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Afternoon tea right here in the Windy City? Who would have known! Turns out there’s more than a few places to enjoy an authentic afternoon tea experience right in Chicago. If you’re a local who can’t afford a ticket to London, or travelling to Chicago, you’re probably going to be interested in some of the most happening tea rooms in town! Turns out, there’s more than a few, and they’re ready to provide you with an afternoon tea service you won’t forget!
See also: Want to recreate one of your favorite afternoon services of all time? Throw the perfect high tea in your own home with these must-try afternoon tea recipes!
Where is the Best Place for Afternoon Tea in Chicago?
Want to have an afternoon filled with relaxing conversation over tea, and all of the sweet and wonderful trimmings that go along with it? Or, maybe you want to see what an afternoon tea service is really all about for yourself! Either way, this guide will lead you to our favorite spots for afternoon tea in Chicago! Add one of them to your itinerary to learn more about this little pocket of British culture in Chicago. Without further adieu, check out some of these destinations in Chicago!
Pavillion, Langham Hotels
What better place to start than with the originator of the afternoon tea themselves? Lngham first debuted the traditional british afternoon tea well over a hundred years ago in London. Ever since, it’s become a global sensation enjoyed by millions! How does the tradition stand up at the Langham’s Pavilion in their Chicago hotel? Very well indeed.. First you’re met with the classy, breezy interior atmosphere of the Pavillion. If you have the privilege of staying in this building during your trip, even better! Park up for a small plate of delightful sweets including berry scones, as well as an elegant and colorful array of finger food friendly sweets and savories to carry the conversation between each sip.
The Millenium Knickerbocker at Martini Bar
Situated in the historic Martini Bar, The Library Tea Room is an elegant and stylish venue for enjoying a high class afternoon tea service like none other! You can expect to be greeted with two authentic afternoon tea services at this lovely cafe. A traditional Afternoon tea consists of finger sandwiches, scones with clotted cream as well as cakes and pastries. On the other hand, an Asian Afternoon tea enhances the experience with dim sum, skewers, and asian inspired desserts. If you’re anything like me, the thought of trying an asian inspired afternoon tea sounds absolutely delightful! Being a hotel location, it’s also very boutique in its offerings. It may not fill you right up, but it most certainly will provide you with a lovely evening over some tea and company!
Vanille Patisserie
Afternoon tea at the Vanille Patisserie is a delight to be able to participate in! Their afternoon tea includes, you guessed it, their wonderful lineup of delectable French pastry. Freshly baked, filling and absolutely incredible. Their salon offers a wonderfully French farmhouse inspired interior, which is both welcoming as well as warm. You’ll be able to expect the traditional 3 tiered dainty and savory tray that’s a longstanding tradition the world over. (And we wouldn’t like it any other way!) The French inspiration spills into this afternoon tea service at every turn. A large party can include up to 10 guests! This means lots of room for large families, and reservations for celebrations of any kind! For fresh baked, lovely French inspired small dishes, this is absolutely the place to be!
The Lobby
For modern elegance, and style The Lobby is where you want to book. Seriously, their stunning venue is one that inspires more than just a visit. It’s more than likely that you’ll be taking out your camera a few times! Exquisite vaulted ceilings, with the most spectacular chandelier, and lounge-style seating amongst a beautifully arranged dining room makes The Lobby feel a lot less like a cafe, and more like a regal dining hall. You’ll feel like royalty, too. Once you get to feast your eyes on their afternoon tea spread. The Peninsula Afternoon Tea is a proud offering here at The Lobby. They pride themselves on their strong lineup of seasonal offerings, coupled with a set of sweet and savory bites. Not only that, but you’ll get to taste Peninsula’s own gourmet teas! If this didn’t sound good enough to you, then you haven’t seen anything of the interior yet for yourself. Take a look, you won’t regret it!
Argo Tea
On the go, and looking to get a little shopping in at the same time? Plans change quickly in the Windy City, and so could your trip! If you don’t need to deal with the hassle of a lounge or hall that you need to book into, Argo tea is the place for you! They have a splendid array of food and beverage offerings specifically catered to the taste of a tea lover like yourself! Iced, and warm teas are available in Teappuccinos, as well as regular blends. You’ll even find the splendid bubble tea, as well as kombucha and tea sparkles!
Argo tea sources everything straight from where it was made, ensuring a high-quality and ethical way to enjoy your tea. So, what sets this place apart so much? You can take your afternoon tea totally on the go! That’s right, you can walk right up to the counter and take everything to-go! You get the choice of exactly what you’d like to enjoy, and you can eat it anywhere! What about the shopping? Or, Shopportunity? This place is perfect for the tea lover, with a huge selection of imported teas to choose from! In a manner of speaking, at Argo Tea, you can have your cake, and eat it too!
See also: Inspired to try some tea-based baking out? These recipes are exactly what you’re looking for! Mouthwatering baking with a splash of tea on the side!
With any luck, you’ll have found the perfect places to visit in the Windy City! in your search for the best place for afternoon tea in Chicago, don’t forget to make your itinerary. There’s so much to see, so plan carefully and make sure you take the time to really enjoy the unique brand of afternoon tea they do out here!
