Best afternoon tea in Manchester: where to treat your mum this Mother’s Day including vegan options

It’s often the simple things in life that bring the most joy – and afternoon tea is definitely one of them. The combination of tea, scones, clotted cream and jam, accompanied by dainty cakes and finger sandwiches is a quintessentially British treat that many people will be surprising their mums with this Mother’s Day.

While all the ingredients for the perfect afternoon tea are readily available at supermarkets and accessible to all, there are also plenty of restaurants, cafes and tearooms in Manchester that specialise in them. Even if the traditional afternoon tea is not to your taste, you can also find places that offer their own unique twist on tea and scones.

If you’re still trying to find somewhere to take your mum this Mother’s Day, here are some of our favourite afternoon tea spots in Manchester.

Richmond Tea Rooms

Located on Sackville Street on the edge of Manchester’s Gay Village, Richmond Tea Rooms describes itself as an “Alice in Wonderland-themed dining experience”. The decor here is definitely something to be admired as it is all inspired by the class Lewis Carroll fantasy book.

They have several afternoon tea options that range in price from £10.75 per person to £38.90. All options are served all day and come with the basic ‘Alice’ package of tea-infused sultana scones, clotted cream and Tiptree preserve, as well as a pot of premium loose leaf tea. With the ‘Hatters’ option, you also get a selection of finger sandwiches and a mini quiche, and the ‘Tweedles’ option also comes with mini fish and chips and a Cumberland scotch egg.

If you prefer sweet treats, the ‘Queens’ afternoon comes with an assortment of “cakes and delights.” The most expensive option, the ‘Wonderland Champagne’ afternoon tea, comes with a glass of luxury fizz. You can add champagne, prosecco or lager to any of your afternoon teas for extra. Refills of hot water for your tea are included in the prices.

The Midland

As one of the oldest hotels in Manchester the Midland is the crown jewel of the city’s hospitality scene and a perfect place to go for an afternoon tea treat. They offer a variety of different packages, ranging between £30 and £40. They come with plain or sultana scones, classic sandwiches like cucumber and cream cheese and coronation chicken, as well as quiche and an assortment of cakes.

The Midland recently announced new vegan and gluten-free packages for the afternoon tea. The vegan sandwiches include roasted red pepper, plant-based feta and rocket on malt bread and crushed pea, marjoram cream cheese on rye bread and beetroot hummus, pickled carrot and walnut on white bread, and cakes include caramelised pear and almond sponge, Earl grey tea polenta cake with orange curd, Varhone dark chocolate mousse with salted caramel and vanilla, and soy and tonka bean rice pudding with pink grapefruit.

Sugar Junction

Sugar Junction is a quaint vintage-style cafe in the Northern Quarter, where everything is served on dainty mismatched china. Their afternoon tea costs £22.95 per person, or £28 if you choose to add a glass of prosecco. It comes with tea, fruit scones, jam, clotted cream, sandwiches and a selection of desserts. Sugar Junction also has a great cocktail menu if you fancy an extra treat.

Sunset by Australasia

Australasia is a popular city centre fusion restaurant that combines Australian cuisine with influences from Japan and South East Asia. Their sister restaurant Sunset offers a unique twist on the classic afternoon tea. There are several different packages, ranging in price from £22.50 to £29.50, depending on whether you want Rose, alcohol free cocktail or frozen Pornstar Martinis to accompany your food. They all come with sweet and savoury bento boxes that include pastries, desserts and Asian-inspired small plates.

Annie’s

Located in the Royal Exchange off St Ann’s Square, Annie’s is owned by Coronation Street star Jennie McAlpine, who plays Fizz Dobbs. All their afternoon tea options include traditional sandwiches, a fruit scone with clotted cream and strawberry jam, accompanied by a fruit tart with a creme patisserie, Victoria sponge and a vanilla slice. The basic package costs £23, or you can add champagne for £33 or prosecco for £30.

The vegan and gluten free options are £25, but they must be ordered in advance. There is also a children’s version for £13 that includes a hot chocolate or fruit juice.

Cocoa Cabana

Cocoa Cabana in Ancoats is a tea room and chocolatier that specialises in sweet treats. All their afternoon tea packages come with a selection of savoury items, like mini quiches, mini salmon and cream cheese tarts and chicken and tarragon mayonnaise sandwiches, as well as sweets like spiced pear brownies and chocolate cherry pots, alongside the classic scones with jam and cream.

The unlimited hot drinks package costs £25, or you can add a glass of prosecco for £28 per person. If you are really making an afternoon of it, you can opt for unlimited prosecco, wine or beer for £40 per person. They also offer a kids’ package for £15.