Afternoon tea is perhaps one of the most British traditions. Whether you’re after cucumber sandwiches or scones with jam, you can enjoy the ritual of afternoon tea in Riyadh.
The origin of afternoon tea dates back to the 1840s when the Duchess of Bedford, a lady in waiting to Queen Victoria, complained of “having that sinking feeling” in the afternoon. She started requesting a light meal in the afternoon, which soon grew into a regular gathering with friends and then social one-upmanship among the aristocracy with lavish afternoon tea parties.
While you can find a classic afternoon tea in Riyadh across hotels and cafés, there are plenty of places offering a modern as well as Arabic twist on the whole affair. This list will definitely be your cup of tea.
Acoustic Restaurant and Art Gallery
You won’t know whether to admire the gorgeous artwork or the cute little cakes at Acoustic. Having hosted the likes of princes and ambassadors, Acoustic happens to be one of the classiest spots for afternoon tea in Riyadh. The high tea package includes a welcome drink, small sandwiches, savoury pastries, sweets and so much more, which are all presented prettily on a traditional three-tier stand.
Daily 3.30pm-5.30pm. SAR169. Prince Muhammad Ibn Abd Al Aziz, Al Olaya, acoustic-ksa.com (011 416 4363).
Chorisa Lounge at The Ritz-Carlton, Riyadh
Tea at a five-star hotel? Sign us up, please. It’s hard to get as fancy as The Ritz-Carlton, Riyadh. Dress your best and take a seat inside the elegant Chorisia Lounge, which has floor-to-ceiling windows that look out onto centuries-old trees. The tea is served alongside finger sandwiches and sweet treats. The sandwich options include egg and beef pastrami, and, if you want to go a more traditional route, you can opt for the crêpe with labneh and Saudi honey.
Daily 2pm-6pm. SAR150. Makkah Al Mukarramah Br Rd, Al Hada, ritzcarlton.com (011 802 8020).
Lobby Lounge at Four Seasons Riyadh
If you are looking to impress a special someone with an afternoon tea, then make a beeline for Four Seasons Riyadh. Surrounded by gorgeous palm trees and located in one of the most iconic buildings in Riyadh, The Kingdom Tower, this is where to go for the wow factor. The afternoon tea is served well after the afternoon and into the evening, so for all you fashionably late people, this is perfect for you. They serve a variety of options for high tea, too, from an Arabic high tea with hummus to a British-inspired high tea complete with cucumber and cream cheese sandwiches. The choice is yours.
Dailly 11am-8pm. SAR170. Center Point, 2239 King Fahd Rd, Al Olaya, fourseasons.com (011 211 5000).
Oplaisir
Recreating the ambience from a café down the street in Paris, Oplaisir is one of the chicest spots in Riyadh. With chandeliers hanging from high ceilings, and delightful drinks being poured much later than the afternoon, this certainly has that je ne sais quoi. They serve up tasty sandwiches, mini profiteroles and brightly coloured Battenberg cake. And, since you’re almost in Paris, it would be rude not to order a crêpe.
Daily 4pm-8pm. From SAR95. Al Takhassusi St, Al Mohammadiyyah, instagram.com/oplaisir_ksa
Poplars Salon
With a gorgeous display of desserts upfront, this place will have you drooling from the get-go. They serve up a gorgeous spread of sandwiches, desserts and, of course, teas. If you’re looking for an afternoon tea spot to spoil your special someone, this place is for you. It’s all very romantic, as the tables are candle-lit and decorated with flowers.
Daily 4pm-7.30pm. SAR240. Al Takhassousi, Al Mohammadiyyah, instagram.com/poplars_salon/ (011 211 2552)
Richoux
Don’t want to break the bank, but still want to sip on some high-quality tea? This is the place for you. Richoux has gorgeous wooden flooring and comfy red leather sofas, so you can relax and be fancy on a budget. They offer salmon and dill finger sandwiches, cookies and tiramisu. The tea is served in classic blue and white crockery – as it all feels all so traditional, you’ll be forgiven if your pinky finger starts pointing up.
Daily 7am-9pm. SAR76 (two-people). Abi Bakr Siddiq Rd, instagram.com/richouxksa (050 855 2550).
Tea Club
The Tea Club knows how to bring it. Take a seat in one of the brightly coloured sofas and admire the grand chandelier. If your tea is more important than your cake, then this is the place for you. They serve tea from all over the world including China, India and Sri Lanka, which is served in see-through pots that are resting on candles, so they can stay extra-warm for your sipping pleasure. The sweet treats range from soft cookies to tasty pastries.
Open Sat-Thu 9am-midnight. Fri 1pm-midnight. Riyadh Park Mall, Al Aqiq, instagram.com/teaclub__ksa/
Theo
Fine dining meets afternoon tea at one of the coolest looking spots on this list. They have both indoor and outdoor seating areas and they are both equally beautiful. They have a great selection of teas ranging from black, herbal, oolong and iced options, which can be served out of transparent pots into transparent cups or Moroccan-style with all that long pouring and traditionally-styled crockery.
Open Sat-Thu 8am-1am. Fri 12.30pm-1am. The Zone, Al Mohammadiyyah, instagram.com/theosaudi/
The Globe
If you have a budget that can reach the skies, then you should too. Look no further than The Globe in Al Faisaliah Tower. This afternoon tea spot adds a whole new meaning to high tea, as it offers you amazing panoramic city views, along with great finger sandwiches and greater desserts. The European style lounge is a sophisticated spot, so dress the part and have some fun.
Daily 3pm-6pm. King Fahd Branch Rd, Al Faisaliah Tower, The Geodesic Orb, instagram.com/theglobeksa/
Yauatcha
A Chinese dim sum restaurant might not sound like the obvious place to go for afternoon tea in Riyadh, but stay with us. This place offers one of the most Instagram-worthy afternoon teas in Riyadh. First, there are the views: the beautiful interior includes cherry blossom trees and a gorgeous rooftop view of the city. Second, there’s the presentation of the tea: it comes in a Connect Four-style grid, where you are served dim sum alongside little desserts. Yauatcha’s afternoon tea offers bags of cuteness – literally – as the cakes are shaped like handbags.
Open daily 12pm-11.30pm. Prince Sultan Bin Abdulaziz Rd, Al Olaya, instagram.com/yauatchariyadh/
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