Along with the hallowed Sunday roast, the afternoon tea is also part of the English DNA. With that in mind, Manchester has some fine examples of the art of pairing cakes with little sandwiches, tea and scones (you can keep the cream first/jam first debate, however, it’s a distraction).
As King Charles III prepares for his momentous day, an afternoon tea experience befitting such an auspicious occasion might be just the very thing. Here are some of the city’s very best…
Lowry Hotel
In the opulent surroundings of the Lowry Hotel, you’ll find one of the best afternoon teas in town. They’re upping their already lofty game for the Coronation too. Among the sandwiches, there’s an egg-mayo royale with smoked salmon and caviar and a peppered bavette steak brioche slider served with a potato crisps, parmesan mayo and rocket. Then, for the sweet of tooth, a gariguette strawberry and crème brûlée tart, or a Grand Marnier-soaked carrot cake gateaux. There are scones and tea, of course, with prices starting at £27.50.
50 Dearmans Pl, Salford M3 5LH
Grand Pacific
There are few grander rooms in the whole of Manchester than the dining room at Grand Pacific, formerly the Reform Club. Better still, perhaps, there are a wealth of options - from the Chocolate High Tea to the opulent Champagne High Tea. On the savoury side, there are prawn cocktail vol au vents and duck and hoi sin Sausage Roll, while making the argument for the sweet are chocolate macaroons, salted peanut and caramel tarts and a classic sherry trifle. Prices start from £25.95.
50 Spring Gardens, Manchester M2 1EN
20 Stories
With one of the best views in the city, not to mention its wraparound roof terrace, 20 Stories is also presenting a special afternoon tea especially for the Coronation. Sandwiches wise, there are classic cucumber and cream cheese numbers on white bread, an equally classic coronation chicken on rustic onion bread, as well as a devilled egg vol au vent with avruga caviar. There are also plain and fruit scones, a chocolate and raspberry marquise, a seasonal rhubarb custard tart and a victoria sponge. It’s £35 per person, £47 with some Nyetimber fizz or £70 with a miniature cocktail pairing.
1 Hardman Square, Manchester M3 3EB
The Alan
The exceptionally chic Portland Street hotel does an unsurprisingly chic afternoon tea, one certainly befitting the grand occasion. Launched just a month or so ago, sandwich choices include chicken with tarragon mayonnaise on a soft milk loaf and smoked ham and celeriac on blinis, along with freshly baked scones with strawberry jam and clotted cream, and an assortment of pastries changing on a seasonal basis. There’s a pot of Bohea tea to go with it, and it’s £28, with an upgrade to Telmot champers for an extra £10.
18 Princess St, Manchester M1 4LG
Richmond Tea Rooms
The recently award-winning Richmond Tea Rooms has raised the bar for all other tea rooms. It is afternoon tea at its most theatrical, with a wealth of Alice In Wonderland-related tea menus, encompassing everything from mini fried fish with skin-on fries, homemade scotch eggs, fabulous scones and tiny quiches. There will be clotted cream, there are fine preserves, and should you want it, there is booze too, not to mention monthly tea parties hosted by the Mad Hatter himself.
46 Sackville St, Manchester M1 3WF
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