The Best Afternoon Tea in NYC! 17 Lovely Locations to Try in 2023!

If you’re looking for the best afternoon tea in NYC, then you’re going to find all my favorite spots on this list… So stay tuned!

I mean, is there anything better than scones, cream, sandwiches, and sweet treats? Sometimes you’re just totally in the mood for afternoon tea, and nothing else will hit the spot.

If you’re heading to the Big Apple and want a taste of England while you’re there, this list of places for afternoon tea in NYC is here to help!

Not only will we run through a few well-known spots, but we’ll reveal hidden gems that you’ll love too.

From themed afternoon teas to gorgeous tea rooms in fancy hotels, we’ve got something for everyone on our list of places for afternoon tea in NYC.

Now let’s dig in!

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First on our list of amazing places for afternoon tea in NYC, we have The Gallery at the Carlyle.

Now, we’ll be real and say that afternoon tea in NYC doesn’t get much fancier or more delicious than this.

Not only is the décor glorious (it’s inspired by Turkey’s Topkapi Palace!), but the food is upscale and traditional.

Although you’ll find far-flung teas on offer, the finger sandwiches, Devonshire scones, and sweets are all British-inspired!

And hey, nothing beats that classic tiered treat stand if you’re on the hunt for places for afternoon tea in NYC!

Read more NYC food recommendations: What is the best bakery in NYC?

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The next spot on our rundown of the best places for afternoon tea in NYC is Tea & Sympathy!

This is probably one of the top places for afternoon tea in NYC if you appreciate a proper British cuppa.

And freshly-baked cakes, scones (with clotted cream!), and homemade tea blends, of course!

We appreciate just how British this spot is, as they even have an adjoining gift shop that stocks authentic treats.

That includes crisps, British chocolate, and even bags of scone mix if you want to recreate the experience at home!

So, it’s easy to see why this is one of the best places for afternoon tea in NYC, right?

Although it’s slightly pricey (and more for prosecco!), it’s entirely worth shelling out for.

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The Plaza Hotel has long been regarded as one of the most upscale spots in NYC.

I mean, it’s even been used as a movie set in NYC for several incredible scenes as it’s just that gorgeous.

But did you know that it’s also one of the best places for afternoon tea in NYC?

Part of what makes The Palm Court one of the top places for afternoon tea is the atmosphere and the décor.

This place is beautiful and incredibly grand (which is reflected in the high cost of the tea itself!).

While you’re here, you’ll enjoy everything from dainty finger sandwiches and quiches to scones with homemade jams!

Oh, and a selection of sweets and pastries like Victoria Sponge cakes and Battenberg cakes.

The tea is served daily between 2 pm and 6 pm, but we recommend trying to get in mid-afternoon.

Next on our list of the best places for afternoon tea in NYC – it’s The Grand Salon at the Baccarat Hotel!

This Midtown gem is utterly luxurious and literally feels as though you’re dining in an old-fashioned palace.

Not only are the teas here selected by an expert Tea Sommelier (yep, it’s a real thing!), but the scones are so fluffy.

Plus, you can’t go wrong with their glorious clotted cream if you’re looking for places for afternoon tea in NYC!

If the food itself wasn’t enough to convince you to visit, you’re bound to be blown away by the stunning crystal tea stands.

Seriously, Instagram won’t know what hit it!

Image credit: https://www.baccarathotels.com/

This is another afternoon tea in NYC, located at The Grand Salon at the Baccarat Hotel!

If you’re traveling with kiddos, then their Le Petit Prince afternoon tea is going to be an absolute hit with your little ones.

You can order the kid-friendly Le Petit Prince menu alongside your own afternoon tea, and it’s so cute!

Read more NYC ideas: 60 free and cheap things to do in NYC

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If you’ve been searching for places for afternoon tea in NYC, look no further than the BG Restaurant.

Everyone knows that Bergdorf Goodman is a godsend for shoppers, but we also adore its afternoon tea.

Serving everything from adorable tea sandwiches to perfect scones with homemade preserves – you can’t beat it.

Oh, and did we mention the amazing views of Central Park that you’ll get from virtually every angle?

Yep, there’s a reason it’s one of the best places for afternoon tea in NYC!

If you’re visiting during the fall months, you’ll even be able to catch the glorious foliage falling from every tree.

Next on my list of the best places for afternoon tea in NYC, is the ‘Tea Around Town’ bus tour.

This is a bus tour… and an afternoon tea, all in one. Listen, food-wise it might not be one of the highest-scoring afternoon tea in NYC. But, saying that, it’s the only afternoon tea in NYC that is also onboard a tour bus!

So for uniqueness and fun, this place scores HIGH!

This is such a fun way to spend the afternoon, and it’s one of the most unique things you can do in the city!

Enjoy your afternoon tea in NYC, and enjoy some of those amazing views of the city too! What’s not to love?

Read more NYC food recommendations: Top 15 upscale restaurants in NYC

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Are you on the hunt for the best afternoon tea in NYC but want to stick around Brooklyn?

Well, you’ll absolutely love Brooklyn High Low.

Although you don’t get long to enjoy your tea (between 75 and 90 minutes), you can certainly put away plenty of food.

There are 3 different dining experiences available, but each of them offers bottomless tea and a stand of treats.

And don’t worry – you’ll get plenty of finger sandwiches, scones, and sweets to go around the table!

Plus, you honestly can’t go wrong with the vintage interior and uber-plush antique chairs.

You just won’t want to leave when your slot is up – and that’s why it’s among the best places for afternoon tea in NYC!

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Next up on our list of the best afternoon tea in NYC, it’s Prince Tea House in the East Village.

This is such a cute location for afternoon tea in NYC, and I think you’ll love it.

With indoor and outdoor dining, and a selection of amazing teas, this place is such a special choice for afternoon tea in NYC.

The afternoon tea here is served to perfection. When it arrives, you’ll be so eager to dig in (because it looks like the epitome of deliciousness!).

Read more about NYC food: The best brunch in NYC – 15 places to try!

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Next up on our bumper list of places for afternoon tea in NYC, we have Lady Mendl’s Tea Salon!

This spot is tucked away in Gramercy Park and is super chic and relaxing (great for escaping the metropolis!).

This is a place for afternoon tea in NYC that offers an incredible 5 courses with tea, sandwiches, scones, and petit fours.

In short, you’ll get the works.

Throw in the plush armchairs, excellent service, soft music, and general relaxed vibes? Well, it’s easy to see why it’s one of our top places for afternoon tea in NYC!

My next choice for afternoon tea in NYC, is the lovely afternoon tea at The Pembroke Room.

Located on the Upper East Side, by Central Park, this is one of the most traditional and luxurious choices for afternoon tea in NYC.

In fact, afternoon tea at The Pembroke Room has even been voted the best afternoon tea in NYC!

Afternoon tea is served Wednesday – Sunday from 2PM – 6PM.

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No list of places for afternoon tea in NYC would be complete without the wonderful Whitby Bar afternoon tea!

We love how colorful this place is, and it offers slightly different treats from what you might find elsewhere.

In addition to traditional British scones, ginger cakes, and finger sandwiches, you’ll get a few macarons!

Oh, and everything is served on top-quality china that’ll make you feel as though you’re dining at Buckingham Palace.

If you want to dial up your experience, this is one of the places for afternoon tea in NYC that offers bubbly!

Go on, you know you want to.

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If you’re looking for places for afternoon tea in NYC that are on the quirky side, try Alice’s Tea Cup.

Now, this place is still undeniably British when it comes to its treat collection (think scones and finger sandwiches!).

But the Alice in Wonderland-themed décor makes it a delightful change from the other afternoon teas around NYC.

And did we mention that it offers unlimited tea and food? That alone makes it one of the top places for afternoon tea in NYC!

Just make sure you go for the Jabberwocky option to avoid being cut off.

If you have a smaller appetite, you can just grab a couple of scones and tea for under $20!

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Next up on my list of the best places to have afternoon tea in NYC, it’s High tea at The Williamsburg Hotel.

The Williamsburg Hotel is definitely one of the best choices for afternoon tea in NYC, and it’s a great choice if you want to try somewhere in Brooklyn.

Williamsburg (the neighborhood where this hotel is found) is one of the coolest neighborhoods in Brooklyn, so you know this place is going to ooze sophistication and style.

It’s a great choice for afternoon tea in NYC!

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Next on my list of the best places for afternoon tea in NYC, it’s the Teatime event at American Girl.

American Girl is a huge toy store in NYC (located by the Rockefeller plaza) and it’s a favorite amongst kids in the city.

If you’re visiting NYC with your little one, and you want a family-friendly afternoon tea in NYC, then this is a fantastic choice.

Teatime at American Girl is offered every Saturday and Sunday at 3:30 p.m. or 4:00 p.m, and it’s popular (so make sure you book ahead).

Reservations can be made 90 days in advance, and the spots go fast, so make sure to plan ahead for this one!

Our next spot for the best afternoon tea in NYC, it’s the amazing afternoon tea located at The Gotham Lounge at the Peninsula Hotel.

This is a really stylish and sophisticated choice, and it’s a great option if you’re looking for afternoon tea in NYC that has a air of luxury.

Specifically, this is an amazing afternoon tea in NYC during the festive season. Their over-the-top Grand Festive Peninsula Afternoon Tea is mindblowing and such a perfect way to celebrate the festive months.

If you’re wondering what makes this place over-the-top… Let us explain! You’ll find items like caviar, foie gras, truffle finger sandwiches, and champagne on the menu.

And yes, this place has a splurge-worth price-tag to match, because it’s definitely one of the more expensive afternoon teas in NYC, at $385 per guest.

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To round off our list of the best places for afternoon tea in NYC, we have King’s Carriage House!

We’ve included this on our list of places for afternoon tea in NYC as it’s way more affordable than other options around.

But that doesn’t mean that these guys skimp on quality or elegance – not at ALL.

Their traditional afternoon tea service takes place in their elegant dining rooms (or outdoor café!).

It includes gorgeous savory sandwiches, scones, and a selection of sweets that’ll fill you up for hours.

It’s available Tuesday through Sunday between 12 pm and 6 pm and reservations are highly recommended.

And another reason it’s one of our favorite places for afternoon tea in NYC?

They offer a tea box to-go that you can enjoy from the comfort of your own home as you binge-watch Netflix. Dreamy.

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If you’ve got any questions about afternoon tea, and what to expect, hopefully we can answer those for you below!

Afternoon tea in NYC Usually consists of the following:

During your afternoon tea in NYC, you’ll receive a selection of the above (usually 2 different items per person).

Afternoon tea is pretty filling, so make sure you’re hungry!

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Traditionally, the purpose of afternoon tea was to fill the gap between lunch and dinner.

It provided a nice, light snack to tide you over hunger-wise from the middle of the day to your evening meal!

Now, afternoon tea is seen as a bit of a ‘special occasion’ and the purpose of afternoon tea is often to celebrate something! Whether it be a birthday, an engagement, or something similar!

Are there any rules for afternoon tea in NYC?

Well no, not officially. But dress codes might change and vary depending on the hotel or restaurant you eat at.

As a general rule of thumb, I would always dress pretty smart for afternoon tea, and avoid anything too casual.

Because getting afternoon in NYC feels like quite a special occasion, I’ll always dress more on the smart side!

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You’ll get lots of different foods served to you during afternoon tea in NYC, and it might be a little confusing knowing which to eat first!

Generally, the rule is, eat your savoury food first! So the correct order to eat a traditional afternoon tea in NYC, would be sandwiches and pastries first, then scones, and then onto sweets and cakes.

Afternoon tea in NYC is such a fun and unique way to spend the afternoon!

Gear up for lots of delicious treats and sandwiches, in a sophisticated and fun setting!