On top of the stand, you’ll find a couple of sweet treats. Usually a mini Victoria sponge or a Battenberg slice. They are small, which is crucial because by this point you are already in a food coma. They are also surprisingly not dry, which is a minor miracle for pre-plated cakes.
My favorite is the little pot of fruit. It’s a palate cleanser, sure, but it’s also the M&S way of saying, "Yes, you gorged on cream and bread, but here’s a strawberry so you’re a healthy person." It’s a lie we all gladly accept. The sweet finish is less about grandeur and more about closing out the meal with a pleasant, fuss-free note—like a polite nod from a colleague.
Afternoon tea deals in Dubai (Mother’s Day edition) - Good Food Middle East
If you’re feeling wild, you can upgrade your tea to a pot of something fancy like the "English Breakfast Extra Strong." But honestly, the standard pot serves two cups perfectly, and you don’t have to pay extra. It’s served with a little strainer and a timer, because M&S thinks of everything. It’s the kind of care that makes you feel looked after, even if you’re just eating cake near a display of socks.
The Verdict? It’s a Love Letter to Pragmatism
This isn't the afternoon tea you choose for a proposal or a milestone birthday. It’s the afternoon tea you choose for a Tuesday. It’s the one you pick when you want to feel a bit fancy but also need to pick up a chicken Kyiv on the way out. It’s the perfect hybrid of indulgence and errand-running.
The best part? The price. It hovers around the cost of a cinema ticket, but you get way more joy and zero awkward previews. You leave full, possibly a little buttery, and with the faint hope that you’ll find a pair of sale trousers on the way out. That’s the M&S dream right there.
So next time you’re in town and you feel a bit "meh," do yourself a favor. Go to the M&S café. Order the afternoon tea. Ignore the weird glances from the staff as you eat the scone with your fingers. And as you bite into that perfect triangle of egg and cress, just whisper to yourself: "This is the finest tea I’ve ever had while looking at a mannequin."
