Malmaison Liverpool: Afternoon Tea Without The Twee
When you think of afternoon tea, Malmaison Liverpool’s offer probably isn’t the first image that springs to mind—but it should be. Forget dainty china cups with delicate floral patterns, prim finger sandwiches, and perfectly polished Alice in Wonderland-style crockery. Malmaison has torn up the rulebook and given this quintessentially British tradition a bold, modern twist. Say goodbye to anaemic cucumber slices and hello to juicy sliders, indulgent desserts, and cocktails on the side.
Okay so first things first, we were seated at a table overlooking Princes Dock in Malmaison Liverpool’s seriously stylish brasserie – all exposed brick, moody lighting and luxe industrial touches. Once comfy, we were handed the afternoon tea menu and offered a drink while we made the all-important choice: the standard Afternoon Tea, Prosecco upgrade or, for those feeling fancy, the Cocktail Afternoon Tea. It was a Friday treat and the sun had made a rare Liverpool appearance, so naturally we said yes to cocktails. Decision made.
After a reasonably short wait and plenty of ‘can we get you anymore drinks’ later, our afternoon tea arrived at the table and I’m pretty my eyeballs turned into love hearts right there and then. Looking like something Willy Wonka would be proud of, our selection of sweet and tasty morsels were displayed in a vibrant arrangement on a stylish slate stand and boy, was it a sight for hungry tummies.
Whether you go for the Cocktail version or keep it classic like we did, the standard Afternoon Tea comes fully loaded – and we’re not just talking a couple of crustless sandwiches. We kicked things off with savoury bites that meant business: a juicy Chez Mal slider with melted Gruyère, smoky beef brisket with tomato chutney, a zingy tuna taco, and crispy buttermilk fried chicken topped with garlic aioli. Not your average afternoon nibble.
Then came the sweets – and honestly, wow. A warm sticky toffee scone (yep, sticky toffee!), served with clotted cream and toffee sauce, followed by a creamy vanilla crème brûlée, a rich choc chip cookie dough sundae, and a slice of carrot opera cake that somehow managed to be both light and indulgent. All washed down with a pot of Earl Grey and a couple of envious glances from nearby tables.
I don’t know how the chefs in that kitchen manage to make every single item taste so amazing and look so gorgeously uniform but they most certainly do. If you’ve got dietary requirements, Malmaison’s got you covered. Both vegan and gluten-free afternoon tea menus are available on request, with carefully curated alternatives that don’t compromise on flavour or style. Think plant-based sliders, dairy-free desserts, and gluten-free versions of all the sweet favourites – so no one misses out on the indulgence. Just make sure to pre-book so the team can get everything just right.
So all in all, if you’re looking for a great quality afternoon tea in a cosy, modern surrounding – this is the perfect contender. Probably airing on the more luxurious side when it comes to cost but still absolutely affordable and 100% worth the extra couple o’ quid. In fact, I’m taking a couple of my pals back there already this weekend so if that doesn’t say it all, I don’t know what does!
And not only is the Malmaison Liverpool a great spot for food, it’s rating one of our Best Boutique Hotels in Liverpool. You definitely need to consider the Malmaison if you’re looking to stay in the city.
To find out more and to book the Afternoon Tea at Malmaison Liverpool visit malmaison.com/food-drink/afternoon-tea.
Address: Malmaison Liverpool, 7 William Jessop Way, Liverpool L3 1QZ
Contact: +44 151 363 3640
Website: malmaison.com/locations/liverpool
Instagram: @malmaisonhotels
