While New Yorkers can get pretty much anything they want, the one thing we don’t have is a royal family. And while we certainly get excited for a prince or princess to visit on occasion, there’s another way we can have a taste of British culture: high tea. The tradition dates back to the 1840s when Anna, the seventh Duchess of Bedford, would get hungry before dinner. It has since morphed into a decadent afternoon meal filled with pastries, finger sandwiches and petit fours that New Yorkers are more than happy to indulge in. Here are the top spots to get afternoon tea in the city.
See also: The 9 Most Decadent Caviar Tastings In NYC
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2 E. 55th St., 1st Floor / 212.339.6857 / Website
Caroline Astor, The St. Regis’ matriarch and Grand Dame of New York Society, brought the tradition of afternoon tea to The St. Regis New York back in the 19th century. What began as a tradition of sharing sandwiches, cakes and pastries each afternoon amongst Astor and a few of her closest friends grew into the signature St. Regis tradition we know and love today. Sip on tea and champagne while enjoying Astor Court’s elevated interiors, and be sure to make your reservations in advance here.
28 W. 53rd St. / 212.790.8800 / Website
At the dazzling Baccarat Hotel in Midtown, the Prince of Wales tea presentation includes premium teas such as cacao chai, Earl Grey and more. You’ll also be met with delicious savory bites such as Maine lobster with caviar and beef tartare on potato confit. Sweets such as a signature New York cheesecake and a red velvet crinkle cookie round off the meal.
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Multiple locations / Website
With multiple locations throughout Manhattan and premium teas imported from France, you can’t go wrong with an afternoon spent at Prince Tea House. We love their Japanese appetizer Takoyaki, a dish of wheat flour-based batter balls filled with diced octopus and topped with Kewpie mayonnaise, Otafuku sauce and bonito flakes.
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25 W. 28th St / 212.404.8400 / Website
Thanks to the gorgeous views, the afternoon tea at The Ritz-Carlton New York, NoMad's Nubeluz is one of the most beautiful tea experiences in the city. This decadent weekend high tea service includes both caviar and scones that perfectly complement the stunning views of lower Manhattan from Nubeluz's rooftop.
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347 W. 36th St. / 212.500.8430 / Website
This upscale tea room will have you feeling like you are transported from NYC straight to Paris thanks to its European flair and delicious French cuisine. The Parisian Tea Room is also a great option when hosting an event, as the talented team hosts a variety of events, including sewing parties and parties for children aged 8 to twelve.
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754 5th Ave., 7th Floor / 212.872.8977 / Website
Views of Central Park, fabulous service and a bright, elevated drawing room await at afternoon tea service at BG. Taking place every afternoon, BG’s tea service includes tea sandwiches, freshly baked scones, Devonshire cream, petite sweets, and fruit preserves alongside your selection of Dammann Frères teas. Round off your afternoon with some shopping at New York City’s most iconic department store, of course. Reservations are available here.
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79 Crosby St. / 212.226.6400 / Website
This holiday season, Crosby Street Hotel is serving up the most festive afternoon tea to be found. Expect to find seasonal sandwiches filled with Coronation turkey and Rosemary orange glazed ham and mustard, followed by Christmas-themed treats such as eggnog panna cotta with a gingerbread man and Bûche de Noël.
768 5th Ave. / 212.759.3000 / Website
Afternoon tea at The Plaza is a time-honored tradition for many New Yorkers and travelers alike. Whether a little girl is channeling her inner Eloise, or family and friends are celebrating a special life moment, the tea service is the perfect setting for a special occasion. What’s on the menu? Well, the chef crafts delicate finger sandwiches, buttery scones and elegant desserts from scratch using local, seasonal and sustainable ingredients. Reservations are available here.
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18 W. 56th St. / 212.586.5656 / Website
Choose between a classic tea offering for $75, complete with delicious chocolate and hazelnut opera cake, sandwiches and more, and the royal tea served with 0.5oz Petrossian Royal Ossetra caviar, warm house-made blinis, crème fraîche and fine herbs for $115 at the Whitby Bar. The bar’s gorgeous design matched with its location just below Central Park makes for an excellent afternoon spent sipping and nibbling.
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80 Columbus Circle / 212.805.8800 / Website
A curated tea selection, seasonal sweets and savories, a glass of Champagne and gorgeous views of the city all await at Mandarin Oriental, New York's afternoon tea. Plus, this spot is just steps away from the Columbus Circle holiday market, making it the perfect spot to enjoy the holiday season.
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35 E. 76th St. / 212.570.7120 / Website
Afternoon tea at The Carlyle is served in the Gallery, a room inspired by the sultan’s dining room at the Topkapi Palace in Turkey. This private retreat was designed by the world-renowned designer Renzo Mongiardino, and features details such as deep red wallpapers, luxurious velvet chairs and colorful design, creating the perfect backdrop for an afternoon tea full of exotic teas and delicious bites.
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88 Wall St. / 212.688.9255 / Website
For $70 for adults and $35 for children 12 and under, indulge in the tradition of afternoon tea with a festive twist at the Wall Street Hotel's Lounge on Pearl. Selections from Tea Forté paired with finger sandwiches, freshly baked scones and holiday-themed pastries make for the perfect afternoon spent in this historic hotel.
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Multiple locations / 646.907.9467 / Website
Choose between multiple tea experiences at Brooklyn High Low in different themed spaces, such as the secret garden at the Prospect Heights location or the pink room in the Parlour location. With over 25 teas to choose from and a triple plate tea tier with freshly baked scones, strawberry jam, lemon curd, clotted cream and more, Brooklyn High Low provides a robust tea experience.
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730 5th Ave. / 212.970.2626 / Website
Currently open to guests and Aman Club Founders only, Aman New York serves one of the most modern and luxurious afternoon teas in the city. Harmoniously blending the Japanese and Italian flavors of the on-site restaurants Nama and Arva, this tea can be enjoyed by guests of all ages.
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398 W. Broadway / 646.392.7868 / Website
On a gorgeous afternoon, there’s no place we’d rather be than Ladurée Soho’s tree-shaded garden enjoying an afternoon of tea. Finger sandwiches, macarons, pastries, tea and more await in the expansive garden, which boasts over 2,150 square feet of space. We recommend taking home a box of Ladurée’s world-famous macarons, you won’t regret it. Reservations can be made here.
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484 Broome St. / 212.925.6999 / Website
This elevated chocolate shop serves afternoon tea in its Cacao Bar. Complete with assorted gourmet finger sandwiches, scones, jams, Devonshire clotted cream, a small cup of seasonal soup, a tier of mini pastries and macarons withMarieBelle’s signature ganache, this tea service pulls out all the stops. Perhaps best of all? Unlimited tea or coffee, with additional finger sandwiches and desserts available. Be sure to try the hot chocolate, it’s incredible!
So next time you’re craving the royal treatment, stop by one of these NYC mainstays and enjoy a nice hot cuppa and some finger sandwiches for an afternoon well spent. Cheers!
Photography by: Photography courtesy of The Baccarat Hotel and The Plaza
