Afternoon Delight: Where to Tea in L.A.
By Whitney Moore, Citysearch Contributor
Afternoon tea is no longer reserved for stuffy old ladies or once-a-year occasions. That's because L.A. is turning over a new (tea) leaf and there's something for everyone. From modern takes at cool downtown haunts to tried-and-true renditions at haute hotels and cozy cottages, it's high time for tea.
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Clementine
1751 Ensley Ave, Los Angeles, CA
**EDITOR PICK** A local favorite, this laidback neighborhood cafe happens to do one of L.A.'s best afternoon teas. Assigned tables are decked in white linens, awaiting tea-goers with pristine china. It all comes together when guests delve into perfectly selected finger sandwiches, melt-in-your-mouth scones with homemade cream and lemon curd, gourmet desserts and heavenly truffles. Thursdays 3pm-5pm, $19, reservations required. -
Hwa Sun Ji Tea & Coffee
3960 Wilshire Blvd, Los Angeles, CA
**EDITOR PICK** This one-of-a-kind tea house will transport you far from the familiarity of a Starbucks chai soy latte and into a new tea adventure. Choose an exotic flavor like the sweet and creamy walnut tea or light and floral lover's tea accompanied with an intriguing Korean snack plate filled with persimmon rolls, fried walnut balls and rice cookies. There's also a traditional tea ceremony for reservations of groups of 10 or more for just $10-$12 per person. -
Jin Patisserie
1202 Abbot Kinney Blvd, Venice, CA
Known for its artsy Asian-inspired pastries and fine chocolates, this Zen-like garden also offers a petite afternoon tea throughout the day complete with egg salad sandwiches, homemade scones, butter cake and a miniature sampling of desserts. Reservations not necessary, $19. -
Ingrid's French Cafe
9861 S Santa Monica Blvd, Beverly Hills, CA
Proving that the British aren't the only ones who know how to tea, this romantic French cafe offers a Parisian take on the afternoon ritual ($10-$30). Although similar to the British version, this tea provides additions like cinnamon tea croissants and tasty tea cakes. Monday through Saturday from 3pm-5pm, reservations recommended. -
Descanso Gardens
1418 Descanso Dr, La Canada, CA
Think high tea and sushi have nothing in common? Think again. At this tranquil garden escape, guests can relax under the shade of the Blue Moon tea house while sipping Japanese teas accompanied by miso soup, teriyaki chicken sandwiches and a selection of sushi rolls and Asian desserts. Daily seatings at 1pm and 3pm. Reservations required, $19.50. -
Pacific Dining Car
1310 West 6th St, Los Angeles, CA
Angelenos have been coming to this swanky 24-hour eatery for juicy steaks and 2am breakfasts for over 80 years, but how about tea? This downtown staple does indeed do a fine afternoon tea, complete with finger sandwiches, scones, petite fours and complimentary sherry ($19.95). Daily 3pm-5:30pm, reservations recommended.
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Rose Tree Cottage
828 E California Blvd, Pasadena, CA
**EDITOR PICK** Looking for the quintessential afternoon tea experience in L.A.? This cozy cottage exudes British authenticity at every turn, including owner Edmund (a London native) and his wife Mary, who overlook no detail in making sure guests have the most pleasant and traditional tea encounter in the city. Placing on national tea room lists and frequented by such royal visitors as the Duchess of York and Prince Charles himself (!), this tea room truly lives up to the hype, even after 30 years in business. Reservations required, $32. -
High Tea Cottage
21938 Costanso St, Woodland Hills, CA
**EDITOR PICK** This elegant cottage hidden along a Topanga Canyon side street makes for a special afternoon with a far-away feel. The space brims with refined touches (all meals are served on the owner's personal china), yet there aren't any distracting frills and whistles. Choose from one of the afternoon British teas, or take advantage of the owner’s intercontinental travels and try the Australian or French versions instead. Hint: Ask to sit on the secluded patio enclosed by an ivy-draped wall for a real afternoon getaway. Reservations recommended, $24-$39. -
Vintage Tea Leaf
969 E Broadway, Long Beach, CA
Just a block from the beach, this Long Beach favorite embodies every girl's tea party dream with handpicked china, velveteen chairs and vintage dress-up hats. Enjoy one of the tiered afternoon teas or enjoy a lighter salad or soup luncheon with seasonal scones. You can even put on a feather boas or princess crown for an ultra-frou frou touch. Reservations recommended, $11-$30. -
Scarlet Tea Room
18 W Green St, Pasadena, CA
This Old Town Pasadena tea parlor is a classic with white linen-clad tables, crystal chandeliers and draping red velvet curtains. Afternoon tea offers the Scarlet signature sorbet and strawberries romanoff in addition to scones, cream, petite desserts and gourmet sandwiches like brie, walnut and watercress or prosciutto with roasted red peppers. Prefer something after hours? There's also a dinner tea with almond champagne and fresh berries. Reservations recommended, $29-$38. -
Gilded Rose Manor
17114 Devonshire St, Northridge, CA
This giant purple manor is impossible to miss and sets a grandiose mood for a romantic Victorian-style afternoon. Offering the standard tiered English teas as well as a la carte breakfast and lunch menus ($13-$27), this nostalgic spot is ideal for a fun, genteel time. Reservations recommended. -
Chado Tea Room
8422 1/2 W Third Street, Los Angeles, CA
Just a few blocks from the Beverly Center bustle, this 3rd Street cafe is where shoppers go for a calm, casual reprieve from the crazy consumer crawl. Choose from the shop's collection of hundreds of teas and enjoy the traditional afternoon tea of toasted sandwiches, scones and cream, pastries and cookies. Better still, if you can't make it to this Westside spot, check out the other locales in Old Town Pasadena and downtown at the Japanese American National Museum. No reservations required, $18.
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The Living Room - Peninsula Beverly Hills
9882 S Santa Monica Blvd, Beverly Hills, CA
Decked in lavish antique furniture (there's even a classical harpist), this afternoon tea exudes both refinement and comfort. Take in the ambiance over tea with scones and pastries ($19) or indulge in complete regality with the full set including champagne and caviar cakes ($49). Reservations recommended. -
Hotel Bel-Air Dining Room
701 Stone Canyon Rd, Bel-Air, CA
Yes, an afternoon at this posh palace is a splurge at $48, but as one of L.A.'s most renowned tea spots, you'll experience special touches like luscious hand-dipped strawberries and bubbling champagne. Reservations recommended. -
The Rendezvous Court - The Millennium Biltmore Hotel
506 S Grand Ave, Los Angeles, CA
Held in the hotel's historic Rendezvous Court, this relaxing tea offers a variety of sets ranging from light Princess tea with elegant desserts ($22) to the grandiose Victorian tea with Laurent Perrier champagne ($45). Reservations required. -
Gordon Ramsay at the London Hotel
1020 N San Vicente Blvd, West Hollywood, CA
Where better to delight in British sophistication than at the new London Hotel restaurant run by England's most notorious chef? Reservations recommended, $28.
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Le Palais Des Thes
401 N Canon Dr, Beverly Hills, CA
**EDITOR PICK** Think you know fine teas? You ain't seen nothing yet if you haven't made it to this spot that is truly the creme de la creme of tea shops in L.A. (or possibly anywhere). This France-based tea shop offers only the most refined loose leaf teas on the market. Delight in the beauty of the loose leaf teas infused with dried fruits, colorful flowers and Asian ‘pearl’ buds; sniff your way through rich chai teas, earthy greens, and delicate white teas from around the world, all beautifully packaged and vacuum sealed. After sampling the complimentary daily brews, you'll never look at your Tazo boxed tea bags the same again. -
Rooibos Tea House
533 N Fairfax Ave, Los Angeles, CA
**EDITOR PICK** Unlike other chain stores touting the latest teas, this Fairfax Village hideout is where you'll likely be greeted by the owner Nira herself, welcoming you into her warm African-inspired sanctuary. While personally mixing you a signature roobios tea drink, she'll describe the healing powers of the exotic African root--you will leave feeling rejuvenated, relaxed and likely with a handfuls of exquisite rooibos teas, snacks, and beauty products. -
Dr. Tea's Tea Garden & Herbal Emporium
8612 Melrose Ave, West Hollywood, CA
It may be right in the middle of the Melrose bustle, but this hidden find offers a surprisingly spacious Zen garden and lots of tea refreshments. Sample one of the brewed teas or tonics in the calm and secluded garden, then stroll through the front store to stock up on take-home goodies. Note: Try one of the decadent 'craving teas' like caramel dream or blueberry pie and see if they really do curb your sweet cravings (if not, their sweet little tea cakes may do the trick). -
Wing Hop Fung Ginseng Incorporated
727 N Broadway, Los Angeles, CA
Take a trip to Chinatown and venture through this two-story market where you can gawk at rows of gnarled ginseng root, sniff fragrant loose leaf herbs and sort through endless piles of foreign Asian teas. -
T (Tea Shoppe) - Farmers Market
6333 W Third St, Los Angeles, CA
This small stall tucked away in a corner of the Original Farmers Market is where folks can peruse more than a hundred exotic teas from China, Japan and India all at those reasonable farmers' market prices. -
Bird Pick Tea and Herb
10 South De Lacey, Pasadena, CA
This bright Old Town Pasadena shop is full of glass jars brimming with enticing teas and herbs from around the world. Sidle up to the bar where you can sample tea drinks and house specialties while browsing the exotic merchandise. -
Urth Caffe
8565 Melrose Ave, West Hollywood, CA
Celeb-sitings aside, this buzzing fresh-food cafe is also stocked with a great selection of traditional and organic teas to enjoy in the calm of your own home (where you don't have to wait in line for a table).
