Few things make us feel fancier than afternoon tea—especially in New York City. The gorgeous teapots, dainty and delicious finger foods (there's something special about those quintessential scones with clotted cream and jam), and the excuse to get a little dressed up for the occasion? Yes, please! The UK is really onto something, and we're all for adopting the tradition.
We searched far and wide for teatime experiences around NYC. Whether you're looking for a cozy day in an under-the-radar tearoom, an elaborate affair in a fancy hotel dining room, or even a holiday or kid-friendly excursion, your next reservation is on this list. You can even book some of these tearooms for special events, like a bridal shower or a small wedding!
Whether you're looking for a traditional English tea experience or ones with an Asian or Parisian flair (macarons, anyone?), we're guessing you'll be adding more than one of these restaurants to your teatime bucket list. Pinkies up!
The Carlyle
Head to The Gallery at this revered institution for English afternoon tea in an old New York setting, inspired by the sultan's dining room at the Topkapi Palace in Turkey.
The Carlyle, 35 E 76th Street, New York, NY
Kings' Carriage House
You'll find this cozy townhouse with New England charm on the Upper East Side—and you'll never want to leave. Stay a while for afternoon tea, a more filling high tea (which includes an entree), or even host a tea party in one of the elegant private event rooms.
Kings' Carriage House, 251 E 82nd St, New York, NY
The Crosby
Tucked away amid the hustle and bustle of Soho, The Crosby Bar at the Crosby Street Hotel is a lively place to enjoy a fancy afternoon tea.
Crosby Street Hotel, 79 Crosby Street, New York, NY
Brooklyn High Low
Ranging from 75 to 90 minutes, choose from three experiences at this Prospect Heights tearoom: The Classic, The Grand Vanderbilt, and The Grand Heights (the high tea). All include bottomless tea, so it just depends on how hungry you are. The covered back patio is open year-round (with heaters for the colder months), but dress for warmth—or make an indoor reservation—on really frigid days.
Brooklyn High Low, 611 Vanderbilt Ave, Brooklyn, NY
Alice's Tea Cup
Have some tea in the Looking Glass Room at Alice's Tea Cup, conveniently located only a few blocks from Central Park. Like something straight out of Lewis Carroll's classic storybook, this shop is a colorful wonderland for the whole family to enjoy.
Alice's Tea Cup - Chapter II, 156 E 64th Street, New York, NY
Baccarat Hotel's Grand Salon
Baccarat Hotel's Grand Salon is as beautifully crystal-laden as you'd expect it to be. There are plenty of tea services to choose from, but if you're feeling extra fancy (we're talking $3,000-for-two people fancy), the hotel just introduced a Crystal Tea, presented on a—you guessed it—Baccarat crystal three-tier and served with Cristal champagne. Treat your tastebuds to luxurious ingredients like caviar, lobster, truffles, and Madagascar vanilla, and take home Baccarat’s Faunacrystopolis Harcourt Tea Set, which is included as a gift.
Baccarat Hotel, 28 W 53rd St, New York, NY
Lady Mendl's Tea Salon
Look for a small tea cup plaque on the door of a Georgian brownstone to find your way into this charming tea parlor, located in Gramercy Park. Inside, you'll be treated to a five-course afternoon tea you probably won't stop talking about for days.
Lady Mendl's Tea Salon, 56 Irving Pl, New York, NY
The Whitby Hotel
Head to the heart of midtown for not only your choice of Afternoon Tea (with bubbly or not) or Royal Tea (served with caviar) fit for the queen that you are, but also for your fill of contemporary art and design.
The Whitby Hotel, 18 W 56th St, New York, NY
Angelina Paris USA
At this Bryant Park tearoom plucked straight out of Paris, you'll find mini madeleines, mini macarons, and mini sandwiches (croque monsieur, anyone?) on the menu instead of scones and clotted cream. And if you decide to swap tea for Angelina’s famous old-fashioned hot chocolate, we won't judge.
Angelina Paris USA, 1050 6th Ave, New York, NY
Prince Tea House
Choose from one of eight New York City locations for afternoon tea with an Asian-European flair. Enjoy hot or cold tea, and don't leave until you've tried one of the almost-too-pretty-to-eat crepes cakes, like the Brown Sugar Boba. (All desserts are made by hand daily!)
Prince Tea House, various locations
The Palm Court at The Plaza
There are few things more New York than tea in The Palm Court at The Plaza. If you're not visiting with kids, you can opt for the Manhattan Tea or the Signature Tea. Otherwise, the Eloise-themed tea is complete with Eloise tea cups and tableware. Stop by the Eloise in the Plaza Boutique, too. And if you want the full Eloise experience, book a stay in the super-pink Eloise Suite.
The Plaza, 768 5th Avenue, New York, NY
Ladurée Soho
Do yourself a favor and plan your visit during NYC's cherry blossom season (usually peaking in mid-April) so you can sip your tea and eat your macarons in the pretty-in-pink outdoor garden.
Ladurée Soho, 398 W Broadway, New York, NY
The Parisian Tea Room
This tearoom in the Garment District of Manhattan transports you straight to 1920s Paris, with the option of turning your high tea into a sewing party too—thanks to founder and fashion designer Karen Elizabeth Lozner.
The Parisian Tea Room, 347 W 36th St., New York, NY
The Williamsburg Hotel
At this hip hotel, high tea is served alongside jazz music over the weekend, with live bands rotating weekly. Pick your pot of tea to sip with finger sandwiches, cakes, scones, and more.
The Williamsburg Hotel, 96 Wythe Ave, Brooklyn, NY
Cha-An Teahouse
For fine Japanese tea (matcha, green, white, caffeine-free, or iced) and bites (like fried tofu and mochi) served in a traditional Japanese lacquer box, take yourself to this moody teahouse in the East Village. You can even reserve the private room for an afternoon tea with a group of four to six people.
Cha-An Teahouse, 230 E 9th St, New York, NY
BG Restaurant
The iconic restaurant on the seventh floor of the long-standing department store is unmistakable with its blue, green, and white color palette. Come for afternoon tea and stay for the views of Central Park. (If you ask us, the best view is during peak fall foliage season—usually in late October, early November.)
Bergdorf Goodman, 754 5th Ave, New York, NY
Nubeluz by José Andrés
If you've ever been to the rooftop of The Ritz-Carlton New York, NoMad, for a cocktail at sunset and beyond, now you have a reason to visit—and admire the stunning décor—in the daylight. Put simply, the new high tea experience, offered every Saturday and Sunday from 11am to 2pm, is special. When you step off of the elevator, expect a breathtaking glimpse of the Empire State Building—only to be matched by surreal 270-degree skyline views in the main dining area. The sweets make perfect final bites, but the truffle grilled cheese and smoked salmon roll are in a league of their own.
Nubeluz, 25 West 28th St., New York, NY
The Blue Box Café by Daniel Boulud
With Michelin-starred chef Daniel Boulud at the helm of the recently reopened café inside the iconic Tiffany & Co. flagship store on Fifth Avenue, you know you're in good hands. Wake up too late for breakfast at Tiffany's? Indulge in tea at Tiffany's for an equally iconic New York experience. Inside the quintessentially Tiffany-blue dining room, you'll feel like the diamond that you are.
The Blue Box Café, 727 5th Ave, New York, NY
American Girl Place
Teatime at American Girl is a total dream for little fans of the iconic, decades-old dolls. The unforgettable experience includes a pot of tea, dainty sandwiches, assorted treats, and a craft activity. Tea is offered every Saturday and Sunday at 3:30 p.m. or 4:00 p.m. Reservations can be made 90 days in advance (and they go quickly!), so plan ahead.
American Girl Place, 75 Rockefeller Plaza, New York, NY
The Gotham Lounge at The Peninsula New York
Bookmark this midtown spot (right off 5th Avenue!) for the holiday season to enjoy their Festive Traditional Afternoon Tea, which includes gourmet sweet and savory bites and a glass of The Peninsula Cuvee Champagne. Reservations are available from 3pm to 5pm on Wednesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays—and at $185 per guest, each reservation includes a $10 donation to New York Children's Center. When you enter the lobby, you'll be greeted by the hotel's iconic Christmas decorations—an absolute must-see. But if you don't get a chance to visit around the holidays, afternoon tea is also offered in the spring.
The Gotham Lounge at The Peninsula New York, 700 5th Ave, New York, NY
Cristina Corvino is a senior editor for Hearst Magazines. A few of her favorite things include all things Christmas, cheese, coffee, and baseball. (Let’s go Mets!) She loves rewatching Gilmore Girls and Downton Abbey, and her favorite new(ish) shows are Ted Lasso and Trying. (Seriously, try it!)
