Afternoon Tea in Canterbury
Afternoon tea in Canterbury goes well beyond scones in a hotel lounge, although you can absolutely have those too. This list covers places that currently offer afternoon tea or cream tea, from Tudor tearooms and hotel bars to a chai-led Indian take. Places are ranked using their Google rating weighted by how many reviews they have. Student angle: afternoon tea is the easy win when family visit or graduation comes round, and most places want you to book ahead, so sort it before the day.
- 6 places, ranked by Google rating
- Open places only, checked every month
- Website and Google Maps for each
- 1
The Cook's Tale Restaurant
The Cook's Tale on Beer Cart Lane has reimagined afternoon tea as an Afternoon Chai Tasting menu. Warm Indian savouries such as samosas and fritters arrive as they are ready, followed by spiced scones with clotted cream and sweet bites, with a Champagne version for celebrations. It runs on selected days only, so book ahead.
- 2
A.T. Patisserie
A.T. Patisserie, the Canterbury home of Azucar Treats, is a cake and patisserie shop on Palace Street that also hosts a sit-in afternoon tea experience for small groups. Gluten-free and vegan alternatives are available if you mention them when booking, and there is a simpler cream tea with scones, jam and cream. Advance booking is required.
- 3
Tiny Tim's Tearoom
Tiny Tim's Tearoom on St Margaret's Street calls itself the quintessential English tearoom, and leans all the way in, with chandelier-lit rooms and more than 30 loose-leaf teas. Its afternoon teas are homemade, the Kentish Cream Tea and signature scones are bestsellers, and there is a shop for tea to take home.
- 4
The Moat Tea Rooms
The Moat Tea Rooms fills a half-timbered Tudor building on Burgate, close to the cathedral. Visit Canterbury picks it out as a hidden gem for a traditional tea, with homemade scones, clotted cream and jam, and its garden is heated and sheltered for cooler days. You can reserve a table, which is wise at weekends.
- 5
Brasserie Abode
Brasserie Abode, inside the ABode hotel on the High Street, serves afternoon tea daily in its Brasserie Bar. Expect finger sandwiches, savouries, scones with clotted cream and jam, and pastries, with Newby London teas, coffee or a Champagne upgrade. It also runs graduation afternoon teas, so bookmark it for when your family come down.
- 6
The Falstaff Cocktail Bar and Lounge
The Falstaff Hotel on St Dunstan's Street, right by the Westgate Towers, serves a homemade afternoon tea at weekends in its beamed lounge. Cakes, sandwiches and scones are the core, and you can upgrade to a Champagne or cocktail version if the occasion calls for it. Bookings are taken by phone or email.
Ranked by Google rating, weighted by the number of reviews so a place with a handful of five-star reviews does not jump the queue. We check the list every month and drop anywhere that has closed.
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