Tea Hive Alexandra Park

For those looking for afternoon tea Manchester has plenty of options but one of its increasingly popular choices look to be Tea Hive — originally set up in Chorlton but adding an extra cafe in neighbouring Alexandra Park in 2015.

Far more than a stuffy throwback, the new cafe offers over 20 of the finest loose leaf teas from independent traders, with expert baristas on hand to provide advice and apply their specialist variety of brewing methods.

Tea Hive’s food selection goes beyond just cakes and scones too; Tea Hive Alexandra Park offers substantial breakfast and brunch options, taking great pride in preparing each dish freshly — from hollandaise and granola to lemon curd and chutney. It’s the cakes that have really had people talking, and Tea Hive also offer personalised cakes made to order for special occasions and events — from carrot cake with spiced mascarpone icing to delicious sounding rainbow cakes. [William Gunn]