Afternoon tea in Kilkenny – something always high on the gift list for family and friends at Christmas time.
In fairness, afternoon tea anywhere is usually a top gift idea or just a nice thing to do with friends or family. Particularly for those who rarely get a chance to get out for a bite, or may not like the restaurant/dinner vibe, there can be something oh-so pleasing about tucking into a three-tier selection of freshly baked and made sandwiches, pastries, desserts and drinks.
While tea or coffee is the standard, there’s rarely a venue offering afternoon tea that can’t add a cocktail or some bubbles by way of champagne or prosecco.
Christmas is coming (this may or may not be the first mention of it on the blog) and rather than being stuck for somewhere to go, I’m hopeful this post will provide several options for you on the afternoon tea front, the majority of venues also doing a festive twist on their offerings.
But if you’re shopping for vouchers or looking to book a Christmas-flavoured afternoon tea experience in Kilkenny this winter, where do you go?
1. Lil’s at Avalon House Hotel, Castlecomer
The Festive Afternoon Tea Party at Lil’s in Castlecomer’s Avalon House Hotel is bookable via email. Upon arrival, you’ll be greeted with a glass of Prosecco, setting the tone for a relaxed and enjoyable afternoon. Indulge in a delicious assortment of sweet and savoury treats, thoughtfully paired with a selection of teas to suit every taste.
As you enjoy your time with friends or family, their live harp music will add a touch of charm and warmth to the experience, creating the perfect atmosphere for a memorable and peaceful afternoon.
There is a special festive afternoon tea event taking place on 14 December, priced from €38pp.
- Booking details: Check avalonhousehotel.ie or email christmas@avalonhousehotel.ie
2. Lady Eleanor at Butler House, Kilkenny
Enjoy a festive afternoon tea in Kilkenny this Christmas in the Lady Eleanor Restaurant at Butler House. The superbly elegant Lady Eleanor with its ornate plasterwork and bow windows, overlooks the Georgian walled garden with views of Kilkenny Castle, making it the perfect location for your Christmas celebrations. We offer you a special festive twist on our much-loved Afternoon Tea menu.
Our Afternoon tea is prettily presented on three tiers including freshly baked plain and fruit scones, assorted finger and open sandwiches and a selection of delicate sweet treats.
Choose a hot beverage to accompany your Tea from an array of teas -from the old favourites like Darjeeling or Earl Grey to a fruity camomile or freshly brewed coffee should you prefer it. To add a specially festive feel, can we suggest you may even like to add a glass of bubbly.
Festive Afternoon Tea is served on selected Saturdays during December including the 7th, 14th and 21st December 2024 1-3pm. €39pp. Prebooking essential.
- Booking details: Find out more at Butler.ie.
3. Kilkenny Ormonde Hotel
The Castle Lounge at the Kilkenny Ormonde Hotel serves afternoon tea daily 2.30pm-4.30pm and pre-booking is essential. Tea starts with a savoury selection of sandwiches in both traditional and open styles, followed by afternoon scones with cream and preserves, a selection of sweet treats, freshly brewed tea or ground coffee.
Check KilkennyOrmonde.com for booking details.
4. Langton’s
Afternoon tea at Langton’s is served daily between 12-3pm, with pre-booking of 24 hours minimum required. Served in the John Street Tea Rooms, it’s also child-friendly with a ‘Kiddies Afternoon Tea’ option available to make sure the whole family are covered. You can go one step further too and book the Alice In Wonderland-inspired afternoon tea that packs a chocolate ganache mushroom, Cheshire Cat’s Battenburg, a ‘drink me’ potion, a savoury choux bun and more.
Afternoon tea runs at €29pp or €35pp with prosecco, with the Kiddies Afternoon Tea at €15pp.
5. Lyrath Estate
Afternoon Tea in the Lady Charlotte’s Drawing Rooms at Lyrath Estate in Kilkenny is a picture-perfect setting, with eclectic interiors, to enjoy indulgent afternoon tea with friends and loved ones. You’ll find savoury delicacies, intricate pastry creations, and delightful sips from your choice of botanical teas to experience the reminiscence of Lady Charlotte Wheeler-Cuffe’s love (she’s a lady with an interesting story!) for botanicals and art.
The aforementioned tea rooms are exclusively for adults only, however, Lyrath offer Afternoon Tea for children in the Atrium area. Service runs daily from 12.30pm to 4pm with a vegan afternoon tea menu also available.
Get booking details online at Lyrath.com.
6. Mount Juliet
Mount Juliet’s award-winning afternoon tea is served daily from 1pm – 4.30pm in the Georgian Manor House. If the weather permits, you’ll have the option of dining outside, or you can take a seat in Major’s Bar. Traditional afternoon tea costs €50pp or you can add Gremillet champagne, raising the cost to €70pp.
Their sample menu on the sandwich front includes coronation chicken, baked ham and grape mustard, egg mayonnaise, smoked Irish salmon and lemon, cream cheese and vegetable pickle.
On the sweet front, you’ll find scones, a coffee opera gateau, almond sponge, chocolate and orange madeleine, passionfruit choux, a lemon and white chocolate popsicle and a fruit tartlet, washed down with some moongate lemonade. Like Newpark Hotel (below), a children’s afternoon tea menu is also available for €25 per child including a mix of child-friendly sandwiches with cheese and breadsticks, ice cream, a brownie, cookies, a homemade milkshake and more.
7. Mountain View, Ballyhale
Indulge in delicate finger sandwiches, mouth-watering pastries, cakes, mince pies, and freshly baked scones, served with the finest clotted cream and Kilkenny preserves with some tasty local teas. Enhance your experience with a glass of Champagne, while Christmas carols play throughout. Priced from €55.
Check MountainView.ie for more details.
8. Newpark Hotel Kilkenny
Serving daily from 2.30pm to 5pm in the lounge, Newpark Hotel’s afternoon tea is served as a traditional three-tier tower of delights with tea or coffee while you can also add champagne or prosecco to make it extra special.
You’ll find plenty on offer with gourmet sandwiches and scones, cakes and more sweet treats, while there’s a separate kids afternoon tea menu that includes a trio of kid-friendly sandwiches, krispie squares, cookies and strawberry milk.
Adults are priced from €32pp with children €15pp. Afternoon tea must be booked a minimum 24 hours in advance.
Find out more at newparkhotelkilkenny.com.
9. The Bridge House at Kilkenny River Court Hotel
Afternoon Tea at The Bridge House is taking place on 7, 14 and 15 December, priced at €45pp.
Enjoy Christmas spiced winterberry scones with whipped cream, a mix of sandwiches including Goatsbridge cold smoked trout on brown soda bread, a goats cheese tartlet with Mooncoin beetroot, turkey crown, baked Kilkenny gammon sliders and more.
On the sweet side you’ll find carrot and orange cake, warm mince pies, a black cherry and kirsch slice, pear and almond Bakewell and profiteroles. It’s recommended to book at least 48 hours in advance to book a spot.
Additional Afternoon Tea service may be available in the Kilkenny River Court Hotel itself. Check here for details.
Find booking details here or download a copy of the menu here.
In Kilkenny and want to add to this post? Email me, ken@kenonfood.com and let’s talk.
