Did anyone else find afternoon tea disappointing rather than enjoyable?

[PerkyOchrePeer]

Went to an afternoon tea today and didn't like it.It was horrible. I would have preferred sandwiches to rolls and the cakes didn't taste very nice, so I didn't eat them and I had a scone with cream and gem, but all in all, I wouldn't do an afternoon tea again.

I completely agree. I’ve been for a few afternoon teas and I’ve always been disappointed. I’m not really a cake and scone lover and I would be happier with more savouries like mini quiche or sausage rolls.

I don’t like afternoon tea at all. It’s just so stodgy. When else would you eat sandwiches and cakes and a scone in one sitting? Instead of afternoon tea I’d much rather have a homemade sausage roll or slice of good pie, and an apple crumble and custard. I also hate bottomless brunches - cheap food and watered down cocktails, and all you can eat buffets - I’d rather have a single really good meal.

There's always too much sweet stuff compared to the savoury stuff. The ratio is wrong. I don't want to eat loads of cakes and a scone.

Agreed.
I love the actual tea - am very excited at a tea menu and tasting. Yum.

Was treated to a really fancy afternoon tea ages ago in one of the big London hotels and it was lovely.

Went to a still pretty expensive one in the cotswolds recently and it was so decidedly meh. It was a treat for my MIL who loves tea, so I was quite embarrassed. No idea how they can justify so much per person.

I’m not that bothered to be honest, I think the price up for the “experience “ is silly. I like to get together with a few of my friends for an afternoon natter and tea is the obvious choice, but we all feel it’s over rated and would rather meet up at each others houses for tea and cake.

that said this week we went on a picnic! Each providing something it was lovely.

Not my thing at all.
I’m quite happy with some little sandwiches and a scone and jam - but what is it with ALL those CAKES?

I’ve been taken for afternoon tea three times and each time have felt obliged to try and wade through several cakes to be polite, really not enjoying them at all. Too sickly. Too much.

I love a really good afternoon tea but it totally depends on where you go. Some places don’t make enough effort IMO.

My absolute favourite was at the Raffles Hotel in Singapore, followed by the Waldorf Astoria in NYC.

My ladies group is going for afternoon tea at the end of the month to a place we’ve been to before as it was so good. Teeny crust-less sandwiches and fabulous mini cakes etc.

It completely overrated in my opinion and believe me I have eaten many. Occasionally I have had a decent one, but more often than not I feel they are overpriced.

I've been once, it was lovely, but not really my thing. As Edith said, I would have preferred more savoury, less sweet. Plus the timing is weird - we went about 3pm, which meant I was hungry again by about 9, but that's too late too eat again (for me). However, my elderly father loved it and would happily go again, it was absolutely right up his street - endless cups of tea and lots of cake is his idea of perfect.

I find them a lovely idea, but, need something savoury and substantial an hour or two later to cut through all the sugar, so a bit of a waste of money, sadly.

I agree with some pp, afternoon tea eg at The Ritz is a once in a lifetime experience and worth every penny. An afternoon tea I had at 2 cat cafes, one was meh the other was nice. Betty’s in York is a top notch experience.

I had an excellent cheesy afternoon tea at Wensleydale Creamery. Some really good and not too stodgy savoury cheese things and one piece of cheesecake for dessert.

I haven’t been for years but one of my favourite things to do with my DH was to opt for a sweet and savoury one then share. That way you get sandwiches, sausage roll, pork pie etc and cake. The price of it these days really puts me off. Plus the place we used to visit on holiday used to allow you to choose your own sandwhich filling whereas now they just make 4 different sandwiches as standard.

If it’s too much I definitely ask for a doggy bag to take it home and places oblige. Then I can have sandwiches and cake at home or at work for lunch.

I have only ever enjoyed one, and that was at The Ritz, at Christmas. The whole experience; food and ambiance, was stunning.

Generally, I find the ratio of sandwiches to cakes all wrong.

I like afternoon tea, but its too sweet heavy for me.

Id prefer double savouries (not too much pastry) and fewer cakes. And only tea/coffee. No fizzy wine.

Teas like that are hard to find so id vote against them too.

The last one I had was at the Barbican conservatory in London, surrounded by tropical plants in the middle of winter - fabulous

Me. Inevitably the veggie filling is an after thought, the scones seem stale, and the cakes are all fancy icing on horrible base. And the lack of service on tea, I want fresh not stewed.

I’ve been to Dallmyr in Munich, they do a lovely afternoon tea but you build your own experience if that makes sense. Have been to another Munich establishment for similar with Black Forest gateau and kuchen.

A bog standard one is really poor value for what you get. I suppose if you really have a taste for sweet stodge you might do okay. I'm also fussy about sandwiches, which doesn't help. Oh, and I can take or leave tea, and usually leave it. You can see why I don't find most afternoon teas a tempting prospect.
On the other hand, I went with a family group to one place where the cakes were teeny tiny and really quite fabulous, even nicer than they looked. I couldn't get enough of those, and it was a real treat.

Yes, they just don’t really work for me —the balance of sweet and savoury is all wrong, and it’s too carby. You’re hungry a couple of hours later again.

Very strange. Afternoon tea which is eg a cream tea (different) I’ve had on many occasions in Devon, Cornwall, Kent and Sussex and the scones have never been stale. But that’s what’s advertised rather than afternoon tea. I don’t recall actual afternoon tea scones being stale either and if they seemed so I’d complain.

I agree, I was given afternoon tea at The Oriental Mandarin and the tea menu was incredible and I'm still dreaming about the spices orange welcome tea they have us. Exactly the right ratio of sweet/ savoury and you could order more of anything. Spoiled me for anything else really.

The veggie filling is absolutely an afterthought, and it’s never anything proteiny other than egg.

Bettys Afternoon Tea is one of the best meals I ever had.