A Grand Tradition: Afternoon Tea at The Midland Hotel, Manchester
Few places in Manchester can match the heritage and elegance of The Midland Hotel, and its dedicated Tea Room offers one of the city’s most refined and memorable Afternoon Tea experiences. Steeped in over a century of tradition, this iconic hotel has been welcoming guests since 1903 and has played host to royalty, rock stars, and world leaders. Today, it continues to set the standard for classic British indulgence with its award-winning Afternoon Tea service.
Located just off St Peter’s Square, The Midland’s Tea Room is a sanctuary of calm and sophistication in the heart of the city—ideal for both locals and visitors looking to enjoy a timeless treat.
The Midland’s Signature Afternoon Tea
Served daily in the hotel’s dedicated Tea Room, Afternoon Tea at The Midland is a graceful affair, combining precise service with exquisite presentation. The menu is thoughtfully curated and regularly updated to reflect seasonal ingredients and creative flair, while staying true to the time-honoured format.
Guests begin with a variety of delicate finger sandwiches filled with classic combinations such as smoked salmon with dill cream cheese, honey-roast ham with mustard, egg and cress, and cucumber with mint. The bread is fresh and perfectly matched to each filling, showcasing the kitchen’s attention to detail.
Next come the homemade scones, both plain and fruit, served warm with clotted cream and strawberry preserve. These are generously portioned and traditionally made, soft inside with a light crust, ideal for that perfect cream tea moment.
The final tier features a visually stunning array of handcrafted patisserie and miniature desserts, which change seasonally. You might find rich chocolate ganache, fruit tartlets, macarons, and lemon mousse, all made in-house by The Midland’s pastry chefs.
Extensive Tea Selection and Sparkling Options
As expected from a specialist Tea Room, The Midland offers an extensive range of loose-leaf teas, supplied by the esteemed Tea from the Manor. From classic English Breakfast to more adventurous blends like Rose Congou or Darjeeling, each tea is brewed to order and served in traditional silverware.
To add an extra touch of indulgence, guests can upgrade to a Prosecco or Champagne Afternoon Tea, with offerings such as Perrier-Jouët Grand Brut adding sparkle to your experience. This makes The Midland a popular choice for birthdays, anniversaries, and hen parties.
A Refined Setting for Every Occasion
The Tea Room’s elegant interiors feature plush seating, soft lighting, and period details, creating a serene yet grand atmosphere. It’s ideal for intimate conversations, celebratory gatherings, or a solo moment of calm in the midst of the city’s bustle.
The venue is welcoming to all guests, including families, couples, and groups. While it’s more traditionally tailored to adults, well-behaved children will enjoy the treats and friendly service. The hotel is happy to cater for vegetarian, vegan, and gluten-free diets with prior notice.
Booking and Recommendations
Afternoon Tea at The Midland is extremely popular, so booking in advance is essential, especially on weekends. Reservations can be made directly via the hotel’s website.
If you’re seeking classic British Afternoon Tea in a setting steeped in grandeur and tradition, The Midland Hotel delivers an experience as elegant as it is indulgent.
Address :
16 Peter Street, Manchester, M60 2DS
Opening Hours :
Daily
12pm – 4:30pm
Reviews
Enjoyed Afternoon tea was treated like royalty... absolutely faultless.... departed from the tea rooms to the Bar.... was treated by Todd to exceptional service and he treated my gorgeous wife to samples of the different Pomeroy tipples.... enjoyed every moment
My friend and I had afternoon tea at this elegant hotel in the heart of Central Manchester. The whole experience was a delight from the quality of the afternoon tea to the service and the tea room where it was served. that would recommend
This is definitely a 5 star hotel. The afternoon tea is to die for There is a 20 year old pastry chef Called Luke Bennett, Who is an upcoming chef his pastries are some of the best pastries I've ever tasted outside of Paris. Thank you to Midland for an enjoyable afternoon.
I must say I had a tremendous stay at the Midland. The staff was lovely, location was spot on, and access to the spa was a top-notch cherry on that cake. The pinnacle is the lifts, which are very cleverly designed. Nevertheless the magic happens flawlessly every time.
A nice hotel, spacious rooms. There's a restaurant downstairs to eat at night and a spa in the basement. If you want to use the spa schedule in advance it was very relaxing. Location is great within walking distance of many locations downtown.
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