From some seriously sophisticated settings to a cosy cafe…

For when the parents are in town or you just want a sophisticated (and Instagrammable) afternoon with the girls, a cute afternoon tea always ticks the box. Now that Christmas is drawing ever closer, there’s some festive twists to our favourite afternoon teas across the city.

Think traditional mince pies, gingerbread and cinnamon – here’s the best festive afternoon teas in Dubai…

Armani Hotel

It’s sure to be a swanky affair when you have festive afternoon tea at the Armani Hotel, with a range of delectable finger bites in a luxurious setting.

Armani Hotel, Burj Khalifa, Downtown Dubai, December 1 to 31, Dhs185 per person, Dhs320 per couple. Tel: (04) 888 3888. armanihoteldubai.com

Burj Al Arab

It doesn’t get much fancier than having festive afternoon tea at one of the world’s most iconic hotels, The Burj Al Arab. A number of their restaurants are serving up afternoon tea, including Gold on 27, Skyview Restaurant & Bar and Sahn Eddar.

Gold on 27, Burj Al Arab, Dubai, December 25 & 26, 3pm to 5pm, Dhs635, age 21 and over. Tel: (04) 301 7777. jumeirah.com

Skyview Restaurant & Bar, Burj Al Arab, Dubai, December 24, first seating 1pm to 3pm, 1.15pm to 3.15pm, second seating 4pm to 6pm, 4.15pm to 6.15pm, Dhs635. Tel: (04) 301 7777. jumeirah.com

Sahn Eddar, Burj Al Arab, Dubai, December 25 & 26, 3pm to 5pm, Dhs635, 1pm to 5pm, Dhs635. Tel: (04) 301 7777. jumeirah.com

ALSO READ: Christmas in Dubai: Christmas Day lunch, brunch and dinners

Fairmont The Palm

Calling all chocolate-fiends, this is the festive afternoon tea for you. At Fairmont The Palm, tuck into delectable baked log cakes, sweet treats and tea, but if you’re a serious chocoholic – check out their hot chocolate bar where you can purchase a rich hot chocolate with hand-carved chocolate shavings for an extra Dhs40.

Mashrabiya Lounge, Fairmont The Palm, Palm Jumeirah, Dubai, December 1 to January 8, 12pm to 6pm, Dhs155. Tel: (04) 457 3457. fairmont.com/palm-dubai

Four Seasons Jumeirah

The Shai Salon at Four Seasons Jumeirah is a picture-perfect setting for a festive afternoon tea. Expect traditional mince pies, bitesize sandwiches and hot cocoa, served up in a lavish setting filled with festive decorations.

Four Seasons Hotel, Jumeirah, Dubai, December 1 to January 7, 2pm to 11pm, Dhs280 per person. Tel: (04)  270 7805. fourseasons.com

Jumeirah Zabeel Saray

This December, enjoy a festive afternoon tea at the Sultan Lounge, where you can choose to accompany yours with a selection of signature tea’s or pair it with a glass off bubbly.

Sultan Lounge, Jumeirah Zabeel Saray, Dubai, December 8 to 30, 3pm to 6pm, Dhs220 tea, Dhs250 bubbles. Tel: (04) 453 0380. jumeirah.com

JW Marriott Marquis

Have your afternoon tea at La Farine Cafe & Bakery and you’ll enter it through a magical gingerbread house doorway. There’ll be Christmas cookies, traditional stollen, gingerbread and a selection of luxury tea.

La Farine Cafe & Bakery, JW Marriott Marquis, Sheikh Zayed Road, Dubai, December 4 to 31, 1pm to 6pm, Dhs250 per couple. Tel: (04) 414 0000. jwmarriottmarquisdubailife.com

Melia Desert Palm

There’s no better place than a terrace to enjoy Dubai’s blissful winter sun and that’s exactly what you’ll get at Melia Desert Palm. Dig into tiers of afternoon tea with stunning views out over the polo fields.

Melia Desert Palm, Al Awir Road, Dubai, December 18 to 27, 3pm to 6pm, Dhs145 with tea, Dhs425 with one glass of bubbly. Tel: (04) 323 8888. melia.com

Park Hyatt

Savoury goodies, fresh scones loaded with clotted cream and jams, sweet treats and steaming pots of tea await you at Park Hyatt’s festive afternoon tea offering.

Park Hyatt, Dubai Creek Club Street, Dubai, December 1 to January 1, 2pm to 6pm, Dhs149 fresh juices, Dhs199 one glass of wine. Tel: (04) 602 1234. hyatt.com

Shangri-La Hotel

For a traditional afternoon tea in a luxe hotel setting, you can’t go wrong with the one at Shangri-La hotel, which is bursting with Christmas cookies, yule logs, ginger chestnut scones amongst other tasty treats, served alongside tea and coffee.

Lobby Lounge, Shangri-La Hotel, Sheikh Zayed Road, Dubai, Dec 1 to 30, 1pm to 6pm, tea and coffee package Dhs99, plus one glass of bubbly Dhs149. Tel: (04) 405 2703. shangri-la.com/dubai/shangrila

Sidra

This cute festive afternoon tea at Sidra, inside Habtoor Palace, will have finger sandwiches, warm-from-the-oven scones, and even Beef Wellington and some festive drinks.

Sidra, Habtoor Palace Dubai, LXR Hotels & Resorts, Dec 1 to 31, 3pm to 6pm, Dhs225. Tel: (04) 435 5577. alhabtoorcity.com

The Meydan Hotel

Treat yourself to a festive afternoon tea trackside at Millennium Place at The Meydan Hotel. Pick your way through traditional mini-finger sandwiches, pastries, cakes and scones.

Millennium Place, The Meydan Hotel, Meydan Racecourse Al Meydan Road, Nad Al Sheba, Dubai, Dec 15 to 30, 3pm to 6pm, Dhs200 for two – soft, Dhs380 for two with a glass of house bubbles. Tel: (04) 381 3111. themeydanhotel.com

Raffles

Indulge in a rather fancy afternoon tea at Raffles. Newby Tea flavours include chocolate, cinnamon and almond and there’s some rather fancy bites like vanilla poached lobster with avocado yuzu mousse.

Raffles, Sheikh Rashid Road, Dubai, December 1 to January 7, 2pm to 7pm, Dhs160 including a glass of mulled wine. Tel: (04) 324 8888. raffles.com/dubai

The Ritz-Carlton Dubai

The Ritz-Carlton Dubai won Favourite Afternoon Tea at the What’s On Awards 2019 0 and with good reason. Choose to dine inside or out on their terrace as you make your way through cranberry scones with clotted cream, delicate finger sandwiches and sweet treats like eclairs.

The Ritz Carlton Dubai, JBR, Dubai, December 6 to 31, 12.30pm to 5pm, Dhs195 tea and coffee, Dhs285 one glass of champagne. Tel: (04) 399 4000. ritzcarlton.com

Waldorf Astoria

Peacock Alley is the elegant lounge at Dubai’s Waldorf Astoria that looks out onto the lush gardens of the New York-born hotel. Enjoy your afternoon tea here and indulge in of holiday themed savoury and sweet nibbles.

Peacock Alley, Waldorf Astoria, Palm Jumeirah, Dubai, December 12 to 26, 2.30pm to 6pm, Dhs178. Tel: (04) 818 2222. hilton.com

— For the best of Dubai straight to your inbox, sign up for our newsletter.

Images: Provided