Whether its a birthday or holiday treat or a get-together with friends, sharing a pot of tea is very much a social occasion. Having a civilised get-together in the middle of the day provides the perfect chance to engage in conversation, share food and relax in good company.
Somerset is spoilt for choice and regardless of which part of the county you are in, you are never far from a great afternoon tea.
How I compiled the list
Whether a place is ‘good’ or the ‘best’ is of course a matter of personal opinion and in writing this article I have had to be ruthless in my selection criteria – sadly many great places to enjoy an afternoon tea in Somerset have not made it onto the list.
To make the cut, a place had to have:
- Recently featured in an article on this topic (this gave me a shortlist of around 100);
- At least 40 reviews on Tripadvisor;
- A Tripadvisor bubble rating of at least 4.5;
- At least 70% of Tripadvisor reviewers rated the place as Excellent;
- A Google star rating of at least 4.5.
Cafes and restaurants located within a larger establishment e.g. a hotel that do not have their own Tripadvisor or Google ratings have not been included.
So without further ado, here is the list in order with the best at the top – enjoy!
- Parkside Café (Locking, Weston-Super-Mare) – Tripadvisor bubble rating 5.0 – 96.2% of reviewers rated this place as Excellent – Google star rating 4.9
Recent 5* review from Tripadvisor: Excellent cafe. The food and service at this cafe are excellent. The food is freshly prepared and very reasonably priced. The afternoon tea is amazing. (latest rating and reviews here) (for latest Google rating and reviews Google ‘parkside cafe weston super mare’)
A: 62 Grenville Avenue, Locking, WESTON-SUPER-MARE, BS24 8AR
- Comins Tea – Bath (Bath) – 5.0 – 87.7% – 4.9
Recent 5* review from Tripadvisor: My favourite place in Bath. I’ve been dining at Comins’ since I arrived in Bath in September and every time the service has been excellent. The tea choice is amazing and complete, with tea from all over the world (my favourite is Nuxalbari Second Flush – not only for the peculiar name) and the lunch choice is delicious (and definitely affordable – it’s even possible to order bigger portions if hunger hits hard). Cakes are unconventional in the best way, some are literally mouth-watering, and I would really like to try them all given the chance. The tea room itself is cozy and relaxing, the whole place expresses a sense of peace that is hard to find anywhere these days. This is my favourite place in Bath and I can’t wait to come back to it, hopefully soon. (latest rating and reviews here) (for latest Google rating and reviews Google ‘comins tea bath’)
A: 34 Monmouth Street, BATH, BA1 2AN
WWW: Comins Tea – Bath
- The Emporium (Yeovil) – 5.0 – 85.9% – 4.5
Recent 5* review from Tripadvisor: The best food and amazing staff. We read about the Emporium before stopping in Yeovil and are so glad we came. The shop is fabulous and the cafe even more so, if that is even possible. The staff are the kindest people and so helpful. The specials option of open taco cod was amazing and I cannot recommend it enough. (latest rating and reviews here) (for latest Google rating and reviews Google ‘emporium yeovil’)
A: 39 Princes Street, YEOVIL, BA20 1EG
WWW: The Emporium
- Cheese Yard Café (West Horrington, Wells) – 5.0 – 84.9% – 4.6
Recent 5* review from Tripadvisor: First visit but not the last. This was our first visit as we were staying in the area, we had seen that it seemed a popular place. Staff were lovely and friendly, food was fantastic, I had a cheese and onion toastie was spectacular kids enjoyed their toasties and the home made chips were fantastic we even went and had a Sunday dinner the next day wil definately be back again if in the area. Stunning food. (latest rating and reviews here) (for latest Google rating and reviews Google ‘cheese yard cafe west horrington’)
A: Old Cheese Dairy, West Horrington, WELLS, BA5 3ED
WWW: Cheese Yard Café – Facebook
- The Almshouse Tea Shop (Axbridge) – 5 – 83.9% – 4.8
Recent 5* review from Tripadvisor: Picture perfect country cafe. A great cafe run by lovely people. Good food; great atmosphere. Excellent portions. Decent coffee. Great cakes. (latest rating and reviews here) (for latest Google rating and reviews Google ‘almshouse tea shop axbridge’)
A: The Square, AXBRIDGE, BS26 2AR
- The Feed Station (Merriott) – 5.0 – 83.7% – 4.8
Recent 5* review from Tripadvisor: Great food great service 5 star
Lovely people who work here very professional and very clean the atmosphere in this little gem is second to none full off cyclists but if your not a cyclist the service is still the same high level great for breakfast and a lunch. (latest rating and reviews here) (for latest Google rating and reviews Google ‘feed station merriott’)
A: Sandyhole, MERRIOTT, TA16 5QR
WWW: The Feed Station
- Bridge Cottage Tearoom (Winsford, Minehead) – 4.5 – 83.3% – 4.7
Recent 5* review from Tripadvisor: Fantastic. Stopped for cream tea. Beautiful scones. Fantastic service. Sympathetic to current COVID requirements. Highly recommended. (latest rating and reviews here) (for latest Google rating and reviews Google ‘bridge cottage tearoom winsford’)
A: Bridge Cottage, Winsford, MINEHEAD, TA24 7JE
WWW: Bridge Cottage Tearoom – Winsford Village
- Odette’s Tearoom (Wellington) – 4.5 – 80.5% – 4.6
Recent 5* review from Tripadvisor: Wellington gem! I recently visited this gorgeous cafe again for brunch and took some visiting family as I’m so proud of it. The staff are friendly and helpful and the decor is so pretty. We loved little touches such as the vintage, floral crockery. The garden is beautiful and we sat under the pergola adorned with a lush grapevine which was just lovely. The choice is great and there’s something for everyone, including my 7 year old son. The meals are of great quality, feels like a treat to eat there but the price is so reasonable. Can’t recommend highly enough! (latest rating and reviews here) (for latest Google rating and reviews Google ’odettes tearoom wellington’)
A: 27 High Street, WELLINGTON, TA21 8QT
WWW: Odette’s Tearoom
- The Blitz (Weston-Super-Mare) – 4.5 – 79.6% – 4.7
Recent 5* review from Tripadvisor: Hidden Gem.We visited western super mare for the day and came across this little gem. Atmosphere was brilliant, lots to look at ,staff were really friendly and welcoming. We decided to go for the viera lynn afternoon tea it was fantastic and well worth the money, would highlight recommend this place. (latest rating and reviews here) (for latest Google rating and reviews Google ‘blitz weston super mare’)
A: 22 Waterloo Street, WESTON-SUPER-MARE, BS23 1LN
WWW: The Blitz
- Dorothy’s Tea Room (Hinton St. George) – 4.5 – 76.9% – 4.8
Recent 5* review from Tripadvisor: Fantastic ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Dorothy’s Tea Room provided a delicious afternoon tea for approximately 60 people for a 60th party. The staff were so helpful and accommodating. All the food was delicious and beautifully presented. (latest rating and reviews here) (for latest Google rating and reviews Google ‘dorothys tea room hinton st george’)
A: The Old Post Office, 84 West Street, HINTON ST. GEORGE, TA17 8SB
WWW: Dorothy’s Tea Room
- Rowan Tree Tea Room (Weston-Super-Mare) – 4.5 – 76.7% – 4.5
Recent 5* review from Tripadvisor: Charming little tea room.Charming little tea room nestled in the old quarry. Lovely forest walks from just outside the entrance. Friendly staff and good cakes and tea. Art works from local artists on display on all the walls. (latest rating and reviews here) (for latest Google rating and reviews Google ‘rowan tree tea room weston super mare’)
A: The Old Town Quarry, South Road, WESTON-SUPER-MARE, BS23 2LS
WWW: Rowan Tree Tea Room
- Bleadon Café (Bleadon, Weston-Super-Mare) – 4.5 – 74.1% – 4.7
Recent 5* review from Tripadvisor: Cute village cafe. It seems most of the tables and chairs are outside now in view of the present distancing rules, which is fine as the weather is very pleasant at present. So we sat outside amongst the greenery and beautiful flowers and had coffees and cake. It was all very “villagey” and cute! Staff are most pleasant. It was an idyllic afternoon. (latest rating and reviews here) (for latest Google rating and reviews Google ‘bleadon cafe’)
A: Unit 3, Purn House Farm, Purn Way, Bleadon, WESTON-SUPER-MARE, BS24 0QE
T: 01934 814339
- Cafemarina (Portishead, Bristol) – 4.5 – 73.2% – 4.7
Recent 5* review from Tripadvisor: Excellent brekkie. Stopped here on a walk for breakfast. Sat outside due to covid restrictions but I’ve been here many times previously after the gym. Excellent service, friendly staff. We ordered the poached egg on smashed avocado which was devine, the flavour was excellent, with peppers, tomatoes and feta cheese and, poached egg on toast with additional mushrooms. Well worth finding this little gem just off the main shopping area. (latest rating and reviews here) (for latest Google rating and reviews Google ‘cafemarina portishead’)
A: Unit B1, Kestrel Court, Harbour Road, Portishead, BRISTOL, BS20 7AN
WWW: Cafemarina
- Edelweiss (Cheddar) – 4.5 – 73.0% – 4.6
Recent 5* review from Tripadvisor: Good choice for lunch. Super cafe with delicious selection of sandwiches etc for lunch. Gluten free options available. Friendly service. (latest rating and reviews here) (for latest Google rating and reviews Google ‘edelweiss cheddar’)
A: The Cliffs, CHEDDAR, BS27 3QA
WWW: Edelweiss
- Kitnors Kitchen (Minehead) – 4.5 – 72.7% – 4.6
Recent 5* review from Tripadvisor: A WONDERFUL FIND. I visited Kitnors last week when I walking in The National Trust Bossington Estate and came across this quaint and pretty typical English tearoom with a sweet garden and even sweeter food, I had a sublime coffee and homemade scone with jam and cream, so perfect in every way. I noted they also cater very well to all sorts of dietary requirements. I really could not fault this lovely place, everyone was so friendly, the sun was shining and all was well. (latest rating and reviews here) (for latest Google rating and reviews Google ‘kitnors kitchen minehead’)
A: Bossington, MINEHEAD, TA24 8HQ
WWW: Kitnors Kitchen
- Heathers Coffee Shop (Congresbury, Bristol) – 4.5 – 72.5% – 4.5
Recent 5* review from Tripadvisor: A great place to eat whether it be for coffee lunch or afternoon tea enjoy. Haven’t been for ages due to not going out but still the high standard of food staff and surroundings thoroughly recommend well worth a stop for refreshments. (latest rating and reviews here) (for latest Google rating and reviews Google ‘heathers coffee shop congresbury’)
A: Smallway, Congresbury, BRISTOL, BS49 5AA
WWW: Heathers Coffee Shop – Facebook
- The Lion Rock Tea Rooms (Cheddar) – 4.5 – 72.0% – 4.7
Recent 5* review from Tripadvisor: Accidental visit but well worth it, little gem. We were bored queuing at a cafe over the road but then spotted this one so nipped over. Warm greeting and a surprise secluded pretty garden. Had a fantastic afternoon tea in the sun with pretty china teapot and cups. Lovely sandwiches, cakes and tea. The table next to ours were celebrating their 50th wedding anniversary, so hubby did a random act of kindness and paid for their lunch 🙂 Lovely find, hope to be back again one day. (latest rating and reviews here) (for latest Google rating and reviews Google ‘lion rock tea rooms cheddar’)
A: The Cliffs, CHEDDAR, BS27 3QE
Do you own or know of any great places to enjoy afternoon tea in Somerset that should be included in the list?
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