Best afternoon teas in the UK (and yes, they’re all vegan!)

Afternoon tea (also known as cream tea) is a UK culinary classic, and for good reason – it is absolutely delicious. 

A traditional afternoon tea features elegant tiny sandwiches with no crusts, delicate cakes, and of course, warm vegan scones speckled with plump, juicy raisins, smothered in cream and jam (or is that jam and cream?).

All this deliciousness is perfectly matched with a perfect pot of freshly-brewed tea leaves.

These dishes are usually crammed with animal products; cream cheese, salmon, eggs, cream, and of course milk in your tea. 

But it’s 2023, and as the saying goes, “anything you can do, I can do vegan.” Eateries up and down the nation offer innovative, plant-based alternatives.

Here is our round-up of some of the best afternoon teas in the UK.

Best vegan afternoon teas in London

The Palm Court at The Langham*

1C Portland Place, London W1B 1JA                               

From £65

The Palm Court at The Langham offers an upmarket vegan afternoon tea, complete with a tea sommelier to make sure you pick the right infusion. 

Its menu features a range of finger sandwiches including traditional options like cucumber and (vegan) cream cheese on white bread alongside more unusual concoctions including smoked aubergine, spinach, and sesame-tahini on malted granary bread. 

Other highlights include vegan lemon curd and chef’s seasonal preserves, cheese scones, biscuits, pastries, and tarts.

Those wanting some fizz can purchase a supplementary glass from a list of vegan Champagne or English sparkling wine.

Find out more here.

Brigit’s Bakery*

6-7 Chandos Place, Covent Garden, London WC2N 4HU

From £35

Brigit’s Bakery offers afternoon tea in its Covent Garden tearoom, as well as on its famous bus tours, with vegan options available in both.

While the menu can change depending on seasonal ingredients, the finger sandwiches on offer include beetroot and cucumber, with avocado rolls and mixed roasted vegetable ciabattas also available. 

Vegan sweet treats include lemon tart, blueberry vegan macarons and chocolate cupcake among others. The menu is topped off with scones, of course.

To drink, there are black and herbal teas, as well as coffee, and a range of alcoholic options. Make sure to let the venue know your dietary requirements when booking.

Find out more here.

Best vegan afternoon teas in Manchester

The Richmond Tea Rooms*

46 Sackville Street, Manchester, M1 3WF

£9.95 – £29.50 + £2 charge for vegan options

The Richmond Tea Rooms in central Manchester offer afternoon tea in an Alice in Wonderland themed setting. This venue is good for groups with differing appetites, as it offers a range of differently sized and priced tea menus. 

These range from the Alice Tea featuring scones and your pick of drink to the Queen’s Tea, which comes with a selection of finger sandwiches, cakes, pastries and scones.

The drinks’ list includes a vast range of ‘rare and exotic’ teas from around the world. Vegan options are available – be sure to let your server know your requirements.

You can find out more here.

The Vegan Afternoon Tea Company

Delivers throughout the northwest

From £21

The Vegan Afternoon Tea Company, based in Cheshire, offers a full vegan afternoon tea with a twist – instead of going to them, they deliver to you!

Among the items on the menu are no beef pastrami sandwiches, homemade sausage rolls, Viennese whirls, and scones with cream and jam. 

These are accompanied with a choice of either Earl Grey or English Breakfast tea. The meal is delivered on a 4-tier cardboard stand, which can be reused.

Additional items like flowers and Champagne can be added to your order. If you fancy having your tea as a picnic, you can even hire floor rugs and crockery.

You can find out more here.

Love finding restaurants with great vegan menus? Check these out:

• Top 10 vegan bakeries in the UK
• 21 impressive vegan cake recipes anyone can make
• Best Vegan Restaurants in London

Best vegan afternoon tea in Birmingham

Laura Ashley at The Tea Room Southcrest Manor*

Pool Bank, Redditch, B97 4JS

From £24.00

Could there be anything more quintessentially British than sitting in a former Manor House while enjoying tea and scones?

If that sounds like bliss to you, you may just enjoy heading to Laura Ashley in Redditch’s Southcrest Manor. 

Here you can enjoy vegan sandwiches and cakes, avocado and lime crostini, and scones smothered in coconut cream and fruit preserve.

If you want a glass of something sparkly, Prosecco or Champagne are also available.

You can find out more here.

Best vegan afternoon tea in Liverpool

Cuthbert’s Bakehouse*

103 Mount Pleasant, Liverpool L3 5TB

From £21

This beautiful tearoom in Liverpool has a mouthwatering selection of plant-based goodies on its menu.

Vegan diners can tuck into sandwiches stuffed with tasty fillings like coronation faux chicken, cheese and pickle, and curried cauliflower and pomegranate. 

Sweet options include miniature scones, served warm, as well as a selection of cakes (which changes weekly).

Some favourites include Biscoff Loaf Cake and Double Chocolate & Raspberry. Unlimited loose leaf tea or coffee complement the meal.

You can find out more here.

Best vegan afternoon tea in Sheffield

Rhubarb Shed Cafe at Sheffield Manor Lodge*

389 Manor Ln, Sheffield S2 1UL

£18.95

This characterful eatery offers a relaxed atmosphere in which to enjoy your afternoon tea. Its selection of sandwiches included hummus and roasted red pepper, cucumber and pickled onion, and plant-based feta and beetroot among others.

As well as savouries like porkless pies and sausage rolls, there is also a range of mini cakes on offer, including coffee cupcakes and chocolate torte. And, of course, it wouldn’t be afternoon tea without a fruit scone.

You can find out more here.

Best vegan afternoon tea in Bristol

Eden Cafe Clifton

10 Waterloo St, Clifton, Bristol BS8 4BT

From £25

This popular plant-based eatery has a tempting afternoon tea menu packed with savoury and sweet options.

Vegan prawn and coronation sandwiches should satisfy, before moving on to the sweet courses of chocolate brownies and scones.

As well as classic tea, diners can opt for cocktails or a glass of fizz alongside their meal. The drinks menu also includes a range of smoothies, different flavours of hot chocolate, or luxury lattes.

You can find out more here.

Best vegan afternoon tea in Bath

Sweet Little Things – Tea Room & Bakery

6 Lower Borough Walls, Bath BA1 1QR

From £19.95

This pretty tea room offers standard afternoon tea as well as boozy options (you can pick from Prosecco and gin).

Among the plant-based sandwiches on offer are avocado, chilli jam and tomato; vegan cheese, tomato, basil pesto; and roasted veg and beetroot hummus.

These are served alongside English Breakfast tea, a selection of cakes as well as a homemade scone. A smaller Kids’ Tea is available (priced at £12).

You can find out more here.

Best vegan afternoon tea in Kent

Seaside Kitchen & Cake Parlour

24 Hawley Street, Margate CT9 1 QA 

From £15.90

A fully-vegan location in the trendy coastal town of Margate, the Seaside Kitchen & Cake Parlour offers an exciting vegan afternoon tea menu that starts at just £15.90.

For this, you can enjoy a range of sandwiches, sausage roll bites, three fresh cakes, and home-baked scones with cream and jam. And, of course, as much tea as you can drink.

There is a children’s menu, which costs £8.90 for a scone, cake, a set of sandwiches and a juice. The Seaside Kitchen & Cake Parlour also has a gluten-free menu for £17.90. 

You can find out more here.

Best vegan afternoon tea in Brighton

Terre à Terre*

71 East St, Brighton BN1 1HQ

From £26

This classic Brighton restaurant (a veggie institution) has a vegan afternoon tea menu with some innovative options.

The savoury tier features steamed bao buns, pumpkin croquette and a tapioca cracker with pickled vegetables.

The savoury course is followed by three sweet tiers, stuffed with orange and almond polenta cake, chocolate hazelnut truffle cake, and a traditional sultana scone served with vanilla and strawberry jam and coconut lime yoghurt.

You can find out more here.

Best vegan afternoon tea in Edinburgh

The Dome*

14 George Street, Edinburgh, EH2 2PF

From £22

Enjoy afternoon tea served from silver platters in the comfort of The Dome’s Georgian tea room. A firm favourite with locals and visitors, tea often books up quickly, so make sure to reserve ahead of time.

Among the delicacies you can expect are artichoke, pea and mint salad sandwiches, walnut pesto scones with cream, and mille-feuille.

Should you want an alcoholic drink, you can have Champagne or Cava, otherwise, you can pick from a list of loose-leaf teas or house blend coffee.

You can find out more here.

*These venues are not 100% vegan.

Are you craving some tasty afternoon treats yourself now?

Why not give our recipe for Garden Herby Pesto Scones with Feta & Sundried Tomatoes a try?