Too late for lunch but too hungry to wait for dinner? Tempted by sandwiches, freshy-made scones and home-bakes? It’s time for afternoon tea! And afternoon tea in Fife, where it’s long been a much-loved tradition, is a treat indeed.
Rusacks St Andrews
Afternoon tea served daily in The Bridge between 1pm and 4.30pm.
Rusacks offers a classic afternoon tea featuring local, seasonal ingredients. At the moment, freshly-baked, warm cranberry and orange scones, Highland venison sausage rolls, passionfruit and coconut éclairs, cranberry and morello cherry mousse, vanilla Bretons and rich, iced fruitcake are just a few of the treats in store.
“We make everything in-house and ensure only the finest ingredients are used,” says Derek Johnstone, Executive Chef at Rusacks St Andrews. “For example, we use a variety of soft fruits and berries from Ivan Wood for our homemade jam. We’re really lucky to have such amazing produce on our doorstep.
“To me, a traditional afternoon tea served by a fantastic team makes a really memorable experience,” Derek continues. “Our front of house staff go above and beyond to ensure every guest feels special and our afternoon tea menu is full of flavour, with each element complementing the other perfectly.”
Merchants House Café, Kirkcaldy
Afternoon tea available at any time during opening hours (advance booking required).
“At the Merchants House Café, everything’s homemade with love,” reveals Marzena Barclay of the Merchants House Café, which is located in one of Scotland’s oldest town houses. “Our afternoon tea offers finger sandwiches, freshly-made scones with jam made from the berries and plums in the Merchants House Garden, strawberry tarts and homemade cream cakes.
“Our business shares a mix of Scottish and Polish heritages,” explains Marzena. “Our cakes are influenced by Polish–style baking and we try to incorporate as many Scottish flavours into our cakes as we can, such as whisky, local strawberries and local apples.”
At the Merchant House Café, afternoon tea can either be enjoyed inside the 400-year-old town house, at the outside seating area, which has stunning sea views, or in the historic garden. “Our garden looks just like it did over 400 years ago,” say Marzena. “It’s a unique setting for afternoon tea.”
Kitschnbake, Newport on Tay
Afternoon tea available between 2 and 4pm during opening hours (advance booking required).
“With brilliant views of the River Tay and V&A Dundee, at Kitschnbake, you can expect to enjoy our friendly atmosphere, homemade food and, if outdoors, idyllic views across the water,” says Melissa of Kitschnbake.
“For afternoon tea, we offer a selection of sandwiches, homemade mini-sausage rolls, scones and traybakes – and we pride ourselves in using fresh, local produce as and when we can, from jams and chutneys to fresh fruit and berries.”
For early risers, Kitschnbake also offers ‘Before-Noon’ teas between 9.30am and 11.30am. “Our Before-Noon teas feature a selection of mini breakfast/brunch items and, of course, our infamous scones,” reveals Melissa.
Garvock House Hotel, Dunfermline
Afternoon tea served Thursday to Saturday, between 2.30pm and 4.30pm.
Indulge with savoury delights and sweet treats with afternoon tea at Garvock House Hotel, a beautifully-restored, 200-year-old mansion house in Dunfermline, Scotland’s newest city. “Enjoy a traditional afternoon tea in our professional yet laid-back atmosphere, overlooking Garvock House Hotel’s landscaped gardens,” suggests Amy from Garvock House Hotel.
Afternoon tea at Garvock House Hotel consists of the traditional combination of sandwiches, warm sausage rolls and selection of freshly-baked scones and cakes. “All items are prepared on the day and we use eggs from a farm in Leven and freshly-picked berries from Blacketyside Farm, which is also near Leven.”
Balbirnie House Hotel, Markinch
Afternoon Tea served Monday – Thursday 1pm to 3pm, Friday – Sunday 12pm to 4pm.
The afternoon tea menu at Balbirnie House Hotel changes seasonally to ensure ingredients are at their very best.
“Our afternoon teas are produced in-house by Balbirnie’s talented team of pastry chefs, who source as much local produce as possible for Balbirnie’s afternoon teas,” explains Angela from Balbirnie House Hotel. “For example, we use Fife Fruit Farm’s strawberries and raspberries for our desserts and homemade jam.”
To celebrate summer, from July 1, as well as traditional finger sandwiches and sausage rolls, afternoon tea at Balbirnie House Hotel includes delicious indulgences such as spring vegetable and feta quiche, strawberry and poppyseed scones and raspberry and white chocolate mousse.
“Afternoon tea’s served in our newly-refurbished, sumptuously-decorated Orangery,” continues Angela. “With its floor-to-ceiling lunette windows and glass roof, The Orangery offers a delightful experience whatever the occasion.”
These are just a selection of lovely cafes and hotels offering afternoon tea. Please check out our Eat and Drink section for more inspiration.
