You don’t have to hop across the pond for a decent pot of afternoon tea. Throughout the U.S., you’ll find there are plenty of tea houses serving freshly brewed tea, scones and finger sandwiches you can enjoy to your heart’s content. Grab your finest tea hat (and your appetite) and make like a Brit right here in the U.S. at four of our favorite American tea houses.
Alice’s Tea Cup, New York, New York
Have a spot of tea and some freshly baked scones (they’re downright heavenly) at Alice’s Tea Cup in New York City, where tea is served all day. Three afternoon tea services are offered to fit your appetite, and you can enjoy your pot of tea with a selection or two from the sandwich menu. Tea service also comes with scones, mini cookies and desserts. If you’re not feeling quite so hungry, you can opt for a scone or two with a small pot of tea. There are three locations in New York City.
St. Regis Princeville Resort, Kauai, Hawaii
Enjoy afternoon tea with a tropical twist at the St. Regis Princeville Resort in Kauai, where you’ll sip poolside in paradise. Tea at the St. Regis Princeville is served cold and includes teas brewed from fine leaves and infused with tropical nectars, including papaya, mango and passion fruit.
Jefferson Hotel, Richmond, West Virginia
The grand lobby of the historic Jefferson Hotel in Richmond is the perfect setting for a high-class afternoon tea. Tea service takes place under the Tiffany stained glass ceiling of the Palm Court lobby, where a majestic marble statue of President Jefferson defines the space. A harpist elevates the elegance on Fridays, while the first Sunday of every month is a Teddy Bear Tea for little ones and their favorite “teddy” guests.
Chado Tea Room, Los Angeles, California
High tea is taken to the next level at Chado Tea Room in Los Angeles, where more than 200 varieties of the finest teas are available for afternoon tea service. Three tiers of finger foods are served with the tea you select. Then, choose between carrot or coconut cake, a whole fruit scone and a sandwich from the house menu — there’s Mediterranean, Punjab and smoked salmon varieties, to name a few.
Have you ever had afternoon tea in the U.S.? Tell us about your favorite tea room in the comments!
(Main image: kawaiikiri used under a Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike license)
