As part of my birthday celebrations this year, I enjoyed afternoon tea and gin and tonics at Browns in Leeds. They’re pretty well established for their afternoon tea options and also welcome walk ins in addition to pre booked ventures. The place is pretty huge, so you shouldn’t usually have an issue with a walk in, and I find it to be a great option if you just want something chilled and not too formal, but that also has feeling of luxury to it too.
Priced at £14.95 per person, with the option to add a glass of Moet or a Warner Edwards Rhubarb G&T as an accompaniment, you get a selection of finger sandwiches including Coronation chicken, cucumber & cream cheese; lobster & prawn, and egg & watercress (the best!) brioche rolls; and smoked salmon & cream cheese on whisky & thyme oatcake. Of course the usual homemade scones with strawberry jam and clotted cream – these were incredible, so beautiful and doughy, yet light at the same time – and then a lovely selection of mini desserts including Victoria sponge, elderflower & gin posset, opera cake, salted caramel profiteroles, and carrot cake.
Price wise, this is super competitive, especially considering what you get. I’d say this was probably one of the nicest afternoon teas I’ve experienced in Leeds to date, and would have been happy to pay more. Usually with afternoon tea, I find that there’s one dessert that gets left over (usually some rubbish fruitcake option); however, we honestly enjoyed each of these desserts just as much as the next, and finished the lot. The balance between sweet and savoury options was spot on, as was the balance between chocolate and fruit type desserts. All in all this was just a lovely afternoon tea that didn’t cost the earth, yet still made us feel special. I particularly liked the gin twist too, although on the day we went, they didn’t have the gin rhubarb in stock – this can be forgiven and put down to teething issues, as by chance, I believe it was the first day of the new menu.
Would I return? Without a doubt? Would I recommend others to go? Most definitely. Traditional, luxurious afternoon tea that can be enjoyed in a gorgeous, yet relaxed environment.
Browns Leeds: Unit H28 The Light, 70-72 The Headrow, Leeds, West Yorkshire, LS1 8EQ. Book here.
