The best: Spots for afternoon tea in Manchester

Few settings in Manchester are more spectacular than that of The Refuge and Kimpton Clock Tower. Expect a classic menu with a contemporary twist, serving well-loved staples of afternoon tea, scones and a good cuppa, along with more adventurous choices including a pork and kimchi sausage roll, tahini choux buns and cheddar cheese custard.

Fancy an Alice in Wonderland dining experience? Look no further. Richmond’s eccentric surroundings are perfectly complemented with choices of the Alice, Hatter’s, Queen’s, or Richmond’s Tea ensuring that every taste and appetite is catered for. From the enchanted forest area where you can dine under twinkling lights in a woodland-themed room, to the orangery which is the most warming garden even on the rainiest of Manchester days—Richmond Tea Rooms invites you down the rabbit hole and into Wonderland.

A Mancunian stalwart, Sugar Junction stays true to the quintessentially English tradition via moreish selections of freshly-baked cakes, tasty sandwiches and a pot of loose tea to wash it all down with. There is also, of course, the option to switch your tea out for Prosecco.

Celebrating the ceremony of high tea tradition, Grand Pacific offers a rich plethora of bite-sized sweet delights and savouries. With a menu that spans crumpets with lobster butter, szechuan tofu, goat cheese arancini, and avocado potato cakes—this afternoon tea proves to be a deliciously delectable favourite done the Grand Pacific way. With all options served with a side of chit-chat, recline in the venue’s decadent settings with the flavours of the exotic.

On the 23rd floor of the Manchester landmark, Beetham Tower, the views here do not disappoint. More than just a restaurant, the unique venue boasts the most complete panoramic views of the evolving Manchester city centre skyline and beyond. Serving up favourites like the red berry and matcha battenburg, French macaroons, and a smoked salmon and dill crème fraîche bagel—if nothing else you can get a nice snap for Insta. With unlimited hot drinks or the option to upgrade to free-flowing glasses of champagne and cocktails, this is one to push the boat out.