Afternoon tea might seem like a quaint custom, a souvenir from a bygone era. But a closer look at the best afternoon teas in Dubai, and you will find the experience has been reimagined for a contemporary audience. From Instagram-worthy presentation to global cuisines, you’ll find spreads worthy of royalty. But bear in mind—the quintessential afternoon tea experience is not to be rushed. Sit back and savor the finest culinary gems that the city has to offer as you browse through the latest happenings in high scoiety à la Lady Whistledown .
Atlantis The Royal
How did the afternoon tea tradition originate?
Glad you asked—the roots of this great British tradition can be traced back to the seventh Duchess of Bedford in 1840. When the Duchess found herself craving some sweet treats around mid-afternoon, a new custom was born. Soon, friends started dropping in and the spread was elevated to luxurious heights. Today, the afternoon tea tradition serves as a worthy reminder to sit back and sip on a relaxing cup as you watch the world go by.
What is the general afternoon tea timing in Dubai?
While the concept of afternoon tea traditionally referred to light bites served around mid-afternoon, it has since acquired a personality of its own. Today, it is not uncommon to find afternoon tea in Dubai ranging from 12 noon itself with a host of main courses followed by finger sandwiches and light nibbles.
All the celebrity-favorite hotels to visit for afternoon tea in Dubai
If you wouldn’t mind spotting a celebrity or two as you sip on an Earl Grey, you are in luck. The finest culinary haunts in Dubai are known to attract a fair share of stars. Among other celebrity diners at At.mosphere, the 122nd floor of the Burj Khalifa has attracted the likes of Will Smith, Mariah Carey and French footballer Karim Benzema. Burj Al Arab, meanwhile, has played host to Gigi Hadid, Justin Bieber and more.
Where to find the best afternoon tea in Dubai
Whether you are a wide-eyed tourist or a native, the iconic Burj Al Arab requires little introduction. Unsurprisingly, the luxurious tea at Burj Al Arab leaves no pebble unturned in crafting an afternoon to remember. There is the view: a sweeping panorama of the glittering Dubai coastline that seems like it has been plucked from a Pixar dreamscape.
Jumeirah Burj Al Arab
And then, there is the spell-binding view inside the atrium which is nothing to scoff at either: luxe blues, reds splashed with more than a little smattering of golds. As you surrender your senses to the tranquil timbre of the harpists, pastry chef Tom Coll keeps the magic going with a meticulously crafted assortment of sharing plates, savory bites and pâtisserie staples. The meal can, of course, only conclude by sipping on a 24-karat gold coffee from the à la carte menu.
Need to know: So, how much is the afternoon tea in Burj Al Arab? For the quintessential Burj Al Arab afternoon tea experience, priced at AED 490, drop by Sahn Eddar from 3 – 6PM any day of the week.
Book reservations here or visit Sahn Eddar – Burj Al Arab – Umm Suqeim 3 – Dubai – United Arab Emirates, +9714 301 7777
If you have been on the hunt for luxurious afternoon teas to try in Dubai, Burj Khalifa is likely an all-caps addition to your list—underscored and circled with hearts, for good measure. A celebrity-favorite haunt, At.mosphere is far removed from the urbane bustle below as it soars through the clouds on the 122nd floor of the Burj Khalifa.
At.mosphere
But you already know that the postcard-perfect vistas are only part of the reason you are here—within its opulent Art Deco confines, the best afternoon tea in Dubai awaits. At.mosphere’s afternoon tea in the sky serves as a convincing reason to skip lunch with a host of main course selections featuring oyster blade wagyu, the fresh catch of the day and more. Finger sandwiches laced with seasonal ingredients and delicate pastries and confectionery ensure a delectable end to the meal.
View this post on Instagram
Need to know: Head to At.mosphere from 12.30 – 4.30PM for the daily Burj Khalifa afternoon tea experience, priced at AED 850 per person.
Book reservations here or visit At.mosphere – 57XF+J8R Burj Khalifa – 122nd Floor – Downtown Dubai – Dubai – United Arab Emirates, +9714 888 3828
Water assumes the leading role in the design narrative of Atlantis The Royal—the focal ‘droplets’ artwork is a towering testament to the weightlessness of the form. Pastry chef Christopher Devoille appears to have borrowed from this motif with light-as-air scones and delectable bites dotting elegantly tiered stands. For those with a savory palate, the afternoon tea at Atlantis Dubai also serves up candied tomato tarts, ricotta panna cotta and smoked turkey with black truffle as memorable highlights of the meal.
Atlantis The Royal
Need to know: The signature afternoon tea experience, available from 2 – 5PM everyday, is priced at AED 560 for two people.
View this post on Instagram
Book reservations here or visit The Royal Tearoom – Atlantis The Royal – Palm Jumeirah – Crescent Rd – The Palm Jumeirah – Dubai – United Arab Emirates, +9714 426 3000
Question: what constitutes your idea of the best high tea in Dubai? Opulent surroundings? A luxurious selection of sweet and savory nibbles? A warm, inviting ambiance that convinces you to linger just a little longer? Raffles Dubai delivers on all this, and more. The traveler’s afternoon tea features an interesting role reversal, of sorts. The club sandwich forgoes its usual lettuce and tomatoes in favor of unusual house guests: pistachio, raspberry and vanilla mousse. The savory menu, meanwhile, infuses the traditional mousse with zaatar-spiked labneh.
Raffles Dubai
Need to know: The Traveler’s afternoon tea, priced at AED 185 per person, is available from 2 – 6PM everyday. Looking to make a day out of it? Upgrade your Raffles Dubai afternoon tea experience with a tranquil 60-minute massage at the spa for AED 550 per person.
Book reservations here or visit Raffles Salon – Raffles The Palm Dubai – West Crescent Palm – Jumeirah – Dubai – United Arab Emirates, +9714 248 8888
Ver essa foto no Instagram
When the sun dims its scorching glare in the cooler months of the year, you’ll want to find the nearest terrace seat at Al Fayrooz Lounge. As you take in the languid waterways of Jumeirah Al Qasr, treat yourself to one of the must-try afternoon teas in Dubai. The scones? Freshly baked, flaky and served with silky clotted cream as well as strawberry and apricot jams. The pastries? An mellifluous assortment of tartelettes, madeleines and profiteroles. The main takeaway? An afternoon to remember.
Jumeirah Al Qasr
Need to know: For a leisurely afternoon treat in Dubai priced at AED 170 per person, visit Al Fayrooz any day of the week from 2 – 5PM.
View this post on Instagram
Book reservations here or visit Al Fayrooz Lounge – Lobby Lounge, Jumeirah Al Qasr – Dubai – United Arab Emirates, +9718 003 23232
Your schedule may not allow you to escape for an international getaway, but Peacock Alley is here to whisk you away to New York high society anyway. Named in honor of its namesake in New York, Peacock Alley serves as the shining jewel of Waldorf Astoria’s culinary crown. As the sunlight bounces off the 1960s-inspired palette of beige and tan marble, you’ll want to lean back in your armchair for a leisurely afternoon of people-watching. To give you company, you’ll find a roster of creamy sandwiches, buttery quiche and zesty tarts at your service.
Peacock Alley
Need to know: The classic afternoon tea set at Peacock Alley is available from 1 – 4PM everyday and priced at AED 175 per person.
View this post on Instagram
Book reservations here or visit Peacock Alley – Crescent Rd – The Palm Jumeirah – Dubai – United Arab Emirates, +9714 818 2222
The sweeping hand-detailed ceilings and gleaming marble columns of Palazzo Versace impress a sense of opulence upon entry—and the feeling only intensifies as you draw up a chair at Mosaico. The couture house’s flair for the dramatic is stamped in every element of your afternoon tea experience—from the themed tableware to the medusa head dusted over frothy cups of cappuccino. If you happen to drop by on a weekend, expect to be serenaded by a live saxophonist as you peruse through an elevated round-up of finger sandwiches, scones and pastries.
Palazzo Versace
Need to know: The high tea experience starts from AED 95 per person for brisk catch-ups. For those looking to recreate the experience at home, an on-the-go selection can be booked a day in advance for AED 378 per stand.
View this post on Instagram
Book reservations here or visit Mosaico – Palazzo Versace – Jaddaf Waterfront – Dubai – United Arab Emirates, +9714 556 8850
The sights and sounds of DIFC fall into a muted hush as you step within the palatial interiors of The Ritz-Carlton Dubai. Under a canopy of crystal chandeliers in the lobby lounge, a mouth-watering afternoon tea spread comes to life. Craving finger sandwiches? Your options range from the classic cucumber and chives to roast smoked beef and caramelized onion. Looking to indulge your sweet tooth? An assortment of éclairs, meringue tarts and macaroons await your undivided attention.
The Ritz-Carlton Dubai
Need to know: This traditional afternoon tea in Dubai starts from AED 215 per person and is served everyday from 12.30 – 5PM.
View this post on Instagram
Book reservations here or visit The Lobby Lounge – The Ritz-Carlton Dubai – DIFC, off – Sheikh Zayed Rd – Dubai – United Arab Emirates, +9714 372 2222
On days when you are looking to swap the buttoned-up etiquette of a five-star establishment for a laidback affair, all roads can only lead to Brunch & Cake. An Instagrammer’s playground, everything from the striped awning to the afternoon tea—a lavish spread of croissants and cake—is begging to be immortalized for posterity on your feed.
Brunch and Cake
Book reservations here or visit Brunch & Cake – Pavilion – Jumeirah Islands – Jumeirah Heights – Dubai – United Arab Emirates, +9714 422 5879
View this post on Instagram
What if you experienced a quintessential afternoon tea through a Japanese lens? This is the question that Tocha sets out to answer. Seeking influences from traditional Japanese teahouses, the menu is a paradise for tea lovers. When you are not sipping on one, you will want to dig a spoon through the hoji tea pudding with notes of caramel and mochi.
Banyan Tree Dubai
Need to know: The afternoon tea and coffee package is available from 2 – 5PM at AED 180 per person.
View this post on Instagram
Book reservations here or visit Tocha – Banyan Tree – Bluewaters Island – Dubai – United Arab Emirates, +9714 556 6666
The quest for the best afternoon tea in Dubai is a secret that you will want to lock up tight—especially if it is within the culinary treasure boxes of Bijou Patisserie. Served with a vault—a literal vault that you must unlock with a key for your Instagram fam—lies a lineup of authentic French treats, tarts and savory bites. If your nose picks up on the scent of freshly baked goods, it is the croissants and puff pastries delivered fresh to the table.
Bijou Patisserie
Need to know: This afternoon tea in Dubai is available from 2 – 6PM everyday for AED 195 per person with unlimited tea, coffee and homemade lemonade.
View this post on Instagram
Book reservations here or visit Bijou Patisserie – Sofitel Dubai The Obelisk WAFI – Sheikh Rashid Rd – Umm Hurair 2 – Dubai – United Arab Emirates, +9714 281 4111
Set within the concrete oasis of Dubai, The Farm reads like something you’d find in the pages of a fairytale. A lush expanse of verdant foliage as far as the eye can see, The Farm’s afternoon tea in Dubai is your license to leave the bustle of the everyday grind behind and escape into a tropical garden. After all, live pianists are all well and good, but how about having your afternoon tea experience in Dubai serenaded by the sounds of a brook instead as you bite delicately into a selection of tea sandwiches?
The Farm
Need to know: The afternoon tea is available from 3.30 – 6PM everyday at AED 280 for two people.
View this post on Instagram
Book reservations here or visit The Farm Restaurant – Al Barari – 38V6+Q6 Dubai – United Arab Emirates, +9714 886 6223
