Have A Grown-Up Tea Party At These 5 NY Eateries
Who knew lunch could be so classy?
Remember when we were kids and the pinnacles of luxury were canopy beds, in-ground pools, and tea parties? We all dreamed of those delicate (plastic) teacups filled to the brim (empty) with aromatic honey-brown tea, served alongside a plate of gourmet finger sandwiches (PB & J). Even now that we’re older, we still daydream about living a life full of tea and finger sandwiches and tiny pastries. Is there anything more grown-up than that?
If you want to feel just as sophisticated as you did back then, (and with real tea this time!), these 5 restaurants will surely please the little prince/princess inside. Just remember to keep your pinky up!
Fancy Juice Bar $$
69 1st Avenue New York, NY 10003
If you weren’t sure this restaurant was classy enough for you, just take a look at its name! With the word “fancy” right in the title, Fancy Juice Bar promises a refined and fun-filled experience for the guests who practically live on Instagram. They do this by offering the trendiest of trendy drinks right now–Bubble Tea! If you’re a boba newbie then you can always order a regular, but if you’re looking for something with a unique kick, then the papaya bubble tea is a refreshing choice. There are plenty of other flavors to choose from as well, from cappuccino bubble tea to chocolate to coconut.
If bubble tea really isn’t your thing (we get it–who thought of putting chewy tapioca balls at the bottom of tea, anyway?), then worry not–Fancy Juice Bar has tons of other tea options for you to peruse. If you want regular flavored tea, you can get a summery passionfruit blend, a fresh green apple flavor, and a soothing lemon tea. For those extra-hot days when New York feels like a sauna, you can’t go wrong with one of Fancy Juice Bar’s lemonade, raspberry, or honey ginger iced teas. Whether you go with a popular bubble tea or a regular hot tea, you’re going to need a snack, and Fancy Juice Bar has you covered with a rich array of acai bowl blends and crepe flavors, including strawberry and Nutella crepes and ham, egg, and cheese crepes. One Yelp reviewer called Fancy Juice Bar “the highlight of [her] weekends!”, so it definitely sounds like the ideal setting for an unforgettable tea party!
Activate HungerPass for 15% off Tuesdays and Wednesday, 10% off Thursday-Monday!
Bagels on the Ave $
3315 30th Avenue Astoria, NY 11102
Okay, so bagels don’t exactly exude sophistication. Who cares? Astoria’s Bagels on the Ave is the perfect place to have a casual, laid-back tea party that everyone can enjoy. Some of the “fancier” food options include the Grilled Salmon Club made with salmon, bacon, avocado, and lettuce, and the Grilled Chicken Baguette served with roasted peppers, fresh mozzarella, basil, and balsamic vinaigrette. If you’re looking for something a little lighter, the Greek Yogurt Parfait should be right up your alley! With crunchy granola, berries, and nuts drizzled in honey, it’s the refreshing on-the-go complement to a Chai Tea Latte. The Watermelon Fruit Salad and Pineapple Mixed Berry Fruit Salad are the colorful, sweet salads of your dreams, and they match perfectly with a cool iced tea on a sunny morning.
Yes, a tea party is all about the tea, and Bagel on the Ave definitely has some enticing options: The Organic Mighty Leaf Tea is soothing and totally customizable since you get 2 teabags with a choice of either Tropical Green Tea, Earl Grey, and Orchard Peach. There are caffeine-free options as well, such as the Chamomile Citrus, Ginger Twist teas. There are Herbal Tea options if you’re looking for a little relaxation, and the Matcha Green Tea will surely brighten your day. Of course, it wouldn’t be a tea party without some doughy and delicious desserts, and Bagels on the Ave has cheese danishes, scones, coffee crumb cakes, and for those with a super-sweet tooth, Nutella Oreo Brownies. For a relaxing tea party that’s low on fanciness but high on fun, go to Bagels on the Ave!
Activate HungerPass for 15% off every day of the week!
Caffè Café $$
8401 3rd Ave Brooklyn, NY 11209
Caffè Café is Brooklyn’s very own coffee and tea mecca! As the President of the Merchants of 3rd Avenue said, “[Caffè Café] just adds to the ambiance and attractiveness of the avenue,” so you know it’s a bright spot among Brooklyn’s other cafes and restaurants. It really has any kind of tea for whatever mood you’re in. Craving something sweet, but want to avoid a sugar rush? Try the Decaf Vanilla Black Tea. Want something other than coffee to wake you up in the morning? Try the Orange Spice Black Tea. Feeling overwhelmed, excited, or under the weather? Then you really can’t go wrong with one of Caffè Café’s Fruit Blend Infusion Teas, which combine soothing flavors and energy-rich ingredients to make teas like Apple Peach, Grandma’s Garden Surprise, Blue Eyes, and Berry Jubilee. Their Chai Tea is just as satisfying, and the creamy blend of black tea, honey, vanilla bean, ginger spice, and steamed milk makes for a wholesome, cozy flavor.
Expect classy sophistication and a relaxing atmosphere at Caffè Café, where the tea is top-notch and the food gourmet. In fact, the Florentino Grilled Panini is a fancy and fun combo of grilled chicken, sauteed spinach, mozzarella cheese, and sundried tomato aioli. Quiches are always a great addition to any tea party tabletop, and Caffè Cafés choices of either broccoli and cheddar quiches, spinach and tomato quiches, and ham and cheese quiches will have you wishing it was always tea time!
Activate HungerPass for 10% off Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, and Monday!
Crepe ‘N’ Tearia $
177-07 Union Turnpike Fresh Meadows, NY 11366
This isn’t your grandmother’s tea party! Crepe ‘N’ Tearia is the ideal setting for an eclectic group of friends in search of a fun and diverse tea party spread. The people at Crepe ‘N’ Tearia are truly passionate about satisfying your every crepe and tea need starting with their vast array of Milk Teas, from Almond and Coconut Milk Teas to Mango Milk Tea. Their purifying Green Teas also shouldn’t be missed, especially the classic Jasmine Green Tea and the more unusual Blueberry Green Tea. Their Sparkling Teas are especially unique, and their blends will definitely make you thirsty: The “Time Out” is a lively ginger peach tea blended with ginger ale; the “Blue Note” is a fun and feisty mix of ginger ale and blueberry tea; “Neverland” is a timeless green apple tea combined with ginger ale; and “Long Vacation” is ginger ale mixed with a summery pineapple tea.
Finger sandwiches and pastries are tea party standards, so the sweet and savory additions of crepes are an unexpected breath of fresh air. When paired with the Rose Black Tea, the Mixed Berries and Chocolate Chip Crepe will really make you feel like you’re in an orchard, while the Kiwi Green Tea Slushy adds a palate-cleansing fruitiness to the Cheese Lover Crepe, which is layered with cheddar, mozzarella, and American cheese. Pair a Classic Milk Bubble Tea with the Grilled Chicken Crepe, and you get an experience that a blogger from The Cheap Escape said “opened [her] mind to new wonders.” A fitting compliment for Crepe ‘N’ Tearia, which would truly provide an unexpectedly delicious spread for any grown-up tea party!
Activate HungerPass for 10% off Wednesday-Sunday and Monday!
The Teapsy $
33-17 30th Ave Astoria, NY 11103
Welcome to the crème de la crème of tea places! By mixing different “tea cultures” together, The Teapsy aims to immerse guests in a completely unique tea experience. The Teapsy is a true tea haven for every grown-up who still holds on to their childhood dreams of fancy tea parties and lavish dining experiences. The only difference? While still fancy, The Teapsy’s teas are totally inspired by alcohol!
One Yelp reviewer called the menu “one of the most unusual and innovative,” so you know it’s worth a try! The “Shades of Grey” is a cocktail-inspired tea layered with fresh juices, cocktail mixers, and the legendary Earl Grey tea. The “Four Shades of Grey-Mojito” blends Lime Juice, Mojito Mixer, Orange, and Earl Grey Tea into one zesty and refreshing Mojito-inspired drink. As we mentioned, The Teapsy also dedicates itself to introducing international flavors to its guests, from the Hong Kong-style Coffee Milk Tea made with Tres Leches Milk, Coffee, Assam Tea, and Cane Sugar to a tranquil Taiwanese Golden Oolong Green Tea. There are also some sweet Fruit Green Teas made with fruits like passionfruit, pineapple, and peach.
The Teapsy also has you covered if you’re feeling a little under the weather: The Chrysanthemum Tea is a hot tea made with lovely chrysanthemum flowers and honey. On the spicier side is the Brown Sugar Ginger Tea made with Korean Ginger and honey, all lightly sweetened with brown sugar. One Facebook commenter pretty much sums up The Teapsy’s sophisticated atmosphere by saying, “Amazing tea, amazing staff, amazing atmosphere.” The Teapsy is truly a one-of-a-kind tea party destination, one the little prince/princess inside of you would likely love to explore!
Activate HungerPass for 10% off Monday-Wednesday!
Written by Emma Patterson
