NYC Review: The “Berry” Best Afternoon Tea
Written by Michelle Manis
Imagine being so much of an “it girl” that an entire nation develops a centuries long (and going strong) tradition after you, merely because you were feeling a bit peckish before dinner time. Shoutout to Anna, the seventh Duchess of Bedford, because in 1840 she was THAT girl who created the tradition of afternoon tea. Afternoon tea, aka high tea, just happens to be right next to brunch in my “favorite food oriented activities list” so if you read our brunch article (The Berry Best Brunch in NYC), you’d know that’s pretty high up there and definitely one of my favorites. Enjoying a nice pot of tea over the cutest mini sandwiches, scones, and clotted cream is my definition of the perfect afternoon. Sometimes, it’s hard to find places that are as tasty as the authentic English tea experience, so I’ve been on the hunt for the perfect local afternoon tea. Luckily, I’ve found some great spots for you to enjoy this English tradition right here in New York City! So grab a drink (bonus points for tea) and read along, cheers!
Prince Tea House’s French-Asian take on afternoon tea is very impressive– from the homage to the British equipped with a 3-tiered cake stand and lots of tasty treats to enjoy. They have a wide selection of teas that you really can’t go wrong with, but my personal favorite is the Prince Passion Tea which is sweet with notes of peach, mango, and orange. Their finger sandwiches and scones with clotted cream tasted just like what you would enjoy in a tea parlor in London. Whenever I’m feeling nostalgic and I miss my semester abroad in London, I always head to Prince Tea House. At only $30-40 a person it is the most affordable afternoon tea experience that I’ve found in NYC. P.S. their desserts are spectacular!
If you’re looking for an authentic British afternoon tea experience, this English spot is as close to the British experience as it gets! For $50 a person, you can enjoy their comfort food and afternoon tea all day! With a selection of finger sandwiches, cakes, scones with clotted cream and jam and a pot of English tea, Tea & Sympathy is the real deal. They also serve an amazing Sunday roast if you’d like to try another delicious English tradition. There’s a shop right next store that sells goods imported straight from England conveniently located for when you try their scones and clotted cream and get so blown away you have to run next store 5 minutes before they close to ensure that you’re taking home a bottle for yourself… okay yes, I just called myself out, but speaking from experience here, trust me you won’t be disappointed!
Where tourist buses meet afternoon tea. Yup that’s right, for $64 a person you can enjoy an afternoon tea experience on wheels and get to see some of NYC’s favorite sites at the same time! A very efficient and touristy way to get your afternoon tea in, but nonetheless, a unique and fun take on the tradition plus a 90 minute experience with a tour guide and a performance. With pretty pink upholstery, the bus is the perfect place to get cute pictures with friends or enjoy the perfect afternoon date. This touristy experience is native New Yorker approved!
These are just some of my favorite places for afternoon tea–for some honorable mentions click here! I hope this list helped you find your next favorite tea spot and/or I hope I made at least one “coffee only” person want to try to venture out and taste some tea.
Be Well,
Michelle
Sources
“Swan London.” Swan London Bar & Restaurant, 25 Sept. 2022, swanlondon.co.uk/brief-history-of-afternoon-tea/#:~:text=The%20concept%20of%20Afternoon%20Tea,time%20between%20lunch%20and%20dinner. Accessed 1 Feb. 2024.
