12 Tea Rooms That Capture the Heart of Ireland

Can you think of anything more soothing for the soul than a warm cup of tea? Perhaps pairing that cup of tea with Nana’s recipe for scones?

When we take time to slow down, embrace the warmth, and taste the cacophony of flavors that only afternoon tea can provide, the pressure valve on life releases a few puffs of steam.

Dotted across the magical island of Ireland, you’ll find teahouses, tearooms, and decadent drawing rooms just waiting to serve you this kind of warmth and hospitality.

Together, let’s lighten the load a little, take a spin through these verdant hills, and stop in a few tea rooms that are sure to soothe our souls.

The Blueberry Tearoom & Restaurant, Donegal

In Donegal Town, The Blueberry Tearoom is a warm kitchen that never quite empties. The air smells of butter and sugar, and there’s always a tray of something just out of the oven.

Order a pot of tea and a scone piled with jam, or settle in for soup and brown bread if the weather’s cool. The staff here greets everyone like they’re regulars and, after an hour inside, you’ll feel like one, too.

Teach Nan Phaidi, Inis Mór, County Galway

On the windswept Aran Islands, Teach Nan Phaidi is a little whitewashed cottage tucked beside Dun Aonghasa. Its thatched roof, blooming window boxes, and stone walls set the scene for one of Ireland’s most picturesque tea stops.

Step inside for tea and a slice of cake, or sit outside with a view of the green fields and crashing waves of the Atlantic. It’s rustic, beautiful, and unmistakably Irish – the kind of place that makes you want to sit in the company of a sea breeze forever.

Cashel Palace Hotel, Tipperary

At Cashel Palace, afternoon tea is served with a quiet sense of occasion. Take a seat in the Queen Anne Room or out on the terrace, where you can see the Rock of Cashel rising in the distance. 

Silver trays will arrive with perfectly cut sandwiches, miniature pastries, and freshly-baked scones. It’s refined but never stiff, an elegant reminder of how lovely a slow afternoon can be.

Kilkea Castle, Kildare

Kilkea Castle brings centuries of history to the table, but their afternoon tea is served with a modern touch of comfort.

As you take your seat in the Drawing Room, you’ll notice the fire crackling in the hearth, the fine china gleaming under soft light, and the tea being poured with practiced grace.

You’ll also taste their expertise in every bite, from the buttery shortbread to the delicately layered desserts.

When you’re finished, wander through the castle gardens as you let the afternoon drift into the evening.