Afternoon Tea at The Shelbourne Hotel, Dublin

If you’re looking to indulge in the timeless tradition of afternoon tea when visiting Dublin, there’s really only one place to choose. The Lord Mayor’s Lounge at the historic Shelbourne Hotel, situated on the north side of St Stephen’s Green, (Europe’s largest garden square), is a five-star Georgian grand dame of a hotel which has been welcoming guests since 1824. The hotel even makes an appearance in James Joyce’s Ulysses. Combining history, elegance and exquisite cuisine, The Shelbourne has become a legendary Dublin institution.

The gilt, glamour and old world charm of The Lord Mayor’s Lounge provides the perfect backdrop for a memorable afternoon tea, with its sparkling crystal chandeliers, opulent gold and yellow tones, topped off with magnificent floral arrangements.

One can choose from either a Classic Afternoon Tea or a Champagne Afternoon Tea, the latter accompanied by a chilled glass of Laurent Perrier Brut or Laurent Perrier Rose. The impeccably dainty sandwiches are an absolute feast for the eyes. Oak smoked salmon with lakeshore mustard on treacle bread. Feta and tomato on pumpkin seed bread, roasted chicken and chive mayonnaise on wholemeal bread, and of course, the classic egg mayonnaise and cress sandwich, always a comforting and welcome addition.

Thankfully, the delicate savouries of the bottom tier left more than enough room for the middle and top tiers of the cake stand. In the middle, the homemade Shelbourne buttermilk scones with clotted cream and jam, followed by the true stars of the show twinkling on the top! An array of delectable sweet choices such as the heavenly key lime pie cheesecake filled with apple-lime mint jelly on lime curd meringue tart. The mango blackberry comprised an alphonso mango-soaked sponge and blackberry coulis covered with creamy mango mousse. The white chocolate whipped ganache and raspberry gel eclair was a true revelation (no ordinary eclairs here!) and the triple chocolate cake layered with rich dark chocolate, coffee and hazelnut ganache with chocolate feuillentine crisps was truly a chocolate cake of dreams.

A tradition which began in the 1840s as a way to bridge the gap between breakfast and the late evening dinner, is still as desirable today as it was then. Here in the heart of Dublin, afternoon tea served on beautiful mint green china with an astonishing array of teas to choose from (including black, green and fruit teas) within the sophisticated surrounds of the Shelbourne, offers a refined yet relaxed atmosphere in which to celebrate this beloved custom.

For further information, please visit: The Shelbourne Hotel

Images: The Shelbourne Hotel and CELLOPHANELAND*

CELLOPHANELAND* were guests of The Shelbourne Hotel.