It should come as no surprise that Glasgow is home to plenty of great bottomless brunches, nightclubs, and cocktail bars.
But what about their daintier, more sophisticated sister: afternoon tea?
Well, thankfully, we have that one covered, too!
It turns out that sandwiches, tea, and cake is a combination that Glasgow does really well.
That’s why I’ve rounded up the 19 top places to enjoy afternoon tea in Glasgow to save you the effort of finding the best spots yourself.
Don’t say I never treat you!
1. Willow Tea Rooms
Address: 97 Buchanan Street, Glasgow G1 3HF
Phone number: 0141 204 5242
Price: From £24.00 per person
Kicking things off with one of the most iconic spots to enjoy afternoon tea in Glasgow, we have the beautiful Willow Tea Rooms on Buchanan Street.
This classic venue is home to a truly stunning collection of Charles Rennie Mackintosh designs.
(That’s Glasgow’s most famous artist, architect and designer, FYI!)
The original layout was commissioned by tea Mistress Kate Cranston in 1901 before expanding to other locations across the city.
At the Buchanan Street branch, you’ll be seated on the most wonderful, peculiar high-backed chairs in a tearoom bursting with character and Scottish design history.
Once you’ve made yourself comfortable, your generous hosts will then treat you to a three-tier traditional afternoon tea fit for Miss Cranston herself.
You haven’t done afternoon tea until you’ve done it at the Willow Tea Rooms!
2. The Corinthian Club
Address: 191 Ingram Street, Glasgow G1 1DA
Phone number: 0141 552 1101
Price: From £25 per person
Inside a truly stunning grade A-listed building (formerly a bank and high court), the jaw-dropping Corinthian Club is one of the best cocktail bars in Glasgow.
Afternoon tea is served in the Tellers Brasserie, a restaurant with ornate wall detailing, a domed ceiling, and sparkling chandeliers.
To mirror the revival of this historic building, The Corinthian Club has revamped the traditional afternoon tea and added a contemporary twist.
Duck liver pate canapes, bloody Mary sandwiches, and lemon sherbet curd tarts are among some of the delights you’ll get to enjoy.
This is an afternoon tea in Glasgow to remember!
3. Sherbrooke Castle Hotel
Address: Sherbrooke Avenue, Pollokshields, Glasgow G41 4PG
Phone number: 0141 427 4227
Price: From £21.95 per person
Who wouldn’t want to have their afternoon tea in Glasgow in an actual Scottish castle?!
A little journey to Glasgow’s southside, Sherbrooke Castle Hotel is a truly magnificent castle crafted from rich red sandstone and surrounded by lush landscaped gardens.
With grand tartan carpets, roaring fireplaces, and traditional furniture, Sherbrooke is one of the most magical places to spend an afternoon.
Sandwiches, cakes, and scones are artfully presented on tiered cake stands while tea is topped up on the side.
If that doesn’t make you feel like a Lord or Lady of the castle, I don’t know what will!
4. Cranachan Café
Address: Princes Square, 2nd Floor, 48 Buchanan Street, Glasgow G1 3JN
Phone number: 0141 248 6257
Price: From £16.50 per person
Named after the famous traditional Scottish dessert, you know you’re going to be in for a treat at Cranachan Café.
This lively little spot can be found up on the 2nd floor of Princes Square overlooking the gorgeous indoor shopping courtyard.
It’s the perfect place to rest your legs after a busy day of shopping in Glasgow’s style mile.
They serve afternoon tea on rustic plates and quirky china, and you can even opt for a gin cocktail in a teapot!
5. Saint Judes
Address: 190 Bath Street, Glasgow G2 4HG
Phone number: 0141 352 8800
Price: From £15.95 per person
Saint Judes might be famous for their candy shop-inspired cocktails, but they put on a pretty spectacular sweet and savoury spread at afternoon tea, too.
Designed for slightly larger groups, Saint Jude’s intoxicating tea parties are held in the venue’s function spaces on long, banquet-style tables.
Swapping out the usual tea and coffee for teatime cocktails (vodka, gin or rum-based – your choice!), this afternoon tea strikes the perfect balance between traditional tasty treats and fun, modern flavours.
6. Cup Tea Lounge
Address: 71 Renfield Street, Glasgow G2 1LP
Phone number: 0141 353 2959
From: £24 per person
Located in an ornate B-Listed Victorian building with a tiled interior, grand arches, and crystal chandeliers, it’s no wonder Cup Tea Lounge is an award-winning spot for afternoon tea.
Here, they serve up artisan blends of tea made in small batches, alongside nearly 20 different contemporary cupcake flavours.
With vegan, vegetarian, and gluten-free menus, you know the whole group will feel well looked after, too.
The gorgeous venue is enough of a reason to visit, but if you’re only after the homebaked and blended goods, you can order ‘Cup At Home’, an afternoon tea available for collection or delivery!
7. The Butterfly and The Pig
Address: 153 Bath Street, Glasgow G2 4SQ
Phone number: 0141 221 7711
Price: From £16.95 per person
There’s no better phrase to describe the tearooms at The Butterfly and The Pig than ‘shabby-chic’.
With floral wallpaper, vintage china, and whimsical décor, this is one of the very best places for an afternoon treat.
You’ll need a decent appetite if you’re going to conquer this afternoon tea, as The Butterly and The Pig proudly state on their menu that they “believe in hearty portions and our afternoon tea is no exception.”
They serve traditional high tea until 8 pm, too, in case you’re looking for something a bit later than the usual 5 pm cut-off!
8. The Hidden Lane Tearoom
Address: Unit 8, The Hidden Lane, 1103 Argyle Street, Glasgow G3 8ND
Phone number: 0141 237 4391
Price: From £16.50 per person
Slightly off the beaten track, tucked away down the twisty, cobbled streets of Finnieston’s Hidden Lane, you’ll find the very aptly named Hidden Lane Tearoom.
You can tell the homemade cakes and bakes are made with love, but it’s the tea itself that really impresses.
With a huge range of loose-leaf teas, chai blended in-house, and locally sourced coffee, there’s bound to be something to suit your tastebuds.
Plus, their sandwich and cake flavours rotate daily – the perfect excuse to return another day!
9. Windows at The Carlton George Hotel
Address: Carlton George Hotel, 44 West George Street, Glasgow G2 1DH
Phone number: 0141 353 6373
Price: From £16.95 per person
If you like a good view with your afternoon tea, then look no further than Windows at The Carlton George Hotel, one of the best rooftop bars in Glasgow.
Here, they serve afternoon tea on the 7th floor with a breathtaking view over Glasgow’s rooftops and landmarks.
You’ll be able to nibble on classic finger sandwiches, warm scones, and cakes, and sip on tea (or champagne!) all afternoon.
Available seven days a week, think of this one as part afternoon tea, part sightseeing!
10. The Salon Bar at Kimpton Blythswood Square Hotel
Address: Kimpton Blythswood Square Hotel, 11 Blythswood Square, Glasgow G2 4AD
Phone number: 0141 248 8888
Price: From £25 per person
The boutique Kimpton Blythswood Square Hotel might be best known for its luxurious spa and beautiful bedrooms.
However, The Salon Bar on the first floor is home to a gorgeous afternoon tea in Glasgow.
Watch over the gardens as you relax in Harris Tweed chairs and pick from tiers of luxurious nibbles made with only the finest Scottish ingredients.
(Haggis bonbon included!)
The desserts in particular are real miniature showstoppers – as long as you still have room for them, that is!
Finish off your afternoon tea with truffles of your choice, to eat there or to take away.
Delightful!
11. Champagne Central at Grand Central Hotel
Address: Grand Central Hotel, 99 Gordon Street, Glasgow G1 3SF
Phone number: 0141 221 3388
Price: From £35 per person
Get ready to step back in time at Champagne Central.
This gorgeous champagne bar within Glasgow’s famous Grand Central Hotel just oozes old-world glamour.
Overlooking Central Station, you can sit and watch the world go by while enjoying updated afternoon tea favourites like whisky-soaked scones and rose champagne.
(The proper French stuff!)
This one is a bit of a splurge but with a personalised menu and a unique setting, it’s more than worth it.
12. SugarFall Patisserie
Address: 153 Byres Road, Glasgow G12 8TS
Phone number: 0141 370 1920
Price: From £20 per person
Here’s an idea for a sunny day in the west end: grab a couple of picnic blankets and an Afternoon Tea Box from SugarFall Patisserie and take yourself to Kelvingrove Park!
Personalise your box and choose from sandwiches, scones, and one main dessert (plus a few surprise ones thrown in for good measure).
Fresh and fun, this is yet another way to spruce up the classic afternoon tea experience in Glasgow!
13. Red Bus Bistro
Address: 36 Shuttle Street, Glasgow G1 1QA
Phone number: 01355 229 448
Price: £42.50 per person
Have you ever had afternoon tea… on a moving bus?
Well, now’s your chance!
Glasgow’s Red Bus Bistro combines two traditional British classics, afternoon tea and bright red buses, for an afternoon of guaranteed fun.
The journey departs from the city centre and takes you on a whistle-stop tour of the top tourist sites in Glasgow – all with a scone in one hand and a drink in the other!
Upgrade your tour to include Red Bus Bistro’s signature Gin Pot-tails, or stick to the unlimited tea and coffee, served only when the bus is stationary.
(Health and safety first!)
14. Malmaison
Address: Malmaison, 278 West George Street, Glasgow G2 4LL
Phone number: 0141 378 0384
Price: From £27 per person
With boutique hotels scattered across the UK, Malmaison is a reliable spot for an indulgent afternoon delight.
Formerly a Greek Orthodox Church, the building strikes an extraordinary balance between the ancient and the modern, marrying historic details with modern boutique décor.
The MAL afternoon tea is stacked with re-imagined classics including a crunchy Thai sticky beef wrap, a prawn cocktail, and a calamansi citrus meringue tart.
It well and truly lives up to the hotel’s motto: ‘anything but orthodox’!
15. La Bonne Auberge
Address: 161 West Nile Street, Glasgow G1 2RL
Phone number: 0141 352 8310
Price: From £17.50 per person
Right in the heart of Glasgow’s theatreland between the King’s Theatre, Pavilion Theatre, and Glasgow Royal Concert Hall, you’ll find La Bonne Auberge, Glasgow’s original brasserie.
Afternoon tea is the perfect treat for when you fancy something a little different than the usual pre-theatre set menu.
And La Bonne Auberge doesn’t disappoint!
Having served up French and Mediterranean cuisine for over 40 years, the restaurant uses only the freshest ingredients to put together tiers upon tiers of delicious finger food.
The perfect accompaniment to the panto, opera, or even the Cineworld across the road…
16. The Terrace at The Grosvenor Hotel
Address: The Grosvenor Hotel, 1-9 Grosvenor Terrace, Glasgow G12 0TA
Phone number: 0141 339 8811
Price: From £25 per person
Sticking with the ‘afternoon tea with a view’ theme, The Terrace at The Grosvenor Hotel is a pretty spectacular spot to people-watch in the west end.
Sitting directly opposite the Botanic Gardens, this bright and airy space features Venetian-style arched windows, an elegant colour scheme, and even a grand piano for some soft background music.
From mini quiches and salmon toast to fruity trifles and even crème brûlée, this afternoon tea menu is set to impress even the most seasoned afternoon tea-er.
17. Chaophraya
Address: The Townhouse, Nelson Mandela Place, Glasgow G1 2LL
Phone number: 0141 320 0241
Price: From £20 per person
Feeling a bit tired of the usual smoked salmon, chicken mayo, and egg and cress combos?
Well, Chaophraya shakes things up a bit with their Thai-inspired afternoon tea in Glasgow!
Talented chefs handcraft mouth-watering Thai goodies including aromatic duck in a Hirata bun, vegetable spring rolls, Thai pancakes, and deep fried banana.
Set over four floors, this stunning townhouse is adorned with lavish furnishings, grand curtains, and a whole lot of gold.
It’s like stepping into another world (or at least another continent!).
18. The Sweet Tart Tearoom
Address: 1171 Pollokshaws Road, Glasgow G41 3NG
Phone number: 0141 237 9840
Price: From £19 per person
A vintage-inspired tearoom run by two sisters, The Sweet Tart Tearoom in Shawlands offers set afternoon tea packages with an interesting addition: a wee bowl of soup!
Pair the soup of the day with classic finger sandwiches, sausage rolls, scones, themed cupcakes, and more while you enjoy the adorable interior and super-friendly service.
And to top it all off, they brew loose-leaf tea in teapots with the most gorgeous knitted flower cosy to keep them nice and warm.
This is Scotland, after all!
19. Moskito
Address: 196-200 Bath Street, Glasgow G2 4HG
Phone number: 0141 739 0044
Price: From £25 per person
Moskito, a popular bar-restaurant in the city centre, puts a different spin on the usual tea, sandwiches and cakes, instead offering regular themed boozy afternoon tea events!
Complete with G&Ts, espresso martinis, fun sweet and savoury treats, and even a live DJ, this has got to be one of the most fun places to go for afternoon tea in Glasgow.
Keep an eye out on their website for the next event they have on offer.
You’ve got to be quick to grab a ticket!
So there you have it: 19 really good reasons to go hunting for scones, cakes, and sandwiches in Glasgow.
No matter your companions, tastebuds, or location within the city, you’re guaranteed to find a spot to truly top off your afternoon.
Just make sure you wear a comfy outfit so there’s room for that last cake…