A buzzing destination like Manhattan may be known for its coffee addiction, but nothing warms a cold New Yorker’s heart like a cup of hot tea between their hands on a blustery day. New York City teahouses offer up blends from just about every corner of the world, so no matter what kind of tea you love, this city has it. Here’s where to grab yourself a “cuppa,” as our friends across the pond would say.
Blank Slate Tea
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Blank Slate is a social media maven’s dream come true. The teahouse’s technicolor wallpaper, pastel pink couch, and minimalist-chic design are pick-me-ups for any Instagram feed — and any patron. Grab a drink on the go or sit down for an afternoon tea service, complete with healthy treats like matcha bowls and hummus toast.
Alice’s Tea Cup
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Alice’s Tea Cup brings your childhood daydreams to life before your eyes. With Alice In Wonderland-inspired decor, glitter, and fairy wings galore, this tearoom is legendary for its sense of whimsy. With a rotating daily scone menu, more than 100 varieties of tea, and a setting that looks like a page from your favorite storybook (even if the novel you’re reading with your tea if a bit more grown-up).
Chalait
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Chalait specializes in matcha, offering everything from traditionally prepared hot cups to creative blends like matcha hot chocolate. The cafe sources its matcha from multi-generational farms in Uji, the region of Japan where the modern green tea processing method originated, so you know you’re getting the best of the best here.
Tea & Sympathy
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As a Greenwich Village fixture since 1991, Tea & Sympathy has long been the go-to Manhattan destination for a British tea experience. This combination teahouse and restaurant features an assortment of English delights including finger sandwiches, sponge cake, shepherd’s pie, toffee pudding, and the cutest teapots you ever did see.
Kings’ Carriage House
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Tucked into an antique-filled townhouse on a quiet residential block, Kings’ Carriage House is a wonderful hidden treasure aiming to recreate the atmosphere of a historic European manor. Pay a visit to enjoy a traditional afternoon tea, or amp things up with their fabulous champagne tea experience.
Janam Tea
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This reservation-only tearoom makes its home in Garfunkel’s, a beloved speakeasy that operates in the same space in the evenings. In the afternoon, before the speakeasy comes to life, Janam serves up premium Indian tea. Each unblended cup is cultivated in India with special care taken to honor the distinct flavors of each season.
Bosie Tea Parlor
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This warm, welcoming haven is known not only for its hot beverages, but also for its mouthwatering crepe cakes and flavorful macarons. It’s the ideal spot for a low-key solo tea experience, and with a skilled French pastry chef whipping up treats every day, you’ll be nearly guaranteed to leave full and happy.
Hello Always
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No tea article is complete with a mention of boba tea. New York’s boba scene is booming, and Hello Always is a lively recent arrival. Founded by a pair of innovative twenty-somethings, the tea shop specializes in all-natural ingredients and makes its boba in-house. Hello Always even offers “bobarista” classes, where guests can experience a tea tasting before learning how to make drinks of their own.
- Story by Claire Hannum