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A lovely pot of tea, something impossibly pretty on a plate and an afternoon with nowhere urgent to be. We could get used to this. Dubai does afternoon tea with a generous sense of occasion. There are silver stands beneath chandeliers, pastries tucked inside a pink vault and a miniature tree bearing rather more interesting things than leaves. Naturally, we’ve rounded up 18 spots worth putting on your calendar, whether you’re celebrating a birthday, entertaining a visitor or dressing up an overdue catch-up. Expect floral desserts, Japanese-inspired selections, classic sandwiches and scones, plus a few opportunities to add a glass of something sparkling. There’s also a separate cream tea from AED 95 at Mosaico for a smaller indulgence in grand surroundings. Bring someone with excellent conversation. An enthusiastic appreciation of pastries would also be helpful.