Afternoon Tea at The Merchant Hotel

Review summary

1. V

   Vicky

   Las Vegas

   1 review

   4.0

   1 review

   Dined on February 8, 2025

   1. Overall 4
   2. Food 5
   3. Service 5
   4. Ambience 5

   Afternoon tea was unreal. Ambience & service was exceptional. There was a 10% service charge added on however. I was going to leave a tip but would have liked to have known about the charge.
   

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2. J

   Jess

   N. Ireland

   2 reviews

   5.0

   2 reviews

   Dined on February 8, 2025

   1. Overall 5
   2. Food 5
   3. Service 5
   4. Ambience 5

   I booked this experience as a gift (for someone who has everything!) and I'm so glad I did. All I heard back was how impressive every part was - the staff, the ambience, the room, and it goes without saying, the food. For a special occasion, you simply can't pass the Merchant for Afternoon Tea.
   

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3. G

   Gabrielle

   London

   24 reviews

   5.0

   24 reviews

   Dined on February 8, 2025

   1. Overall 5
   2. Food 5
   3. Service 5
   4. Ambience 5

   Cannot rate this afternoon tea highly enough!!! The building and dining area are beautiful to begin with, the service was outstanding with the most lovely welcoming team where nothing was too much trouble and the food was exceptional, every different treat savoury and sweet was delicious!
   

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4. W

   Whitney

   N. Ireland

   1 review

   5.0

   1 review

   Dined on February 3, 2025

   1. Overall 5
   2. Food 5
   3. Service 5
   4. Ambience 5

   First time I have been for afternoon tea. It was the best afternoon tea I have tried in northern Ireland. The place is beautiful and the service was great. I did not feel I was being rushed to leave or have to eat at a fast pace it was very relaxing. Which is what you want to have when you go out. I was meeting my friend for a catch up and a mini celebration of her getting married this year. They brought out a wee congratulations cake which we where not expecting and it was lovely of the restaurant to do this. I will definitely be back again as I had a very enjoyable experience.
   

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5. H

   Hazel

   N. Ireland

   2 reviews

   3.0

   2 reviews

   Dined on February 1, 2025

   1. Overall 3
   2. Food 2
   3. Service 4
   4. Ambience 4

   We arrived 15mins early for our 12:30 booking and after taking our details were asked to wait and we could see a few groups doing the same. There was soon a long queue to check in so to speak and periodically the other groups who had arrived earlier were taken. Those who had just arrived were being seated and we had been forgotten. When my husband addressed it, a lovely young man apologised and organised a “nicer” table for us. Ben was our main server and he was fabulous. Friendly, helpful and courteous. Similar to other reviews that the Merchant clearly don’t read or take heed on; there are too many pastries. Along with 4 rectangle sandwiches and 2 small scones with jam and cream provided, each, there are 3 large pastries each and 1 slice of dry cake. Please listen to the majority. 2 pastries each would suffice and in place a small bowl of soup.
   

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6. J

   Jennifer

   N. Ireland

   1 review

   5.0

   1 review

   Dined on January 25, 2025

   1. Overall 5
   2. Food 5
   3. Service 5
   4. Ambience 5

   Had a lovely time, staff were great. The grand hall is stunning and provides a beautiful ambient atmosphere. We were running late due to traffic and road closures after the storm therefore called ahead, staff were understanding and happy to help which was greatly appreciated. Also made a note that it was for my friends birthday party and staff brought out a small cake saying happy birthday on it which was a lovely surprise. Can't wait to go back.
   

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7. L

   Lynn

   Yorkshire

   1 review

   5.0

   1 review

   Dined on January 22, 2025

   1. Overall 5
   2. Food 5
   3. Service 5
   4. Ambience 5

   Lovely afternoon tea in a stunning setting.The service was excellent. The staff were very friendly and attentive.excellent food the best carrot cake I have ever had. Looking forward to coming back again in the summer.👌🏻
   

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8. W

   Wendy

   N. Ireland

   3 reviews

   5.0

   3 reviews

   Dined on January 18, 2025

   1. Overall 5
   2. Food 3
   3. Service 5
   4. Ambience 5

   Service was impeccable in the great room, sandwiches lovely, sweets a bit too rich, would have been nice to have maybe more savoury and less sweet.
   

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9. E

   Emma

   N. Ireland

   3 reviews

   4.0

   3 reviews

   Dined on January 18, 2025

   1. Overall 4
   2. Food 4
   3. Service 3
   4. Ambience 4

   The afternoon tea setting was very grand. The menu was lovely and the table service team were very attentive. Front of house however were not - we were left standing both on arrival and when trying to leave with no real acknowledgement - when it was clear we’d been seen on both occasions. When we were finally taken on arrival, one male member of staff actually cut across the gent who was tending to us to tell him to do something with no simple “excuse me for interrupting”. Other guests in same predicament, one set told they had no booking - only for it to be found five minutes later after the lady searched her phone for a reservation email. Another lady clearly holding a cake for a party got fed up waiting and went to ring a family member to ask where their event was. These things seem minor, I know - but they set the tone for your experience and given the price of almost 100 pounds for two people (without alcohol) and presumably including an automatic service fee- you’d expected better.
   

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10. K

    Katherine

    N. Ireland

    11 reviews

    5.0

    11 reviews

    Dined on January 6, 2025

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5

    Lovely afternoon tea to treat my daughter for her birthday. Service was exceptional and the selection of sandwiches and sweet treats on offer were outstanding . Beautifully presented, beautiful setting.
    

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