The 5 Best ‘Quirky’ Places for Afternoon Tea in Brighton

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In Brighton, when looking for a place to enjoy your afternoon tea, it’s not just whether you put the cream on first or the jam that’s the issue - it’s the choice of great places on offer. So where’s the best? We think they need more than just good cake - character and ambience is also important. So here are some of Brighton’s more traditional, quirky, venues. Choosing between them might be still be hard, although in the words of Mr Kipling,“They all make exceedingly good cakes”. It’s tiffin time. Enjoy!

Metro Deco, 38 Upper St James Street, Brighton

Situated in the heart of Kemptown, Metro Deco adds some vintage 1930’s glamour to a part of Brighton where it is quite literally hard to swing a cat without hitting a modern coffee shop. A throw back to a bygone era, Metro Deco is all about tea, served in vintage china cups, the traditional way. Part 1930’s Parisian tea salon, part Art Deco furniture shop, there is nothing sub standard about this tea haven. Their teas are blended by Metro Deco themselves, they’re unique, very special and an absolute must for tea connosieurs. Pick from the traditional home-baked scones served with clotted cream with jam or one of the many other delicious, well portioned cakes on offer to complement your choice of tea. The atmosphere is warm, the staff friendly, it’s the perfect place for a quiet chat and they also allow dogs too. Metro Deco’s acclaimed Afternoon Tea is simply more than a delight for your mouth, it’s an experience. You might even see the odd celeb or two in this place…even Kylie’s been there!

Price: (Cream Tea : £6.95 - Afternoon tea : £18)

The Blackbird, Ship Street, Brighton.

Walking through the door of The Blackbird, instantly transports you back to post-war Britain and an age where afternoon tea was most definitely the done thing. Traditional, frilled, white table cloths, wood panelling, vintage cutlery and china all add to an already great atmosphere with the feeling that you’ve about to enjoy something very special. What is delivered to your table certainly doesn’t disappoint with all cakes handmade on the premises, it’s just like going to grandma’s and every mouthful is a delight. Fresh, hand cut sandwiches, delicious cakes, friendly atmosphere and good value, what more could you want?

Price: (Cream Tea: £4.95 - Afternoon tea : £12.50). www.blackbirdtearooms.com

The Mock Turtle, 4 Pool Valley, Brighton

The Mock Turtle is the oldest tea shop in Brighton and nothing much has changed in the last 50 years or so, making this traditional Victorian tea room an oasis from the hustle and bustle of Brighton’s busy seafront . With the selection of fabulous homemade cakes, laid out like something from a village fate and the plain wooden tables, you could be mistaken by its lack of glamour but don’t be fooled this place is a hidden gem. The Mock Turtle has friendly, welcoming staff and everything is served in blue willow china, which also decorates the walls giving a real village feel to it. A proper old fashioned tea house serving amazing flavourful cakes and freshly made sandwiches.

Cream Tea for two from £6.00.

The Tea Cosy, 3 George Street, Kemptown

If you’re looking for a slice of the good old fashioned British etiquette to accompany your cream tea, then look no further than The Tea Cosy. Unlike its rules of the house, such as “When stirring your tea, kindly refrain from clinking the sides of your cup”, their scones breaks the tradition being served with whipped cream in place of the clotted variety. This however, doesn’t detract from the fact that the handmade scones and cakes are mouth wateringly delicious with a great variety to choose from. The Sandwiches are all freshly made with traditional fillings and served in the finger style with crusts cut off, leaving the little finger poking out is optional. The quirky interior is adorned with Royal family and Britannia memorabilia, adding to its stiff upper lip and quintessentially British charm.

Price: (Cream tea £4.95 - Afternoon tea : £12). www.theteacosy.co.uk

That Little Tea Shop in the Lanes, 17 Meeting House Lane, Brighton

As the name might suggest, this vintage tea shop is tucked away in the Lanes. With waitresses in traditional “Lyons” style black and white uniforms and a mish mash mix of decor, it feels part vintage tea room and part 1940’s cafe, which actually has a real Brighton seaside feel about it. The scones melt in the mouth and crumble under fork, unfortunately they don’t come with clotted cream, only whipped but are fabulous none the less. All of the excellent selection of cakes are handmade and do not disappoint. All in all a nice little tea room. Maybe not the place to go for something special but a great place to pop if you’re passing by.

Prices start from £4.95