The world has certainly embraced the English tradition of afternoon tea, where in between lunch and dinner tea is served with a selection of scones, finger sandwiches and sweets. So civilized, no? Afternoon tea is decidedly different from high tea, although the terms are used interchangeably these days in LA. (FYI: High tea traditionally involves more substantive food, like meat, fish and egg dishes in addition to bread and dessert, and is served in the early evening.) Fortunately for us tea lovers, there are a number of places from hotels to tea rooms that offer their version of afternoon tea in Los Angeles. Pinkies up!
Where to Sip Afternoon Tea in Los Angeles
•
Published Apr 7, 2023
1. The Living Room At Peninsula Beverly Hills
- Location: Beverly Hills
- Yelp Rating: 4.5
For a celebratory afternoon tea, head to the elegant Peninsula Beverly Hills hotel. Enjoy savory and sweet bites that include house smoked salmon with caviar followed by creamsicle profiteroles while a live harpist plays a soothing melody. (So classy.) Tea starts at $125 per person and includes a glass of Laurent Perrier Champagne, but you can also add endless bubbles starting from an additional $35.
9882 S. Santa Monica Blvd., Beverly Hills, CA 90212
- Location: Downtown
- Yelp Rating: 3.5
In the basement of The Wayfarer Hotel in downtown LA is Lilly Rose, a gothic bar that is perfect for a whimsical afternoon tea. On Friday to Sunday afternoons, Lilly Rose opens up for afternoon tea service before the bar service begins. The mismatched cups and plates along with neat touches around the room make this the hippest tea service on our list (and probably one of the coolest for the ‘Gram). The scones may be on the smaller side, but Lilly Rose does offer tea infused cocktails, including a fun color changing tequila with butterfly pea tea.
813 Flower St., Los Angeles, CA 90017
- Location: Pasadena
- Yelp Rating: 4
Charming and cozy, Rose Tree Cottage is as British as a proper British tea goes. Dress codes for gentlemen are enforced, afternoon tea is never served before noon and absolutely no photo taking is allowed. Despite all the rules, it’s a cute experience complete with real clotted cream and a butler in a tuxedo serving you. Afternoon tea includes a glass of sparkling elderflower cordial followed by bites that go beyond tea sandwiches, including beef wellington and toad-in-a-hole.
801 S. Pasadena Ave., Pasadena, CA 91105
- Location: Pasadena
- Yelp Rating: 3.5
Tea Rose Garden is a nice escape in busy Old Town Pasadena, offering a place to relax and enjoy a large selection of loose leaf teas and treats. This tearoom offers multiple options for tea service along with various items available a la carte, from scones to salads and full-sized sandwiches. This tearoom is open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., making this the perfect place to extend your teatime with lunch. Tea Rose Garden also sells flower arrangements, so you can expect fresh flowers to adorn the pretty tearoom.
70 N. Raymond Ave., Pasadena, CA 91103
- Location: Sierra Madre
- Yelp Rating: 4
The Four Seasons Tea Room in Sierra Madre is a cozy tearoom that’s been pouring for the San Gabriel Valley community for more than 20 years, thanks to their friendly service and tea options that start from $28. The afternoon tea set includes tea sandwiches and their excellent scones, plus a large selection of teas. They also have shaded outdoor seating in the garden that’s perfectly lovely.
75 N. Baldwin Ave., Sierra Madre, CA 91024
- Location: Santa Monica
- Yelp Rating: 4
This old British pub in Santa Monica is a rather unexpected location for afternoon tea, but they are, after all, British, and this 40-year old landmark is known for more than just pub fare. The loose leaf tea selection is a little limited, but the delicious sausage roll makes this option a little more filling than most teas. The afternoon tea is $35 per person and is available Monday to Saturday. A vegetarian version of the menu is also available.
116 Santa Monica Blvd., Santa Monica, CA 90401
7. The Huntington Rose Garden Tea Room
- Location: San Marino
- Yelp Rating: 3.5
The botanical garden grounds of The Huntington Library are certainly a pleasant way to leisurely enjoy afternoon tea. The Rose Garden Tea Room is currently closed for renovation and will reopen on May 24, and the new menu is set to offer treats like smoked salmon with caviar, banoffee tart, and more. There will also be a high tea option which includes Champagne and even more indulgent bites like lobster salad in phyllo with shaved black truffles.
1151 Oxford Rd., San Marino, CA 91108
- Location: Koreatown
- Yelp Rating: 4.5
This blush pink tearoom in Koreatown became popular thanks to its Instagrammable interior and cute teawares. Rose and Blanc’s savory offerings include the traditional finger sandwiches like smoked salmon with truffle aioli, while the sweeter side rounds out the experience with macarons and cake. Afternoon tea starts at $38 per person and Rose and Blanc sources their teas from a number of famous tea brands around the world.
301 S. Western Ave. #202, Los Angeles, CA 90020
9. The Getty Villa And The Getty Center
- Location: Brentwood, Malibu
- Yelp Rating: 4
In the before times, The Getty Villa in Malibu offered afternoon teas called Tea by the Sea, which was then paused in the pandemic. Now, the afternoon tea offerings have been renewed and are available at both The Getty Center and The Getty Villa. The Garden Tea at The Getty Villa is prepared using ingredients from their authentically recreated first-century Roman herb garden and changes seasonally, while The Getty Center’s tea features house baked scones, finger sandwiches, kouign amann, black truffle madeleines and other treats. The afternoon tea is served in the Founder’s Room at The Getty Villa or the restaurant terrace at The Getty Center.
Multiple locations
- Location: Irvine
- Yelp Rating: 4
We know this one crosses the orange curtain but trust us—it’s worth the drive to check this place out. From the pink Hello Kitty-covered room to the themed setup, this is the perfect teatime for Sanrio lovers. Afternoon tea here is $60 per person and includes strawberries with chocolate whipped cream, a salmon croissant, scones, a Hello Kitty mini cake and more. Just be sure to make a reservation as this place is quite popular!
860 Irvine Center Dr., Irvine, CA 92618
11. Sugarbird Sweets
- Location: Montrose
- Yelp Rating: 5
Sugarbird Sweets used to only offer afternoon tea takeout packages, but they finally landed a brick and mortar location, albeit it’s a small cafe with only outdoor seating. They’re currently offering a casual afternoon tea. Guests can order a pot of tea with their scones—some of the best in LA—with vanilla clotted cream and have the option to add a tea sandwich and cheese box. Sugarbird Sweets will set up the sandwiches and cheese in a tiered tray that guests can enjoy in the courtyard.
3405 Ocean View Blvd., Glendale, CA 91208
- Location: West Hollywood
- Yelp Rating: 3.5
The London West Hollywood offers afternoon tea every Saturday and Sunday complete with live music from a harpist. For $84 per person, guests can choose from a selection of tea from Rare Tea Company and enjoy them with curry chicken profiterole, roast beef pumpernickel sandwich and more. There’s also an array of sweets which include a Battenburg sponge cake with apricot jam.
1020 N. San Vicente Blvd., West Hollywood, CA 90069
13. The Maybourne Beverly Hills
- Location: Beverly Hills
- Yelp Rating: 4
The Maybourne Hotel in Beverly Hills serves afternoon tea at The Terrace featuring a selection of teas from the Rare Tea Company. The afternoon tea is a splurge at $125 per person but comes with a glass of Laurent-Perrier Champagne and an amuse bouche of grilled lobster (oh la la) in addition to the traditional afternoon tea offerings. The Tahitian vanilla scone is served with clotted cream and strawberry jam, and is perfectly delicious.
225 N. Canon Dr., Beverly Hills, CA 90210
14. The Cat & Fiddle
- Location: Hollywood
- Yelp Rating: 4.5
This British pub has been a Los Angeles staple since 1982 and they have recently launched an afternoon tea service, available on Saturdays and Sundays. Reservations are required for the $38 tea service, which includes tea sandwiches, a savory sausage roll and orange glazed scones with clotted cream. Finish with a tray of sweets, including a cute shortbread cookie shaped like a cat.
742 N. Highland Ave., Hollywood, CA 90038
- Location: Pasadena
- Yelp Rating: 3.5
The long-awaited return of The Langham’s afternoon tea service has finally arrived. The afternoon tea is available on Friday through Sunday for $75 per person. Find elevated tea sandwiches like turmeric egg salad with Thai basil, prosciutto di Parma with kumquat relish and mozzarella, and more. The desserts include a yuzu meringue, strawberry lychee macaron, among others. Guests can also upgrade their experience with a glass of sparkling wine.
1401 S. Oak Knoll Ave., Pasadena, CA 91106
16. Ritz-Carlton Laguna Niguel
- Location: Dana Point
- Yelp Rating: 4.7
While the Ritz-Carlton Laguna Niguel in Dana Point only serves afternoon tea during select times of the year, it happens frequently enough that you can plan ahead. They’re currently offering a Spring Par-tea at RAYA, whimsically decorated with giant flowers. The savory bites include a mini Maine lobster roll and black tea deviled egg, while the desserts are made with the same Palais des Thes tea selection. The afternoon tea returns for Mother’s Day, the fall season, and major holidays.
One Ritz Carlton Dr., Dana Point, CA 92629
- Location: Santa Monica
- Yelp Rating: 4
The Fairmont Miramar hotel is launching their first afternoon tea service on April 8. The tea service will be available every Saturday and Sunday at 3 p.m. at $95 per person, and will be served in the Library and out on the Ocean Terrace. Among the bites promised on the upcoming menu are savory crab roll with Old Bay aioli, profiteroles with chocolate and sea salt caramel and traditional scones served with clotted cream. Yum.
101 Wilshire Blvd., Santa Monica, CA 90401