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What’s so good about it?

Local entrepreneurs Andrew Underwood and Nicholas Curtis have created this classy, but ever-so-slighty wacky tea room and cocktail lounge in Manchester City Centre. Tucked away from the busy shopping streets in Richmond Street, this Alice in Wonderland meets Tim Burton inspired place to eat is well worth the search. After all, there are probably few places you could enjoy afternoon in an indoor greenhouse surely? We ate in the cocktail lounge, a luxurious but comfortable space with more of those trademark quirks.

On the menu

We opted for the Richmond Tea, a classic afternoon tea with a choice of sandwiches as well as a fabulous array of cakes including a huge scone with lots of clotted cream and jam. There are dozens of teas to choose from – I opted for liquorice – and a crisp glass of crisp champagne is also included. There are also four others, the Queen’s Tea – the same as the Richmond but without the champagne; the Hatter’s Tea - a trimmed down version with sandwiches and scone, Alice’s Tea – one of those large scones with clotted cream and jam and the Gentleman’s Afternoon Tea – beer battered fish fingers and chunky chips, a selection of sandwiches, a Cumberland scotch egg, Eccles cake, sausage roll, pint of beer and loose leaf tea.

If afternoon tea is not your thing there is also a breakfast menu and light meals menu to choose from.

Décor

The tea room is an homage to Alice in Wonderland with pretty pastels and walls decorated with Queen of Hearts inspired red and blacks, as well as the greenhouse. The cocktail lounge is more masculine with large brown leather Chesterfields, art hanging in lavish frames on the walls and décor more akin to that of a hunting lodge.

Service

Friendly and efficient but expect a wait. Bookings are not taken for four or less during the week or six or less at the weekend. Our small party arrived at 11.30am and by the time we left a few hours later the queue was out of the door.

Cost

The Richmond Tea and the Gentlemans Afternoon Tea are the most expensive at £23.50 per person. However, you won’t regret spending that money. If you want to skip the champagne the Queen’s Tea costs £18.

Richmond Tea Rooms, Richmond Street, The Village, Manchester, M1 3HZ, 0161 237 9667, www.richmondtearooms.com