Richmond Tea Rooms
Located just behind Canal Street, dive into the rabbit hole of Richmond Tea Room’s Alice in Wonderland inspired cream tea for a delightful selection of loose leaf teas and lots and lots of sandwiches, cakes and treats all made freshly by the Chefs. With a weird and exotic interior design and also more ‘normal’ furniture, every taste is catered for.
The Richmond Tea Rooms, M1 3HZ
https://www.richmondtearooms.com/
Sugar Junction
Serving a gorgeous afternoon tea with a selection of sandwiches, a fruit scone, clotted cream, jam, a variety of their most exquisite cakes and treats and a large pot of loose tea (or coffee, but it’s not about coffee today!). SJ has around 22 signature blend loose leaf teas, including my personal favourite the Northern Quarter Blend, a black tea made with chunks of caramel and hops. For £22.95 you can have a traditional afternoon tea, or crank it up with a glass of prosecco for just £2 more!
Sugar Junction, 60 Tib Street, M4 1LG
http://www.sugarjunction.co.uk/
Leaf
If you want to lose yourself in a wall of over 50 rare loose teas from across the globe, then the award-winning Leaf cafe is for you! A step up from your average cuppa, Leaf’s natural teas are all different flavours and (we haven’t tried all of them yet) taste gorgeous! They even have tasting evenings – how very British (and again a bit extra!).
Leaf, 113–115 Portland St, Manchester M1 6DW
https://thisisleaf.co.uk/manchester/about/
Cafe at the Cathedral
Proper Tea spins your classic British tearoom on its head and is serving up some wicked loose leaf teas as well as some gorgeous looking meals and cakes! Oh yes, they do have afternoon teas on the menu! Plus while you’re there, visit the Cathedral (that’s pretty too!).
Proper Tea at Manchester Cathedral, Cathedral Yard, Manchester, M3 1SQ
Lawn Coffee
One of the finest cafes in the whole city that you’d never have a clue existed unless you were truly tuned in to your tea leaves. Inside Princess Street Hotel, they are very proud of their extensive range of different teas from all over the world. Most are unmissable. As are the brownies.
Lawn Coffee, Princess Street Hotel, Manchester M1
lawncoffee.co.uk
North Tea Power
Head into the Northern Quarter and get your tea on! Whether it’s with their big all-day brunch menu or some of their lunchtime sandwiches and soups, tea goes with everything!! A definite winner in our eyes!
North Tea Power, 36 Tib St, Manchester M4 1LA
northteapower.co.uk
Tea Room at The Midland
Drinking a lovely hot cup of tea in the opulent surroundings of The Midland Hotel just screams indulgence but who cares when it’s this good? They’ve been serving up afternoon tea here for over 100 years so they know what they are doing with an extensive selection of bespoke loose-leaf tea served with finely cut sandwiches, baked scones (with jam and clotted cream!) and a range of cakes and pastries.
The Tea Room, The Midland Hotel, Peter St, Manchester M60 2DS
tearoomatthemidland.co.uk/
The Art of Tea
A Didsbury revelation, The Art of Tea serve up some fantastic loose-leaf teas alongside a daily selection of locally sourced food and cakes. They are right next door to the Didsbury Village Bookshop too so it’s perfect for a chilled afternoon of tea and catching up on your Tolkien.
The Art Of Tea, 47 Barlow Moor Rd, Manchester M20 6TW
theartoftea.co.uk
And The Dish Ran Away with the Spoon
Not only does this venue take the biscuit for the most adorable name, but this retro little West Didsbury cafe is also a real contender when it comes to tea. They have a fantastic selection of teas and nothing beats a steaming cup of Earl Grey with their Portuguese custard tarts – one bite of those and you will know what heaven tastes like.
Dish & Spoon, 30 Burton Rd, Manchester M20 2LW
dishandspoonfood.
Cha-ology
This is a traditional Japanese tea house that has a healthy dose of Northern Quarter cool to create a space which is like no other. The focus is on green tea done properly in a minimalistic environment which promotes relaxation in the tea-drinking experience – and it is an experience. You have to book well in advance and there are all sorts of rules that apply (including no shoes and quietness) to make your time at Cha-ology as authentic and memorable as possible. Cha-ology is currently closed for refurbishment.
Cha-Ology, Unit 3B Nuovo, Great Ancoats St, Manchester M4 5AB
cha-ology.com
