Afternoon Tea in Harrogate: Bettys, Hotels and Prices
Where to have afternoon tea in Harrogate, from the Imperial Room at Bettys and The Ivy to the town's Victorian hotels and small cafés, with prices, serving times, dietary options and how far ahead to book.
In short: the famous afternoon tea in Harrogate is in the Imperial Room at Bettys Café Tea Rooms, with prices of £44.95 to £49.95 on its page, booking only, with a pianist. The Ivy Harrogate on the same street serves daily from 3pm for £35.95. For a hotel tea, Amber's at Cedar Court is £24. For value, Palm Court Cafe charges £13.95. Book ahead almost everywhere.
Afternoon tea in Harrogate means Bettys to most visitors, and the queue on Parliament Street proves it. But the town's Victorian hotels, a few brasseries and some small cafés serve it too, often for half the price. We list only places whose own website shows an afternoon tea today, with prices, times and booking rules checked on 23 October 2026.
| Venue | Area | Price per person | Booking |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bettys Café Tea Rooms | Town Centre | £44.95 to £49.95 | Required, OpenTable |
| Clocktower, Rudding Park | Pannal | From £48 | Online |
| The Ivy Harrogate | Town Centre | £35.95 | Required |
| Mama Doreen's Emporium | Town Centre | £27.95 | Online |
| The Barologist | Town Centre | £24.95 | Required |
| Amber's at Cedar Court | Kings Road | £24 | OpenTable or phone |
| The Crown Hotel | Montpellier Quarter | £24 | Ask the hotel |
| Palm Court Cafe | Montpellier Quarter | £13.95 | Weekends |
| The Old Swan Hotel | Montpellier Quarter | Not shown | By phone |
| Carters, the Majestic | Low Harrogate | Check its website | Online |
Where is the best afternoon tea in Harrogate?
Bettys for the occasion, The Ivy for an easier booking a few doors down.
Bettys Café Tea Rooms
The bookable tea is upstairs in the Imperial Room, away from the café queue, with a pianist and refills of tea and sandwiches if you are still hungry. It scores 8.2 in our directory. Separate vegetarian, vegan, non-gluten-containing and children's menus make it the safest pick for mixed diets.
- 💷 From £44.95 (the page also says from £49.95)
- ⏰ Tables held for 1 hour 30 minutes
- 🎟️ Reservation only
- 📍 Parliament Street, Town Centre
Good to know: the Imperial Room is on the first floor with no lift, so call 0800 456 1919 first if you need step-free access. Cancel at least 24 hours ahead or pay £25 a head. Booking lets you skip the main queue. Online booking is split in two on the page, "until 9 Nov" and "from 12 Nov".
The Ivy Harrogate Brasserie and Garden
A smoked salmon choux bun, a chicken and truffle brioche roll, warm fruit scones and a dark chocolate and salted caramel plant pot. Livelier than Bettys and easier to get into.
- 💷 £35.95; with Champagne £45.95
- ⏰ Daily 3pm to 5pm
- 🎟️ Booking required for this menu
- 📍 Parliament Street, Town Centre
Which Harrogate hotels serve afternoon tea?
Five hotels serve it. Amber's and The Crown charge £24 a head; Rudding Park starts at £48.
Amber's Restaurant
The restaurant at Cedar Court, the hotel overlooking the Stray on Park Parade. The best-priced hotel tea we found, with a short weekday window.
- 💷 £24; with prosecco £30
- ⏰ Mon to Sat, 12.30pm to 3pm
- 🎟️ OpenTable or 01423 858585
- 📍 Park Parade, Kings Road
The Crown Hotel
Scones, sandwiches and desserts with a pot of tea, opposite Valley Gardens. Its brasserie is The Place.
- 💷 £24
- ⏰ 12pm to 4pm
- 📍 Crown Place, Montpellier Quarter
The Old Swan Hotel
Served by the fire in the Swan Lounge and Bar, looking over the lawns, with a Champagne version and a classic cream tea. The website shows no prices, so ask when you call.
- ⏰ Daily 1pm to 5pm
- 🧒 Children welcome
- 🎟️ Book on 01423 500055
- 📍 Swan Road, Montpellier Quarter
Carters Champagne Bar and Grill
The restaurant at the Majestic Hotel & Spa, which lists afternoon tea among its dishes. Its site gives no price or serving times, so check with the hotel.
- 📍 Ripon Road, Low Harrogate
Clocktower Brasserie
The country house option, at Rudding Park on the edge of town. Tea is in the Conservatory, round a 400-year-old olive tree, with doors onto the terrace. A festive version runs through December.
- 💷 From £48
- ⏰ Mon to Sat, 3pm
- 🎟️ Book online
- 📍 Rudding Park, Pannal
Where can I have afternoon tea in Harrogate town centre?
Three independents, all cheaper than the hotels and close to the Town Centre shops.
Mama Doreen's Emporium
A tea room and café by the station with a standard tea, a prosecco version, and children's and over-65s teas. The Winter Wonderland tea runs from 6 November to 31 December.
- 💷 £27.95; with prosecco £32.95
- 👵 Over-65s £18.50, Mon to Fri
- 🧒 Children £13.75
- 🍹 Tipsy Teapot £54.50, over-18s, from 3pm
- 📍 Station Square, Town Centre
The Barologist
A cocktail bar's take: finger sandwiches, warm scones with jam and cream and a selection of desserts, with tea or coffee. Dogs are welcome.
- 💷 £24.95; prosecco £29.95; cocktail £34.95
- 🎟️ Book in advance
- 📍 Parliament Street, Town Centre
Palm Court Cafe
A small tea: one scone, one slice of cake, one sandwich and a pot of Yorkshire tea. Not a three-tier stand, but the cheapest sit-down tea we found.
- 💷 £13.95; £25 for two
- 🫖 Yorkshire cream tea £5.65
- 🎟️ Weekend booking essential
- 📍 Montpellier Hill, Montpellier Quarter
How far ahead should I book afternoon tea in Harrogate?
Book for Bettys, The Ivy, The Barologist and anywhere at a weekend.
- 🎟️ Booking only: Bettys Imperial Room, The Ivy, The Barologist
- 📅 Weekends: Palm Court Cafe
- 📞 By phone: The Old Swan Hotel
Dietary needs: Bettys publishes vegan, vegetarian and non-gluten-containing tea menus, but says it can only advise on the 14 legal allergens. Mama Doreen's makes vegan, dairy-free and gluten-free teas if you pre-order, for £3.50 more. The Old Swan caters for most dietary needs with notice. The others ask you to tell staff when you book or order.
Afternoon tea in Harrogate: questions
How much is afternoon tea at Bettys Harrogate?
The Imperial Room page gives prices from £44.95 and from £49.95 per person, so check when you book. It is reservation only, with a pianist.
Does The Ivy Harrogate serve afternoon tea?
Yes, every day from 3pm to 5pm for £35.95, or £45.95 with a glass of Champagne. You need a booking for this menu.
Where can I get a cheap afternoon tea in Harrogate?
Palm Court Cafe on Montpellier Hill charges £13.95 a head or £25 for two. Mama Doreen's has an over-65s tea at £18.50, Monday to Friday.
Where can I have a vegan or gluten-free afternoon tea in Harrogate?
Bettys has vegan, vegetarian and non-gluten-containing afternoon tea menus. Mama Doreen's does vegan, dairy-free and gluten-free versions if you pre-order, for £3.50 more.
Which hotels in Harrogate serve afternoon tea?
Cedar Court (at Amber's), The Crown, The Old Swan, the Majestic (at Carters) and Rudding Park (at Clocktower). Cedar Court and The Crown charge £24; Rudding Park starts at £48.