We're spilling the best afternoon tea in the UAE

Cosmopolitan ME

21-05-2025

Afternoon tea, served with savouries, sweets, and the friend group, is the ultimate best friend catch up. Serving dainty and demure vibes heals our inner lover girl.
Long before there were aesthetic Instagram cafés, ladies (and gentlemen) were spilling afternoon tea, dished up with a side of gossip. We've rounded up some of the best places in the UAE to indulge in a proper afternoon treat.
Shai Salon
Via Instgram @shai_salons
'A Decade in Desserts' is a limited-edition Afternoon Tea that celebrates Pastry Chef Nicolas Lambert's 10-year journey with Four Seasons Hotels. Embark on a sensory and sweet journey through a curated collection of desserts, each one an edible memory, from the vibrant energy of Hong Kong, the serene beauty of St. Petersburg, and now to the heart of Dubai. Get lost in the tastes of French meringue, strawberry and basil sorbet, yuzu crèmeux, and basil Chantilly.
📍 Where: Jumeirah Beach
🕒​ When: Daily 3pm-7pm.
​💷 Pricing: Dhs260 per person, inclusive of tea or coffee.
The Lana
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The gallery presents a seasonal twist on classic British tea. Summer afternoon tea features an assortment of delicate finger sandwiches such as Coronation Chicken, Truffle Egg, Cucumber & Cream Cheese, and Slow-Roasted Wagyu Beef, amongst others. It wouldn't be a proper tea without freshly baked warm scones such as Traditional Raisin and Plain Scones, served with Devon clotted cream and Chef Angelo Musa's signature jams, as well as a range of indulgent pastries, such as Chocolate Ganache Tart, Paris-Brest, Exotic Financier.
📍 Where: Palm Jumeriah
🕒​ When: Friday, May 2 – Sunday, August 31, 2025. Daily 1-6pm.
​💷​​ ​​ Pricing: Starts at Dhs 400 inclusive of a three-course experience, tea pairing and interactive iced tea experience.
At.mosphere Burj Khalifa
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Send yourself into the atmosphere of Dubai's iconic skyline, on the 122nd floor of the world's tallest building, transcending our problems with the utmost elegance. It's only the finest on this level; avant-garde finger sandwiches, sweet pastries, chocolate madeleine mandarine with cannelé, and mimosas. For a main course, seabream à la plancha, grilled lamb chops, or truffle risotto, with chocolate crémeux? We're sent.
📍 Where: Burj Khalifa
🕒​ When: 12:30pm– 4:30pm.
​💷​​ ​​ Pricing: Dhs650 per person no bubbles, Dhs850 per person with bubbles.
Novikov Café
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Novikov Café is putting a fresh yet classic Italian twist on afternoon tea. Beyond the classic freshly baked scone, mango and strawberry jams, brownies, raspberry & pistachio profiteroles, Novikov Café also features Italian classics, like iconic Sicilian Cannoli. Tea sandwiches are remixed into mini brioche with mashed potato and octopus, Smoked Salmon Sandwiches, and more. In addition to a range of teas, try a Maison Goubet Sparkling Drink, a sophisticated, yet non-alcoholic bubbly.
📍 Where: Dubai Mall
🕒​ When: 3pm to 6pm.
​💷​​ ​​ Pricing: Dhs220 for two.
Exquisite Afternoon Tea at Address Dubai Mall
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Get ready for a sweet and savoury journey at The Patisserie at Address Dubai Mall. This tea experience will whisk you away into a golden hour ambience. With a menu that's got top-notch teas, yummy sandwiches, fresh out of the oven scones, and a bunch of heavenly pastries, you'll be sipping in style.
📍 Where: Address Dubai Mall
🕒​ When: Daily 3pm- 7pm.
​💷​​ ​​ Pricing: Dhs195 per person.
Aspen Cafe by Kempinski Mall of the Emirates
Forget the ordinary experience- it's time to elevate. At Aspen Cafe, a tea sommelier is your personal guide to a custom tea experience, where you explore five different grades and qualities of tea. Feast on sandwiches, wraps, scones, and cakes. Beyond finger sandwiches and homemade scones with clotted cream and jam, snap Instagram aesthetic photos of macarons and hazelnut chocolate fudge, mini pastries with fresh berries, orange blossom mille-feuille and yuzu cheesecake.
📍 Where: Kempinski, Mall of the Emirates.
🕒​ When: Daily from noon- 7pm.
💷​​ ​​ Pricing: Starts at Dhs200. For reservations or further information contact [phone].
Afternoon Tea at Alba
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Inspired by a Japanese sunset, 'Yūgure', this Afternoon Tea reflects the poetic calmness of a Yūgure and offers a serene dining moment. The only question is, samurai or geisha? The Geisha selection includes mochis, mini pancakes, tiramisu, Alba snickers, Halva Cookies, and a sweet handroll. The samurai selection includes hamachi and salmon tostadas, mini wagyu sando, tamago sando, and a wagyu onigiri. This refined, elegant and whimsical experience, with showstopping 'Kakigori,' japanese shaved ice.
Where: Dubai Opera Plaza
When: Monday- Friday 4pm-7pm
Price: Geisha selection for Dhs180 and Samuri selection for Dhs260.
Mosaico, Palazzo Versace Dubai
Of course, the Palazzo Versace lobby does not disappoint when it comes to an ideal setting for a real Dubai High Tea. An assortment of finger sandwiches, fruit, scones, homemade jams, clotted creams, and a variety of pastries is teamed with your choice of Damman Freres tea. Plus this is served nearly all day, so whenever your afternoon tea craving strikes, Mosaico is there for you.
📍 Where: Jadaf Waterfront
🕒​ When: Daily from 10:30am- 6pm.
💷​​ ​​ Pricing: Starts at Dhs190. For reservations or further information contact [phone].
S Bar
For someone who loves a good view with a variety of sandwiches and savoury bites, S Bar in Sky Lobby, is just the right place. Think chic bar, elegant décor, and so many Instagrammable shots.
📍 Where: SLS Dubai, Downtown Dubai.
🕒​ When: Daily from 3pm- 6pm.
💷​​ ​​ Pricing: Starts from Dhs195 per person. For reservations, contact [phone].
Noor Lounge
Step into Noor Lounge for the superior tea of your dreams. Under a canopy of gilded trees and floor to ceiling windows, you'll enjoy views that are to die for. Under the Canopy of Light, enjoy delicacies, mini sandwiches, sweet pastries, and scrumptious treats to enjoy.
📍 Where: Mandarin Oriental Dubai.
🕒​ When: Daily 2pm- 6pm.
💷 Pricing: Starts at Dhs255. For reservations or further information contact [phone].
Sahn Eddar
Arabic for 'reception of the house,' this atrium lounge is the perfect spot for a decadent afternoon tea. Everything here is absolute magic, and they have some really exciting flavour combinations such as the Green Apple and Jasmin Pavlova and the Hibiscus and Speculoos Tart Breton. Warning: You might want to try it all.
📍 Where: Burj Al Arab Jumeirah.
🕒​ When: Daily from 3pm- 6pm.
​💷 Pricing: Starts at Dhs200 per person. Contact [phone].
Al Mandhar Lobby Lounge
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This special afternoon tea is in partnership with French-Tunisian artist, Idriss B, where you get the chance to view his art collection as well as try out an assortment of treats including limited-edition Pistachio latte, loose-leaf tea, hot and iced gourmet coffee, and baklava.
📍 Where: Jumeirah Al Naseem.
🕒​ When: Daily from 2:30pm- 6:30pm.
💷​​ ​​ Pricing: Start at Dhs280 per person. For reservations visit their website here.
Raffles Salon
There is nothing like free-flowing tea and coffee on a beautiful afternoon accompanied by a selection of delicious treats and french pastries. At Raffles Dubai, you will not only enjoy a beautiful spread, but they also provide you with two experiences to choose from including the Floral Afternoon Tea or the Treasures of Arabia Afternoon Tea. The themes are so adorable that everything is *almost* too pretty to eat! But, don't mind if we take a bite.
📍 Where: Raffles Dubai, Jumeirah Al Naseem.
🕒​ When: Daily 2pm- 7pm.
💷​​ ​​ Pricing: Start at Dhs175 per person. For reservations or further information contact [phone].
The Lobby Lounge, Ritz-Carlton Dubai
At the Ritz-Carlton lounge, you can indulge in a super elegant selection of tea, sandwiches as well as a multitude of sweet treats that range from fruit tarts and cakes to macarons and eclairs. That sounds like our kind of spread!
📍 Where: JBR
🕒​ When: Daily 12:30pm- 5pm.
💷​​ ​​ Pricing: Starts at Dhs195 per person. For reservations or further information contact [phone].
Exquisite Afternoon Tea Affair Al Bayt, Palace Downtown
This stunning Arabesque lobby overlooking the Burj Khalifa is a seriously stunning setting for a relaxing afternoon. Especially when the afternoon also consists of a selection of pastries, pressed juices, unlimited tea infusions, and a wide selection of sandwiches and sweet treats, all accompanied by live music.
📍 Where: Palace Downtown
🕒​ When: Daily 2pm- 6pm.
💷​​ ​​ Pricing: Starts at Dhs160 with soft beverages or Dhs220 with a glass of bubbly. For reservations or further information contact [phone].
Josette
Sashé over to Josette for sparkling Sunday afternoon tea, to treat yourself to an afternoon of douceur. Josette's signature cheesecake, a curated selection de pâtisseries, and artisanal viennoiseries, all paired with Josette's exclusive tea collection. For an extra touch of bubbly, champagne is available. Because it's a truly Parisian experience, a violinist and pianist sing live, just for you 🎀🥂.
📍 Where: DIFC
🕒​ When: Sunday 3:30pm- 5:30pm.
​💷​​ Pricing: Non-alcoholic package Dhs185, 1 round of champagne Dhs250.
Sidra Lounge, Habtoor Palace Dubai
Sidra is a lounge at the Habtoor Palace Dubai which honours the tradition of a fine afternoon tea with an Arab twist. The spread features a selection of pure and blended teas with delicious flavours to choose from and an elegant stand with tons of sweet and savoury bites to indulge in.
📍 Where: Habtoor Palace Dubai
🕒​ When: Daily from 3pm- 6pm.
💷​​ ​​ Pricing: Starts at Dhs190. For reservations or further information contact [phone] or visit their website here.
The Lotus Lounge, Anantara Dubai
The Lotus Lounge, located on the Palm will make you feel like you have just been transported to Bali, Indonesia. This is probably one of the most unique afternoon tea experiences you will ever have with picturesque views of the water and an island-style beach terrace lounge. Their tea time menu offers delicious sandwiches, cream scones, and a variety of other decadent treats. The best part is that at sunset, you can enjoy a live DJ and shisha as well.
📍 Where: The Palm Jumeriah
🕒​ When: Daily 2pm-5pm, except Saturday's from 12:30pm to 3:30pm. For reservations or further information contact [phone] or visit their website here.
💷​​ ​​ Pricing: Starting at Dhs220 per person, including tea and coffee.
Bijou Patisserie
This chic Parisian patisserie is growing to be one of the most popular tea spots in Dubai due to its first-class high tea experience. Bijou is always having new seasonal afternoon tea experiences for their guests to try out, which you will not experience anywhere else. The most renowned dishes at the Le Goȗter are the delicate eclairs and chef Romain's signature cannelés Bordelais which you must try.
📍 Where: Sofitel Dubai The Obelisk. Wafi, Dubai.
🕒​ When: Daily from 2pm- 6pm.
💷​​ ​​Pricing: Starts at Dhs175 per person. For reservations or further information contact [phone].
Tania's Teahouse
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If you want to have tea at the seventh most Instagrammable cafe in the world, Tania's Teahouse offers the cutest all-day high tea three-tier platters for two with your choice of tea or coffee. You can choose from one or both of their high tea experiences, which they decorate according to the season, and include dietary-friendly options. Each platter ⁠includes three layers of delicious tea sandwiches, cakes, and sweet treats for the picture-perfect experience. ⁠
📍 Where: Dubai Hills Buisness Park
🕒​ When: Daily 8am- 11pm.
💷​​ ​​Pricing: Starts at Dhs125. For reservations or further information contact [phone].
Let's Garden
Let's Garden launches its afternoon tea with a Middle Eastern twist. Sit back, relax, and enjoy its range of small bites including Danish pastries, Pizza musakhan, Feta and honey croissants, and more while sipping on some Earl Grey.
📍 Where: Khalifa City, Abu Dhabi
🕒​ When: Daily 3pm- 6pm.
​💷​​ ​​ Pricing: Dhs305 for two people.
Hilton Yas Island Abu Dhabi
How about a tea time with your beloved ones all in the ambiance of an enchanting floral heaven? Sakura Afternoon Tea, at Hilton Yas Island Abu Dhabi, is an unforgettable experience that's bringing the etherial vibes of Japan's magical cherry blossom season.
📍 Where: Yas Island, Abu Dhabi
🕒​ When: Daily from 2pm to 6pm.
​💷​​ ​​ Pricing: Dhs250 for two. For reservations or further information contact [phone].
Majlis Lobby Lounge, Rosewood Abu Dhabi
This airy lounge overlooking the water is the perfect spot to meet up with the girls over some classy afternoon tea. The sandwich selection isn't just your basic white loaf and the sweet sides don't disappoint either with sea salt caramel macaroons and coffee financiers on the list. They even have a special vegan and vegetarian afternoon tea menu so everyone can join the fun no matter their dietary needs.
📍 Where: Abu Dhabi
🕒​ When: Available daily from 3 pm- 6pm.
💷​​ ​​Pricing: Starts at Dhs200. For reservations or further information contact [phone].
The Crystal Lounge, The St. Regis Abu Dhabi
The Lady Astor afternoon tea, named after the founder of the first St. Regis hotel in New York, is the classic St. Regis high tea but created using ingredients of the region. They have great twists on the classics and you've definitely got to try the matcha tea cheesecake – it's to die for!
📍 Where: Nation Tower Corniche, Abu Dhabi.
🕒​ When: Daily 2pm- 6pm.
💷​​ ​​Pricing: Starts at Dhs195 per person. For reservations or further information contact [phone].
For reservations or further information contact [phone] (Mall of the Emirates) or visit their website here.