The best afternoon teas in Los Angeles

Price: $135–$190 per person

Hours/days: Mon–Thu 11am, 1:30pm seatings; Fri–Sun 11am, 1:30pm, 4pm seatings

Why we love it: Against the posh backdrop of the Peninsula’s Living Room—complete with plush sofas, two fireplaces and the music of a classical harpist—this afternoon tea experience engages all five senses. Given the price point, it’s one of the most luxurious afternoon teas in town, but The Peninsula makes the splurge feel worth it with attentive service and a first-rate seasonal menu that might include a petite carrot cupcake and blooming lavender tartlet in the spring. The standard offering includes strawberries and whipped cream, a selection of over 20 loose-leaf teas and a glass of Laurent-Perrier (add $10 for the Royal Tea, which makes it Brut Rosé). The $190 Imperial Tea swaps the regular bubbly out for a flute of Dom Perignon. It’s also one of the only afternoon tea options in town available seven days a week. Over the years, I’ve returned time and time again to this swanky Beverly Hills hotel whenever I’m in the mood for a splurge-y afternoon tea service that includes sandwiches, sweets and scones buttered with plenty of seasonal jam and Devonshire cream; these days, you can also add bottomless champagne for $60, $80, or $195 per person.

Time Out tip: Till further notice, you can enjoy baker and author Danielle Sepsy, otherwise known as The Scone Queen’s signature scones as part of a seasonal residency. 

Address: 9882 S Santa Monica Blvd, Beverly Hills, CA 90212

Price: $65–$78 per person, $29 for children’s tea (plus $29 admission to the Huntington)

Hours/days: Mon, Wed–Fri 11am–4pm; Sat, Sun 10:30am–5pm

Why we love it: When the Huntington’s famous tea room reopened in 2023, online reservations promptly booked out completely. These days, the Rose Garden Tea Room is still one of L.A.’s hottest reservations, at least on the weekends, though walk-in guests have found more luck as of late. My advice? Arrive when the teahouse opens around 10am and ask the host to find out what’s available later in the day. Even with the price of admission to the Huntington itself, the beautiful setting and high-quality fare easily make this one of the best afternoon tea experiences in greater Los Angeles. The regular tea offering includes green peppercorn duck rillettes with pomegranate relish, plus a mayan madeline and raspberry mochi cake. (For those with dietary restrictions, the restaurant also offers vegan and gluten-free menus.) The more premium Huntington Tea adds on sparkling wine, a Maine lobster roll and a housemade bonbon. Touches like marmalade and a signature rose tea blend made with citrus and flowers grown on the premises, plus all-around delicious sweets and scones, make the Rose Garden Tea Room a destination-worthy afternoon tea. 

Time Out tip: Punctuality is important here. If you arrive 10 minutes later than your reservation (which can be made up to three months in advance), it’ll be released to walk-ins.

Address: 1151 Oxford Rd, San Marino, CA 91108

Price: $140 per adult ($65 per child 12 and under)

Hours/days: Fri–Sun 1:30pm-3pm seatings

Why we love it: The price might be high, but the fashion’s even higher at the Maybourne’s Prêt-à-Portea: Red Carpet Collection, which ends with a multilevel tier of desserts inspired by iconic celebrity award show looks. This Beverly Hills hotel leans into the haute couture theme with a red-carpet photo-op for every tea service guest upon entry. Each afternoon, tea service begins with a glass of champagne and a warm cheese gougère. Then come the requisite sandwiches and scones, but you’ll want to save room for executive pastry chef Brooke Martin’s grand finale confectioneries, all of which are gluten-free and come with their own zine and pictures of the outfits that inspired each one. Sure, the red-carpet entrance might be a little cheesy, but even those unfamiliar with afternoon tea can appreciate the white-glove service and high-quality pastry skills on display here. 

Time Out tip: The amount of food included in this afternoon tea service is extremely generous—so hold back on the sandwiches and scones if you want to try all of the desserts. Most people take at least a few of the sweets home.

Address: 225 N Canon Dr, Beverly Hills, CA 90210

Price: $84 per person ($42 for children under 12)

Hours/days: Sat, Sun 12:30–3:30pm seatings

Why we love it: Hosted in the hotel’s sleek, marble-adorned Sitting Room, the venue runs a touch too modern for my liking, but the pastries, sweets and savories at the London more than make up for this. Another bonus? The London also offers a fairly large assortment of iced teas, including a delightful tangerine tea flavored with mint and cucumber-ginger syrup. Each afternoon tea service includes a glass of sparkling (you can upgrade to Moet for $22 extra); blackcurrant and plain scones served with preserves, lemon curd and clotted cream; plus savories and sweets. Compared to other hotels, the kitchen puts a refreshing contemporary twist on the usual afternoon tea bites. The smoked salmon comes atop a matcha green tea crepe, and there’s a vegan-friendly avocado spring roll with peanut sauce. I’m not a huge fan of marzipan, but I loved the Battenburg cake, which rotates flavors on a seasonal basis. The chamomile madeleines and jasmine silver-tip shortbread provide a nice counterbalance to the other sugary delights. On holidays like Easter and Mother’s Day, guests can look forward to special menus tailored to each celebration.

Time Out tip: Valet parking is complimentary for the first two hours.

Address: 1020 N San Vicente Blvd, West Hollywood, CA 90069

Price: $75–$100 per person

Hours/days: Sat, Sun 11am–4pm

Why we love it: Served within a stunning Spanish, Mexican and Moroccan-inspired space designed by Kelly Wearstler, the Downtown L.A. Proper’s cocktail lounge offers a modern, ultra-stylish version of afternoon tea, and the best afternoon tea in the area, by far. Walk through Caldo Verde and you’ll find an intimate, terracotta-hued hideaway and a delicious, filling array of seasonal sweets crafted by pastry chef Irene Widjaya, plus savory bites by A.O.C.’s Suzanne Goin to go alongside the excellent artisanal tea brewed in individually sized tetsubin. If you’re in a drinking mood, upgrade with a seasonal non-alcoholic cocktail ($85), glass of Drappier Carte d’Or champagne ($90) or Laurent-Perrier rosé champagne ($100). 

Time Out tip: For vegans, Dahlia also offers a completely plant-based menu—just make sure to make a note in your reservation.

Address: 1100 S Broadway, Los Angeles, CA 90015

Price: $100–$140 per person

Hours/days: Sat, Sun noon–4pm

Why we love it: Designed by Kelly Wearstler, the impossibly chic space features unique floral arrangements and plenty of seating arrangements to choose from. While the tables that border the elongated booth by the window catch the most light, larger parties can opt for the secluded alcoves or one of the lower-slung coffee tables. Each service includes a glass of sparkling wine (or a non-alcoholic option), plus scones, sandwiches and a rotating array of sweets that put a California spin on classic flavors—such as caramelized fennel on rye toast with rosemary and fermented honey. For $20 or $40 more, guests can also indulge in bottomless prosecco or champagne, respectively.

Time Out tip: Personally, I’d skimp on the bottomless bubbles and instead head up to rooftop restaurant Calabra for a cocktail sunset (I love the urfa spicy mezcalita).

Address: 700 Wilshire Blvd, Santa Monica, CA 90401

Price: $29.50–$34.50 per person

Hours/days: Mon, Thu–Sun 10am–4pm

Why we love it: Less than a mile away from some of Altadena’s most scenic hiking trails (some of which are sadly still closed following the Eaton Fire), this casual teahouse serves an excellent afternoon tea on the weekends. Each set includes a fully plant-based array of delicious toasts, scones and pastries, including Asian-inspired sweets. Our favorite afternoon tea set at Callisto, however, is the gong fu tea service for two ($69), which comes with the regular sweets and savories plus a traditional Chinese tea ceremony. Brewed tableside on a wooden tray, each gong fu service also comes with an adorable color-changing tea pet. On my visit, it was a pair of metallic pink-gold carp. Guests are meant to pour hot water over the small pottery figure while blooming their tea leaves, and the tiny figures are associated with good luck.

Address: 1359 N Altadena Dr, Pasadena, CA 91107

Time Out tip: While you can drop into Callisto for a casual pastry and a cuppa any day of the week, advance reservations are highly recommended for the weekend tea offerings.

Address: 359 N Altadena Dr, Pasadena, CA 91107

Price: $36 per person ($25 for children)

Hours/days: Daily 10am–3pm

Why we love it: Tucked away in the foothills of Glendale is this longtime tea room with frilly, quaint interiors straight out of grandma’s house and a back patio perfect for baby showers, birthdays and other daytime special occasions. Offered daily from 10am to 3pm (phone reservations required), each modestly priced tea set includes sandwiches, scones, fruit and a few sweets and comes with your choice of tea. While they aren’t the best I’ve ever had, I can’t argue with the price, and the quality of the T Room’s sandwiches and sweets far surpasses those offered at many of L.A.’s more expensive afternoon tea options. I should also mention that the Montrose teahouse offers a robust tea selection, including specialty blends like Russian Samovar, which combines black tea with mint and cloves. If you’re cutting down or skipping caffeine altogether, there are lighter green and white blends and herbal options like peach rooibos and the tulsi-based “Holy T-Tox Detox.” 

Time Out tip: In more temperate months, you can also request a table on the T Room’s charming outdoor patio.

Address: 2405 Honolulu Ave, Montrose, CA 91020