The Top Tea Rooms Around the Country
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Samovar
While there are coffee shops on every corner, places that specialize in tea are much harder to come by and require a little more research. The culture around tea can be very diverse depending on what you’re looking for; there’s the proper English-style high tea with finger sandwiches and scones, and then there are those zen tea rooms focused on exotic herbal blends. It’s been said that tea emerged over 5000 years ago, when it was discovered by the Chinese emperor Shen Nong. While boiling his drinking water, dried leaves from a nearby bush fell into the water and boom — tea! From the British colonization of India to the Boston Tea Party, the aromatic beverage has played a significant role in global trade relations and can be found at the basis of many cultures. Getting together with a friend or loved one over a cup of tea is a calming pastime no matter what kind of environment you’re seeking out. Here are some of the top tea rooms around the country.
Samovar
Samovar (San Francisco, CA)
Samovar tea lounge offers an escape from reality and the unavoidable rat race. It’s a place to slow down, think, and just be in the present moment. The founder, Jesse Jacobs, strives to create a peaceful retreat with healthy and energizing food, and an expertly brewed selection of organic, single origin, and direct import teas. Over the years, Jacobs has cultivated relationships with tea farmers all over the world, sourcing ingredients from Hawaii, China, India, and Japan. You can check out the sleek and modern Samovar Tea Bar in San Francisco’s Mission District with a contemporary vibe, an emphasis on natural materials, and modern “tea-brewing crucibles,” or indulge in international food and tea pairings at the Samovar Tea Lounge at Yerba Buena Gardens.
Lady Mendl’s (New York, NY)
For an English-style high tea experience, Lady Mendl’s is a fun and classy destination. The 1834 brownstone that houses the tea room, as well as the Inn at Irving Place, features roaring fireplaces during the colder months and the original moldings. The cozy space fits around 16 high tea goers, many of which are mother-daughter duos and friend groups. You’ll get to choose from a selection black, green, oolong, and herbal teas followed by a variety of salads, finger sandwiches, and warm scones with raspberry jam and clotted cream. The crepe layer cake with French vanilla-infused mascarpone is a must-order. Space fills up quick so you should make a reservation a few weeks in advance. In true high tea fashion, phones are strictly forbidden so you can fully appreciate the experience.
The Boulder Dushanbe Teahouse (Boulder, CO)
The Boulder Dushanbe Teahouse is an authentic Persian tea house and the only one of its kind in the Western Hemisphere. First and foremost, it’s an artistic destination where you can observe the sophisticated patterns of traditional Persian art. There are 12 intricately carved cedar columns sent from Tajikistan, a hand-painted ceiling, and eight colorful ceramic panels created by Victor Zabolotnikov that make up the building’s exterior, displaying patterns of a “Tree of Life.” Here they serve international cuisine for breakfast, lunch, dinner, and weekend brunch, and traditional afternoon tea with over 80 varieties. The more elegant afternoon tea is offered from 3-5pm with light bites and freshly baked sweets and savory pastries.
Smith Teamaker (Portland, OR)
Steven Smith was a Portland-born tea maker who co-founded Stash and also acted as a tea shaman for Tazo before cultivating his own signature brand. Although Steven has passed, his spirit lives on through Smith Teamakers where they source the finest teas and botanicals from farmers across India, China, Sri Lanka, and Africa. All of the teas are produced in-house, blended by hand, and made in small batches. The 100-year-old Portland tasting room is a relaxing space to try a freshly-stepped pot of tea, tea flights, tea lattes, and kegged products. This is where you can explore your likes and dislikes and find the perfect flavor balance of your ideal tea. The professionals at Smith Teamakers live by the mantra that tea-making is the chance to cultivate in yourself the palate of a chef, the nose of a sommelier, the patience of a distiller, and the joy of an artist.”
Ching Ching Cha (Washington, DC)
Ching Ching Cha is a Chinese teahouse in Washington, DC. The word “cha” means tea in Chinese and “Ching Ching” is the founder of the place. The tea house is a tranquil space with rosewood furniture, platform seating with plush cushions, and overhead skylights. You’ll choose from an assortment of more than 70 varieties of tea from China, Taiwan, and Japan, along with dumplings, and Chinese desserts. They also offer personal instruction on how to prepare different kinds of tea with the appropriate teaware.
Serenity Garden Tea House (West Palm Beach, FL)
Completely unique to its surroundings, Serenity Garden Tea House is pretty traditional with victorian place settings, fine china, polished silver, and lace-covered tables. You can go for high tea or a more formal afternoon service. Set in a 1917 historic cottage, this tea house has wood floors, a fireplace, fresh flowers, and teapots scattered across each table. There are three types of high tea service offered here along with pots of tea and homemade soup. There’s the Lower Tier with warm scones, clotted cream, lemon curd, and preserves; the Middle Tier with delicate finger sandwiches; and the Top Tier with pastries and desserts. The owner, Audrey Farrelly, was born and raised in Dublin, lending a homey Irish charm to this cottage right in the heart of West Palm Beach.
Cha-An Tea House (East Village, NY)
Cha-An is a second-floor escape from the hustle and bustle of Manhattan. Established in 2004, this is a destination for lovers of tea and Japanese desserts by the Japanese restaurateur Bon Yagi. The tea house has wooden tables, tatami benches, paper lamps, and seasonal floral decorations, giving the slight illusion that you’ve been transported to Japan. There’s an extensive menu of matcha, sencha, and teas from all around the world. You might want to try the Darjeeling black tea or Tieguanyin oolong and for dessert the homemade mochi or black sesame creme brûlée. You really can’t go wrong here, just relax and sip your troubles away.
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