There is little I like more than a good cup of tea and a scone. Maybe a pot of tea. And some pastries. And some sandwiches. What can I say, I love afternoon tea! And no matter what you call it, high tea or afternoon tea in Philadelphia is a delightful experience. While the city isn’t saturated in tea spots, there are a few doing it really well and in a special way to suit your style. You can enjoy the formal afternoon tea experience or have a simpler, more relaxing tea time.
Here are five favorite spots for afternoon tea in Philadelphia!
Rittenhouse Hotel
Anyone looking to experience the poshest afternoon tea in Philadelphia needs to look no further than the Rittenhouse Hotel. But you don’t need to check in for afternoon tea. The luxury hotel is located in a quiet corner of the green and leafy Rittenhouse Square and is impressive any day of the week. But their afternoon tea service in their Mary Cassatt Tea Room is truly top rate.
Visitors can indulge in their afternoon tea own proprietary tea blends, sophisticated bites of food on the finest of China, and soak in the sounds of the harp. (Did I mention there’s a harp player? Because there’s a harp player.) All of this in along with a view of their small enclosed garden courtyard.
The chefs at the Rittenhouse Hotel also impress with their culinary works as do the wait staff, who provide impeccable service. If you want to be waited on hand and foot, this is the place for afternoon tea in Philadelphia.
Rittenhouse Hotel, 210 W Rittenhouse Square, Philadelphia, PA
A Taste of Britain
Anglophiles will absolutely love A Taste of Britain. Tucked in a quiet corner of a shopping center just off of busy Route 30 in Wayne, ATOB embodies a traditional tearoom with its bright, cheery, and cozy atmosphere. It’s the kind of comfortable, friendly spot for afternoon tea in Philadelphia that welcomes you and you never want to leave.
While there are plenty of tearoom favorites on the menu (their Cornish pasty is a favorite of mine!), let’s be honest, we’re here for the afternoon tea. And you won’t be disappointed by A Taste of Britain’s afternoon tea. In addition to the traditional plain or fruit scones, ATOB offers a range of flavors as well as a large selection of teas, many their own blend. Add in delightful finger sandwiches and perfectly petite pastries for a lovely afternoon tea experience.
ATOB also has a well-stocked shop right up front full of British sweets, trinkets, teas, and other British groceries that can be hard to find elsewhere. My husband loves the black pudding!
A Taste of Britain, 503 Lancaster Ave, Wayne, PA
The Dandelion
The Dandelion channels a hip, cool English pub from the second you step inside its doors right off Rittenhouse Square. While the Stephen Starr restaurant specializes in English food from fish and chips to the traditional Sunday roast. And they offer a special afternoon tea time sandwiched between lunch and dinner. The special meal offering is more than just the standard afternoon tea but also other light British-inspired bites.
The Dandelion’s afternoon tea is a bit more casual but that doesn’t mean it’s any less special. They offer options for full tea (sandwiches, scones, and sweets) or only a portion of the courses, all of which are intended to serve more than one. The food is paired with tea from teapigs.
Because of the pub atmosphere, with a bar downstairs, the Dandelion can be loud. If you’re looking for a relaxing afternoon tea, this may not be the spot, but it certainly has character! Be sure to visit in winter and try to get a seat upstairs next to the fireplace.
The Dandelion, 124 S 18th St, Philadelphia, PA
Safa
Tucked away in Philadelphia’s Manayunk neighborhood is a tea secret: Safa Teahouse. Open since 2018, the Persian teahouse doesn’t offer what you might consider as being a typical afternoon tea in Philadelphia. It is a comfortable and welcoming teahouse with personal service.
Safa offers a large tea menu with a variety of blends of all kinds. I recommend their Persian blend, a rather dark black tea blend that is sweetened with safron rock candy. Their menu is full of delicious eats like Persian pastries, baklava, and specialty wraps. Everything is a la carte and you can order casually.
Safa, 4165 Main St, Philadelphia, PA
Prince Tea House
In the heart of Chinatown, the Prince Tea House offers a fun and colorful spot for afternoon tea in Philadelphia. Start off by ordering a drink from their large tea menu, which includes varieties of milk teas that can be cold or hot. Then add lunch fare, like sandwiches or salads, or just skip to the sweet treats. On the menu are indulgent dessert options like molten lava cake, mille-feuilles, or New York-style cheesecake. They even keep the tea flavors rolling with green tea mille-feuilles crepe cake or green tea brûlée. The tea house offers online ordering so you can take your tea party on the road: go home or even head to the park!
Prince Tea House, 203 North 9th St, Philadelphia, PA
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All photos, as well as all opinions, are my own. This post contains affiliate links.
Yah k you for your recommendation. Will put these on my list for next Philly trip
Great article! Thanks for sharing these restaurants!