
Afternoon tea in Boston can be a fun special outing with fancy sandwiches, dainty desserts and pretty china and many places are family-friendly. Boston may have a storied past with tea, but these days it's a wonderful place to enjoy this social tradition and there are lots of great places to check out. Does your family have a favorite place for a spot of tea?
Special Teas Tea Shop
Tracy Snyder Molina: Special Teas is a cozy tea room offering lunch and afternoon tea. Tea options for one, two and a group are available including tea, scones, fancy tea sandwiches and mini pastries. A la carte tea menu is also available. Browse their full menu here. Reservations required for parties of 4 or more, otherwise call ahead for seating availability.
Cost: $19.75-$29.95/person
Proctor Mansion Inn
Tracy Snyder Molina: The Proctor Mansion Inn offers several tea special events throughout the year including an Autumn tea, Holiday Tea, Valentine's Tea and Children's tea. Events typically include a variety of specialty sandwiches, scones, and desserts along with assorted teas and other beverages. A list of upcoming special events can be found here. Reservations are required.
Cost: $40/person
Easton Tea Room at the Fall River Historical Society
November-December
Saturdays & Sundays, Seatings at 12pm, 1pm, 2pm, 3pm & 4pm
Tracy Snyder Molina: During the holidays, the Easton Tea Room offers a Victorian High Tea service. Enjoy fine English teas, savory tea sandwiches and tartlets, scones and delicate pastries surrounded by Victorian antiques and period details. The Easton Tea Room is also available for private events. The menu is available here. Reservations are recommended, walk-ins are welcome.
Cost: $20/person
Fancy That
Tracy Snyder Molina: This whimsical tea room features an English-inspired afternoon tea service. The menu changes monthly, but includes a heart-shaped scone, tea bread, tea sandwiches and miniature pastries. Choose your pot of tea from over 40 tea choices! Gluten free and vegetarian food options are available with advanced notice. Call for current menu or sign up for their newsletter here. Reservations are required.
Age: 12 +
Cost: $27/person
Concord's Colonial Inn
Tracy Snyder Molina: This historical landmark hotel offers afternoon tea each weekend. Enjoy English, Chinese and Indian Teas along with an assortment of tea breads, finger sandwiches and pastries. A children's tea menu is also available. Check out the menu here. Reservations are required.
Cost: $32/person
The Tea Leaf
Tracy Snyder Molina: This warm cozy spot is a wonderful place to enjoy Afternoon Tea. The menu includes savory tea sandwiches, mini quiche, assorted pastries and scones with freshly whipped cream and strawberry preserves along with a pot of tea. A children's tea menu and lunch menu are also available. View the full menu here. Reservations are required.
Cost: $28/person, $19/child
The Inn at Hastings Park, Artistry on the Green
Tracy Snyder Molina: Enjoy the warm ambiance at Artistry on the Green in the Inn at Hastings Park during their Afternoon Tea service. They offer a variety of caffeinated and decaffeinated teas as well as hot chocolate along with tea sandwiches, mini quiche, scones, tea breads and decadent pastries. They also offer special tea events. Browse the menu here. Reservations are required.
Cost: $35-$45/person
L'Espalier, Fantasy Tea
Tracy Snyder Molina: For a truly elegant experience, try the Fantasy Tea service offered at L'Espalier. The menu includes exotic tea sandwiches such as Lobster Profiterole and Smoked gouda éclair and divine pastries such as Fig Tartlette, Peach Brioche and Blackberry macarons. L’espalier featured signature teas are specially blended by their tea sommelier. Cheese cart, caviar and premium tea selections are all available at additional cost.
Cost: $55/person
The Courtyard Restaurant at the Boston Public Library
Tracy Snyder Molina: For a traditional Afternoon Tea experience, visit the Courtyard Restaurant at the Boston Public Library. Along with a wide variety of teas to choose from, guests can also enjoy savory tea sandwiches, scones and petit fours. On weekends there is also a choice of seasonal soup or salad to accompany the standard afternoon tea menu. Check out the menu here. Reservations are suggested.
Cost: $39-$45/adult, $15-$19/child (under 12)
Taj Boston
Tracy Snyder Molina: For a sophisticated yet family-friendly tea service, try the Taj Boston. A tradition since the hotel opened in 1927, this white glove service is a truly opulent and relaxing experience. Guests can enjoy live music along with traditional tea sandwiches and canapes, scones, pastries and petits fours. A children's tea menu and cheese tasting are also available. View the full menu here. Reservations are suggested.
Cost: $38-$58/person, $20/child
Afternoon Tea with Wedgwood at The Langham, Boston
Tracy Snyder Molina: The Langham's signature Afternoon Tea service pays tribute to its flagship hotel in London and the tradition that was started back in 1865. You'll get to choose from proprietary Langham tea blends along with tea sandwiches, mini tarts, traditional English scones, and decadent pastries. Sparkling Rosé, chocolate-covered strawberries and additional pastries or sandwiches are available at an extra cost. Menu is available here. Reservations are required.
Cost: $50/person
Abigail's Tea Room & Terrace
Tracy Snyder Molina: Enjoy afternoon tea with waterfront views and a historic twist at Abigail's Tea Room, part of the Boston Tea Party Ships & Museum. Sample up to five different teas that were the blends thrown overboard at the Boston Tea Party, plus lemonade, hot or cold cider and iced tea as well as a variety of scones, cookies, brownies, muffins and pies. During lunch time they also serve an assortment of sandwiches, salads, chowders, seasonal soups and mac ‘n cheese. You can browse the menu here. No reservations required.
Cost: $3.99 for bottomless cup of tea, $14 tea platter (up to 4 people)
Rowes Wharf Sea Grille, Afternoon Tea
Tracy Snyder Molina: With sweeping waterfront views of luxury yachts and Boston Harbor, try Afternoon Tea at the Rowes Wharf Sea Grille. Guests can choose from a large variety of teas along with an array of savory tea sandwiches and fresh pastries. Specialty tea cocktails, champagne and wine are also available at an extra cost. Menu can be viewed here. Reservations required.
Cost: $50-$60/person
Molly's Tea Room
Tracy Snyder Molina: Stop in for tea and light lunch fare including the Queen's or Duchess Luncheons which are comprised of scones, tea sandwiches and mini pastries. They even offer a Teddy Bear Luncheon for children which features a tiered tray of kid-friendly finger sandwiches and mini sweets. They also offer accommodations for private functions including children's tea parties. Reservations are suggested, walk-ins are welcome.
Cost: $14.95-$17.95/person (Duchess or Queen's Luncheon), $11.95/person (Teddy Bear Luncheon)
Tuesday Tea Time at Mirbeau Inn & Spa Pinehills
Tracy Snyder Molina: On the second Tuesday of each month you can visit the Mirbeau Inn & Spa for a traditional Afternoon Tea. Guests can choose from finger sandwiches, fresh bakery treats and a variety of teas served in the beautiful setting of the Henri-Marie room, modeled after a 19th-century family chapel outside of Paris. Reservations are required.
Cost: $15/person
Jolie Tea Company
High Tea: Saturdays only, Seatings at 11am, 1pm & 3pm
Patisserie Tea: Sunday-Friday, any time
Tracy Snyder Molina: Patisserie Tea or High Tea both start with a champagne glass of iced Hibiscus tea. Enjoy lemon scones, French macarons, madeleines and truffles along with your personal pot of tea. High Tea also includes cucumber or curried chicken salad tea sandwiches. Reservations are required, parties of 4 or more require a 50% deposit.
In addition, La Petite Tea service is available at all times and does not require reservations. Choose from a selection of scones, madeleines and French macarons along with your pot of tea.
Cost: $19.95-24.95/person (Patisserie/High Tea), $9.95/person (La Petite)
Dunbar House Restaurant & Tea Room
Tracy Snyder Molina: Overlooking Shawme Pond, this historic former carriage house from the 1700s continues the tradition of hosting afternoon tea started by the wife of Colonel Henry Dunbar in the 1920s. Lunch and tea are served daily and can also be enjoyed on the garden patio in warmer weather. Browse the menu here. Reservations are suggested for parties of 4 or more, walk-ins welcome.
Cost: $7.95-$22.95/person
Wenham Tea House
Tracy Snyder Molina: Afternoon Tea at America's oldest tea house is an experience not to be missed. All service includes a pot of tea, freshly baked scones, tea sandwiches and mini pastries. A children's tea menu is also available. Browse the full menu here. In addition, there are several special Children's Tea events offered throughout the year. This popular tradition includes an afternoon tea party for kids and adults along with a specially themed character storytime. Check out upcoming events here. Reservations for Afternoon Tea and special events required.
Cost: $27.95-$89.95 (1-4 guests), $19 children's menu
Heath's Tea Room
Tracy Snyder Molina: Take a break and relax with Afternoon Tea at Heath's Tea Room. Served in the traditional English style, service includes an assortment of finger sandwiches, freshly baked scones, tea treats and choice of tea. Be sure to check out the gift shop with fine bone china tea sets and children's porcelain tea sets. Gluten-free choices and children's tea option are available. Sample menu can be viewed here. Reservations are strongly recommended, but not required.
Age: 3+ (high chairs or booster seats are not available, but you can bring your own)
Cost: $19.95-$23.95/person
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