed with savoury fare like sliders, wraps, prawn cocktails and the like plus sweet eats including the obligatory scone teamed with decadent tarts and sundaes. Both come with a wide selection of teas, but you can upgrade to include cocktails, prosecco and champagne for a few extra quid and with vegetarian, nut-free and gluten-free options available, nobody has to miss out.

The Vermont Hotel, Castle Garth

Head to the magnificent Vermont Hotel for a selection of afternoon tea options in its swanky surrounds served daily between 1pm and 4pm. There’s a cream tea for £9.95 per person – including a scone and all the fixings plus a tea or coffee - or you can go all out with the traditional afternoon tea which offers a selection of sandwiches, scones and sweet treats plus a hot drink for £22.95 per person with the option to add a glass of bubbly for a little extra. Think afternoon tea is just for ladies? Think again, because The Vermont Hotel also offers a gentleman's afternoon tea featuring scotch eggs, mini-burgers, pork pies and more.

Hotel du Vin, City Road

Hotel Du Vin is another luxury hotel afternoon tea option and offers two main versions: a cream tea priced at £15.95 per person (which includes a couple of patisseries alongside the usual tea and scones) and the afternoon tea for £29.95 per person which features an array of scones, finger sandwiches and cakes. There’s a good range of specialist teas too and the option to add champagne or cocktails if you're in the mood for indulging. Vegan, vegetarian and non-allergen versions are also available.

Colonel Porter's, Dean Street

For afternoon tea with a delightfully tipsy twist, look no further than Colonel Porter's. Their vintage-inspired afternoon tea (priced at £14.95 per person) comes with finger sandwiches, cakes, macaroons, strawberries and scones all washed down with your choice of fine teas, but the tipsy tea is perfect for a boozy alternative with the option to add a bottle of prosecco or one of Colonel Porter's signature gin cocktails for a little extra.

Victors, Quayside

The bright, wisteria-laden restaurant of Victors is a charming environment whatever the occasion, but it's a perfect spot to indulge in an afternoon tea. Costing £29.50 per person (or £39.50 if you go for the champagne option), Victors' afternoon tea offers freshly made scones with all the trimmings served alongside a selection of brioche buns, sushi rolls and mini-desserts. It's available from 2pm to 5pm daily but you’ll need to book 48 horus in advance.

Gino D'Acampo Restaurant, Quayside

As you’d expect, Gino D’Acampo puts an Italian twist on afternoon tea at its impressive Quayside restaurant. Feast on gourmet sandwiches (including that good old Italian staple bruschetta), plus classic Italian desserts like panna cotta and tiramisu alongside the requisite scone and tea. It costs £29 per person but there's the option to upgrade to a rosé or champagne afternoon tea for a small supplement.

Pleased To Meet You, High Bridge

The PTMY afternoon tea adds sweets and savouries to the usual tea and scones and offers excellent value at just £19.99 per person. Prosecco and champagne versions are offered too, or you can opt for the gentleman's afternoon tea which features savoury scones, sausage rolls and the like teamed with craft beers or negronis. Booking is essential and a minimum of two people is required.

Leila Lily's, Grey Street

Creatively reimagined British dishes are the order of the day at Leila Lily’s on Grey Street and that ethos extends to their afternoon teas too. Priced at £22.95, guests get a mix of savoury (sandwiches, croquettes and the like) and sweet (cakes, scones, pavlova) treats and can upgrade to a glass of prosecco a cocktail for a small extra charge. Vegetarian and vegans are catered for too, with tempting meat-free and dairy-free versions.

3SIXTY, Rutherford Street

If you can tear yourself away from the stunning panoramic views for long enough, you'll find that 3SIXTY's afternoon tea is equally appealing. Served from 12pm to 5pm daily, it's priced at £25.95 per person and features the obligatory scone and hot drink alongside a selection of savoury and sweet plates including patisseries crafted by 3SIXTY's own pastry chef. There’s a vegan and kids menu too, plus plenty of tempting alcoholic extras.

Claremont Teahouse, Eldon Place

For afternoon tea done right, look no further than Claremont Teahouse. Known for their specialist tea blends, their afternoon tea features fresh sandwiches, scones and cakes teamed with a wide choice of brews including spiced chai, Japanese sencha and ginger peach (plus a classic English breakfast tea) and is priced at £22.50 per person. Fancy some fizz with your food? Guests can also upgrade to a prosecco afternoon tea for £27.50a head.

So there you have it, a few suggestions for some particularly tempting destinations to while away an indulgent afternoon. That leaves just one question: cream or jam on the scone first?!