The 9 best afternoon tea services in Chicago

There's no denying it: You'll feel like a million bucks as soon as you walk through the doors of the Langham. Elevate the feeling further when you grab a seat in the Pavilion for afternoon tea, a tradition that started back in 1865 at the Langham’s London outpost. The hotel offers experiences for holidays such as Easter and Mother's Day, as well as themed seasonal menus like an Alice in Wonderland Tea—featuring broccoli and caramelized onion tartlet, chicken salad sliders and passionfruit cheesecake.

$55–$135; served Saturdays and Sundays, 11am–5pm; reserve on Tock.

A dedicated children’s menu and a sensitivity to the importance of giving one’s doll a chair of their own make afternoon tea at this Mag Mile grand dame one of the city’s most family-friendly. It’s also one of the busiest teas, particularly during the holiday season, when the room’s central fountain wears a shimmering crown of silver boughs and the standard entertainment is augmented with a band of roving carolers. Tea service here is no mere tourist gimmick; rather, it features a nice menu of sippers from French outfit Palais des Thés and a selection of food composed with care.

$69 for adults and $35 for children; served Fridays-Sundays, noon–4:30pm; reserve on OpenTable.

If you want the most elevated high tea experience, look no further than The Peninsula Chicago. Taking place in the heart of the hotel, The Lobby, the beloved British tradition of hot sips and finger snacks gets the five-star treatment here. The menu changes seasonally, but you can always expect a delightful assortment of scones, sandwiches and desserts to share, plus a flute of Champagne for each guest.

$140 for adults and $70 for kids; Fridays-Sundays, 2:30pm-4:30pm; reserve on Tock.

A suspended-in-time quality hangs about this long-running Loop tearoom, which boasts white tablecloths, brass chandeliers and folk music. A tri-level tray practically sags with the weight of multitudinous sweets and savories. As you might expect, it’s the Russian-accented items—an oniony little potato piroshki, napoleon torte rich with pastry cream—that are most memorable. Opt for the Queen Tea Service for upgrades like Russian pancakes and tea sandwiches with salmon roe.

$35.95 per person or $55.95 for Queen Tea Service; served all day Mondays–Sundays; reserve on Tock.

Sweeping city views are a free perk included with tea service at LondonHouse Chicago. The posh riverfront hotel serves a contemporary take on high tea, with a mix of traditional treats (think cranberry scones) and flavorful bites like Peking duck spring rolls and a blackberry yuzu macaron. Local supplier Rare Tea Cellars provides the beverages, with intriguing options including a sakura cherry blossom and a fire-toasted rice Genmaicha.

$85 for adults and $45 for kids; served daily noon–3pm; reserve on Tock.

Elegant without feeling buttoned-up, the Boozy Tea Service at this intimate hotel lounge seeks to liven up the classics. With your tea from Rare Tea Cellar, you’ll enjoy live entertainment from local musicians and snacks like Jidori chicken salad with quince jam, brown butter chai scones and the decadent truffled egg tartlette with parmigiano and Osetra caviar. For an additional fee, your party can toast with some bubbly or try the communally-served tea cocktails, like the Dream Punch made of Prosecco and vodka infused with gingerbread dream rooibos tea. 

$65; Sundays, 11am–3 pm; reserve on OpenTable.

You’ll find a playful tea-and-cocktail service perfect for friend gatherings at this coastal Mediterranean-inspired restaurant from James Beard Award winner Carrie Nahabedian. In addition to a selection of classic teas and sweet-and-savory munchies, you can let the gossip flow freely with a “Spill the Tea” bottomless booze package. Who knows what you’ll learn while enjoying the cheekily-named concoctions, such as the bourbon-black tea “Take My Breath Away” and the “Just The Two of Us,” a hot beverage made with green tea-infused rum, pineapple, cider and wine syrup.

$65–$80; Saturdays (noon, 2:30pm) and Sundays (1pm); reserve on Tock.

Head to the ground floor of Soho House Chicago to enjoy a selection of Rishi Teas like Ruby Oolong, Mushroom Hero and Ginger. They’re paired with a delectable tower of pastries that boasts bites such as blueberry and lemon tart, dark chocolate mousse cake, mille feuille and peaches ‘n cream pâte à choux. You can make it a funday by opting for sparkling tea service, which includes a glass of bubbles.

$55 or $68 for sparkling tea; Fridays and Saturdays, 2pm-4pm; reserve on OpenTable.

The sheer loveliness of Vanille’s French pastries carries over to its afternoon tea. The whimsical tea selection, from local supplier Benjamin, ranges from the floral (French lavender) to the fruity (the tropical "Love" blend) to the sweet (HoneyMilk Ginger). A warm sandwich of black forest ham, gruyere and shallot aioli on a buttery mini croissant makes an excellent opener, but it’s the classic pastries like the Madeleine and the scones served with zingy lemon curd and rich Devon double cream that steal the show. You can also BYOB ($10 corkage fee) if you're looking to liven things up, or have a tea party at home with a to-go package.

$75; served Tuesdays–Sundays, 11:30am-4:30pm; reserve on Tock.