8 best afternoon teas in Boston

The stunning cocktail lounge in the skyscraper Four Seasons Hotel, One Dalton Street turns into Afternoon Tea every weekend. Beginning with an amuse-bouche of foie gras ganache and caramelized banana, you’ll keep with English tradition by snacking on eclectic tea sandwiches, freshly baked scones, petite fours, cakes, unique sweets and bespoke blends of local favorite J'enway Tea Co. There’s even a spiked tea option, as in-house mixologists artfully pair teas with liqueurs or spirits to elevate the flavor.

This afternoon tea comes with harbor views as a backdrop to its steaming cups and a three-tiered offerings of seasonal sweets and savories, from cranberry chouquettes to green tea verrine, an elevated PB&J of cashew butter and lingonberry jam to smoked salmon and black caviar cones. Take it up a notch with a tea-centric cocktail or a glass of Lanson Champagne.

This Salem haunt for tealovers offers a High Tea on Wednesdays through Sundays. Your European-inspired experience begins with a glass of iced Tisane tea while you peruse the extensive loose leaf tea menu. A three-tiered presentation of tea sandwiches, including cucumber, smoked salmon, and ham and brie, accompanies a steaming personal pot of your selection, along with lemon scones, French macarons, and madeleines. Want a more intimate tea party? Book the private Salon Room for four to six guests. 

Take a pause for a peaceful afternoon tea retreat right in the heart of busy Boylston Street. The Boston Public Library’s 19th-century original building has an interior garden overlooked by its Courtyard Restaurant. Afternoon tea includes pots of fine loose-leaf teas, and the cake stand’s three tiers are delightfully laden with tiny tea sandwiches, fruit scones with thick whipped cream and lemon curd, and pretty tarts and cakes. Holiday tea is popular, requiring reservations. Embellish your experience with their signature tea-infused cocktails inspired by literary greats.

While this chocolate shop and café is known for its gorgeous cocoa products, fine pots of tea are given just as much attention as the superior hot chocolate. More of an all-day experience than a true afternoon tea, choose from green, white, or black selections and pair with a pretty pastry—like an Earl Grey mousse cake or the fragrant hazelnut-orange cake—all of which are made daily. They are also one of the rare places in New to serve celebrated French tea company Mariage Frères – they offer a dozen.

After learning about the historic event at the Boston Tea Party Ships & Museum, stick around for afternoon tea. You can try the actual tea blends that were thrown overboard during The Boston Tea Party. Named after Abigail Adams, wife of President John Adams, the tearoom has beautiful waterside views. You don’t have to buy a museum ticket in order to enjoy tea. There’s an assortment of pastries and baked goods. Abigail’s Tea Platter includes a pot of Abigail’s blended tea and scones.

Chef Brenden Crocker serves a proper tea at this newly updated town staple in a stately 1912 building. On Fridays and Saturday 2:30 to 4:30 p.m., begin with a glass of sparkling rose, prosecco or Segura Viudas and then indulge in fine tea selections from Harney & Sons alongside scones with Devonshire cream, lemon curd, jams, assorted petite tea sandwiches, and decadent confections made in house. Kids under 12 enjoy the Tot Tea, a choice with more substantial treats, including grilled cheese, chicken fingers, powdered fried dough and mini dessert pastries.

Few things are more delicious than a good book paired with a steaming pot of tea. Trident has both. Hang out in this Back Bay bookseller’s café and choose from its excellent, extensive tea selection: treat yourself to the Golden Buds oolong or Organic White Peony. There’s even a hybrid for coffee lovers – the Rooibos Latte. Pair with a sandwich or something sweet, or don’t—tea is occasionally savored best alone.