AFTERNOON TEA

It's the multi-award winning service we're most famous for: four gorgeous tiers served to you under glittering chandeliers!

We have Anna, the seventh Duchess of Bedford, to thank for gifting us the most quintessential of English customs: afternoon tea. Keen to dispel the sinking feeling between breakfast and dinner, the Duchess asked for a tray of tea, bread and butter and cake to be brought to her room in the late afternoon.

"In a characterful Grade I-listed Georgian boutique hotel in Norwich's heart, The Assembly House themes its high teas and it all plays out under enormous, glinting chandeliers. Four decadent tiers of impressively-crafted morsels, from hand-decorated biscuits and gourmet chocolates await those who visit..." The Daily Mail, 50 Best Afternoon Teas in the UK, March 25, 2025

“High ceilings, chandeliers and intricate cornices give a real Bridgerton vibe to this preserved Georgian ballroom, which is home to Norwich’s most elegant afternoon tea…” The Sunday Times, April 14 2024

By 1845 - around 90 years after The Assembly House opened - her high-tea tradition had become a fashionable social event attended by friends and family and before long, afternoon tea was all the rage in fashionable society.

Join us between 12 noon and 3.30pm in The Assembly House's dining room for an indulgent afternoon of dainty sandwiches, light-as-air scones, perfect pastries and delicious themed cakes and enjoy a slice of luxury in the city's most beautiful building.

Classic Afternoon Tea at The Assembly House costs £32.50 for one and children’s afternoon teas cost £18.95 for a smaller version of our tea and are available for guests aged 12 and under. Please note that ALL the afternoon teas we serve are themed, unless you have pre-booked for a private dining event and chosen your own bespoke tea.

We very much suggest that you book in advance of your visit as we are often unable to accommodate walk-in diners (although we will always try!).

Book your table using the 'BOOK A TABLE' button. If you have any dietary requirements, please make sure these are noted in the notes section. Please make sure your booking corresponds with the service times above if you wish to have our afternoon tea menu. You may be seated in one of several of our dining rooms, including the main restaurant and the exquisite Ivory Room.

"I have never found a dairy and gluten-free afternoon tea where I have the same food as everyone else. I have so often been made to feel like a pain and that I am having an inferior meal to everyone around me. However this was certainly not the case at The Assembly House. It was truly fabulous and I am very grateful. From how the food was explained to me and the reassurances I had about the food by the gentleman who served our table to the flags in the food marking them as GF and DF, all were very reassuring. Please pass on my thanks to the kitchen and all staff involved.It was a fabulous experience and I hope to return soon," K Brown, January 2024

The photographs here represent just some of the themed afternoon teas we have presented in the past few years, check our menu page to see which theme is currently being served in the restaurant. In some circumstances we are able to offer a Cakeaway Takeaway Afternoon Tea service, please call 01603 626402 to see if we can help.

Gluten-free, vegetarian, dairy-free and vegan diets can be catered for with prior notice, please make a note on your booking form and give us at least 48-hours notice if possible. We are unable to offer a nut-free or diabetic version of our themed afternoon teas.

Please note that we are unable to guarantee that more complex dietary needs - including multiple intolerances, dietary choices or allergies - can be catered for. Some teas where we have been able to offer multiple swaps may not look like the themed tea that other diners are served, may be an entirely separate tea and may not contain certain items, or will contain duplicates of others.

All our dishes are cooked fresh to order. Our food is prepared in an environment where nuts and shellfish are present. If you have any allergen enquiries please ask a member of our team. Please note that at particularly busy times of the week, there may be a short wait for service as we prepare your food. Any other questions? Check here.

Cancellation and No-Show Policy

From May 2025, all table bookings made through OpenTable or directly with us will require card details to secure your reservation. You will not be charged at the time of booking.

However, if you cancel within 48 hours of your reservation or fail to show up, a £10 per person fee will be charged to your card.
Please note:

• This fee will not apply if you simply need to reduce the number of guests on your booking—we completely understand that plans change!
• This policy applies to all dining bookings, including Afternoon Tea.

We look forward to welcoming you! Love from The Assembly House x