Photographs: Kitti bowornphatnon – stock.adobe.com; others: courtesy of the brands
THE CLASSICS
PALM COURT AT THE PLAZA HOTEL
Nothing beats the elegance of the Palm Court at the Plaza. Afternoon Tea features all the classic tea sandwiches and pastries, with add-ons like caviar available. In homage to the hotel’s famous literary resident, a special Eloise-themed tea is available for children.
AFTERNOON TEA
$120 per person and includes glass of Champagne
GRAND IMPERIAL TEA
Including caviar is $235 or $305 with a glass of Cristal champagne
THE ELOISE TEA
for children 12 and younger is $110
HOURS Monday–Sunday : 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Reservations available through opentable.com
THE PLAZA HOTEL
768 5th Avenue; theplazany.com
LILLIE’S VICTORIAN ESTABLISHMENT
Afternoon tea at either of this establishments’ two locations is a classic. Step back in time to the Victorian era, when tea was a tradition and an art. The historic atmosphere offers a good value, with a tea stand boasting three tiers of sandwiches and pastries for $50 per person, ($10 per additional pot of tea).
TIMES SQUARE LILLIE’S
HOURS Monday–Sunday until 2:45 p.m.
Times Square, 248 West 49th Street
UNION SQUARE
HOURS Friday–Sunday 11 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.
Union Square 13 East 17th Street
Reservations are available through sevenrooms.com.
DESIGNER TEAS
LE CAFÉ AT LOUIS VUITTON
Radiating French chic, Le Café Louis Vuitton is on the fourth floor of the flagship Louis Vuitton store at 6 East 57th Street. The cafe features wall-to-wall books and soothing neutral tones. This spot is the perfect accent to a day of shopping.
AFTERNOON TEA starts at $110, featuring tea sandwiches, tea, coffee and sweet treats. Champagne is an additional cost.
HOURS Monday–Saturday 10 a.m. to 8 p.m., Sunday 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Book through resy.com. Reservations can be made 28 days in advance at midnight.
LE CAFE AT LOUIS VUITTON
6 West 5th Street, 4th Floor; lecafelvnyc.com
DIOR’S LILY OF THE VALLEY TEA AT THE LOWELL HOTEL
Afternoon Tea at Majorelle in the Lowell Hotel in collaboration with Dior Maison is a special experience offering an assortment of sweets and savories served on the Dior Lily of the Valley tableware collection. This tea draws its inspiration from one of Christian Dior’s favorite blooms, celebrated as a token of good luck. Guests can expect to be surrounded by Majorelle’s famed floral arrangements for the elegant afternoon ritual.
A special Children’s Afternoon Tea menu is also available, with specialty tea sandwiches and treats catering to children’s palates.
AFTERNOON TEA
$125 per person, $155 with glass of Brut Champagne.
IMPERIAL TEA
featuring caviar, $350 per person
CHILDREN’S TEA
$75 per child
HOURS Wednesday–Saturday 12 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. and Sunday from 1 p.m. to 6 p.m.
Reservations are available through opentable.com or by calling 212-935-2888.
THE LOWELL HOTEL
28 E. 63rd Street; lowellhotel.com
THE BLUE BOX CAFÉ AT TIFFANY BY DANIEL BOULUD
Good things come in blue boxes, as evidenced by this charming café located within the Tiffany 5th Avenue flagship store. Tea at Tiffany’s is available throughout the day, featuring jewel-like treats for a fabulously decadent classic high tea. Elegant tea sandwiches, such as lobster rolls and chicken curry, delicious dessert pastries, scones and tea are sure to make for a memorable visit.
AFTERNOON TEA
starts at $98, with Champagne extra
HOURS Monday–Saturday 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Sunday 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Book through resy.com; some tables are also held for walks-ins
BLUE BOX CAFÉ NYC
727 5th Avenue, 6th Floor; blueboxcafenyc.com
TEA WITH A VIEW
Baccarat Hotel New York
Enjoy tea like royalty. Afternoon tea at the Baccarat Hotel sparkles with a number of tea experiences served on glistening crystal. The art of fine tea is celebrated in partnerships with premier tea masters. From the specialty children’s Le Petit Prince Tea designed with young guests in mind to the King Louis V tea enticing diners with caviar and homemade blinis fit for royalty, tea at the Baccarat is sure to shine.
LE PETIT PRINCE TEA is $80
KING LOUIS V, FEATURING CAVIAR, starts at $325
HOURS Monday–Sunday 12 p.m. to 5 p.m.
Reservations released 30 days in advance through sevenrooms.com
BACCARAT HOTEL NEW YORK
28 West 53rd Street; baccarathotels.com
MORGAN CAFÉ AT THE MORGAN LIBRARY & MUSEUM
A short walk from Grand Central Station and tucked inside the brightly lit glass-enclosed central court of the Morgan Library, the Morgan Café offers a full-service menu and a delicious tea. Offerings include sweets like opera cake, scones, clotted cream and tea sandwiches and an array of tea and sparkling beverages. Combine your tea with a visit to the Morgan Library. Tea for two is a great value at $66 with add–ons such as $16 for a glass of sparkling rosé and $42 for a bottle of Perrier Jouet Champagne. Admission to the Morgan Library is not required to visit the Café, but well worth the added visit. Nothing complements a classic afternoon tea like a good Jane Austin novel. Visitors can immerse themselves in artifacts and manuscripts from the author’s Chawton, England, home and discover Jane Austin’s rise from teenager to international fame at the Morgan’s special exhibit A Lively Mind—Jane Austin at 250. The exhibition is open June 6 through September 14.
Admission to the Morgan Library is $25.
No dining reservations are required.
Call for more information or larger parties 212-685-0008 x 589.
HOURS Tuesday–Sunday 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., Friday 11 a.m. to 7:30 p.m.
THE MORGAN LIBRARY & MUSEUM
225 Madison Avenue; themorgan.org
NUBELUZ AT RITZ-CARLTON NEW YORK, NOMAD
On the 50th Floor of the Ritz-Carlton in NoMad, award-winning Chef José Andres’ cocktail destination Nubeluz boasts remarkable 270-degree views of the NYC skyline. Offering classic tea sandwiches, quiche, sweets and caviar add-ons, this lightbox in the sky offers elegant choices for adults and special selections for children like grilled cheese and PB&J tea sandwiches.
HIGH TEA is $130, Children 10 and under $60
HOURS Saturday and Sunday 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Reservations are available through opentable.com.
NUBELUZ AT THE RITZ-CARLTON NEW YORK, NOMAD
50th Floor; nubeluzbyjose.com
TEA IN TOWN
L’ESCALE
Treat yourself to a waterfront tea of refined indulgence at l’escale in Greenwich. Enjoy fine tea, fantastic finger sandwiches and fabulous pastries.
AFTERNOON TEA starts at $75 per person, with a two-person minimum.
Reservations are available by phone at 203-661-4600.
HOURS Tuesday–Thursday 2:30 p.m. and 3 p.m.
L’ESCALE
500 Steamboat Road; lescalerestaurant.com
CADY’S TEA ROOM AT STANTON HOUSE INN
Step back in time at this historic 1843 Greenwich bed and breakfast. Designed by famed architect Stanford White, Stanton House Inn is walking distance from Greenwich Avenue and hosts charming themed teas every Saturday. June’s theme is a celebration of Mamma Mia, and July features A New England Summer Afternoon Tea. Past themes have included Pride and Prejudice and Alice in Wonderland, so check monthly for the next tea experience.
AFTERNOON TEA is $50 per person
HOURS Saturdays 1 to 2 p.m., or schedule your own private tea party.
STANTON HOUSE INN
76 Maple Avenue; stantonhouseinn.com