At any other time, devouring a huge selection of sandwiches wouldn’t feel sophisticated, but afternoon tea is no ordinary event. You don’t have to be a Jane Austen or Bridgerton fan to tuck into the ultimate British pastime either – although, it certainly adds to the glitz and glamour. Whether you find yourself dining in a traditional, fancy hotel or enjoying a quirky twist on a timeless classic, these are the very best spots for afternoon tea in Bristol!
1. No.4 Clifton Village
Situated at The Rodney Hotel, an afternoon tea here is quintessentially British. No.4 offers an assortment of traditional sandwiches, cream teas and a variety of cakes to accompany your pot of tea. This is as classic as it gets. But, as well as serving your standard afternoon tea of mini sandwiches and freshly baked scones, you can also opt for prosecco, mocktails or Hendrick’s G&Ts to make things a little more boozy.
No.4 Clifton Village, The Rodney Hotel, 4 Rodney Place, BS8 4HY
2. Hotel du Vin
Within this charming city centre hotel you’ll find Bistro du Vin where afternoon tea is served. For £29.95 per person, guests can tuck into a moreish finger sandwich selection which features the likes of Severn & Wye smoked salmon and cream cheese on dark rye bread and Croxton Manor cheese and pickle on malted loaf.
The hotel also has a vast selection of cakes – from Victorian sponge roulade to chocolate ganache – and teas to choose from, which range from classic Great British cuppa to more exotic teas like fruit salad and gingerbread chai, as well as three different champagnes and mouthwatering cocktails that take your afternoon tea in Bristol up a notch or two.
Hotel du Vin Bristol City Centre, The Sugar House, Narrow Lewins Mead, BS1 2NU
Hotel du Vin Avon Gorge, Sion Hill, Clifton, Bristol BS8 4LD
3. Ashwell & Co
Have you ever sipped on tea and gorged on cake in a vintage boutique? Well, there’s a first for everything. At Ashwell & Co you can eat, shop and dress as not only is the store brimming with handpicked vintage fashion, but it’s also a bridal shop and tearoom – with afternoon tea served from 12.30pm every Friday and Saturday to eat in or for collection.
One of Bristol’s longest-running independent tearooms, and most unique, changes menus seasonally. But you’ll always find that everything from bread to cakes, to the scones and even the clotted cream is homemade – plus, the tearoom also has an extensive loose-leaf tea menu courtesy of Bristol Tea Company. Ashwell & Co aims to provide a proper, traditional afternoon tea in Bristol like you’re granny would’ve made.
Ashwell & Co, 32 Alma Vale Road, BS8 2HY
4. The Forge & Fern
Since transforming the former Red Lion pub in Staple Hill into The Forge & Fern, this opulent restaurant has championed local produce – including herbs from the garden, honey from its own rooftop bees! Every Saturday, the Bee High Tea (£29.50 per person) offers sweet treats, savoury bites, local cheeses and tasting jars of honey, served with a choice of teas or barista coffee. Tuck into everything from hummus with sourdough pitta bread to Somerset brie and Chantilly profiteroles
The Forge & Fern, 76 Broad St, Bristol BS16 5NL
5. Ahh Toots
Not satisfied with serving the most beautiful cakes in Bristol, Ahh Toots can also offer an afternoon tea that competes with the best of them. There are three options to choose from, vegetarian, vegan and ‘glutenless’, but all come with a healthy serving of iconic sweet treats, homemade scones, traditional finger sandwiches, and a selection of tea and coffee. Only available Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays, for £39 per person, you’re in for a real treat!
Ahh Toots, 17 Christmas St, Bristol BS1 5BT
6. Berwick Lodge
This north Bristol hotel brings plenty of atmosphere at teatime whatever the weather as you can sit in their beautiful, wood-panelled lounge with a roaring fire or sit back on one of their vintage white garden chairs to witness amazing views of the grounds. Choose from three elegant afternoon teas – Traditional, Berwick and Champagne (and there’s also a children’s one that includes milkshakes).
If you’re feeling ultra fancy, we recommend ordering the Berwick afternoon tea which includes a cheese scone, smoked duck breast and tempura prawn as well as classic yet exceptional sarnies. Their wintery sweet specials include banoffee choux, chocolate and orange liqueur macaron, lemon posset, raspberry and meringue, and coffee and walnut cake. Plus, warm scones with clotted cream and Earl Grey jam. Drooling yet? Head here to learn more.
Berwick Lodge, Berwick Drive, BS10 7TD
7. The Ivy
A special occasion calls for a lavish meal at The Ivy in Clifton and nothing says lavish quite like an afternoon tea. Overlooking The Mall Gardens, The Ivy adds to the chic of Clifton Village, especially with its food and drink offerings and impressive décor featuring brass chandeliers, Art Deco details and banquettes to sit back on whilst you sip on tea or champagne.
The Bristol brasserie’s afternoon tea, served every day from 3 to 5pm, includes savouries like smoked salmon and cream cheese finger sandwich and grilled chicken and truffle mayonnaise brioche roll. As well as the traditional scones, cream and jam. But the star of the show has to be The Ivy’s sweet treats like coconut and chocolate truffle, orange and cranberry eclair, and pistachio, almond and cherry Battenberg.
The Ivy Clifton Brasserie, 42-44 Caledonia Place, Clifton, BS8 4DN
8. KIBOU
KIBOU in Clifton puts a Japanese twist on the classic afternoon tea. It’s the same daintiness we have come to expect from the English pastime but, rather than cucumber sandwiches and jam-filled scones, expect salmon, sashimi and traditional Japanese sweets. Highlights include tempura prawn California rolls, sea bream nigiri and the yuzu cheesecake.
There is also a vegetarian afternoon tea menu available too. Guests can sip on a choice of Japanese teas and infusions, such as jasmine or genmaicha, while a matcha tea option is also offered. Those looking to get a little boozy can also enjoy champagne, KIBOU’s signature cocktail and sake – to keep the afternoon truly Japanese.
KIBOU, 16 King’s Road, Clifton, BS8 4AB
9. The Bristol Hotel
For a little luxury down by the water’s edge, The Bristol Hotel adds glitz and glamour to Harbourside. Relax and take in the sights of the harbour as you enjoy seasonal in the modern setting of either the lounge or restaurant, Thursday to Saturday from 12:30pm to 4:30pm. A classic afternoon tea is £25 per person, but add champagne or a house cocktail for £12 to go with you your Cornish clotted cream and jam, miniature cakes, and a selection of finger sandwiches. For more info head here.
The Bristol Hotel, Prince St, Bristol BS1 4QF
10. Aqua
There’s something about Clifton and afternoon tea. Up on Whiteladies Road, you’ll discover Aqua. Inspired by the all-day dining of France’s finest brasseries, the afternoon tea keeps it very British. A classic afternoon tea (£25) provides assorted finger sandwiches, scones with jam & clotted cream, a selection of pastries and a choice of teas. Or, for £35, opt for champagne with your afternoon tea.
Aqua, 153 Whiteladies Rd, Redland, Bristol BS8 2RF
11. Browns
Join Browns off the Clifton Triangle for everything from a lobster brioche roll to blackcurrant Victoria sponge cake. Housed in a former Bristol museum, with dramatic arched windows and stone pillars, this is the perfect spot for a sophisticated afternoon tea in Bristol. Served every day from 3pm to 5pm, Browns has everything you could want: savouries, scones, jams, mini cakes and teas. A classic afternoon tea costs £25 per person, but you can add a glass of champagne (£35) or pink champagne (£40)
Browns Bristol, 38 Queens Rd, Clifton, Bristol BS8 1RE
12. Regency Tea Room
Fancy living out your Jane Austen fantasies? Look no further than the Regency Tea Room on the 2nd floor of the Jane Austen Centre. Open from 11am to 5pm every day, so treat yourself to a selection of delicious cakes and savour a pot of tea after wandering around the Georgian architecture all day.
Of course, it’s not the only place to grab afternoon tea in Bath! You can’t blink for stumbling across a jam-and-cream scone. Other options also include the equally fabulous Pump Room Restaurant and Sally Lunn’s – known as the home of the Bath Bunn – are also worth visiting outside of Bristol.
Regency Tea Room, 40 Gay St, Bath BA1 2NT
Sally Lunn’s, 4 N Parade Passage, Bath BA1 1NX
The Pump Room, Stall St, Bath BA1 1LZ
Whether living a life of luxury or catching up with an old friend, there are some divine places to enjoy afternoon tea at your leisure around Bristol. We hope this tea-rrific roundup will help you have a splendid time surrounded by cake, tea, sandwiches and more!