Afternoon Tea at The Merrion Hotel – A Masterpiece of Culinary & Artistic Excellence
Step into a world where fine art meets culinary indulgence with The Merrion Hotel’s renowned Art Afternoon Tea. Set within the elegant Drawing Rooms, this multi-award-winning afternoon tea in Dublin is inspired by The Merrion’s private art collection, making it a visual and gastronomic masterpiece.
Each delicacy on the menu is crafted to reflect the work of famous Irish artists, transforming afternoon tea into an edible gallery experience. Whether you’re a lover of fine patisserie, a connoisseur of Irish culture, or simply seeking an exceptional afternoon tea, The Merrion delivers a feast for both the eyes and the palate.
The Setting: The Drawing Rooms – A Haven of Georgian Elegance
Afternoon tea is served in The Drawing Rooms, a sophisticated and tranquil space adorned with period furnishings, roaring log fires, and soft natural light. The atmosphere is both intimate and refined, perfect for those looking to escape the city’s buzz and indulge in pure relaxation.
As you sip on perfectly brewed tea and savour delicate pastries, you’ll be surrounded by one of Ireland’s finest private art collections, featuring works by renowned artists such as Jack B. Yeats and William Scott.
A Work of Art on a Plate: The Art Afternoon Tea Menu
Inspired by the hotel’s impressive collection of 19th- and 20th-century Irish artwork, The Merrion’s Afternoon Tea menu transforms iconic paintings into exquisite pastries.
Savoury Delights – A Classic Introduction Irish smoked salmon on homemade soda bread
Coronation chicken on spiced brioche
Cucumber & mint cream cheese on white bread
Free-range egg mayonnaise & mustard cress on brown bread
These beautifully balanced flavours set the stage for the sweet centrepiece of the experience.
Freshly Baked Scones with Classic Accompaniments Traditional buttermilk & fruit scones
Served with clotted cream, lemon curd & homemade raspberry jam
Light, warm, and melt-in-the-mouth delicious, these scones are a perfect harmony of texture and flavour.
Edible Masterpieces – The Art-Inspired Pastries
Each sweet treat is directly inspired by a painting in The Merrion’s collection, carefully recreated in pastry form by the hotel’s expert pâtissiers.
Pastries include:
J.B. Yeats’ Raspberry Macaron – A vibrant tribute to the artist’s expressive colour palette
William Scott’s Chocolate & Hazelnut Tart – Inspired by Scott’s bold, abstract compositions
Louis Le Brocquy’s Lemon Meringue Éclair – A delicate, airy delight with a sharp citrus twist
Patrick Scott’s Vanilla & Passionfruit Dome – A perfectly balanced blend of smooth and tangy flavours
Each pastry is as much a work of art as the paintings themselves, making this a one-of-a-kind afternoon tea experience.
A Premium Tea & Champagne Selection
To accompany this extraordinary menu, The Merrion offers an extensive selection of loose-leaf teas, sourced from some of the world’s finest tea estates.
The Merrion Blend – A signature house blend, smooth and well-balanced
Darjeeling First Flush – A delicate, floral tea with muscatel notes
Jasmine Pearl Green Tea – Light, fragrant, and refreshing
Chamomile & Lemongrass Infusion – A soothing, caffeine-free option
For those seeking an extra touch of indulgence, The Merrion offers a Champagne Afternoon Tea, featuring a glass of: Ruinart Blanc de Blancs Champagne
Moët & Chandon Rosé Champagne
Tailored Afternoon Tea Experiences
To accommodate all guests, The Merrion offers: Vegetarian Afternoon Tea
Vegan Afternoon Tea
Gluten-Free Afternoon Tea
Each variation is crafted with the same attention to detail and artistic flair, ensuring that everyone can enjoy this exquisite experience.
Who is This Afternoon Tea Perfect For? Art lovers looking for an immersive culinary-meets-art experience
Visitors to Dublin seeking an award-winning afternoon tea
Couples celebrating a special occasion in an elegant setting
Friends and families enjoying a luxurious, slow afternoon together
Afternoon tea connoisseurs looking for something truly unique
Booking & Information Location: The Drawing Rooms, The Merrion Hotel, Dublin
Availability: Served daily (advance booking highly recommended)
Pricing: From €75 per person, with Champagne upgrades available
A Refined Afternoon Tea Inspired by Irish Culture
Afternoon Tea at The Merrion Hotel is more than just a meal—it’s a journey through art, flavour, and luxury. Whether you’re admiring masterpieces on the walls or on your plate, this immersive and elegant afternoon tea experience is one of Dublin’s most treasured culinary traditions.
Book your Art Afternoon Tea at The Merrion today and experience a harmonious blend of creativity, indulgence, and impeccable service.
Reviews

The difference between very good and great is the execution of the small things. Merrion is great! We had an early am flight and needed a "to go" breakfast at 3.45am. They were 100% there with a delicious and varied breakfast and hot drinks.They opened up a private room for us as well as served us (bringing water, etc.).

We came for the afternoon tea and were absolutely delighted. The seating rooms are lovely and cosy, and the staff was extremely friendly and welcoming, making sure that all our wishes were attended to. All drinks are included in the price and there's a great variety of teas, but also coffees to choose from. we were more than satisfied with this experience.

Went for afternoon tea in January 2024. Had been given a voucher for afternoon tea for 2. Nice atmosphere in the house. Eclectic furniture. Afternoon tea was substantial and the scones were delicious. My only negative would be that the staff who were doing the afternoon tea were not always visible so if you needed anything you had to wait for someone to appear.

Me and my husband had an afternoon tea today. It was very tasty, the pastries were very detailed, and the scones tasted very fresh. The sandwiches were also nice, the egg mayo sandwich was the best, because the brioche looked homemade. Huge tea selection which is also amazing. Art themed 2 course desserts tasty paired with a nice art behind each dessert.

Terrible. Went for Champagne Afternoon tea on a Saturday. Arrived early and was put into a small room to the left and waited. Assumed this was a waiting room as we were early. A waiter finally showed up 20 minutes later and asked if we were there for the afternoon tea and then dropped two menus on the coffee table and walked away.
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