Afternoon tea with – gulp – no scones? The Abu Dhabi EDITION goes its own way. Little surprise the same goes for afternoon tea at Alba Terrace. But don’t let that stop you making tracks to dig into this very Mediterranean-inspired dining experience.
Dubbed “Tea on the Terrazza”, the daily afternoon tea is served on the leafy veranda (as well as in the airy, white-walled dining room if the Abu Dhabi sunshine gets too strong), with soft and free-flowing bubbly packages available.
Alba Terrace aims to be “a reflection of the Mediterranean” so the Tea on the Terazza concept makes fits – rather than being different just for different’s sake. If you’re a staunch afternoon tea traditionalist, there may be tiers (sorry)… But if you’ve an open mind and free-wheeling appetite, here’s the tea.
Served mostly on classic three-tiered cake stand, alongside a selection of 24 unique teas (good luck deciding what you’ll sip first), classic coffees and other soft drinks, Alba’s afternoon tea has been designed by Brit chef Tom Aikens – and a mini version of the restaurant’s popular avocado toast comes included.
It also features a few signature bites from other eateries in the hotel, as well as dainty servings of gazpacho, homemade ricotta and meringue-peaked charcoal croissants that are as much a hit on Instagram as they are on the plate.
It’s different, and each dish is notably distinct from the next, yet the modern Mediterranean vibe keeps things fairly harmonious, helped in no small part by the quality and focus on local ingredients.
Would it convince your traditional tea-loving aunt? Just maybe.
It’s a welcome riff on the usual experience, and everything gels with the vibe and setting. Staff get that this isn’t the average afternoon tea, too, and take time to explain each dish, while also ensuring cups never run dry.
For an afternoon tea experience you genuinely won’t find anywhere else in Abu Dhabi (or just a bite of that meringue-topped croissant), take a leaf out of our book – Tea on the Terazza is well worth a try.
Dhs120 (tea and coffee), Dhs188 (bubbly, two-hours). Daily 1pm-6pm. Licensed. The Abu Dhabi EDITION, Al Bateen, albaterrace.com (02 208 0000).
