Best Places for High Tea in NYC
Sydney Brown / February 24, 2020
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If you’re looking to take a breather, warm up and truly feel transported, we believe there’s no better way to do so than with some serious afternoon tea. From the iconic Plaza hotel to Queensyard at Hudson Yards, we’ve rounded up our favorite spots for high tea that’ll make you feel like a king or queen. Keep reading and start sipping – we promise you’ll thank us later!
Blue Box Café
PC: @highteasocietyThe Blue Box Cafe at Tiffany’s checks off all the boxes –pun intended– when it comes to high tea – beautiful decor, perfectly cut mini sandwiches, and a delicious and aesthetically pleasing tea selection. Enjoy a whimsical array of chocolates, waffles with fruit and coconut brownies. Stop by for breakfast or lunch for $29 or $39, and stay for afternoon tea for $49. Some favorite tea flavors include the No.36, a full black Indian tea with notes of cocoa, No.48, an alpine herbal blend with ginger and black currant, and No.46, a chinese green tea with notes of clover honey.
The Crosby
PC: highteasociety.comThe Crosby Bar is a longtime favorite of ours for afternoon tea. The menu here consists of classics like cucumber sandwiches, smoked salmon crostinis, peach cornmeal tarts and hummingbird cake. It also happens to be one of the only spots that also offers a gluten free menu that’s just as good as the original, with offerings like sprouted chickpea hummus, paleo sticky buns, chocolate avocado cake and a rose peach galette.
The Plaza
PC: ohhowcivilized.comSimilar to The Crosby Hotel, The Plaza presents a stunning array of afternoon tea options in a gorgeous hotel setting, proper tea cups, and extensive accompaniments. Sitting right across from Central Park, you can enjoy a full high tea spread for $95/person, which comes with six tea sandwiches, scones, small tastings of sweets, and of course, the tea. Afternoon tea at The Plaza lasts about two hours, so wear your proper tea attire and get prepared for an unforgettable experience.
Queensyard
PC: @queensyardnycQueensyard brings a modern taste of London to NYC, serving classic English afternoon tea daily from 3-5PM. Afternoon high tea here stands at $55/person and includes small tea sandwiches, various pastries and sweets, and of course, quality english breakfast tea. If you’re looking for a more modern high tea and some shopping in Hudson Yards, Queensyard is your spot.
Ladurée
PC: @ladureeusWe’re sure you knew this one was coming! Ladurée in Soho has quickly become an iconic Soho established for tourists and New Yorker’s alike. The stunning china silverware and traditional tea sets paired with their gorgeous outdoor garden is probably our favorite part of the experience here. For $39, you’ll get a choice of Ladurée coffee, tea, or hot chocolate –our go-to–, three macarons, a pastry, two guimauves, one savory madeleine and two finger sandwiches.
The Carlyle
PC: @rosewoodthecarlyleIf you’re on the Upper East Side, The Gallery at The Carlyle Hotel is your spot for a serious high-tea experience. The Carlyle offers an afternoon tea service with not only specialty imported teas but also a wide variety of coffee options to make for a cozy afternoon. High tea is held from 3PM to 5:30 pm for $52/person, and comes with tea sandwiches, english scones, and of course some bite sized sweets.
Bosie
PC: @bosienycBosie, a Greenwich Village restaurant serving up new French cuisine, offers tea service all day, –11AM-10PM– so you can have your high tea at anytime! For the standard $39/person, you can savor a pot of tea, scones with clotted cream and jam, a tea sandwich assortment, a variety of cookies, and your choice of two macarons. Whatever you go with, make sure you have some of their lemon chicken salad sandwiches on your table.
Bergdorf Goodman
PC: Annie FitzsimmonsThe BG Restaurant located on the 7th Floor of the Bergdorf’s is complete with unbelievable views of Central Park. After an afternoon of shopping, stop in from 3-5PM and choose between the regular tea service or service royale if you’re really looking to go all out. Our absolute favorite thing are the raspberry tarts.
Lady Mendl’s Tea Salon
PC: crisisham.comLady Mendl’s is a chic tea parlor in Gramercy Park and offers a more modern take on classic afternoon tea. Here, they offer super unique teas such as the breakfast tea made with morroccan mint, creamy toasted coconut oolong, and a decaf lemon verbena. The afternoon tea menu is prefixed to $59, and includes a seasonal soup, traditional scones, greenmarket tea sandwiches, and crepes with vanilla cream.
The Pierre
PC: high tea societyTown & Country magazine calls The Pierre “the best afternoon tea in New York City,” and we have to agree it’s definitely at the very top of our list. Indulge in a truly “Royal” tea service here from 2-6PM which can include your choice of tea with sandwiches, scones, pastries and champagne. One of our favorite tea sandwiches here is the miniature lobster roll served on a perfectly toasted brioche bun.
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