Jam or cream first? Ahh the great Devonshire or Cornish cream tea debate…well, we suggest seeing how it’s done Bristol fashion. 

From the quirky to highly traditional, grab a brew and indulge in some of these afternoon teas.

Central Bristol

Hotel du Vin & Bistro

Located in an old sugar factory, this place is used to all things sweet. Dazzlingly good tea infusions from Bird & Blend Tea Co. are accompanied by beautiful sandwiches, including a fine selection for vegans, incredible cakes and scones with butter, cream and jam. For extra wow-factor wash down with champagne or a cocktail. 

Afternoon tea at Hotel Du Vin in central Bristol - credit Hotel Du Vin
Image - Hotel du Vin & Bistro

Café at the New Room

Fresh, home-baked, ethically and locally sourced food and drink is the order of the day at this new café. Afterwards, take a wander round the John Wesley's New Room – it’s the oldest Methodist church in the world!

Cake counter at The New Room Cafe
Image - The New Room

Harvey Nichols Bristol Second Floor Restaurant

Fend off shopping sugar lows with some teatime indulgence at this stylish eatery. The menu features classic sandwich combos like smoked salmon and cream cheese alongside homemade sweet treats, from apple and courgette cake to rhubarb pavlova. 

Recess, Hilton Garden Inn

Wash down your afternoon indulgence with a glass of Pimms in the summer or mulled wine come winter, before heading out to explore Bristol from your city centre location.

Afternoon tea at Recess, Hilton Garden Inn
Image - Recess at Hilton Garden Inn

The Harbour Kitchen at Harbour Hotel Bristol 

Wind down in the luxurious subterranean spa before choosing between full afternoon, prosecco or champagne tea in this classy setting. All are served with a selection of sandwiches, plain and fruit scones, clotted cream and jam, and a selection of cakes and sweet treats.

Sandwich choices include smoked salmon & avocado, truffled chicken mayonnaise, spiced prawn cocktail and cucumber finger sandwiches.

Interior of Harbour Kitchen at Bristol Harbour Hotel
Image - Harbour Kitchen at Harbour Hotel Bristol 

G&T afternoon tea at The Bristol

Served Thursday to Saturday from 12.30pm to 4.30pm, this afternoon tea arrives on retro crockery with traditional scones, Cornish clotted cream and jam, miniature cakes and finger sandwiches. To make your afternoon tea extra special, add a glass of Champagne or a House Cocktail. Gluten free or vegan afternoon teas available on request. 

The Bristol is also serving 'G & Afternoon Tea', which celebrates the best of local fare. It features all your favourite afternoon tea classics served with a unique blend of teas curated with The Bird & Blend Tea Co and a tea-inspired cocktail menu, made in partnership with Bristol Dry Gin. 

G and Afternoon Tea on table at The Bristol
Image - The Bristol G and Afternoon Tea

Clifton

No.4 Clifton Village

G and Tea anyone? Upgrade your afternoon tea to Hendrick’s Gin, Prosecco or Cocktail (or hot chocolate!) and nibble on freshly baked scones in their lovely walled garden or inside, surrounded by vintage décor in this beautiful Georgian townhouse. You can also updgrade to vintage crockery for an even more traditional twist! An equally tempting vegan menu is available. Advance booking is required.

Afternoon tea at No. 4 Clifton Village in Bristol - credit Evoke Pictures
Image - Afternoon tea at No.4 Clifton Village

Kibou

KIBOU serve afternoon tea with a Japanese twist. The menu features a tasters of the restaurant’s most popular dishes, including sushi, sashimi and traditional Japanese sweets. There is also a vegetarian afternoon tea menu available.

Afternoon tea with sushi at KIBOU in Bristol
Image - Kibou

The Ivy Clifton Brasserie

A real treat, afternoon tea is served 7 days a week and includes mouth-watering seasonal delights such as smoked salmon and cream cheese finger sandwich, grilled chicken and truffle mayonnaise brioche roll, red velvet raspberry cake and chocolate and blueberry pot.

The afternoon tea at The Ivy Clifton Village in Bristol
Image - The Ivy Clifton Brasserie

Ashwell & Co

This quirky vintage tearoom in Clifton prides themselves not only on their unique setting within a vintage boutique but also everything is handmade and locally produced for a proper traditional afternoon tea experience. From the sandwiches to the cakes to the scones and to their signature homemade clotted cream everything is made with care and attention and served up on beautiful vintage china.

Ashwell & Co is also available for private parties with a variety of party packages available. These are perfect for hen parties, birthdays, baby showers and more. They also deliver with the option to hire their stunning crockery if you fancy a fuss-free party at home.

A group of women enjoying afternoon tea at Ashwell & Co in West Bristol - credit Ashwell & Co
Image - Ashwell & Co.

Further afield

The Forge & Fern

Head to Staple Hill in East Bristol for a bee-lightful afternoon tea. The Bee High Tea is available every Saturday and includes a range of scones, cakes and savoury bites along with local cheeses and tasting jars of honey. They even have some treats which resemble cute little bees!

Bee-themed afternoon tea at The Forge & Fern - credit The Forge & Fern
Image - The Forge & Fern

Thornbury Castle

Seeing as it was Queen Victoria who helped popularise the tradition of afternoon tea, it’s fitting to be able to wolf down finger sandwiches and miniature cakes in this splendid castle. For hundreds of years the kitchen garden has provided ingredients for Thornbury Castle and continues to do so today.

Cakes on afternoon tea at Thornbury Castle - credit Thornbury Castle
Image - Thornbury Castle

Berwick Lodge

Afternoon tea at Berwick Lodge offers a selection of indulgences in a beautiful and classic setting. Take a seat in the beautiful, wood panelled lounge or opulent Hattusa restaurant and indulge in a freshly baked scone, topped with lashings of fragrant jam and gooey clotted cream. Traditional afternoon tea offers fresh sandwiches, homemade cakes and biscuits and a selection tea. Or why not try the Berwick Afternoon Tea for that extra something special? Also on offer are Gluten Free, Vegetarian and Vegan menus – which are just as lovingly made but must be booked in advance.

Afternoon tea in the garden at Berwick Lodge - credit Berwick Lodge
Image - Berwick Lodge

De Vere Tortworth Court Estate

Set within the picturesque countryside of South Gloucestershire, De Vere Tortworth Court is a 4-star hotel housed within a restored Grade II listed Victorian mansion, offering a unique setting to enjoy Afternoon Tea in their 1853 Restaurant, situated in the house's former library. You can enjoy a selection of finger sandwiches, followed by an array of seasonal cakes and pastries. If you’re in an extra indulgent mood, why not add a glass of Champagne?

Gothic exterior of De Vere Tortworth Court mansion house. credit De Vere Tortworth Court
Image - De Vere Tortworth Court

Curious Kitchen at Aztec Hotel & Spa

Take your tea in the AA Rosette restaurant at Aztec Hotel & Spa or al fresco on the terrace. The afternoon tea here showcases flavours of the South West. Artisanal sandwiches include West Country Keens cheddar and chutney on rye, and Severn and Wye smoked salmon; freshly baked Devon buttermilk scones are served with strawberry preserve and Cornish clotted cream; and you can expect desserts such as salted caramel and chocolate ‘tea cake'. 

Afternoon tea at Curious Kitchen, Aztec Hotel & Spa - credit Aztec Hotel & Spa
Image - Aztec Hotel & Spa

Tiffany’s Restaurant at the Grand Pier

Partake in a quintessential English pastime in a quintessentially English seaside town, but the difference here is that you will be a quarter-of-a-mile out to sea! From the Grand Pier you have views over the Bristol Channel, Mendip Hills and across to Wales.

An afternoon tea at the Tiffany's restaurant on The Grand Pier at Weston-super-Mare near Bristol - credit The Grand Pier
Image - Tiffany's at The Grand Pier