Fancy A Cuppa? Hot Spots For High Tea

You can drink tea at home or at any cafe, but a proper high tea is a more sophisticated affair. The concept of afternoon tea dates back to the mid-19th century, when the seventh Duchess of Bedford wanted a snack around four o’clock in the afternoon. She began inviting other aristocratic ladies to join her, and the practice spread. The elegant tower of finger sandwiches, scones, and pastries is now a worldwide phenomenon. Here are a few hot spots for high tea around the world. 

Given that the afternoon tea was first invented in England, it makes sense to start with a popular London venue. If you visit the British capital, you have the opportunity to try the “Masterful Art Afternoon Tea” at one of the city’s most luxurious hotels. Culinary elements of the Rosewood London high tea are based on famous works of art. The current menu boasts pastries inspired by Banksy’s “Girl With The Balloon,” Vincent van Gogh’s “Almond Blossom,” and Andy Warhol’s “Campbell’s Soup Can” (to name a few). 

You can choose from a wide variety of teas, and have the option of adding a cocktail or champagne to the set tea menu. Moreover, if you love the cup you are drinking out of, the hotel even sells tea cups and saucers in its gift shop. 

Not surprisingly, London is full of amazing afternoon tea experiences. If you are interested in themed teas, check out the Alice in Wonderland tea at The Sanderson, The Franklin’s Haute Couture Afternoon Tea for fashionistas, The Peter Pan inspired tea at The Shard, or the dog-friendly tea at the Great Scotland Yard Hotel. For a traditional high tea in a spectacular room, we recommend visiting the gold-gilded Grill Room at Hotel Cafe Royal or the beautiful Withdrawing Room at The Lanesborough. 

Step back in time by visiting this cultural institution in Manhattan. The restaurant full of red leather booths was founded by Soviet defectors from the Russian Imperial Ballet back in 1926. Its unique afternoon tea offerings include caviar on blini, liverwurst and onion spread, and smoked sturgeon sandwiches. 

For $145 per person, you can enjoy ten different savory dishes, seasonal scones, and desserts such as cupcakes, macaroons, and mini crème brûlées. If you want an additional drink to go with your tea, you can opt for a glass of champagne, prosecco, or sparkling cider. 

If you are feeling brave after your high tea, and want an authentic Russian experience…ask for the vodka menu. The Russian Tea Room claims to have the best selection of vodka in New York. The restaurant’s tasting flights give you the opportunity to taste 3 or 4 different vodkas from its collection. 

If you are looking for a fragrant, exclusive experience, you should consider the afternoon tea in the Nala Orchid Garden at Anantara Kihavah Maldives Villas. The venue only accepts one party at a time. Dig into Maldivian and English delicacies while you are surrounded by over a thousand different orchid blooms. 

You and your loved ones can enjoy the garden at your leisure, or consult with the resort’s resident orchid guru to learn more about the 25 different orchid varieties. The resort is known for its delicious savory and sweet offerings, and its high quality teas, coffees, and champagnes. 

Zimbabwe’s spectacular Victoria Falls are a destination in their right. But why not have a cup of tea while you enjoy the view? Head to Stanley’s Terrace at the colonial five-star hotel overlooking the Zambezi bridge. Nibble on finger sandwiches and cakes while you listen to the thundering waterfall beyond. 

You can try a local Zimbabwean tea called Tanganda, alternative varieties such as black Assam, or stick to traditional favorites such as Earl Grey and English Breakfast. You have the option to upgrade your afternoon tea to include a glass of champagne or a cocktail. 

The meal at The Victoria Falls Hotel typically includes chicken mayonnaise, smoked salmon, and cucumber sandwiches, followed by fluffy scones. The dessert tier features British staples such as Battenberg cake and Victoria sponge.

If you visit the Nakameguro neighborhood in Tokyo, be sure to stop by the Haute Couture Cafe. The Instagram worthy decor features an ever-changing display of seasonal flowers. If you go to Tokyo in the spring, you can sip on tea surrounded by wall-to-wall faux cherry blossoms, overlooking a street lined with fresh cherry blossom trees.

The food options change seasonally as well, so you are sure to find fresh ingredients. Some of the cafe’s past menu items include a butterfly pea prosciutto ham croque monsieur, a walnut soba, a hydrangea parfait, and a melon shortcake. 

The cafe serves English black teas, but also Asian green teas, and milk teas. You can order any tea hot or cold.

The custom of having afternoon tea is alive and well in Colorado. You will be amazed by the exterior and interior of the Boulder Dushanbe Teahouse. The teahouse was a gift from Boulder’s sister city, Dushanbe,Tajikistan. Over 40 Tajikistani artisans hand-carved and hand-painted its ceiling, columns, tables, and stools. One of the structure’s most striking features is the set of eight colorful ceramic panels depicting a “Tree of Life.” Another is the central pool containing life-sized hammered copper sculptures of “The Seven Beauties.” 

The afternoon tea served from 3:00 pm – 5:00 pm includes all the traditional tea time accoutrements such as mini sandwiches, scones, and sweet pastries. You can choose from an extensive selection of black, green, oolong, white, puerh, rooibos, herbal, and wellness teas. The cafe has over a hundred teas on the menu. 

The Taj Mahal is on almost every traveler’s bucket list. If you are sightseeing in Agra, why not stop for some tea at The Oberoi Amarvilas hotel. This five-star resort inspired by Mughal palaces features fountains, reflecting pools, terraced lawns, and pavilions. Its guest rooms have unrestricted views of the nearby wonder of the world. 

Afternoon tea is usually served in the lounge or outside on the hotel terrace. You will find a variety of snacks, scones, and cakes. You can sip on classic herbal or black teas. However, we recommend trying one of the darjeeling or assam varieties native to India. 

While certainly not the most elegant setting on this list, you can still get a version of the tea ritual if you fly on Virgin Atlantic. On daytime flights, the hip airline’s scarlet-clad flight attendants serve a “Mile High Afternoon Tea” 90 minutes before landing. Enjoy a duo of finger sandwiches, a scone, and a dessert while you fly through the clouds. 

If you have a taste for high teas, the options are endless. Countries all over the world have embraced the British ritual and put their own spin on it. If you have any particular favorites when it comes to afternoon teas, please comment below. 

We love sharing travel tips and highlighting fun destinations. For more travel-related content please read our articles How To Spend A Stopover In Panama City, Jaw-Dropping Dining Experiences Worldwide, and Lesser-Known Tourist Attractions In London.