The Best Afternoon Teas in Norwich

The Best Afternoon Teas in Norwich

by Katie Thompson

There’s nothing more tempting than a tasty tower of afternoon tea treats, right? This quintessentially British tradition is both luxurious and delicious!  

Whether you’re celebrating a special occasion or just want to treat yourself to an array of delectable goodies, Norwich boasts some fantastic afternoon teas! Think fresh finger sandwiches, giant cheese scones and delicate patisserie.   

From cosy cafes to elegant interiors, unique themes to savoury selections, here are our recommendations for the best afternoon teas in Norwich!

Image: Jarrolds

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Norwich

The Assembly House

Where else to start but The Assembly House? Their themed afternoon teas are the stuff of legend here in Norwich, and for good reason (served daily, 12pm – 3.30pm, £37.50pp)! 

Here, you’ll be greeted by an impressive tower of sandwiches, savouries, scones, and quirky cakes and pastries beneath glittering chandeliers. Every aspect of this afternoon tea carefully thought through to fit the theme (including vegan, veggie, gluten-free and dairy-free alternatives)! Think spiced autumnal flavours, fruity fairytale creations, a sparkling Christmas selection and chocolatey Easter treats.  

The Assembly House has savoury lovers covered too! There’s Afternoon Cheese (£32.50pp), complete with Norfolk cheese board, and Afternoon Seas (£36pp)– three tiers of seafood, from mini fish and chips to smoked prawns and Cromer Crab rarebit toast! 

And that’s not all. Take afternoon tea up a level with a breakfast of champions! Beforenoon Tea (9am – 11am, £32.50pp) boasts three tiers of breakfast treats, including a granola shot glass, cinnamon cruffin and espresso chocolate mousse, and a small hot breakfast (we recommend the Eggs Benedict)!

Maids Head Hotel

What could be more traditional than afternoon tea in the oldest site of hospitality in the UK?  

At the Maids Head Hotel, you can enjoy a quintessential selection of moreish treats in the comfort of the hotel’s cosy lounge, stylish WinePress restaurant or outside in their charming courtyard (Monday – Thursday, 12pm – 4pm & Friday – Sunday, 2pm – 4pm, £35pp). Expect all the classics, from finger sandwiches to freshly baked scones, alongside an assortment of seasonal cakes and pastries. In summer, think Wimbledon-inspired fare; in colder months, indulgent flavours like cherry and chocolate. Yum!

The Last

Puttin’ on the Ritz! At The Last, you can experience a touch of the West End here in Norwich with their high-end afternoon tea (Saturdays only, £45pp). Every flavour is considered to showcase seasonal produce- be it zesty, fruity or indulgent! 

With an offering that includes the best loose-leaf tea- there are 12 varieties and free refills, as well as something sparkling to make it extra special, you’re sure to be tempted. In an intimate and characterful setting, tuck into exquisite finger sandwiches- like Scottish Salmon and Norfolk beetroot, freshly baked scones, carefully crafted patisserie and even ‘the best madeleines outside of Paris’! 

Saporita

Just when you thought Saporita’s menu couldn’t get any more tempting, they’re bringing their own twist to a popular British classic, pairing classic afternoon tea with their undeniably delicious authentic Italian street food (Tuesday – Sunday, from £21pp)! 

Think homemade focaccia, bruschetta and finger sandwiches with Italian meats and cheeses, followed by specialities like gnocco fritto and topped with much loved cakes and biscuits- crispy aragostine and sweet salame al cioccolato. We’ve got our eye on the mini arancino and cannoli. Enjoy it with traditional tea, a soft drink or Prosecco. Or opt for Aperol for a real Italian twist!

Cafe Benji, Jarrolds

Savour an afternoon tea with Parisian flavour at Cafe Benji at Jarrolds (£26pp, Monday – Saturday). It’s sure to add a little joie de vivre to your afternoon! 

This afternoon tea blends traditional treats (think freshly baked fruit scones) with an irresistible selection of quiche, macarons and cakes. To whet your appetite, choose from 10 enticing (and unlimited) tea blends or even a glass of prosecco, local wine or a crisp G&T (from £7). 

Namaste Village

If you’re looking for a twist on afternoon tea, look no further than Namaste Village. This authentic, family-run Indian offers all your afternoon favourites infused with traditional Indian spice (Friday, 12pm – 2pm & Saturday & Sunday, 12pm – 4pm, £29.95pp)! Everything is vegetarian or vegan, with each dish inspired by or directly from different states’ staple dishes and street food.  

You’ll be presented with an exciting three tiers of tea rolls, street food and sweet treats (including the all-important scones). Teas include ginger-lime, mint-lime and their house special Masala Chai. Served with house chutneys, tuck into the likes of a Chick’n Masala Wrap and Kutchi Dabeli, before samosas and pani puri. Just keep room for dessert- there’s laddu, kheer and naan khatai biscuits!

Sainsbury Centre

With floor-to-ceiling glass windows offering views onto UEA’s gloriously green grounds, dotted with unique sculptures from the likes of Henry Moore, you’ll still feel at the heart of innovative art museum the Sainsbury Centre.  

In their Modern Life Cafe, afternoon tea is all about tradition and mouthwatering sweet treats (Tuesday – Saturday, 2pm – 4pm, £18.50pp). Here, you can tuck into classic flavour combinations, light scones with cream and jam, and a delectable selection of their cakes and pastries (we never leave the Sainsbury Centre without a brownie)! Add a bottle of prosecco if you’re feeling fancy.

Alchemista 

Coffee is at the heart of Alchemista, whether it’s a freshly roasted hot drink or a creative cocktail with a caffeine hit. And their afternoon tea is no different (served daily, from £19.50), with both small-batch blends and alcoholic options available (not to mention speciality teas and vegetarian and vegan options, too)!  

Expect three tiers of lovingly made sandwiches, cakes and scones in indulgent portions, putting locally sourced ingredients at the forefront. These include the likes of mini cake slices- from carrot to red velvet to chocolate, blondie and brownies, garnished with vivid fresh berries. 

Norfolk

The Norfolk Mead

Enjoy the spectacular interior and luscious grounds of The Norfolk Mead as you relax with their elegant afternoon tea (Monday – Saturday, 1pm – 4pm & Sunday, 4pm, £30pp).

With a choice of the private walled garden, cosy bar and stylish dining rooms, this is a luxury experience. The Norfolk Mead prides themselves on using fresh, locally sourced produce to craft traditional cakes and contemporary treats like meringues, cheesecake, tarts and brownies. You can even graze their savoury option (one for the cheese lovers) and make the afternoon sparkle with a glass of Laurent Perrier!

Park Farm Hotel

Served in Park Farm Hotel’s beautiful Drawing Room, you can enjoy three tiers of freshly prepared sweet and savoury delights (served daily, 12pm – 4.30pm, £30pp). And if you want to recreate this special experience at home or under the sun, you can even take it away! 

Each selection includes mouthwatering savouries– from smoked salmon and cream cheese sandwiches to pork, sage and onion sausage rolls- and a fresh fruit scone. Then there are tempting treats for every taste, like salted caramel and chocolate eclairs and summer berry macarons! And they’re all served with loose leaf tea or freshly ground Park Farm blend coffee. Time to tuck in! 

Barnham Broom

If you’re celebrating a special occasion, head to Barnham Broom for one of three afternoon teas! Alongside the traditional tea (served daily, 12.30pm – 3.30pm, £32.95pp), there’s a cocktail and champagne afternoon tea if you’re feeling particularly indulgent (both £41.95pp). (They also have dedicated veggie, vegan and gluten-free menus.) 

Settle into a cosy armchair by the warmth of their log fire or admire sweeping views of their two championship golf courses on the sun-drenched terrace. Enjoy a parade of savoury and sweet, with the menu boasting the likes of tomato and basil tartine, toasted focaccia with truffle mayonnaise and pickled quail’s egg, a blueberry cheesecake and chocolate mousse! Take your time, especially with unlimited teas and sandwich top ups! 

Dunston Hall

In the grand Elizabethan-style building of Dunston Hall, savour every bite of their traditional afternoon tea (served daily, 12pm – 4.30pm, £35pp). (You can even upgrade it with a glass of prosecco, champagne or a teapot of gin and tonic!)  

Whether you’re under the sun on their terrace or cosying up in their snug, Dunston Hall offers a menu that’s truly quintessential, freshly brewed tea included. Start with a selection of finger sandwiches and keep room for not only a cheese scone, but a fruit scone with clotted cream and red berry preserve. Finish off with an assortment of sweet treats like choux buns and financiers! 

Other Afternoon Teas to Note 

If you’ve worked your way through all the incredible afternoon tea Norwich and Norfolk have to offer, firstly, well done! Secondly, make sure to try these twists on afternoon tea for even more unique experiences.  

At the Goat Shed, you can enjoy their Grazer (Monday – Saturday, 8am – 4pm, £28.95for 2 people), a delicious board with a more relaxed afternoon tea-style. Think fluffy finger sandwiches and savouries like gyros-inspired marinated skewers and the Goat Shed’s popular sausage rolls. Plus, homemade fruit scones, cakes, brownies or dessert glasses! 

Meanwhile, Bure Valley Railway ramps up the tradition with their Cream Tea Express (served daily, 3pm, £25pp return ticket)! Aboard this quaint steam engine, chug past swathes of Norfolk countryside accompanied by a handmade fruit scone- stuffed with jam and cream, of course- and your choice of hot drink. It’s all about those simple indulgences.