If you're looking for a special celebration to mark the holiday season, or an experiential present for your loved ones, a festive afternoon tea is always a good choice.
From delicious finger sandwiches to mini desserts and the essential scones with clotted cream and jams, afternoon tea is a good chance to sample some of the best dishes in a range of hotels. Add a glass of bubbly*, or stick with tea and coffee, and you're guaranteed a magical day out.
Here, we've rounded up our top picks of festive afternoon teas available around the country.
Fairmont Carton House, Co Kildare
As a former playground for aristocratic guests, it's no wonder that Carton House's Festive Afternoon Tea is a distinctly opulent affair. Held in the Gold Salon, outfitted with its gilded ceiling, you couldn't get more Christmassy and the food is all inspired by the Yuletide season.
Expect dainty finger sandwiches with honey roast ham and smoked Knockanore cheddar with pommery mustard mayonnaise, Dublin smoked salmon with horseradish cream and more, while baked treats like scones and Black Forest with cherry sweets and pistachio choux and ganache are also served up.
The Festive Afternoon Tea experience at Fairmont, Carton House is €65 per guest to include your selection of tea/coffee or to include a glass of Henriot Brut Souverain Champagne for an extra €20 per guest. Sittings available to book every Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday between 1:30pm and 4:30pm.
The Heritage, Co Laois
Lobster and prawn po'boy, coronation egg salad and Laois spiced beef are just some of the unique sandwich fillings in this elegant afternoon tea. Local ingredients are the star of their take on the decadent treat, and among the sweet treats are scones with clotted cream, homemade mince pies, pistachio éclair with matcha tea crackling and chantilly cream and their chocolate and coffee opera with blood orange gel.
Afternoon tea at The Heritage costs from €39 per person, or for a little more indulgence, the sparkling afternoon tea costs €49 and includes a glass of Prosecco. Be sure to prebook as spots fill up fast!
Killashee Hotel, Co Kildare
Located just outside Naas in Kildare, Killashee Hotel is an ideal destination for a Christmassy day trip, if only for the Festive Afternoon Tea. Inspired by the smells and tastes of Christmas, the tea includes sandwiches such as roast turkey, cranberry and brie served on cranberry and pumpkin seed sourdough, as well as traditional Christmas pudding and desserts like a chestnut choux bun, caramel and apple macarons and more.
The spread is accompanied by your choice of tea or coffee and a glass of warm mulled wine. The Killashee Festive Afternoon Tea menu which will be served between 1pm and 2:30pm from December 1 until the January 8, priced at €45 per person.
The Shelbourne, Co Dublin
If you want to go all out this Christmas, the Shelbourne's afternoon tea is the choice for you. Located in the bustling heart of Dublin City, amid the twinkling Christmas lights and right beside Grafton Street, the seasonal Festive Afternoon Tea is held in the stately setting of the Lord Mayor’s Lounge.
Expect to nibble on everything from whiskey-cured smoked salmon sandwiches with Lakeshore mustard on Guinness bread, and cherry vine tomato with feta cheese on pumpkin bread, to warm buttermilk and cranberry scones, and spiced Gingerbread log.
The pastries are particularly unique. Among the selection are 'The Candle’, lemon drizzle cake with lemon cream coated with Opalys chocolate and topped with a coconut glaze, and ‘The Bauble, light Bailey’s cheesecake, dulce ganache centre on a bed of crispy white chocolate.The children's Festive Afternoon Tea is also available for €35 per child.
This afternoon tea is available from November 23 to early January 2023, and costs €68 per person. The Champagne Festive Afternoon Tea is from €88 per person.
Knockranny House Hotel & Spa, Co Galway
From being greeted with a roaring log fire, to getting cosy in the plush reception room, the Festive Afternoon Tea at Knockranny House Hotel & Spa will certainly put you in the Christmas mood.
Among the selection of treats are sandwiches including chicken with celeriac remoulade, sundried tomato and tapenade on sourdough, honey roast ham and fig chutney on brioche, and more. For dessert, savour baked delights such as carnberry scones, spice cake, plum financier, cranberry cheesecake and peppermint fudge, among others.
The Festive Afternoon Tea is available from December 1 to the January 6, 2024, everyday from 1:30pm to 4:30pm and costs €26.50 per person, or you can elevate the experience with a prosecco afternoon tea from €34.50 per person.
Johnstown Estate, Co Meath
Located just 35 minutes' drive from Dublin, the Festive Afternoon Tea at Johnstown Estate is a true treat. The original Georgian house is surrounded by 120 acres of parkland, making it a scenic escape from the bustle of the city.
Served in the Atrium, the tea includes favourites like roast turkey and baked ham on mini brioche buns and whisky cured salmon on wheaten bread, as well as sweet treats like ginger cookies, Christmas fruit trifle and mini Christmas cupcakes.
The tea costs €39 per person and comes with your choice of teas and freshly brewed coffee, with a selection of wines and cocktails available to order. Alternatively add some bubbles and opt for The Johnstown Estate Sparkling Afternoon Tea, served with Prosecco, €47 per person. The Johnstown Estate also offers Children’s Afternoon Tea, €22 per child, up to 12 years.
Festive Afternoon Tea is available from 12pm to 5pm daily from December 1 until January 7 (advance booking is essential).
The g Hotel, Co Galway
If you're looking for afternoon tea with a side of high glamour, there's no better place than Galway's g Hotel. Overlooking Lough Atalia, the afternoon tea includes a selection of delicate sandwiches including duck mousse and fig gel brioche, salmon and crab on homemade brown bread, yuzu mayonnaise, goat cheese and cranberry choux, and more.
As for desserts, you can expect Guinness, chocolate and vanilla cake; pear and tonka bean frangipane tart; passion fruit, pineapple and coconut mousse and more.
The Festive Afternoon Tea costs €38 per person and is served with a selection of Ronnefeldt Specialty Teas and freshly roasted coffee. You can add a glass of Champagne Taittinger for €25 per glass.
The tea is available from November 20 to January 7 and is served daily from 12:30pm to 4:30pm.
Dromoland Castle, Co Clare
Served in the majestic Earl of Thomond dining room, this Festive Afternoon Tea is keenly focused on luxiry and a new take on festive flavours.
Kicked off with their own blend of black leaf tea such as the Dromoland Festive Spice, the mini spread includes delights such as ham hock roulade, Burren smoked salmon sandwiches and warm scones with spiced apple butter. Alongside a selection of delectable pastries, you'll find festive Battenberg, their Chester 'Mince Pie’ Cake and Dromoland Castle’s Classic Christmas Cake.
The team have limited availability for the Festive Afternoon Tea throughout December, so email or call to reserve your experience at Dromoland Castle Hotel.
