Looking for an elegant afternoon tea? Boston is home to the notorious Boston Tea Party, so we’ve well more than made up for the 342 dumped chests by welcoming many refined afternoon tea spots to the city, even including the Boston Tea Party Ships & Museum-where you can take your own swig at dropping tea into the Boston Harbor (with a pulley of course).
But today, we’re more interested in enjoying the high tea Boston has to offer alongside some incredible sweet and savory bites. Not to mention, the interior of some of these restaurants resembles the grown-up life size version of your favorite dollhouse. Read on for the prettiest and most delicious spots to grab afternoon tea in Boston!
1. Boston Public Library, Back Bay
Two of Boston’s best kept secrets, The Courtyard Tea Room & Map Room Tea Lounge at Boston Public Library. Here you’ll find not one, but two distinct tea rooms, once with a pristine elevated bright white and crystal setting, the other offering a homegrown rustic, speakeasy ambiance. There are 21 teas to sample and a delcious menu featuring options such as Strawberry Matcha Cupcakes and mini lobster rolls!
Find it at 230 Dartmouth Street, Boston MA 02116
2. Boston Tea Party Museum, Seaport
Visit Abigail’s Tea Room at the Boston Tea Party Museum for a historic, immersive experience. Named after, wife of John Adams and mother of John Quincy Adams, Abigail was such a force and invaluable member of Boston she had the nickname “Mrs. President.” Here you’ll sample 5 curated teas and sweet treats served by ladies in colonial dress.
Boston Tea Party Ships & Museum, 306 Congress St, Boston, MA 02210
3. Trifecta at Four Seasons One Dalton, Back Bay
Elegance is in the nature of high tea, but the Trifecta at the Four Seasons naturally takes this to a whole new level. An indulgent experience, you’re in for an extravagant high tea here. Snack on elevated bites like foie gras choux with caramelized banana or zante currant poppy seed scones with citron curd and Devonshire cream! Wash it all down with 8 exquisite teas from J’enway Tea Co, including the Four Seasons Boston exclusive: One Dalton Black.
Find Trifecta at One Dalton St., Boston
4. Fancy That Tea Room, Walpole
This team room offers just enough kitsch to resemble your dream dollhouse turned into reality. It’s a 42-minute drive from the city, but the floral-dressed everything, adorable animal shaped macarons, and vintage vibes are a charm you can’t get anywhere else. and Guests here don’t play- come in your biggest ballgown or even in character, you’ll truly get lost in the experience and flavors. Fancy that?
Find Fancy That at 272 Main St, Walpole 02081
5. Inn at Hastings Park, Lexington
Known for its Halloween high tea, the Inn at Hastings Park in Lexington offers recurring classic tea and other spirited themed teas throughout the year to enjoy as well! Set in the historic town, just about 15 minutes driving from Cambridge, this unassuming inn not only has some of the best high tea around, but the restaurant and inn landed themselves on several “best in America” lists over the years. With an organic garden right behind the inn, the farm-to-table tea is astoundingly fresh!
Find the Inn at Hastings Park at 2027 Massachusetts Avenue Lexington, MA 02421
6. Ladyfinger Lounge, Newburyport
Bring your appetite, but more importantly, bring your camera! The blush pink velvet scallop chairs, floral wallpaper and gold accents make the perfect backdrop for an afternoon tea photoshoot. Set inside Newburyport’s Garrison Inn, Ladyfinger Lounge is proud to be pink! Even the handkerchiefs here are arranged to look like roses, and if that much thought goes into the hand towels, well, we’re sure you can imagine the amount of detail in the food and beverage. They also have a white tearoom that is equally as stunning!
Find it at 11 Brown Sq, Newburyport, MA 01950