Spots for Afternoon Tea in Leeds

Looking for inspiration for afternoon tea then take a look at Cindy’s recommendations! She’s French and likes nothing better than taking Afternoon Tea with her local friends and showing her family and friends from France the best places to go when they visit. She’s an Afternoon Tea connoisseur and thinks that Leeds has by far the best choice of Afternoon Tea venues anywhere in the North of England. 

Not-to-be-missed in Leeds City Centre 

(Just Grand! Vintage Tearoom)

Just Grand! Vintage Tearoom

Step back in time at this Grand Arcade tearoom (one of Leeds’ Victorian Arcades) decorated with an eclectic mix of vintage furniture and artefacts. It’s a small, quirky and cute tea room, the cakes however are nothing but small. They serve an amazing selection of teas (over 25 flavours) and you can even buy some to take home. If cakes are not your thing, they also offer a Gents’ Afternoon tea with pork pies, cheese scones and much more.

Browns

Located in The Light, the menu varies according to the seasons. The selection of savouries and cakes are delicious. Savour delicious Victoria Sponge cake, delectable savouries, warm scones with seasonal jams, and irresistible mini cakes and puddings all It’s the perfect the restaurant setting with views over the town hall and the square.

The Ivy

Sitting pretty under the spectacular roofs of the Victoria Quarter, The Ivy’s vibrantly patterned walls are a treat for the eyes while the food is a treat for the mind, body, and soul. Their afternoon tea has it all, from mouth-watering savouries to ever so tempting sweets – available everyday 3pm-5pm. You can add some fizz to the fun with champagne for those special occasions and enjoy the seasonal menu year-round.

The Lost & Found, Leeds Club

Housed in the iconic former Leeds Club, afternoon tea at The Lost & Found provides a delicious experience in an unforgettable setting.

Wow Factor Afternoon Teas

(Dakota Bar & Grill)

Dakota

Another option in the city centre is in the only 5* hotel of the city, the Dakota.  They won an award at the Leeds Oliver Awards 2023 and 2024 for Best Hotel Restaurant. The menu is carefully selected to cater for both traditional and contemporary; why not treat yourself to a glass of Hattingley or a delicious Rum Baba cocktail?

Sky Lounge

If you want to enjoy Leeds from above, don’t miss an afternoon tea at the Sky Lounge. From the 13^th floor of the DoubleTree Hotel, you can see the whole city. The afternoon tea is modern and varied. You can even enjoy it with one of the fabulous signature cocktails that the Sky Lounge is famous for.

Afternoon tea with a twist

Cinnamon Kitchen, The Queens Hotel

Cinnamon Kitchen Leeds has unveiled High Chai, a bold, Indian-inspired twist on the British tradition for 2025. Served on a traditional tiered stand, classic dishes are replaced with Indian-inspired bites including samosa chaat, dahi puri and masala fish finger sandwiches. Sweet treats come in the form of shrikhand cheesecake with tamarind glazed strawberries and a raspberry and pink peppercorn infused almond cake. High Chai is served with a selection of premium teas, including the signature Masala Chai, a warming blend infused with ginger and cardamom, or elevate your meal with a cinnamon Bellini.

LIVIN Italy

If you are looking for something different, LIVIN Italy serves an Italian afternoon tea with pizzas, arancini, polenta, tiramisu. It sounds divine! If you want to feel like you are on holiday, why not add an Aperol Spritz and all your troubles will fade away!

The Ivy Asia

The Ivy Asia also offers a luxurious Asian afternoon tea. The menus changes with the seasons and the flavours are not like any others; spring rolls, maki, and dumplings … not to mention that the restaurant is also absolutely gorgeous and very Instagrammable!

Fléur Restaurant

This city centre favourite isn’t called Fléur for no reason. The flower wall serves as the perfect backdrop for the perfect Instagram picture. The menu, designed by Masterchef Bobby Creetha, is a work of art in itself that tastes just as good as it looks. Like afternoon tea but can never mange it all? Fléur’s Mini Afternoon Tea is the perfect alternative. 

(Fléur Restaurant Mini Afternoon Tea)

Afternoon teas in private estates

There are many beautiful estates around Leeds and many of them offer an amazing afternoon tea experience.

Terrace Tearoom, Harewood House

Harewood is the obvious destination for afternoon tea in Leeds. Stare out at the rolling parkland from the south-facing Terrace Tearoom while grazing on freshly made sandwiches and scones, all part of their Quintessential Afternoon Tea. Afterwards, you can explore the house, gardens and grounds, and take in the beauty of one of our famously wonderful stately homes.

Oulton Hall

Oulton Hall, is located 15 minutes south of Leeds. With its own spa and golf club, the hotel serves afternoon tea every day. Served in an elegantly decorated room and with your private butler, you have various options, from the classic to a Hendricks gin or even a Moet afternoon tea.

Wood Hall

Wood Hall served in the Georgian restaurant or al fresco on the terrace with stunning views of the estate, this afternoon tea is most definitely a treat. The best thing with country estates like this one, is that they have a pastry chef onsite which takes the afternoon teas to another level.

Your visit to Leeds is bound to be a tasty one and we can’t wait to welcome you. Explore more and watch our foodie series of videos below:

Leeds: The Foodie Capital of the North

Leeds: The best indie food scene in the North

Leeds: The best food producing scene in the North

* Blog was originally posted March 2021 and has been updated.