Our 10 Favorite Places for High Tea in NYC

High tea is an opportunity to unwind, to take a break from the cares of the day. Traditionally speaking, high tea referred to the heavy, late afternoon meal of the working class. Over time, it became the preferred name for the languid, petit four and scone-laden affair that we enjoy today.

From places that specialize in events to those that offer vegan and gluten-free high teas, New York has something for everyone to enjoy. Here are our ten favorite places to take some time out, relax and get your tea on. We divided them into two categories: Fancy and Casual.

Fancy Tea Spots

The Palm Court at the Plaza Hotel

768 Fifth Avenue between 58th and 59th Street, Manhattan, (212) 546-5300

High tea at the Plaza is a chic, elegant affair, sure to make a fond memory for the young and old alike. Its wingback chairs, marble columns and dramatic vaulted stained glass ceiling all add to its sense of stateliness, tradition and luxury.

The Palm Court at the Plaza Hotel offers a variety of tea services. There’s a significant variety is what is offered in one versus another, so the Palm Court is a great option if you or your companion have a particular palette. The Fitzgerald Tea for the Ages ($55 per person) and the New Yorker ($65 per person) each consist of three courses: sandwiches, scones and sweets. The Fitzgerald Tea is best for tea “purists.” It offers traditional fare such as cucumber and egg salad sandwiches. The New Yorker is, well, centered around items that are famous in New York. It features pressed pastrami and lox. Both teas serve scones with genuine Double Devonshire cream, lemon curd and preserves. My personal favorite, the Chocolate Tea ($60 per person), includes a fondue course, scones with Nutella Double Devonshire cream and sweets. For all of these teas, guests can choose from a list of 13 loose leaf teas including two Plaza Signature Blends, a Breakfast Tea and an Afternoon Tea. Champagne or sherry is available for an extra $22-$25 per person.

Finally, the Eloise Tea ($35 per child, $50 per adult) offers kid-friendly sandwiches, scones and sweets. It is served with a choice of pink lemonade or peppermint iced tea — both are delicious (not too sweet) and super refreshing. It’s the perfect fancy-but-not-too-fancy experience for you and your little one. All tea services are available daily from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m., and they do take reservations.

The Pembroke Room at the Lowell Hotel

28 E. 63rd Street between Park Avenue and Madison Avenue, Manhattan, (212) 605-6825

Step up to the second level of one of New York’s most luxurious hotels and you’ll find the Pembroke Room.  A formal but inviting space, the muted greens, pinks and creams create a light, airy and romantic feel. It’s the kind of place you’ll want to strap on your floral Kate Spade sandals and wear your smartest A-line dress to. “Tradition” is the word here, so be sure not to under dress.  (But don’t overdo it either.  Business-casual is perfect!)

There are three different options for high tea. The Classic Pembroke Tea is $52 per person and includes a standard assortment of tea sandwiches, scones and sweets. Tea sandwiches are traditional, including selections such as deviled organic egg salad, cucumber and watercress, and Scottish smoked salmon. Scones are served with Devonshire cream and lemon curd instead of jam. Sweets are also traditional and abundant.  You’ll get petit fours, pastries, lemon pound cake and macaroons.

The Pembroke Royal Tea is $64 per person and includes all of the goodies as the Classic Pembroke Tea plus a glass of champagne, port or sherry. It also ups the ante with offerings such as fois gras canapes. The Lowell Imperial Tea is $85 per person and includes a glass of champagne plus an organic, American farm-raised caviar course. All teas are served daily from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m.  Reservations are accepted but not required.

The Gallery at the Carlyle Hotel

35 E. 76th between Park and Madison, on the Upper East Side, (212) 744-1600

The Gallery at the Carlyle hotel has two rooms to choose from; both are ornate and exquisite, setting the tone for a special experience for its guests. The sofas and chairs are plush and super comfortable, and the decor is bold and colorful with lots of red, navy and gold details. From the patterned wallpaper to the matching menus, every element is deliberate. The Gallery is modeled after the sultan’s dining room at the Topkapi Palace in Istanbul, and each detail pays homage.

The Gallery is unique in that there is an a la carte option, which is the best kept ‘lux-for-less’ secret in the city, in my opinion. If you want, you can order just tea ($8 per pot), just scones, just sandwiches or anything off their lunch menus, and spend as much time sipping and chatting as you’d like. The Gallery is also unique in that it offers an unusual selection of teas. I consider myself to be a tea aficionado, and even I didn’t recognize a lot of them! My favorite was the Lapsang Souchang, which is famous for its smoky flavor and aroma.

Besides a la carte, there are two different options for high tea. The Afternoon Tea ($48 per person), includes scones with Devonshire cream, tea sandwiches and pastries. The Imperial Tea ($65 per person), offers the same plus a glass of champagne. Tea service is available daily from 3 p.m. to 5:30 p.m.

Hotel Plaza Athenee

37 E. 64th Street between Park Avenue and Madison Avenue, Manhattan, (212) 606-4647

Savvy New Yorkers know that they can count on the Upper East Side when they want refinement and class without losing a sense of intimacy and comfort. The Bar Seine lounge of the Hotel Plaza Athenee fits the bill.  Located on a quiet, residential block, the Hotel Plaza Athenee gives guests a welcome reprieve from the hustle and bustle of the city. High tea is served in the Bar Seine lounge, which is old-worldly and slightly eclectic.  Blending African, European and Asian-inspired decor, it is a pleasantly atypical and cozy atmosphere for high tea without being over-the-top.  Amber lighting and comfy couches piled generously with pillows invite guests to truly lounge as the experience unfolds.

As you settle in, get ready for a truly unique experience.  The Hotel Plaza Athenee definitely puts its emphasis on the actual tea. Through a partnership with Le Palais des Thes, patrons can choose from nine varieties of teas from this luxury brand, including four different types of green tea. In addition, you’ll enjoy homemade scones and bread with clotted cream and imported jam, tea sandwiches and mini pastries.  Bonus: you dessert course will also include an assortment of chocolates! The cost is $45 per person, $55 with a glass of champagne. High tea is served daily from 2:30 p.m. to 5 p.m.

Astor Court at the St. Regis Hotel

2 E. 55th Street at Fifth Avenue, Manhattan, (212) 339-6857

Named after its builder, John Jacob Astor, high tea at the Astor Court at the St. Regis Hotel is a traditional high tea experience without being stuffy.  The setting is intimate with much attention given to the details. There are only fifteen linen-topped tables available. The intricately painted walls, plushly cushioned chairs, custom-made china and exquisite, ambient chandeliers all create a sense of timeless luxury. An added bonus: live music often accompanies high tea.

Whereas most high teas serve all edibles at once, high tea at the Astor Court is served in two stages. This emphasizes the slow, leisurely pace that often characterizes high tea, making guests feel that they can truly settle in and enjoy. First, dainty finger sandwiches are served to guests individually, as opposed to on a communal plate. Guests are also served tea individually, each receiving their own tea kettle and pitcher of cream.  This is followed by a tiered tray of scones, petit fours and other sweets, such as almond pineapple tea cake. Scones are served with the traditional Devonshire cream and jam, as well as lemon curd, which offers a tart, slightly off-the-beaten path option. Guests can choose from over 20 different types of tea including a St. Regis Blend, which combines Keemun and Ceylon tea with bergamot and blackcurrants. Tea is $55 per person, $70 with a glass of champagne, and is served daily from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m.

Casual Tea Spots

Bosie Tea Parlor

10 Morton Street between Bleecker Street and Seventh Avenue South, in the West Village (212) 352-9900

Bosie Tea Parlor is a must-try destination for true tea enthusiasts. Its founder, Kiley Holliday, is the youngest female tea sommelier in the United States. So it’s no wonder that Bosie Tea Parlor offers over 100 varieties of tea to choose from. Unlike many other high tea hotspots, Bosie Tea Parlor is simple, streamlined and unadorned. In other words, it’s not just a great place to gab with your girlfriends.  It’s also a great place to bring your dude.

Basic Tea Service is $29 for one or $55 for two. Guests get a choice of three tea sandwiches, two mini scones with jam and clotted cream, two mini tea cakes and a choice of two macaroons. Champagne Tea Service is $45 for one and $85 for two. It includes champagne plus a choice of pastry instead of two tea cakes. In addition to its extensive tea selection, Bosie Tea Parlor is known for its pastries and macaroons. So whether you get the Basic Service or the Champagne Service, you’re getting a taste of their specialties. If you’re feeling extra fancy, the Chef’s Tea Service is the ultimate indulgence. It includes champagne, double portions of tea, scones, tea cakes and macaroons, 24 canapés and a choice of pastry. This service is $120 for two and requires a reservation at least 48 hours in advance. All other tea services are available daily from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m.

Alice’s Tea Cup

156 E. 64th Street at Lexington Avenue, Manhattan, (212) 486-9200

What makes Alice’s Tea Cup memorable is its standout decor. Every detail, from the wording of the menus to the butterflies on the walls, is inspired by Lewis Carroll’s iconic novels. And it’s not just the decor that’s exceptional. This is my favorite NYC place for scones, which are large, crumbly and dense. Flavors rotate daily, and there’s always at least one vegan option (often two). If you’re partial to a particular scone, be sure to take your tea early, as they often sell out of certain flavors by the afternoon, and once they’re gone, they’re gone. The tea list is also quite versatile, offering many herbal and caffeine-free options. My favorite is the Herbal Chai, which is super spicy and flavorful without any caffeine.

Alice’s Tea Cup offers four main choices for high tea: The Nibble, the Mad Hatter, the Jabberwocky and the Wee Tea. The Nibble ($25) is for one person only and includes one pot of tea, a choice of one scone, one sandwich and assorted mini cookies. The Mad Hatter ($37) includes a pot of tea, a choice of two scones and two sandwiches, plus mini cookies and your choice of one dessert. You can upgrade the Mad Hatter for two ($45), which includes another pot of tea as well as another choice of scone. The Jabberwocky ($60) comes with one pot of tea, unlimited scones and sandwiches, mini cookies and your choice of dessert. For each person sharing the Jabberwocky there is a $20 surcharge that includes an extra pot of tea. The Wee Tee is $20 per child. It includes a small pot of fruit or herbal tea, a scone, a choice of item from the “Menu for the Small” plus White Rabbit dark chocolate mousse. Alice’s Tea Cup is a truly magical place, and I highly recommend it as THE destination spot for you and your wee one. Tea service is available from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m., and reservations are only accepted at least 24 hours in advance.

Franchia Vegan Cafe

12 Park Avenue between 34th and 35th Street, Manhattan, (212) 213-1001

With its ultra-sleek, ultra-modern and minimalist aesthetic, high tea at Franchia Vegan Cafe is a sophisticated and upscale affair. Since high tea is only offered as part of a pre-planned package, it’s the perfect choice for special occasions. The Royal Tea Tray ($27 per person) offers a fun and unique slant on the traditional service. The service takes place over three hours—plenty of time to celebrate and socialize. It is a total experience, combining activities with the actual tea service. For example, during bridal showers the bride-to-be is dressed in traditional Korean garb and taught the customary way of making tea. Food is also served on large communal trays, so guests are free to munch and mingle as much as they please.

The Royal Tea Tray includes trays of six mini appetizers and two mini desserts. The tea selection includes two unusual options: a white peony tea and Franchia’s famous 1st Picked Korean Wild Green Tea. That’s right—this is wild, handpicked tea (as opposed to cultivated). It’s a significant luxury in the world of tea, just the right touch to make the experience extra special. Packages are available on Saturdays only from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. or from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m.

Lady Mendl’s Tea Salon

56 Irving Place between 17th and 18th Street, Manhattan, (212) 533-4600

Tucked away on a quiet block off of Union Square, high tea at Lady Mendl’s is classy but low-key, sophisticated yet unassuming. It is the quintessential spot for high tea in NYC, and it is also a great choice for events. There’s a variety of rooms available at Lady Mendl’s. What they all have in common is that they’re super girly. Think pink walls, ambient candles, floral wallpaper. Try to sit at the center table in the main dining room. It’s flanked with leather couches and next to the fireplace. Simply divine!

High tea at Lady Mendl’s is a drawn-out, five-course affair. You’ll start out with an amuse bouche (mini appetizer), followed by tea sandwiches such as curried chicken salad on pumpernickel. Next, you’ll enjoy scones with Devonshire clotted cream and preserves plus a slice of Lady Mendl’s signature cake. This is THE cake of crepes and custard that made Lady Mendl’s famous. It’s fabulous and unlike any cake you’ve had before. If your sweet tooth can handle it, you’ll then indulge in a plate of assorted cookies and chocolate covered strawberries. Tea service is $55 per person and is available Wednesday through Sunday only from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. Gluten-free high tea is available upon request for a small surcharge. Reservations are accepted and recommended.

Tea & Sympathy

108 Greenwich Avenue between Horatio Street and Jane Street, Manhattan, (212) 989-9735

A casual, low-key destination with a warm and homey atmosphere, Tea & Sympathy is the perfect place to check in and recharge. Tea service is $36 for one or $66 for two and includes finger sandwiches, scones with jam and clotted cream, and assorted cakes. Guests can choose from over 30 varieties of tea including several house blends.

Uniquely shaped teapots and artfully decorated cups add charm and character to this cozy little haven. They are open the latest, with tea service available daily from 1:30-10:30 p.m., but get there early, as this is a small space, and they do not accept reservations. If you can manage it, round off your meal with the sticky toffee pudding—I hear it’s to die for.

If you’re a true Anglophile, or if you’re a displaced Brit looking for a little slice of home, head on over to Tea & Sympathy’s affiliated store, Carry on Tea & Sympathy. It is located right next door at 110 Greenwich Avenue. Here you’ll find a host of all things British: British teas, British chocolate bars, British candies, British groceries and British-themed goods.