Last updated: January 3, 2024
The historic Baltic Flour Mill on the Gateshead side of Newcastle’s Quayside is home to art, food and incredible views at the foot of the iconic Millenium Bridge, while Six Baltic is the building’s rooftop restaurant and bar, offering up a fine dining experience with panoramic views across the River Tyne and beyond.
We recently visited to try Six Baltic’s Afternoon Tea which has long been a Saturday and Sunday afternoon experience. The lift whizzes upwards through the floors of the Baltic with art lovers disembarking on each floor to explore the current displays. As the doors open on floor six, we’re greeted warmly by Six’s host who takes our coats and leads us past the bar area and into the spacious dining room which stretches the whole length of the Baltic.
With an abundance of natural light flowing through the floor-to-ceiling glass windows, the minimalistic furnishings add to the upmarket feel of Six Baltic – somewhere I’d usually reserve for a special occasion. The open kitchen is a focal point at the far end of the restaurant – I especially like being able to see the kitchen pass where all the hard work behind the scenes and the theatre of the dishes is being prepared.
With three afternoon tea experiences available, tea, prosecco and champagne, we sip on a glass of fizz and relax in our seats, taking in the views. With the set menu including teas and coffees, we wait for our teapots to arrive and of course the classic three-tier cake stand. We start with free range egg and cress on white and cucumber and chive cream cheese finger sandwiches on soft white bread. The basil and tomato wrap is delicious – generously packed with herb-fed roast chicken, while the rocolla wrap is equally tasty with tasty chunks of York ham, and a sharp dill pickle mayo.
Even though we’ve taken our time with the bottom tier of savouries, the fruit scones on the middle tray are still warm when we come to smother them with thick clotted cream and fresh strawberry jam. Always my favourite part of afternoon tea, you can’t beat this decadent treat, washed down with a classic cup of English breakfast tea! There’s also a Mature cheddar, but we actually can’t manage this until the day after – Six Baltic luckily have takeaway boxes if you’re struggling to eat it all in one sitting and trust me, there is a LOT!
Sweet treats on the top tier include the raspberry Victoria sponge, the most amazing chocolate and praline choux bun which oozes with creamy filling, a lemon and pistachio trifle and the decadent tasting bannoffee pie with a rich sweet toffee sauce.
Afternoon tea at Six Baltic is a really lovely way to spend a weekend afternoon. While we didn’t try the full ranges of teas, there’s a full selection including lemon and ginger and peppermint from Rington’s, plus coffee if you prefer. Classic afternoon is priced at £27, £32 with Prosecco and £37 served with a glass of Laurent Perrier. (Saturdays 2pm – 3pm and Sunday 12pm – 3pm. Book here.
