Being a lover of all things vegan, travel and afternoon tea has seen me seek out the world’s absolute top experiences for spoiling oneself while partaking in this very British tradition with a vegan twist. These are, in my opinion, the three most exquisite places in the world where you can enjoy an vegan afternoon tea in an elegant setting:
This very British institution actually offers a vegan afternoon tea menu that you do not have to pre-order in any way. You still have to book a table, or course, but Fortnum & Mason actually offers a complete vegan afternoon tea menu as a compliment to their ordinary menu. I visited just last week and enjoyed their warm service and got spoiled, pampered and stuffed to the hilt! You get five different finger sandwiches and, of course, if you want more of any kind, just ask for it. My favourite was the artichoke and salsa verde. Two favourites in one.
The scones were warm and delicious, the desserts plentiful and beautifully made, if you go don’t miss the calvados and apple loaf. I can’t recommend this place enough.
New York café in Budapest is said to be the most beautiful café in the world. Even if you don’t want to partake in a full afternoon tea, you can just go and have a soy cappuccino and marvel at the architecture of this gorgeous rococo interior in all it’s splendor.
New York Café is happy to cater to any special dietary requirements. So if you pre-book, they can arrange a vegan afternoon tea for you.
When I visited they put together a selection of finger sandwiches, my favourite fruits (I don’t think they knew though, just a coincidence) and home made candy brittle with nuts. This was accompanied by a pot of tea of choice and a glass of sparky.
The Palm Court at The Plaza, New York
The Plaza, also this an institution in it’s own right, does have a vegan afternoon tea menu. The interior is very elegant, and the service on Twitter to cater to vegan questions is so friendly and welcoming.
Their menu looks amazing. From the Asparagus, Red Pepper Coulis in Wheat Bread, Roasted Beets, Frisée, and Tomato Tart Shell, to the Chocolate Fudge and Coconut Cookies. They really know how to attract the vegans!
Sadly, I haven’t been there yet. However, I will definitely secure a table on my next visit to New York and let you know all about it.
So what is this fuzz about afternoon tea? I can only talk from my own experience, either attending or hosting my own. I love the fact that you have all these different bite sized choices, beautifully made, delicious, sweet and savoury, that you get to enjoy with both tea (love that) and champagne (love that also) in the company of friends and loved ones. The social part of it, that you get to enjoy long conversations with plenty of food. But also, of course, if I’m at a restaurant to celebrate and be pampered with the service and environment.
I’m a firm believer that we all deserve to spoil ourselves a bit now and then. It’s good for one’s soul, and we are all worth it!
About the author: Veronica Stenberg is the founder of Elegantly Vegan – a vegan food and lifestyle website. She makes at least five trips each year to various destinations in Europe. Trips that she shares both on her instagram and on her website as vegan foodie guides. Including the places you need to try to the ones to avoid.
