It’s the most wonderful time of the year, and the most wonderful thing has happened, afternoon teas across the north now have an added festive touch.
Venues from the north-east and north have been busy spreading the festive cheer by putting a Christmas twist on some of their most popular sandwiches, pastries and desserts.
From gingerbread Santa to Christmas tree cupcakes, to turkey, cranberry and stuffing sandwiches, not forgetting sausage rolls, customers are in for a treat whether they choose to dine in or takeaway one of these decadent offerings.
Below are some of the venues offering up the festive twist on the much-loved British favourite.
210 Bistro – Aberdeen
Offering a sit in or takeaway option, this festive afternoon tea at 210 Bistro is served from noon to 4pm and is priced at £15 per person.
Savoury options include brie and cranberry ciabatta, a turkey and stuffing croissant, a pigs in blankets sausage roll and a mini beef Yorkshire pudding with mustard mayo.
To accompany this 210 Bistro are serving a red velvet cake pop, a candy cane chocolate brownie, salted caramel and baileys cheesecake and orange spiced scones served with clotted cream.
Click here to book or call 01224 211857.
Cafe Ahoy – Aberdeen
Fancy treating yourself? Why not try out Cafe Ahoy‘s festive afternoon tea for one. Priced at £19.50 per person, it is not only a great present for someone else, but a great gift for you to enjoy at home, too.
Included in the box filled of festive fun is a range of delicious sandwiches covering all the popular festive flavours, not to mention pigs in blankets with cranberry dip, sausage rolls, and a whole heap of sweet things too like mince pies and macarons.
There’s also Isle of Harris Gin tea and cranberry and apple tea to pick from.
Deliveries take place between 10am and 2pm and collections are ready to collect by 10am from the venue at the Inspire Building on the Beach Boulevard in Aberdeen.
Click here to book or call 01224 594488.
Almondine – Aberdeen / Inverurie, Aberdeenshire
Known as one of the best places for afternoon tea in the north-east, French-inspired patisserie cafe Almondine offers it at both the Aberdeen premises and the new Inverurie venue.
Afternoon tea is served from noon Tuesday to Sunday and it is priced at £25.50 per person with a range of sweet and savoury dishes available.
The spread includes patisserie such as hazelnut and Bailey’s petit gateaux, orange and coffee choux bun, chocolate and cherry verrine, rum and vanilla cannelle and miniature white chocolate snowman macarons.
They are also serving festive treats including chocolate and salted caramel cone, large snowmen macarons, apple, chocolate and pecan petit gateaux and a blackberry and hazelnut petit gateaux.
Unfortunately Almondine is unable to offer a vegetarian, vegan, gluten, nut-free or dairy-free options.
Click here to book or email info@almondine.co.uk.
Maryculter House – Maryculter, Aberdeenshire
Known for its incredible views and ancient history, Maryculter House, located on the outskirts of Aberdeen, is offering a festive afternoon tea from Monday to Saturday at £17 per person.
Served upon a handmade Santa’s sleigh, a range of Christmas-themed savoury and sweet dishes are on offer.
Savouries include sandwiches, smoked salmon, a brie and cranberry buttery and pigs in kilts.
In addition a sweet selection of Battenberg, gingerbread, chocolate orange reindeer, mince pies, doughnuts and scones.
Click here to book or call 01224 732 124.
The Knowes Hotel & Restaurant – Macduff, Aberdeenshire
Advertising an afternoon tea fit for a duchess, The Knowes Hotel in Macuff, Aberdeenshire is offering a luxury version for £27.95 per person.
This includes finger sandwiches and bridge rolls, plus a selection of homemade scones with fresh cream and jam.
As well as this, guests can enjoy a mixture of homemade cakes with a festive twist and a choice of two cocktails from their dining menu.
Afternoon teas are available from Monday to Saturday until 4.30pm and can be enjoyed indoors or outdoors.
Click here to book or call 01261 458000.
Meldrum House Country Hotel – Oldmeldrum, Aberdeenshire
Meldrum House‘s kitchen team have been busy creating some delicious treats for their afternoon tea which is available Monday to Saturday from 1-3pm.
Enjoy afternoon tea in the drawing room by the cosy log fires, in the luxury domes or in a turret in the Cave Bar.
The experience costs £21 per person and £12 for children. Adults can add a glass of bubbles from £7.50, to go with a range of sandwiches, savouries and sweet treats.
If you’re taking the kids with you, there’s also hot chocolate and gooey treats to demolish.
Click here to book or call 01651 872294.
Trump International – Balmedie, Aberdeenshire
If you are looking for a more extravagant experience the Trump International Scotland is offering a Christmas afternoon tea hosted within Trump MacLeod House.
Guests will be welcomed into the mansion with a glass of champagne on arrival, before taking their seats for the indulgent affair.
Serving up sandwiches, homemade scones, preserves and clotted cream, and a range of cakes alongside a selection of teas, it is priced at £49 per person and is available only on Saturday December 18 from noon.
This experience requires advanced booking.
To book call 01358 743300 or email bookings@trumpgolfscotland.com.
Simpsons Garden Centre – Inverness
Pop along to Simpsons Garden Centre in Inverness for a festive feast which not only tastes lush, but looks equally as adorable, too!
It costs £25 for two or £13.50 per person and includes a whole range of goodies such as spiced shortbread, frosted Nutella cake, reindeer meringues and more.
There are also vegan and gluten-free options available.
It is served Monday to Saturday at 2.30pm or 3.45pm and all reservations must be booked in advance by phone or email.
To book call 01463 250200 or email info@simpsonsgc.co.uk.
Ness Walk – Inverness
Last but certainly not least, the final pick for a festive afternoon tea setting is the Ness Walk five star hotel located in Inverness, just a 10 minute walk away from Loch Ness.
With their stunning views, Ness Walk are offering an elegant afternoon tea experience served seven days a week between 12.30pm and 4.30pm.
For £23.95 per person, a mixture of savoury dishes, sandwiches, scones and sweet dishes are available to enjoy, with the option to add a glass of chilled Delamotte Champagne for £32.50 per person.
Ness Walk also offer a full vegan menu to accommodate for dietary requirements.
Click here to book or call: 01463 215215
More from food and drink…
- The restaurants that will deliver Christmas dinner to you in the north and north-east
- Christmas in Venezuela: Scottish food business owner talks hallacas, gaita and ‘black cake’
