A cup of tea makes everything better – so say the Brits, and we couldn't agree more even here in Budapest. Especially when that tea comes with sweet treats in a marvellous setting like the Four Seasons Hotel Gresham Palace Budapest. This striking Art Nouveau palace, built in 1906, stands tall and proud by the riverside, overlooking the iconic Chan Bridge and Buda Castle.
The best part? You don't need to be a Hollywood celebrity to step inside. Just book a table at the top-notch brasserie KOLLÁZS or the brilliant cocktail bar MÚZSA (Muse). For the afternoon tea experience, though, you'll want to choose the latter.
Afternoon tea is a traditional British meal, typically served between 3 pm and 5 pm. It originated in the early 19th century as a light meal to bridge the gap between lunch and the later evening dinner, also serving as a social event. The meal features a set of finger sandwiches, golden scones with clotted cream and jam, and tiny cakes and pastries coupled with tea and champagne.
Besides working perfectly to live out our Bridgerton dreams, the afternoon tea at the Gresham Palace has more going for it. For starters, the Herend porcelain set they use is the same one you'll find in Buckingham Palace – the Royal Garden collection gifted to Prince William and Kate for their wedding. And if that's not enough, you'll be sipping your tea in MÚZSA bar, right in the atrium, which has already snagged the title of Europe's Best Bar Design.
And what arrives on that gorgeous, hand-painted porcelain?
The menu changes with the seasons, but you can always count on savoury bites (three mini sandwiches), traditional scones, and an assortment of teacakes, all served on a three-tiered stand. To stick to tradition, start with the sandwiches, then move to the scones, and finish with the sweets. If you're heading there soon, you can expect a smoked salmon and cucumber sandwich (with trout caviar and dill), an egg-mayo combo (with mustard), and smoked beef (with horseradish and radish). The scones come with Devonshire clotted cream, blood orange jam, and classic lemon curd. As for whether the cream or jam goes first – that's a debate that divides even the Brits, but we're quietly team cream-first.
The desserts are from KOLLÁZS patisserie, and that's all the quality assurance you need. Trust us, the Gresham Slice – a trio of chocolate mousse, pecans, and passion fruit – is an explosion of flavour. The Paris Brest, with hazelnut praline and caramelized nuts, won us over at first bite. And for salted caramel lovers, the St. Honoré is pure gold.
The tea selection includes classics like English Breakfast and Earl Grey, but you'll also find festive options like festive Masala Chai. And if you're not in the mood for black tea, no worries – you can go for oolong, green, white, herbal, or fruit teas. For those looking to make the experience even more special, add a Bellini (prosecco and peach purée) or a glass of champagne for an extra charge.
As you sip, enjoy live piano or harp music, and take in the intricate, hand-painted Herend porcelain and the stunning Art Nouveau details of the building. From 1st December, the festive menu makes its debut, featuring seasonal treats like mini stollen, bundt cake, and pumpkin scones – along with some bubbly, of course. While this experience is pricier than your typical coffee and cake, it offers so much more. So if you're planning a Budapest trip anytime soon, and especially during the festive season, make sure to add it to your Budapest bucket list.
Afternoon tea is available from 3 pm to 6 pm on Saturdays and Sundays, priced at 18,900 HUF (approximately EUR 51) per person. Find more details and book your table here.
(Borítókép: Four Seasons Hotel Gresham Palace Budapest)
