The 6 Best Spots for a Spot of Afternoon Tea in Los Angeles
No matter how little time you have in your schedule, there is an afternoon tea in Los Angeles that will work for you! Tea on the run or tea for the long one — we’re stirring the pot right here.
A Short Sip: 30 Minutes or Less
Sugarbird Cafe (Montrose)
Leave it to an adorable neighborhood to be home to an equally adorable tea shop. Sugarbird in Montrose, located on the cusp of Glendale, is home to a retail shop that feels like Alice in Wonderland. You can choose to pop in for one of their highly inventive scones in flavors like Matcha White Chocolate and Fig Rosemary or stay for a full Afternoon Tea.
What to Order
While they offer a full Sugarbird Afternoon Tea & Scones, this is the perfect place to take advantage of a shorter Casual Tea Time & Sweets. It features a Pot of Tea with unlimited refills, a choice of two Mini Scones or one Large Per Person, and Mini Sweets like French Macarons and Shortbread Cookies.
Casual Tea Time & Sweets is $32, while Afternoon Tea, which includes a tray of Sandwiches, is $43.
Spill the Tea
I love the neighborhood feel, and it’s hard not to want to buy everything you see to curate your own high tea. The large variety of teas and scones makes this the kind of place you can easily put on repeat.
Tea Time
Hours are 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m., Tuesday to Sunday, and extended hours until 5 p.m. on weekends. They are closed on Wednesday. Afternoon Tea can be reserved in the mornings, too, as long as you use OpenTable. The cafe is always open for to-go. Plan your visit here.
Hey Hey (Echo Park)
What’s the best tea if you’re running short on time? The one that won’t scald you while you’re driving, like a cold Boba Tea.
Hey Hey in Echo Park serves up a concise menu with some complex boba tea combinations. The brainchild of Christopher Kwok, Hey Hey first opened in 2018 in an uber-cool warehouse on Sunset Blvd that also doubles as a performance space.
What to Order
If you’re an experienced imbiber, then by all means, Build your Own with toppings made in-house. I don’t trust myself without a recipe, though, so I always go with the menu Signatures.
The Matchstick crafted with matcha milk frappe, honey, boba, sea salt cream, and a Kit Kat is a sweet way to start fire up your day.
While the tapioca balls in your tea might be enough to satisfy your hunger, they also serve a Steeped Egg in a 12-hour marinade and HK Egg Waffles.
Spill the Tea
There’s no bad mood that a sugary boba drink can’t fix, and Hey Hey has more than elevated the experience. You feel that the boba-ristas are proud of what they do, making you want to share in the happiness.
Tea Time
Hey Hey is open daily from 11 a.m. until close. Order here.
A Medium Pour: 45 to 60 Minutes
Chado Tea Room (Various)
No matter where you are in Los Angeles, chances are you can find a Chado Tea Room to relax in nearby. What once started over thirty years ago with one tea room in Beverly Grove has now expanded to four locations and counting from the South Bay to Pasadena.
This family business is the creation of Reena Shah and her late husband Devan and now includes the younger Shahs, Bianca and Brendan, as well as longtime cook and confidant Tekeste “Tek” Mehreteab.
They specialize in single-origin teas and unique blends that aren’t found anywhere else and serve over 140 different types of tea.
What to Order
While there are several menu options for a tea service ranging from $28-$37, the Celebration Afternoon Tea Service is the one to go with ($36.95).
The beverage service includes a Pot of Fresh, steeped, loose-leaf Tea and a glass of Wine-Inspired Ice Tea. It’s designed to begin with the cold and end with the hot, but I took them both at the start. The Iced Tea is served with Tea-Infused Chocolates.
Next, it’s a choice between Signature Cream of Tomato Soup or a Chado Salad for the appetizer course.
Following that comes the Main Course three-tiered sandwich tray with a selection of four half sandwiches. I enjoyed not making any decisions here, and some of my favorites included the Smoked Salmon and the Souchong Chicken.
Moving on, you’re served a Scone with Chado cream, jam, and berries before the sweet finish: Macaron and Butter Cookies.
Something for the Road
Besides being a tea room, Chado doubles as a shop and even offers to-go tea. Anything you choose will come with specialized brewing instructions, and a canister makes for an exceptional gift. Online shopping with free shipping is also available.
Spill the Tea
Have you ever just wanted to slow down your life for a bit and take a CHILL? That’s what I felt when I entered the Chado Tea Room in Pasadena. I was on a time crunch to pick up my son from school, but sitting in the room with a warm cup of joy made time stand still for just as long as I had to spare.
This spot is excellent for special occasions or just taking a much-needed 45 minutes to yourself. It’s your everyday tea.
Tea Time
Hours vary by location, but generally keep to an 11 a.m. to 6 or 7 p.m. schedule 7 days a week. Make your reservations here.
A Full Kettle: 60 Minutes and Beyond
Afternoon Tea at The Culver Hotel
The Culver Hotel is steeped in history, and it now has an afternoon tea to match its 1920s sensibilities: think classy with a twist. Located in the Lillie’s restaurant space off the lobby, it’s led by Executive Chef Diana Khngikyan and only happens on Saturday afternoons – making it all the more exclusive.
What to Order
There is one menu to choose from, so you won’t get overwhelmed with choices. The Afternoon Tea Service for $55 is divided into three sections, beginning with your tea selection. Currently, there are nine on the menu, from English Breakfast to Purely Peppermint Herbal.
Next, you’ll be served Macerated Berries with Romanov cream and orange liqueur. This is also a great time to enjoy something from the bar, like a Kir Royale or a Mimosa Carafe if the spirit moves you ($16+).
Following this is the Tea Tower, which includes a perfect display of Freshly baked Ginger Scones, an array of Tea Sandwiches, and Sweet Treats like Petit Fours. The Tea Sandwich menu changes seasonally, and on my visit, I enjoyed Crab Cakes with Peppercorn Aioli, French Butter on Baguettes, and Cucumber and Watercress, among others.
If you need a little more to nibble on, add Smoked Salmon and Dill Sandwiches ($16) or a Petite Caesar Salad ($12).
Spill the Tea
The pace was perfect and unhurried, and my tea was never cold. The Ginger Scones are incredible, and I also loved the Cucumber and Watercress sandwiches, which have a hint of something extra.
Tea Time
Afternoon Tea at The Culver Hotel takes place on Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Make your reservations here.
Afternoon Tea at The Langham Huntington Pasadena
Following the tradition born over 140 years ago at the Langham London, The Langham Huntington Pasadena offers an afternoon tea in Los Angeles that is fit for royalty.
Follow the long driveway toward the hotel nestled in suburban Pasadena, and allow yourself to be transported to the early 1900s. Tea is served in the Lobby Lounge with a sweeping view of The Horseshoe Garden and beautiful San Marino.
What to Order
You’ll begin with a choice between The Langham Afternoon Tea with Wedgwood ($75 or $40 for Children 4-12) and The Royal Tea ($95).
All the tea services include a selection of Finger Sandwiches like Asian Pear with Bleu Cheese Mousse, Smoked Salmon with Caviar, and Egg Salad with Crisp Prosciutto.
Next, enjoy a selection of Warm Scones with Devonshire Clotted Cream and Lemon Curd. Lastly, there’s a selection of Pastries and Sweets like Almond Macarons and Apricot Passion Tarts.
If you choose a Children’s Tea, the menu is customized for slightly less developed palates; think Organic Peanut Butter and Jelly and Ham and Cheese on Pain de Mie.
The difference between the Tea with Wedgwood and The Royal Tea is a glass of Perrier-Jouët Champagne, a dish of Strawberries and Cream with Chambord, and a Cookie for the road. Adult beverages are also available à la carte.
Spill the Tea
I loved every minute of this experience and didn’t want to leave. Following my tea, I walked the hotel grounds and lost myself. If you can visit during the week, you’ll get an even more intimate tea experience. Perfect for special occasions and celebrations.
Tea Time
Hours are 10 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., Thursday to Sunday. Make your reservations on OpenTable.
Afternoon Tea at Le Meridien Pasadena Arcadia
The Le Meridien Hotel offers a contemporary Asian version of the tea at The Langham but without removing much of the decadence. It’s served in the hotel lobby in the 118 Lounge, and you can expect to be there for about two hours.
What to Order
Choose between the Classic High Tea with tea and the full menu ($55), The Champagne Tea, which adds a glass of Nicholas Feuillatte Champagne ($70), and my personal favorite: The Highball & High Tea, which includes a Hibiki Harmony Highball ($80).
The tea selection by Dammann Freres features flavors you won’t readily enjoy at home, including Oolong Caramel Buerre and L’Oriental.
The tea begins with a Caviar Canape and a cup of Berries and Cream. It’s served alongside your choice of Tea and Highball, which arrive simultaneously. I first drank a good portion of the highball and followed up with the tea, which stayed warm in the pot.
Next, you’ll enjoy a three-layered tray of Finger Sandwiches and Petite Pastries. Favorites include the Shitake mushroom with truffle aioli, Lobster and egg salad Tartine, Canele, and Matcha Chocolate bonbon.
Lastly, you’ll be served freshly baked scones in Classic and Matcha flavors with Devonshire cream and lemon curd.
Spill the Tea
I loved the modern elegance of the tea but would expect it to be slightly shorter. You are by no means rushed, which is always appreciated. It’s also worth noting that the Hibiki Highball costs $21, so you are better off just adding it to the Classic High Tea.
Tea Time
Tea is served from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., Friday to Sunday. Make your reservation here.
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