Nothing screams ‘Christmas’ more than sipping a glass of bubbly, getting glammed up and spending a leisurely couple of hours with delicious bites to eat and drink. While we never need an excuse for Afternoon Tea, the festive season is an extra reason to book a treat.

From beautiful 5-star hotels with roaring fires to a unique Middle-Eastern inspired menu, we’ve rounded up our top picks of Festive Afternoon Tea across Ireland. Expect extra special dishes, Christmas decorations and the opportunity to take some time for yourself to just relax before the Christmas busyness hits full speed…

Colllege Green Hotel, Dublin

Escape the winter chill in The Atrium Lounge, at The College Green Hotel (formerly the Westin), a haven with a magnificent five-storey-high glass ceiling and a crackling fire to welcome you. Indulge in traditional favourites from their Festive Afternoon Tea menu, paired with a selection of the finest loose-leaf teas and gourmet coffee.

The Festive menu includes savoury bites such as Sage & Maple Roasted Turkey with a Chive & Citrus Salad on a Ciabatta Loaf; Smoked Salmon with Cracked Black Pepper and Dill Cream Cheese on Guinness Soda with Caviar Pearls, and a tempting selection of sweet treats such as a Festive Pecan Pie with a Cinnamon Ganache and Winter Red Currants.

The College Green Hotel Festive Afternoon Tea starts from €65 per person and you can see more details here.

The Shelbourne, Dublin

It’s impossible to resist the festive charm of The Shelbourne hotel during Christmas-time. Enjoy an orange infused jivara chocolate éclair, or perhaps their “Christmas Tree” – cinnamon and vanilla flavoured apple compote covered with Madagascar vanilla bavarois and mild spiced Christmas cake. There’s also a classic sandwich collection, with tea or champagne for that extra special touch.

The Shelbourne Festive Afternoon Tea starts from €75 per person and you can see details here.

The Merrion Hotel, Dublin

Afternoon Tea in the Merrion’s beautiful Georgian Drawing Rooms, surrounded by the hotel’s collection of art and antiques, is sure to be a festive occasion to remember. Sink into one of the plush sofas and sit back in the comfort of knowing you don’t have to life a finger all afternoon.

Delicate finger sandwiches, gingerbread, Viennese bridge rolls, meringues, mince pies, gateaux – just some of the homemade delights to look forward to at a festive Afternoon Tea here. On select dates, you can delight in an afternoon accompanied by Christmas carols to really kick the festivities up a notch!

The Merrion Hotel Afternoon Tea starts from €73 per person and you can see details here.

The Westbury, Dublin

From the moment the Christmas lights of Grafton Street are turned on, The Westbury is ready to roll out the green and red carpet for this beloved tradition. Once you get a glimpse of the iconic tree at the top of the stairs, you’re sure to be enchanted by the magical spirit of Christmas at The Westbury.

Festive Afternoon Tea here begins with mulled wine on arrival and finishes with mini mince pies. In between you’ll enjoy handmade sandwiches, desserts and sumptuous scones served with a selection of fragrant teas from around the world.

The Westbury Afternoon Tea starts from €75 per person and you can see details here.

InterContinental Hotel, Dublin

The 5-star InterContinental Hotel is all about luxury, so where better to while away a few hours? Delight in the cosy setting of the beautiful Lobby Lounge and Reading Room, with an open fire and all your favourite treats to savour.

Enjoy a selection of the finest loose leaf teas and gourmet coffee. Why not treat yourself to a glass of Champagne or an indulgent Hot Chocolate, after all ‘tis the season to be jolly…

The InterContinental Afternoon Tea starts from €70 per person and you can see details here.

Silk Road Café @ Chester Beatty Library, Dublin

Fancy a change from the traditional Christmas fare? We love the sound of this unique Afternoon tea menu influenced by the collection in the Chester Beatty Library. There are no finger sandwiches or any scones but sweet and savory treats from more than 15 countries: Palestinian chicken, falafel, sweet corn fritter are mixed with Persian love cakes, mango mousse and Indian burfi.

Round off your day with a free visit to the library’s impressive collections and exhibitions, followed by a wander around Dublin Castle’s Christmas Market.

The Silk Road Cafe Afternoon Tea starts from €30 per person and you can see details here.

Powerscourt Hotel & Spa, Wicklow

Watch the world go by while enjoying a scrumptious Afternoon Tea in the Sugar Loaf Lounge, overlooking the mountain after which the lounge is named. Powerscourt Hotel is a dream at Christmas, with beautiful decorations including a magnificent giant Gingerbread house.

Enjoy a mouthwatering array of sandwiches, freshly made scones and delicious homemade pastries accompanied by your choice of tea or coffee. And if you want to really spoil yourself, why not indulge in a glass of Perrier-Jouët champagne as well?

The Taste currently has a special Premium Experience for the Powerscourt Festive Afternoon Tea for 2 With Bubbly For €100 (rrp €150) here.

Carton House, Kildare

The Festive Iconic Afternoon Tea at Carton House is a luxurious Christmas experience, featuring dainty finger sandwiches such as honey-baked Irish ham with Knockanore cheddar and Dijon mustard, smoked salmon with caper cream cheese, and turkey with apricot stuffing and cranberry mayo.

Sweet treats include cranberry scones, a Carton House chocolate mousse Christmas tree, mince pies, and a delicate orange, pear, and cinnamon trifle.

Carton House Festive Afternoon Tea starts from €75 per person and you can see details here.

The Johnstown Estate, Meath

The Johnstown Estate offers a Festive Afternoon Tea set in their beautiful Atrium, featuring Christmas decorations and a stunning gingerbread village. The menu includes savoury bites such as honey-roast gammon and turkey stuffing on focaccia, oak-smoked salmon blinis, and whipped goat’s cheese with William’s pears on sweet brioche. Sweet treats include coconut mousse snowballs, chocolate ginger cake with whipped ganache, and a rich pistachio crémeux with sweet pastry.

Pair it with an extensive tea selection or indulge with a glass of Prosecco for a sparkling festive touch!

The Johnstown Estate Festive Afternoon Tea starts from €42 per person and you can see details here.

The Cliff House Hotel, Waterford

Set against the scenic backdrop of Ardmore Bay, the Cliff House Hotel offers a must-try Festive Afternoon Tea experience.

Expect festive favorites such as smoked salmon finger sandwiches, turkey with stuffing and cranberry, and winter-spiced pastries that capture the holiday spirit. Enjoy freshly baked scones with clotted cream and preserves while soaking in panoramic views of the Atlantic Ocean – heaven!

The Cliff House Hotel Festive Afternoon Tea starts from €55 per person and you can see details here.

G Hotel, Galway

Indulge in a luxurious afternoon tea at the g Hotel and Spa, which is inspired this year by the opulence of The Great Gatsby. Step into a world of 1920s glamour, where exquisite pastries, delicate finger sandwiches, and sparkling champagne await. This enchanting Christmas experience is the perfect festive gathering for friends and family.

The g Hotel Festive Afternoon Tea starts from €49 per person (including glass of bubbly!) and you can see details here.

Hayfield Manor, Cork

Spoil yourself with a festive feast of traditional finger sandwiches, including honey-glazed ham with spiced mustard and Ballycotton smoked salmon on soda Bbead with crème Fraiche and caviar. Sweet treats steal the show with a trio of exquisite desserts and handcrafted mince pies.

The Afternoon Tea also includes freshly baked scones and a choice of premium teas or coffee, plus the option to add on a glass of Prosecco or Champagne if you really want to get into the Christmas spirit.

Hayfield Manor Festive Afternoon Tea starts from €55 per person and you can see details here.

The Merchant Hotel, Belfast

The Merchant Hotel offers a range of Afternoon Teas, including a festive vegetarian and vegan selection. Served in the hotel’s spectacular Great Room with its sparkling chandeliers, you can enjoy classic and festive-inspired sandwiches, mulled wine scones, and scrumptious pastries such as pistachio and blackcurrant crémeux and a Valrhona Guanaja chocolate yule log.

Festive Afternoon Tea starts from £46.50 per person (includes a ‘seasonal gift’ per guest) and you can see details here.