Discover the best venues for afternoon tea in Galway. Explore menu options, tea selections, booking tips, and more.
Galway — with its deep love of good food, warm hospitality, and historic architecture — has taken the tradition of afternoon tea and made it very much its own.
Here are five great options for the perfect afternoon tea in Galway. I first visited Galway as a teenager and have many happy memories of this lovely city — including enjoying a nice cup of tea!
Booking Tip: Be sure to verify details directly with your preferred afternoon tea venue. Menus, tea selections, and open hours often vary with the seasons. And always book in advance. Afternoon tea is popular!
1. The Hardiman Hotel
Location: Eyre Square, City Centre | Established 1852
Few hotels in Ireland carry the weight of history that The Hardiman does. Originally opened in 1852 and long known as The Great Southern Hotel, this Victorian landmark has presided over Eyre Square for more than 170 years. The building is a study in grand Irish hospitality — high ceilings, ornate plasterwork, and a sense that important things have happened here. They have: the hotel has hosted generations of travellers arriving by train at the adjacent station.
The menu features savory selections such as Goats Cheese, Pesto, and Tomato Bread; sweets such as Strawberry & Baileys Charlotte Russe; and of course both fruit and savory scones.
The tea list includes traditional options such as Breakfast Tea and Earl Grey as well as Chun Mee Green and Darjeeling. Caffeine-free options include Lemon Harmony and Ginger Zest, which won a Gold Star at the Great Taste Awards in 2023.
Website: https://www.thehardiman.ie/hotel-dining/afternoon-tea/
2. Glenlo Abbey Hotel & Estate
Location: Bushypark, approximately 5km from the city centre
If you want your afternoon tea to feel like a chapter from a novel, Glenlo Abbey is your place. This five-star estate dates to the 18th century and sits on 138 acres of parkland on the edge of Lough Corrib — Ireland’s second-largest lake. The Abbey has operated as a luxury hotel since the 1990s and is also home to The Pullman, a Michelin-starred restaurant set aboard restored Orient Express carriages, making it one of the most theatrically situated dining experiences in all of Ireland.
Afternoon tea is served daily in the River Room, a grand lounge with sweeping bay windows overlooking the estate and the still waters of Lough Corrib. The setting alone is worth the short drive from the city. The tiered stands arrive bearing freshly baked scones, seasonal sandwiches, decadent pastries, macaroons, and cakes — all made in-house using local and seasonal produce.
In addition to the traditional selection of scones, you can choose from a variety of savory options such as Coronation Chicken Navette and sweet treats including a Raspberry & Pistachio Mille-Feuille. Glenlo Abbey serves a selection of Ronnefeldt premium loose-leaf teas including the Irish Breakfast, Earl Grey, Jasmine Pearls, Moroccan Mint (herbal), and Vanilla Rooibos (herbal).
Website: https://www.glenloabbeyhotel.ie/afternoon-tea-2.html
Related Post: Irish Tea Brands: 5 Favorites to Try
3. The g Hotel & Spa — Grand Salon
Location: Wellpark, Dublin Road
The g Hotel opened in 2005 and quickly became one of Galway’s most talked-about addresses, designed by Philip Treacy — the celebrated Irish milliner known for his extraordinary hats. The interiors are famously bold: blush-pink velvets, tasselled chairs, gilded mirrors, and an unabashedly glamorous sensibility. TheTaste.ie has called it the best afternoon tea in Ireland, a claim that draws a steady stream of visitors from well beyond County Galway.
The g Hotel & Spa offers many specialty teas such as their Mother’s Day Tea, a Sparkling Afternoon Tea with the addition of champagne, and the Little Mr & Miss Afternoon Tea for children under 12. Another option is Tea & Tranquility, a tea and spa experience.
Teas include a wide selection of Ronnefeldt loose leaf teas such as The Great G Tea, Darjeeling, Oolong Almond, and Rooibos Strawberry & Cream.
Website: https://www.theghotel.ie/dine
4. The Galmont Hotel — Coopers Lounge
Location: Lough Atalia Road, City Centre
The Galmont occupies a prime waterfront position overlooking Lough Atalia, and its Coopers Lounge makes full use of that view. Floor-to-ceiling windows flood the space with natural light and frame the water beautifully — on a clear day it’s one of the most relaxing backdrops for a teatime meal in the city. The ambiance leans modern and airy rather than traditional grand hotel, making it a good fit if you prefer a contemporary feel without sacrificing quality.
The afternoon tea menu is a thoughtfully curated mix of sweet and savory. A popular savory option is the Ardsallagh Goats Cheese, Roasted Butternut Squash, Hazelnut, Toasted Brioche. For a sweet treat, try the Salted Caramel Cheesecake or one of the other delicious options. And of course, there are also freshly baked scones. The Galmont provides a selection of teas from Bewley’s, a noted Irish tea brand. On Saturdays, a live pianist joins the room.
Website: https://www.thegalmont.com/en/galway-restaurant-dining/afternoon-tea/
5. The Connacht Hotel
Location: Dublin Road
The Connacht Hotel is a well-run property on the Dublin Road that has built a strong reputation for hospitality over many years. Its afternoon tea, served in the warmly decorated Library, earned a Bronze Medal at the Gold Medal Awards for Ireland’s Best Afternoon Tea — a meaningful accolade in the competitive Irish hospitality market. It is one of the few venues in Galway where afternoon tea is served daily rather than being limited to weekends.
The Library is named for its book-lined walls and intimate, relaxed atmosphere — think club chairs, soft lighting, and a genuinely unhurried pace. The classic menu includes gourmet finger sandwiches with a variety of fresh fillings, freshly baked homemade scones with clotted cream and fruit preserves, and a rotating selection of miniature cakes and pastries. Teas, including organic herbal tea, is included, and upgrades to Prosecco or gin are available for those who want to make the occasion more festive.
Website: https://www.theconnacht.ie/en/afternoon-tea/
Things to See and Do in Galway
If you’re visiting Galway, here are some of the best things to see and do in this lovely city.
Welcome to Galway Walking Tour
If you’re new to Galway, a walking tour is a great way to introduce yourself to this historic city. A walking tour was my own first experience in Galway and our fun tour guide, Paddy, provided both an entertaining and informative experience.
Galway Irish Brown Bread and Scones Baking Class
After tasting those delicious scones while enjoying your afternoon tea, you might decide you want to learn to make Irish scones yourself. Note that this class meets at a private home in lovely Kilcolgan, just outside Galway. You will either need a car or you can ask instructor Kate Wright to be picked up at the nearest public transportation stop.
Scenic Cruise of Corrib River and Lake
Departing from Galway city center, this 1 1/2 hour cruise takes you down the River Corrib to Lough Corrib, the largest lake in Ireland. Lots of wonderful photo opportunities!
