The English tradition of taking a midday pause to refuel with crustless sandwiches, warm scones, and freshly brewed tea is alive and well in Los Angeles. From posh establishments that follow formalities to local spots that hit all the cozy notes, here now are 16 lovely places for afternoon tea in Los Angeles this holiday season.
Read More16 Posh Places for Festive Afternoon Tea in Los Angeles
‘Tis the season for dainty sandwiches, freshly brewed tea, and pinkies up
Fairmont Miramar - Hotel & Bungalows
Priced at $95 per person, afternoon high tea service takes place in the hotel’s Library and Ocean Terrace every Saturday and Sunday at noon and 3 p.m. Chef Damon Gordon’s menu balances old and new traditions, with crab, cucumber, and smoked salmon sandwiches; profiteroles with chocolate and sea salt caramel; and traditional scones with clotted cream, lemon curd, and house-made preserves. Reservations are required via Fairmont Miramar’s website or Resy.
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Ye Olde King's Head
This beachside British pub hosts tea Monday through Saturday from 11:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. The $35 menu covers all the basics from sandwiches to scones and tea. For those who don’t want to commit to the whole shebang, the pub also offers a la carte options.
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The Peninsula Beverly Hills
It doesn’t get more luxurious than afternoon tea in the Living Room inside the Peninsula Beverly Hills. Prices start at $125 per person and include finger sandwiches, pastries, and scones with clotted cream, along with an option for free-flowing Champagne. Tea is served Monday through Sunday at 11 a.m., 1:30 p.m., and 4 p.m. Reservations are available here.
Additionally, the hotel is hosting a weekends-only “tea party” on the Belvedere Terrace every Saturday and Sunday featuring a DJ, eclectic and antique China and glassware, floral-themed cocktails, tea sandwiches, and more. It’s priced at $85.
The Culver Hotel
The Culver Hotel hosts afternoon tea from 10 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. every Saturday at its California-French restaurant Lillie’s. The $55 per person menu by chef Diana Khngikyan features house-made pastries and confections, alongside a selection of savory tea sandwiches ranging from classic (cucumber and watercress, egg salad) to creative (lavender ricotta crostini).
The London West Hollywood
The Sitting Room at the London hosts afternoon tea service on Saturday and Sunday from 12:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. The service costs $84 per person, or $42 for those under 12. The hotel works closely with Henrietta Lovell, the founder of the Rare Tea Company, to stay true to the British tradition. A live harpist plays on Sundays, and reservations are required.
Chado Tea Room
Chado serves tea daily from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. with prices starting at $29 per person. The shop takes its teas seriously, with more than 200 varieties to choose from. Food options include smoked salmon and chicken sandwiches, cakes, and scones. Additional locations can be found in Little Tokyo, Hollywood, and Torrance.
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The Cat & Fiddle Pub & Restaurant
Head to the 40-year-old Cat & Fiddle for a laidback afternoon tea with all the trimmings. Held on Saturdays and Sundays from noon to 4 p.m., tea service is priced at $38 per person and includes a trio of classic sandwiches (roast beef, curried egg salad, and cucumber), a sausage roll, orange-glazed scones, and a handful of sweets. Reservations are required.
Rose & Blanc Tea Room & Venue
It’s hard to resist Koreatown’s hyper-femme Rose & Blanc Tea Room. Gather a gaggle of girlfriends and settle in for cucumber and dill tea sandwiches, macaroons, scones, and more. Tea service starts at $29 per person and is served on Saturday and Sunday starting at noon. Reservations are required. Tea service is also available for takeout.
Valerie Confections
The Glendale manufactory for Valerie Confections hosts afternoon tea service every Saturday at 1 p.m. and 3 p.m. The $75 menu includes fresh-baked scones and cream, finger sandwiches, chocolates, petits fours, and tea. Check the website for the latest dates.
Biltmore Los Angeles
With its Moorish carved-wood ceilings, marble fountain, and breathtaking Baroque stairwell, the Rendezvous Court at the historic Millennium Biltmore is quite the place to sip tea and nosh on finger sandwiches. Following a pandemic-related pause, the hotel is resuming tea service on select weekends throughout the year: December 30, January 6, 13, 20, and 27, and February 3, 10, 17, and 24. Reservations are available here.
The T Room
One of the most affordable options for afternoon tea is the T Room in Montrose. The family-run operation offers tea service for $32, which includes lingonberry chicken sandwiches, warm scones, and plenty of pastries. The tea room is open seven days a week from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Monday through Friday and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday.
Dream Come True Tea & Party Room
Kids and adults alike will have a ball at Dream Come True Tea & Party Room located in Bixby Knolls. The tea room is open Thursday through Sunday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and requires reservations. Appetites of all sizes will be satisfied with options to order a la carte or a set menu. The tea for two includes scones with clotted cream and jam, salad or soup, sandwiches, fruit, desserts, and two pots of tea for $57.
Rose Tree Cottage
Pasadena’s Rose Tree Cottage serves one of the kitschiest and most charming teas in town. Cucumber sandwiches, scones with Devonshire clotted cream, and sticky toffee pudding are all meticulously served by a suited butler. Dress codes for gentlemen are politely enforced. Tea is served only on Saturdays & Sundays at 1 p.m. and 4 p.m.; reservations are taken by telephone a week in advance.
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The Langham Pasadena
With lovely views of San Marino and the hotel’s Horseshoe Garden, afternoon tea at the Langham is the perfect place to relax and enjoy the daintier things in life. On the $75 menu ($40 per child under 12), which is served from Thursday through Sunday from 10 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., is a plethora of sandwiches (chicken salad, egg salad, cucumber, and more), desserts like a sticky toffee pudding, and scones served with lemon curd and Devonshire cream.
The Huntington Library, Art Museum, and Botanical Gardens
Following a three-year closure and an 18-month, $11.2 million renovation, the Rose Garden Tea Room at the Huntington Library, Art Museum, and Botanical Gardens is finally reopened. The tea room offers two menus: Traditional Tea ($62) and Huntington Tea ($75). The latter menu includes everything on the Traditional Tea menu along with a glass of sparkling wine and a lobster salad with shaved black truffles. Admission to the Huntington Library, Art Museum, and Botanical Gardens is required for entry.
Callisto Tea House
Pasadena’s understated Callisto Tea House serves two options for afternoon tea service on Saturdays and Sundays from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. The standard menu is priced at $27.50 and includes three savory vegan toasts, a scone with cream and jam, a cupcake, and a pot of tea. For parties of two, Callisto prepares a $65 menu with gong fu service. It includes everything on the regular afternoon tea menu plus traditional Chinese tea service where tea is brewed twice at the table in a small clay pot. Reservations are recommended.