Seven hotels to try in Cork and Dublin for a festive afternoon tea experience this Christmas
There is ample choice for festive afternoon tea in both cities.
The Imperial Hotel in Cork is going all out this Christmas with a fire and ice theme that is sure to impress.
Through the Fire and Ice package, guests can enjoy an elaborate Narnia Afternoon Tea, magical new cocktail creations, indulgent ‘Escape to Narnia’ fire and ice-inspired spa treatments, and exclusive Narnia prints.
The city centre hotel is serving a menu that celebrates seasonal and local flavours such as a Cork spiced beef and smoked salmon from the English market, and a selection of finger sandwiches and scones.
References to the beloved Chronicles of Narnia books can also be found in abundance in the sweet tier which features intricate desserts such ‘Candle in the Dark’ (hazelnut sponge, maple mousse, pear compôte, and hazelnut crisp on chocolate sablé), ‘Winter’s Crown’ (pistachio cake, orange mousse and orange jelly on vanilla sablé), and of course — ‘Edmond’s Delight’ (dusted Turkish delight).
This afternoon tea experience is included in the Narnia package stay or can be booked separately for €49 per person with the festive cocktail (non-alcoholic version available on request).
- For more information or to make a booking see www.imperialhotelcork.com
The Metropole Hotel in Cork City is ready to celebrate the festive season with a brand-new afternoon tea menu that is suitable for both adults and children.
Loaded with sweet and savoury dishes, this menu also includes a free festive welcome drink. From mini scones to carrot cake and meringue snowmen, the Festive Afternoon Tea has something for everyone.
The menu is available now until Sunday, January 7 from 1pm to 4pm, seven days a week.
The Metropole’s Festive Afternoon Tea for adults is €40 per person plus €40 for any additional serving. The Festive Afternoon Tea for children is €20 per child. Pre-booking by 5pm the previous day is essential.
- To make reservations, see www.themetropolehotel.ie
Indulge in classic afternoon tea favourites at The River Lee, served in the stunning surroundings of the hotel’s cocktail bar.
Showcasing the best of Cork produce, this menu includes finger sandwiches such as roast turkey and cranberry, Ballycotton salmon and a real Cork classic: spiced beef. For dessert, there are festive cinnamon and cranberry scones served with generous dollops of Glenilen Chantilly cream and a selection of miniature sweet treats such as a Bailey’s choux bun, and mini mince pies.
You can enjoy this afternoon tea served with a classic cup of Barry’s or choose from a selection of Ronnefeldt Loose Leaf Teas for €45. For €65 you can treat yourself to a glass of Champagne.
- To book, call the team on 021 425 2700 or email cork@doylecollection.com
At the Cork International Hotel, afternoon tea changes with the seasons and this Christmas, the menu includes everything from Christmas spiced gingerbread men served on stands decorated with candy canes to Warm Roast Turkey and Brie Tartlets.
With both an adult's and children’s menu, the whole family can enjoy this festive experience.
The Festive Afternoon Tea is available until Sunday, January 7 and is served from 1pm - 4pm daily.
- The Festive Afternoon Tea for children is €20 per child. Pre-booking by 5pm the previous day is essential. See www.corkinternationalairporthotel.com
In Dublin, the InterContinental is looking to add some sparkle and glamour to your Christmas with their festive afternoon tea. The five-star hotel offers an array of savoury and sweet treats which can be enjoyed in the comforts of the Lobby Lounge or by the fire in the hotel’s recently refreshed Reading Room.
This afternoon menu includes finger sandwiches such as Coronation Chicken Wrap; egg mayo on brioche; smoked salmon on soda, dill cream cheese and roast beef with truffle mayo as well as fluffy plain and fruit scones, followed by an assortment of decadent Christmas desserts from Pastry Chef Orna Larkin.
Festive Afternoon Tea is €70pp and Champagne Festive Afternoon Tea is €85pp, served daily from 12pm to 4.30pm until December 31 (excluding December 24, 25 and 26). Gluten-Free, Vegan and Children’s Afternoon Teas are also available and should be booked in advance.
- Booking is essential and subject to availability, see www.intercontinentaldublin.ie to book or call 01-665 400 or email christmas@icdublin.com
If you’re hoping to hit up the streets of Dublin for your Christmas shopping, then afternoon tea at the Shelbourne is the ultimate addition to a festive day in the capital.
The Shelbourne offers a seasonal Festive Afternoon Tea in the Lord Mayor’s Lounge, available from now until early January.
This is a real treat with sparkling chandeliers, the glow of the fire, and delicate piano music playing in the background as you choose from a selection of traditional favourites and specially created holiday treats.
The Festive Afternoon Tea menu at The Shelbourne offers an array of finger sandwiches, including whiskey-cured smoked salmon with Lakeshore mustard on Guinness bread, roast chicken and chive mayonnaise on a poppy seed roll, cherry vine tomato with feta cheese on pumpkin bread and classic egg mayonnaise with cress on white loaf, along with delicious warm buttermilk and cranberry scones with clotted cream and Shelbourne preserves, and spiced Gingerbread log.
Accompanied by a variety of teas and coffees, the Festive Afternoon Tea is €68 per person and Champagne Festive Afternoon Tea is from €88 per person. The children’s Festive Afternoon Tea is also available for €35 per child.
Haddington House is a collection of four restored Victorian townhouses overlooking Dún Laoghaire Harbour and so, makes for a great setting for a festive afternoon tea.
Served in the hotel’s Parlour rooms, guests can choose from savoury snacks, sandwiches and of course, sweet treats.
The Afternoon Tea experience finishes with a raspberry lychee and rose crème pâtissière, a caramelised meringue, yuzu compote, lemon and vanilla cheesecake and a reworked Tiramisu with cocoa sable, a coffee jelly, mascarpone cream and a chocolate glaze.
You can enhance the experience with a bespoke cocktail, Piper-Heidsieck Brut champagne, or a glass of alcohol-free Noughty by Thomson & Scott.
The Parlour Afternoon Tea is served every Saturday and Sunday from 1 pm to 4 pm, priced at €50 per person for the Classic Afternoon Tea, and €65 per person for the Champagne Afternoon Tea which includes a glass of champagne on arrival.
- To book the Parlour Afternoon Tea visit haddingtonhouse.ie
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