With Christmas and New Year's just around the corner, now is the time to start thinking about nabbing those extra special experiences for your friends and family.
Because what says 'I love you and I don't know what to get you' better than an afternoon tea?
Jokes aside, there's a reason afternoon teas are so perennially popular: quality time spent together in typically glamorous settings, a glass of bubbly* or steaming pots of tea and coffee, and endlessly inventive and delicious treats.
Here, we've rounded up some of the best afternoon teas in the country, whether you're booking it as a Christmas gift or just want to spoil someone special (or yourself!).
The House of Guinness Afternoon Tea, Luttrellstown Castle
If it's luxury and opulence you're looking for, what could be better than channelling the iconic Guinness family?
Coming on the heels of the release of Netflix's The House of Guinness, Luttrellstown Castle are running their own homage to the hugely influential Irish family with an afternoon tea that raises a glass to their history at the castle. Held in the Van Stry Ballroom, the team will serve Guinness-inspired treats while overlooking the stunning grounds.
Guests also have the opportunity to delve into the rich history of Luttrellstown Castle and the Guinness family, with an exclusive castle tour hosted by our team at 3.30pm.
The afternoon tea is served on 7, 21, 22 and 23 December at 1pm and 4pm, and starts at €70pp.
Boodles Afternoon Tea, The Westbury
Overlooking the hustle and bustle of Grafton St, The Westbury has long been a glamorous sanctuary in the city centre, particularly for shoppers who might be looking to treat themselves with an elegant lunch or cocktail.
Afternoon tea is served here every day of the week from 12pm-5pm but their recent Boodles Afternoon Tea offering - running for six weeks from 1 October, starting at €75pp - is particularly decadent. Inspired by one of the jeweller's collections, it includes bites such as a pistachio and vanilla opera cake, a lemon posset topped with edible pearls and perfectly buttery scones.
I was invited to try it after its launch and loved the variety of flavours, designs and sheer amount of nibbles on the tray. Their range of teas is also very impressive.
The hotel's festive offering, starting at €79pp will also kick off on 20 November.
Luxury Afternoon Tea, The Dylan Hotel, Dublin
Located just off Baggot St, The dylan Hotel is a stunning 5-star boutique spot that has just been included in Ireland's Blue Book for 2026. With this in mind, now is the time to nab your spot for one of their exceptional afternoon teas, be it the classic Luxury tea or their upcoming Festive Afternoon Tea (both starting at €55).
Held in either the Dylan Bar or intimate Ruby Room, the spread includes finger sandwiches and mini cakes created daily by the in-house pastry chefs. For their festive afternoon tea, guests can expect seasonal sandwiches including Irish smoked salmon with cucumber cream cheese, duck liver parfait on homemade brioche, and slow-roasted turkey with truffle dressing.
The Gentleman's Tea, The Morrison, Dublin
Though always popular with ladies, the fuss and extravagance of an afternoon tea is just as enjoyable for the men in our lives. If your dad or partner goes all in for little nibbles, but could give the pink and flowers a miss, The Morrison's Gentleman's Tea might be the option for you.
In the place of finger sandwiches and mini desserts is a hearty feast of steak sandwiches, beer sliders, smoked rasher scones and whiskey chocolate truffles that can be washed down with a refreshing bottle of Wicklow Wolf.
This is also a good option for those of us who enjoy the ceremony of afternoon tea but come away still feeling hungry. Costs €37pp.
Literary Afternoon Tea, The College Green Hotel
Located a stone's throw from Trinity College and a short walk from the Museum of Literature of Ireland (MoLI), The College Green Hotel is smack bang in the middle of literary Dublin. So it's unsurprising that the team have taken inspiration from our storied literature heritage and channelled it into their new afternoon tea.
Served in the impressive Atrium Lounge, the Literary Tea-Time of Ireland is a whistlestop tour of some of the country's best-known writers through food, from Joyce and Wilde, to Yeats and Heaney. I was invited to sample this afternoon tea and was particularly impressed by the savoury options, which can often be overlooked in favour of dainty little cakes.
Standouts do, however, include the 'Seamus Heaney Spiced Apple' dessert, a trompe l'oeil treat of fluffy white chocolate and apple mousse, and 'Sweny's Lemon Soap', a lemon treacle cake inspired by the iconic Sweny's pharmacy. Prices start at €65pp.
