The Afternoon Tea Edit: Where to Linger Over Tea, Pastries & More
From Bijou's pink vault to At.mosphere on Level 122 of Burj Khalifa, these are the Dubai and Abu Dhabi afternoon teas worth lingering over.
by Yara Basima
1 Oct 2026
Afternoon tea has moved well beyond the traditional cucumber sandwich and cup of Earl Grey. Across Dubai and Abu Dhabi, the ritual now comes with French pastries, skyline views, waterfront settings, royal British references and, in some cases, a little champagne.
Whether you’re planning a slow afternoon with friends, a birthday catch-up or simply looking for an excuse to dress up and sit somewhere beautiful for a couple of hours, these are some of the afternoon tea experiences to know about right now.
Le Goûter Vault at Bijou Patisserie, Sofitel Dubai The Obelisk
Hidden inside Bijou Patisserie’s signature pink vault, Le Goûter puts a French spin on the classic afternoon tea. Expect a selection of French pastries and savoury bites, alongside unlimited tea, coffee and homemade lemonade, with the current AED 195 experience also including a choice of speciality matcha or a glass of sparkling.
Served daily from 2 pm to 6 pm, it’s a slightly more playful take on afternoon tea, with the pink vault adding plenty of personality to the setting. The experience is currently priced from AED 195 per person.
When: Daily, 2 pm–6 pm
Price: From AED 195 per person
Where: Bijou Patisserie, Sofitel Dubai The Obelisk
Reservations: +971 4 281 4111
Afternoon Tea at Al Bayt, Palace Downtown
For something closer to the classic afternoon tea ritual, Al Bayt at Palace Downtown keeps things elegant and understated. The afternoon tea brings together delicate pastries, savoury bites and tea, served in the intimate surroundings of the lounge.
It runs daily from 2 pm to 6 pm at AED 120 per person, making it one of the more accessible ways to settle into a traditional afternoon tea setting in Downtown Dubai.
When: Daily, 2 pm–6 pm
Price: AED 120 per person
Where: Al Bayt Lounge, Palace Downtown
Reservations: +971 4 428 7961 | DineAtPalaceDowntown@addresshotels.com
In Full Bloom at Address Creek Harbour
If you prefer your afternoon tea with a view, head towards the Creek. Address Creek Harbour’s In Full Bloom is created in collaboration with TWG Tea, pairing a selection of premium teas with pastries and savoury creations.
Served at The Patisserie from 3 pm to 7 pm daily, the experience is designed around the slower pace of an afternoon by the water. At AED 195 per person, it works equally well for a catch-up or a special occasion.
When: Daily, 3 pm–7 pm
Price: AED 195 per person
Where: The Patisserie, Address Creek Harbour
Reservations: +971 4 275 8833 | dineatcreek@addresshotels.com
The Patisserie at Address Dubai Mall
Not every afternoon tea needs a three-tier stand. At The Patisserie at Address Dubai Mall, the experience is pared back to a simple pastry-and-coffee-or-tea pairing.
The AED 55 offering includes a curated selection of signature pastries with your choice of coffee or tea. Available daily from 11 am to 7 pm, it’s an easy option for an afternoon pause in the middle of Downtown.
When: Daily, 11 am–7 pm
Price: AED 55 per person
Where: The Patisserie, Address Dubai Mall
Reservations: +971 4 245 8888 | dineatadm@addresshotels.com
The Royal Afternoon Tea at The Lana
At The Gallery, The Lana has taken its afternoon tea cues from British royal tradition. The menu comes with its own history lesson, with storytelling cards introducing the people and rituals that shaped afternoon tea.
On the stand, expect finger sandwiches, warm raisin and tea-infused scones and British-inspired pastries by world pastry champion Angelo Musa. Highlights include coronation chicken, smoked Scottish salmon, a Victoria sponge-inspired creation, Bakewell tart, chocolate truffle and rose and raspberry religieuse.
Served daily from noon to 6 pm, the traditional tea pairing is AED 400 per person, with non-alcoholic sparkling wine at AED 480 and a Pol Roger Champagne pairing at AED 499.
When: Daily, 12 pm–6 pm
Price: AED 400 per person; AED 480 with non-alcoholic sparkling; AED 499 with Pol Roger Champagne
Where: The Gallery, The Lana, Dorchester Collection
Reservations: Restaurants.LAN@dorchestercollection.com | +971 4 541 7755
Afternoon Tea at At.mosphere, Burj Khalifa
For an afternoon tea with serious altitude, At.mosphere takes the ritual to Level 122 of Burj Khalifa, 442 metres above Dubai.
The menu covers the expected afternoon tea favourites — mini sandwiches, freshly baked scones with clotted cream and jam, cakes and pastries — served alongside hot and refreshing beverages.
There are three experiences to choose from: La Gourmandise at AED 350 per person, Sparkling High Tea at AED 550 with two glasses of Prosecco, and Luxurious High Tea at AED 850, which includes a bottle of Champagne for two, a main course and the full afternoon tea selection.
When: Daily, 12:30pm–4:30pm
Price: AED 350 / AED 550 / AED 850 per person
Where: At.mosphere Lounge, Burj Khalifa
Reservations: +971 4 888 3828 | reservations@atmosphereburjkhalifa.com
Afternoon Tea at Isabel Mayfair Abu Dhabi
Over in Abu Dhabi, Isabel Mayfair’s afternoon tea is designed for two. The spread leans towards European pâtisserie, with treats including chocolate ganache brownie, lemon meringue tartlet, Paris-Brest, pistachio madeleine, a white chocolate and Timut pepper macaron, and a peach verbena candy roll.
Each guest can also choose one beverage from the selection of coffees, teas and mocktails. Served daily from 3pm to 6pm, the set is AED 200 for two guests.
When: Daily, 3pm–6pm
Price: AED 200 per set for two
Where: Isabel Mayfair, The Galleria Al Maryah Island, Abu Dhabi
Website: isabelabudhabi.com
Afternoon Tea at Hawksbill, Saadiyat Island
For a quieter Abu Dhabi afternoon, Hawksbill Restaurant at Saadiyat Beach Golf Club has introduced a new afternoon tea overlooking the golf course and surrounding landscape.
The traditional tiered stand comes with both sweet and savoury options, including scones, macarons, caramel tarts and churros, alongside smoked salmon blinis, soft-shell tacos and baked garlic aioli. Each guest can choose tea, coffee or a soft drink.
Available Monday to Thursday from 1 pm to 4 pm, the experience is AED 120 per person.
When: Monday–Thursday, 1 pm–4 pm
Price: AED 120 per person
Where: Hawksbill Restaurant, Saadiyat Beach Golf Club, Saadiyat Island, Abu Dhabi
Reservations: +971 56 660 8780 | dining.sbgc@viyagolf.com
Pinktober Afternoon Tea at Ginori Terrace, The St. Regis Downtown Dubai
October brings a more meaningful reason to book afternoon tea at Ginori Terrace. Throughout the month, its Pinktober Afternoon Tea pays tribute to remarkable women, with each sweet and savoury creation named after a woman whose story continues to inspire.
The menu moves from The Caroline, a raspberry and rose creation inspired by Mrs. Caroline Astor, through savoury bites named for figures including Marie Curie, Audrey Hepburn, Josephine Baker, Frida Kahlo and Jane Goodall. The sweet selection continues the theme with creations inspired by Queen Elizabeth II, Coco Chanel, Princess Diana, Serena Williams and Maya Angelou.
Served on Ginori 1735 porcelain against the backdrop of the Dubai Water Canal, the afternoon tea is also tied to a charitable initiative: a contribution from each afternoon tea during October goes towards Al Jalila Foundation’s #PINKtober campaign, supporting breast cancer research and treatment in the UAE.
When: October 1–31, 2026, daily 2 pm–6 pm
Price: AED 295 per person, including coffee and tea
Where: Ginori Terrace, The St. Regis Downtown Dubai
Reservations: +971 4 512 5555
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